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Severe joint pain

Posted , 9 users are following.

amanda12998
amanda12998

Hi, I'm hoping someone can help here. I'm 53 years old and more or less finished the menopause. Since I was in my 20's I've had osteoarthritis in my hips, but for the last year pain has spread to other joints and for the past couple of months the pain in my elbows, wrists, hips, knees and ankles has become very severe. I visited my gp a couple of days ago as I can't sleep for the pain. She just told me it was wear and tear and gave me painkillers and sent me for a blood test for rheumotoid arthritis (my grandma had it) but said she didn't expect it to come back positive. I'm not sure what's going on, I've got burning muscle pain around the hip joints, I can't lift anything heavy as my elbows hurt so much. My ankles throb constantly even in bed, I used ot look forward to going to bed to 'rest' but now it's just as uncomfortable being in bed and I'm not resting. It doesn't feel like normal 'wear and tear' as the gp said. I'm exhausted and although I'm still working, as I have no choice, my life is affected by this pain. I don't know if this is related to menopause, arthritis or something else but it's making my life a misery. I asked the gp for x-rays but she refused saying that it's too difficult as it's multiple joints that are affected. I feel like I'm being fobbed off, and the painkillers don't ease it whatsoever.

Mandy.

5 likes, 28 replies

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  • maria86085
    maria86085 amanda12998

    Posted

    Halo Amanda I am from South Africa and reading through all these posts makes me so negative seems it does not matter where in the Universe we are we all suffer from the same thing,  I was diagnosed by a GP having RA and he only prescribed athrexan and puricos for me.  Some of my fingers are disformed but not much tho, and I believe it was the puricos slowed it down.  I had severe pain the last year and can hardly sleep at night my husband cant even move on the bed then I want to freak out.  I feel lame at night and battle to turn from one side to the other it is sooo painful, it is also in my back down my one leg into my knee, My inner thighs are also painful and in my left side sometimes burning sharpfull pain.  So my new GP test me (bloodtest) and confirmed that I have RA and it is quite high and she prescribed coxflam and puricos again and still nothing help, the pain just get worse.  I have waited for months for a Rheumatologist and finally saw one,  a week ago.  She did bloodstests again and Xrays....According to the bloodstests I don't have RA and now she don't care anymore.  The Xrays shows a little osteoarthiritus....and still no medication precribed.  Hope someone can help me too....xxxxxx
    • amanda12998
      amanda12998 maria86085

      Posted

      Hi Maria, Sounds like you're in the same boat as me with the Rheumatologist. My blood tests show a problem with my immunity but it isn't clear what it is yet, I have to go for more blood tests in January. I also have pain in the left side now too and it is severe at times. The joints in my hands have swollen considerably since I first posted on here, they are so painful but the consensus of the doctors is OA, it doesn't make sense, I had inflammation in my blood tests last week. I am waiting to go for a scan now. I've been told not to take Naproxen anymore as it does damage elsewhere in the body, it's a long process isn't it trying to get an answer, the new gp I saw a few months ago was fantastic but even he can't give me any answers. It's just a waiting game and in the meantime we have to put up with the pain, all I was told was that it is going to get worse. xxx
    • mayday35
      mayday35 amanda12998

      Posted

      I had always believed RA did not occur in warmer countries and am rather surprised you have it in SA. It is unacceptable that you suffer so much Amanda this day and age. The method Chenye write of is what I have been having. It is also known as PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma). Apart from taking the blood in usual fashion in crook of your arm, it is painless except for the injection. You can have as many as you like of these injections and there is NO chance of rejection since this is your own blood going in. It is rather long-winded I found but there is relief. I am also having HA (Hyaluronic Acid) injections very frequently. This is a natural substance found in your body and is the liquid over your eyes so quite safe.  I had this done yesterday and have had many jabs in my attempt to avoid a knee operation. Sounds as if you have sciatica from the hip to knee. Try all these natural remedies and see if they help you. My rheumtologist does these for me. BUT ASK FOR THEM as they might not be just for offering if you don't suggest their use. Also use ice packs. I find these very helpful. Do not give up and it should alleviate your suffering just a little to think of many worse off than we are... I wish you luck with these treatments that are not that costly. Be patient with them. All the best to you. And may you have less pain next year.
  • mayday35
    mayday35 amanda12998

    Posted

    Amanda if its the immune system are you taking Vitamin D3? If that is low then you must take supplements. You can buy it OTC in chemists and take high dosage like 12 drops a day. Try to get the oil variety as the usual one contains ethanol and that isn't good with some pain killers. ASK for the blood test to INCLUDE vitamin D 3 as it is not usually included. Or you can just ask for one only for Vitamin D3. It isn't costly procedure even if you do it on your own. Sunshine is what is lacking if it is too low. You should never be left with such pain but HOW can anybody else know what your pain is like?  I am taking also HYDROLIZED COLLAGEN which is obtainable from Health stores and a natural part of our bones. Also check with Serenity people for natural progesterone. 53 is a very young age and you must not be left to suffer this way. Take a course of Broncho Vaxom too as it strengthens your immune system as does Echinacea which again is natural plant. I sympathize with you over that pain. Nobody knows about another's pain threshold. It's good you see a specialist rhumatologist and not rely upon a GP only, although they do all they can to help. The medical profession is out to help relieve your pain so don't give up.
  • amanda12998
    amanda12998

    Posted

    Hi everyone, just an update as to what's been going on. I had another lot of specific blood tests done in January as directed by the rheumatologist, they came back SCL 70 positive and have to have a follow up appointment in August. My hands have now become so painful, they are swollen and all my knuckle joints have nodes on them, some large and some small but they are appearing at an alarming rate, I am so fatigued and find it difficult to do my job and keep taking days off due to pain and fatigue. I'm going to see my gp next week to find out what my options are, but I'm now finding that whenever I speak to them they don't really want to know because I'm in the care of the rheumatlologist, but I don't see the latter on a regular basis and things are changing so rapidly. I feel at a real loose end with it all now, this has been going on for a long time and I despair. 
  • Pjbterry1
    Pjbterry1 amanda12998

    Posted

    Your symptoms sound just like mine and last year it hit me like a brick wall it's spreading all over my body real fast and it's hard for me to get anything for pain because people ruined it for people that actually need things for pain. I miss work been hard it's been a hard Road. And it really has taken me places mentally and physically that I never dreamed of. Finally got Disability after 2.5 yrs while I lost my life. Got Medicare an Medicaid at the same time. Most have to wait 2 yrs for Medicare. Their way of telling me I was dying quicker maybe. They put me straight in methotrexate, the chemotherapy drug and I stuck it out for 4 months and it like to killed me. I'm not me anymore. I trust steroids more than anything. More later.

    • hope4cure
      hope4cure Pjbterry1

      Posted

      Ask your rhumy about biological drugs they are designed to slow down the damage to joints. Do some research  be familiar with the new drugs available to help with PSA, RA, and other immune diseases.
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