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Erosive osteoarthritis pain but can't take NSAIDS
Bones, Joints & Muscles | Last Active: Aug 23, 2023 | Replies (70)Comment receiving replies
You wrote: "I personally haven’t gotten much leverage out of conventional medication because I don’t tolerate it well. Therefore, I refuse to try Cymbalta or other neuromodulators (aka antidepressants) used in low doses for pain, gabapentin or Lyrica."
Same. I've been on both Cymbalta and gabapentin, at the same time. They did seem to help my OA, osteopenia, inflammation-related pain. However, I couldn't tolerate the psychological side effects.
Ironically, at the time, I was on them for depression & sleep, but they made both worse AND caused panic attacks. I'm just not a good candidate for most depression/anxiety meds. Once I tapered off all of them, my mental health improved a great deal.
Except for the increased chronic pain. (lol)
I just moved at the end of last year and am finally setting up with ortho in my new city. I hope to get back to PT & massage. I take walks a couple times a day and I'm somewhat active around the house. But my sleep is starting to be seriously affected by my back and hip pain, so I have to do something.
I can't keep relying on 400 mg ibuprofen a couple times a day. I have other medical concerns that make that problematic.
I would love to have less pain, but right now I'm more concerned with staying functional.
Replies to "You wrote: "I personally haven’t gotten much leverage out of conventional medication because I don’t tolerate..."
Lose weight; eat a plant based diet; and do some kind of exercise everyday…..even a walk around the block helps
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Hi! Thanks for sharing. To tell you the truth, I’m afraid of trying Cymbalta, Lyrica, or gabapentin. I know most things have side effects, but the potential psychological effects and not being able to stop cold turkey and potentially having withdrawal symptoms… Eep. I have central sensitivity (the central nervous system/brain adapts to become more sensitive to pain; new environments, experiences and medications can trigger it).
It’s also never sounded very convincing to me that when my doctors introduce it, even they sound unconvinced: “Well, we could try a Lyrica or…” with kind of a shrug.
I do take LDN (low dose naltrexone), but I don’t know that it’s helping my pain; it seems more to help with fatigue.
I hear you on: “ I would love to have less pain, but right now I'm more concerned with staying functional.” I hope you’re able to get connected with a new care team and PT(s). It’s always been tough for me to find someone who’s a good fit.