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Night time pain

Posted , 3 users are following.

Jan999
Jan999

I am due to see a rheumatologist for the first time next month after a referral by my GP. My rheumatoid factor and serum protein levels were raised. I have pain in my right shoulder, ankles and both knees. However the pain in my knees is mainly when I go to bed. In fact it is so severe at times, as it was last night, I can't sleep and I end up fumbling around in the dark looking for painkillers. I take my last dose of codeine for the day about 2 hours before I go to bed and have to take Nefopam during the night. What I can't understand is why is it so painful when I'm lying down in bed? Does anyone have any ideas please? I'm desperate!

0 likes, 6 replies

6 Replies

  • AnnaDevs
    AnnaDevs Jan999

    Posted

    Hi Matron.  I usually am worst first thing in the morning and last this at night (and during the night) I think because you start to slow down in the evenings and rest that your joints start to sieze up again.  When I was using medication I would keep a glass of water by the bed along with painkillers and even set my alarm to wake me up so that I would get continual pain relief.  Not sure if that will help you, but I did find by morning it would be made worse because painkillers had worn off by then.  Good luck.  Anna x
    • Jan999
      Jan999 AnnaDevs

      Posted

      Hello AnnaDevs. My shoulder is always stiff and painful on a morning and when I get up I struggle to walk initially as my ankles are painful and stiff. I've always had water by my bed but your advice about being woken up to take analgesics is excellent advice, thank you. I will try that tonight. Having said that last night my knee was so painful I was awake anyway. Oh joy!! But I will set the alarm. Thank you.
  • AnnaDevs
    AnnaDevs Jan999

    Posted

    Also, have you tried wheat bags that you can heat up in the microwave.  I have one of those and an ice pack to keep on stand by in the freezer.  It doesn't take the pain away but it does really comfort it.  I'm really sorry for you not being able to stand.  I've been there and it is so frustrating! Thankfully it has moved to my hands and wrists for the moment but I would rather that because at least I can get about.  The only trouble is, is can move about so often!  Hope you manage to get some sleep tonight x
    • Jan999
      Jan999 AnnaDevs

      Posted

      Thank you AnnaDevs I did sleep better last night and for some reason my knee wasn't as painful. I didn't set the alarm as I didn't want to wake hubby and I always wake to go to the loo. I took my Nefopam at 3am as I'd taken my full quota of codeine for the day. That definitely helped. Good advice Anna. Thank you
  • carol24346
    carol24346 Jan999

    Posted

    i had pain killers on prescrition from my doctor Co-Dydramol  i find the pretty good pain killers but we are all diffrent
    • Jan999
      Jan999 carol24346

      Posted

      Hi carol. I was tempted to go back to my GP to see if she could give me anything different for my pain but I have a rheumatology appointment in 3 weeks so thought it best to wait as they may prescribe something different.
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