Arthritis and Joint Conditions
I am 68 yrs old and have had fibromyalgia since my late twenties. I have learned what works for me and keep it under control 99% of the time. Recently, the pain was so severe that I went to the ER and was eventually diagnosed with degenerative joint disease. My doctor put me on diclofenac and tylenol arthritis. The pain has been excruciating since Fri am and nothing is working. Massage, icy hots, TENS unit, excercise and hot shower and heating pad. I also tried tiger balm. Nothing. I talked to 'Ask a Nurse' and my doctor with no help. Please, any suggestions?
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I can really sympathize, as I have severe osteoarthritis (which is most likely "the degenerative joint disease" your doctor referred to) and neuropathy in my feet due to chemotherapy. Rather than Tylenol, may I recommend ibuprofen or buffered aspirin (if you can tolerate it). You need something that helps reduce inflammation. Tylenol doesn't do that.
Recently, I had a cortisone shot in the affected joint. It's not fun to get it, but the benefits can last for many weeks or even many months. The benefit is that it works immediately, by getting right to the spot where you have the problem.
The problem with osteoarthritis is that the padding & fluid provided by your bursae is eventually eradicated. The cartilage between the opposing joints gets worn away, and you wind up with bone rubbing against bone. Which is extremely painful.
The way to diagnose osteoarthritis is through X-rays of the affected joint(s). In my case, after years of pain I finally went to see an orthopedic surgeon who specializes in foot and ankle problems. The X-rays taken were taken by his staff, with me standing on the weight-bearing joints rather than lying down on a table in the X-ray department.
Since my diagnosis, my choices have become rather clearer and I am much more able to cope. Good luck!
Thank you for the info. I have always used 600mg of ibuprofen a couple of times a week when I had to, but my new doc put me on diclofenac & tylenol and is resistant to anything else. I have taken trazadone for ages to help me sleep soundly to control the fibro but he says I have to go to a pschiatrist to get that. This is a very painful adjustment. I don't seem to have many choices at the moment except to curl up and ride it out.
Just when I start whining, I talk to someone like you, who really has it rough. I hope one of your choices leaves you pain free.
Update. After 8 days I got in to see a neurologist who believes I have a pinched nerve in my shoulder. NOT the chronic pain that I have with fibro. THAT I am used to controlling. I am still in pain but was given Tramadol which is taking the edge off. I can't get an MRI until Wed. I am very disappointed in my new PCP for not listening to me instead of reading my chart.
Have you seen a rheumatologist? My rheumatologist diagnosed me with Myofascial pain syndrome and gave me Tramadol for pain. I stopped taking it when my family dr prescribed an antidepressant. She said That I couldn't take them both, so I have been trying self Myofascial therapy to help. It does help some, bout does not really help enough. Do you relate to any of this.
I understand what you are saying but have no knowledge of Myofascial therapy. Since the ER doc sees no sign of arthritis, I am waiting until the MRI results come in. The pinched nerve can be treated easily once diagnosed. If the arthritis is there, I will be researching every method I can find to bring peace! Thanks for the info.
My xrays don't show arthritis either, but apparently the fascia underneath our muscles causes pain when overused and gets knotty in some areas causing pain that feels like bone pain. I just read a book called "Integrative therapies for Fibromalgia, Myofascial Pain and Chronic Fatigue" by Celeste Cooper that was very comprehensive and explained a lot. It is a tough read but helpful. Are you taking an antidepressant along with the Tramadol? If so, do you have any side effects? I wonder if my dr is just being overcautious.
Last year was a truly bad one, (all has passed, than God) so my then PCP put me on 20 mg of Prozac a day. My new PCP promptly took me off. As I said, I can't even get the trazodone anymore without seeing the shrink. I am waiting on an appointment. I feel great other than the current pain and don't want more antidepressant. I am retired and, now that my life has calmed down, I sleep about 6 hrs a night and nap when I want. The chronic fatigue no longer bothers me. I just want this persistent pain to be dealt with.
I had been on Lexapro for 3 years because of post traumatic stress disorder and went off of them last summer. I didn't think I needed them anymore, but was told that some of my muscle pain could be related to going off the antidepressant, so I reluctantly started them up again. However, I do believe, after 2 months of being back on them, that it helps a little bit. What is a PCP?
primary care physician. an insurance label. My fibro is so well controlled that I seldom need anything. At most, some ibuprofen once or twice a week. I have always felt lucky that mine was controllable. That's how I knew that this time it was something else. I tried all of in my book of tricks and nothing worked. Even the Tramadol barely touches it. I tried vicodan in desperation. Nothing.
Hello I have fibromayalgia high blood pressure anxiety depression I'm taking cymbalta my doctors double the dosage .last night I keep turning did not get enough good sleep I tried Bengay ointment and have a massage ball it helps sometimes and I needed more exercise more walking to ease the pain and theraphy pool which is hot swim and try sauna also whatever works tried talking to friends and text to distract the pain massage as well hoping things will work out for everyone pray sometimes it helps.