Which Pain is Which?

Posted , 10 users are following.

I've started a new thread as Kate's original question re PMR or old back pain has had lots of replies and I feel my experience/query, although in some ways similar will make it all a bit unwieldy and some of what I want to say is irrelevant to the original post.

I must have had osteo arthritis for more than thirty years. It began with my hands which are now what you might call gnarled.  I first noticed pain which made playing the piano for the children in my school uncomfortable but I managed for a while. Then I retired and no longer played. At this stage there was no swelling; that came later and when it did my hands became stiffer and stiffer but less and less painful. My feet are now going the same route and I hobble a bit when I first get up. As the day goes on it all eases and by evening I feel pretty well ok but only if I keep moving. Sit still for an hour and I creak.

To a lesser extent I have pain in one knee and also lower back or it could be hip, not sure.  This could be attributable to too much gardening, of course, or plain old age. Or could some of it be PMR? So I have at least four possibilities. 

There are days when I think almost fondly of PMR and the steroids that kept them all at bay! But my last ESR came back as 3 which I know doesn't prove anything but doesn't make Pred. look like the first thing to try.

I cannot take paracetamol and have never tried any NSAIDs and given my track record I'm not keen to do so.  I suppose if I did try and all the pains went then I'd know it's not PMR.

Perhaps I ought to post this under Arthritis. But that's where I came in; how to tell which pain?

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  • Posted

    It is such a difficult one and I find I use a lot of mental energy trying to work it out, which is exhausting.  I hope you find some relief.  Best wishes Kate x
  • Posted

    I too have osteoarthritis.  But I'm not in a position where I feel I need to take any painkillers for it.  My first stop is always the physiotherapist!  When I was first diagnosed with OA, over thirty years ago, my doctor told me I could take coated aspirin, which I did.  Then somehow, not sure how, pre-internet days, I learned that aspirin (and later the other nsaids) are bad for OA as they interfere with cartilage renewal, so ever since I've reserved such medication for headaches or similar shortlived afflictions.  I don't like acetaminophen either because it can damage the liver if taken over a long period of time even at the recommended dose.  I've taken a fairly large dose of glucosamine for years, capsules not tablets, 1000 mg twice a day.  

    • Posted

      I take Glucosamine, too. My capsules are 1500mgs. and it says not to exceed the recommended dose which is one a day but it looks as though that is not a universal direction. I wonder where the figures come from?

      My sister's GP told her that the NHS  daren't allow it on prescription because it would bankrupt the system. ( In UK, as you may know,  those of pensionable age get prescriptions free. )My old GP was very much in favour, too.

    • Posted

      We don't have pharmacare in Canada.  None of my supplements are covered by any insurance, and I can't even claim as a medical expense on my tax return as I can some other non-covered items.  Only my pred is covered by my husband's retired civil servant plan and there is still a co-pay.  

      I have read that glucosamine shouldn't be taken for a long period of time, but it didn't say why not.  I wonder if I should give myself a glucosamine holiday?

    • Posted

      And yet a lot of studies have found it doesn't appear to make much difference in OA. I think there has been a recent meta-analysis that came to a similar conclusion. Who knows - but I suppose if people have less pain - who is anyone to complain?

    • Posted

      I don't think I want to try doing without  Glucosamine in the cause of research. 

    • Posted

      I have a theory, which is that the studies are relatively short term.  I was diagnosed with OA when I was forty, although I think I had it earlier.  I don't remember when I started taking glucosamine but it must have been not long after.  Eventually I stopped because it didn't seem to be helping, although I still wasn't in bad condition.  I was taking two 500 mg doses a day.  But a friend whose husband took it told me I should take more.  Twice as much, in fact, so I started doing that.  I also follow the osteoarthritis forum here.  I have to say when I hear about the terrible condition many people younger than I are in I do believe glucosamine must have been helping me.  The OA has progressed, but very very slowly.  I still have nearly full range in all my joints, although shoulder problems have cropped up recently.  OA does not restrict me in any meaningful way and any pain associated with it is transitory and insignificant.  Has glucosamine helped over the past thirty years?  Probably, but mostly since I started taking the larger dose.  

      And if the expectation in the studies is that glucosamine will act like an analgesic, then I think that is a mistake.  If it helps with pain it's because it's slowing down or preventing further damage.

       

    • Posted

      grammar: "younger than me"

  • Posted

    Sorry for your pain and distress.  I used to take glucasamine and chronditin  (sp) several years aog, found no help. but we are all different.  I play8 piano too, but some of my fingers prohibit any difficult pieces.  I usually take 2 alleve (naprosin 440 mg) for relief of pain, it is longer lasting and helps some.  They were giving me hydracodone, and oxycodone when I fractured my pelvis.  It helped some, but no more!  The best to you, however you didn't say what age range you were in?

    • Posted

      It's no secret on here that I'm 86 and I know I have to accept that this has to be considered. Do I have unrealistic expectations? Absolutely; they help get me going!

  • Posted

    Hi Betty,  You have a young outlook for 86!  Congrats!  I am 90 and will be 91 Sept. 10.  I have a young outlook and probably look more like I'm in my early 70's, according what people say.  However, pain is pain, no matter how young or old you are.  Some folks can bear pain better that other, like my husband, and my son!  So be it!

    • Posted

      Says this was posted three months ago. First time I've seen it. You're four years ahead of me and going well. Keep it up.

  • Posted

    Hello, can u say something about a mobile recorder on Android. How can we use this application in our phones?

    Moderator comment: I have removed the link(s) directing to site(s) unsuitable for inclusion in the forums. If users want this information please use the Private Message service to request the details.

    • Posted

      Do you mean use this forum on Android? Obviously the moderator ignored that part of your question!!

    • Posted

      I smiled when I read this. My IT knowledge is below basic. I'm still using my little old Nokia 'phone just for the car. I have a land-line with answer phone and a desktop in my office and that's it. Hope you find someone more useful than I am.

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