Erosive osteoarthritis pain but can't take NSAIDS

Hi there- So sorry you’re going through this =\ I also must limit NSAIDs because I have one kidney and Tylenol has always been pretty useless to me >_<

You might find some of the discussions on the Chronic Pain group helpful.

I have chronic pain but from an inflammatory arthritis and other intertwined conditions. The #1 things that have helped me are physical and occupational therapy—PT because it helps with movement, strengthening with the goal of regaining function, even if it won’t make the pain disappear and OT because it focuses more on upper body extremities, how to do things with less pain, bracing and other strategies.

I have used topicals such as topical peppermint oil (I like the smell better than Salonpas or Icy Hot), CBD cream, and I’ve tried Voltaten gel (topical NSAID, which is not very systemically absorbed so much less risk, but it didn’t do much for me), and k tape has worked wonders.

Acupuncture and gentle yoga have also helped.

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.

I only take the biologic for my inflammatory arthritis and I use LDN (low dose naltrexone), prescribed off-label. However it helps more for my fatigue than physical pain. And it can be difficult to get an RX because it’s compounded.

I swear I’ve gotten the most benefit from PT and OT, especially with therapists trained in chronic pain because medications are just super limited.

Good luck to you, and wishing you all the best.

Hi there- So sorry you’re going through this =\ I also must limit NSAIDs because I have one kidney and Tylenol has always been pretty useless to me >_<

You might find some of the discussions on the Chronic Pain group helpful.

I have chronic pain but from an inflammatory arthritis and other intertwined conditions. The #1 things that have helped me are physical and occupational therapy—PT because it helps with movement, strengthening with the goal of regaining function, even if it won’t make the pain disappear and OT because it focuses more on upper body extremities, how to do things with less pain, bracing and other strategies.

I have used topicals such as topical peppermint oil (I like the smell better than Salonpas or Icy Hot), CBD cream, and I’ve tried Voltaten gel (topical NSAID, which is not very systemically absorbed so much less risk, but it didn’t do much for me), and k tape has worked wonders.

Acupuncture and gentle yoga have also helped.

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.

I only take the biologic for my inflammatory arthritis and I use LDN (low dose naltrexone), prescribed off-label. However it helps more for my fatigue than physical pain. And it can be difficult to get an RX because it’s compounded.

I swear I’ve gotten the most benefit from PT and OT, especially with therapists trained in chronic pain because medications are just super limited.

Good luck to you, and wishing you all the best.

Since you mentioned using peppermint oil, have you tried DoTerras Deep Blue? This blend of oils comes in a rub on stick and helps me tremendously on bad days.

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.

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.