Connect
pain in multiple locations, have tried various meds
Hello, I have pain in multiple locations (about 10 now). The worst one is my back due to spondylolisthesis. I also have pericarditis and am on a med specifically for that which works for that. The pain is in OTHER areas. My doctors have tried me on various pain meds. Typically I cannot tolerate NSAIDS due to stomach upset and tinnitus. But my PPC decided to try me on a trial of celebrex, and being desperate for relief, I agreed. I took it for a few days only, and I ended up with acid reflux and my tinnitus got worse. However, it really worked, and made my pain nearly go away. So now he is suggesting trying a lower celebrex dose or meloxicam instead, which I have never been on. Any thoughts on this? And what about journaxx? They have also given me percocet which I have on hand but of course I can only take that maybe one pill once or twice in one week as it is addictive, so that is nearly useless (also it puts me out of commission for daily life activities). Currently I am using tylenol and methocarbomol daily which do help, but they only take the edge off. I just wish I could find an option that would reduce the pain greatly and not have bad side effects or addictive potential. My PPC also is referring me to rheumatology to see if there is a systemic problem. However I saw rheumatology multiple times a year ago, and one said I had an autoimmune condition (the pericarditis) and one said I did not. Like everyone here, I am so frustrated and feel stuck. I do my best to eat a fairly non-inflammatory diet and also take tart cherry supplements.
Like
Helpful
HugInterested in more discussions like this? Go to the Chronic Pain Support Group.
Connect
I'm sorry to hear that you're going through so much. It does get frustrating when the Dr's can't even agree on what you have. I can tell you that I did try Journavx for pain and it helped me alot. It's not addictive like opiods which is great. The only problem is insurance covered it once and then refused to refill it. It's meant for short term use. My Dr. tried to fight insurance on my behalf with no luck. It's hard when you find something that actually works and you can't get it. If it weren't so expensive I'd pay for it myself. I pray that you find some comfort. Hang in there.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsPlease be careful with the Celebrex. My Mother was in her late 70’s when her colon perforated and she was rushed in to emergency surgery. The surgeon said her perforation was due to Celebrex. Journvax has only been FDA approved for short term use (up to 2 weeks). That drug can have a lot of side effects. Read up and research any drugs your Doc might recommend putting you on. Know the good and the bad about the drug before you start it.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 ReactionsHello. May I ask, is your pain in the joints? And your age, if you will.
@arflmi33 I was just going to ask if you'd tried the tart cherry capsules!!! (when I saw that you did!) I SUSPECT you have undiagnosed gout from everything you said, especially if the tart cherry capsules are helping! If that is the case, ask for a uric acid test. (stop taking the capsules before testing) If the uric acid is not dead center than I suspect you will be helped by a low purine diet and getting on Allopurinol. There is another kind of gout called psuedogout. I'll provide a link here. For 20 years I controled it by a low purine diet until I couldn't. Its an inherited thing. And old age just won out and the medicine made me pain free from the gout pain and stiffness and inflammatory woes. I kept asking the doctors about RA and they kept on saying I don't have it. But the pain is REAL even if the tests meant I did not have RA. They said I had OA because the XRAYS show it. But that is NOT what the pain is from. It was from the gout!
https://www.arthritis.org/diseases/more-about/gout-or-pseudogout
Causes and Triggers
• Gout: Results from too much uric acid in the blood, which forms sharp crystals. Flares are often triggered by specific foods, alcohol, dehydration, or rapid illness.
• Pseudogout: Results from calcium pyrophosphate crystals depositing in joint cartilage. It is linked to aging, joint trauma, or metabolic conditions like hyperparathyroidism, rather than what you eat.
Have you been to Mayo Clinic? I've found it's great for finding a solution after not getting a clear diagnosis for a complex issue. If you can go there, give it a try. (No, I don't work for them! But my husband had successful cancer treatment there, and I've had many friends who've found what they needed there.) Good luck.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
1 ReactionHey!
My heart aches for what you have to go through. ❤️🩹 You mentioned several conditions that we have in common and I’m definitely not an expert but after all I’ve gone through I sometimes feel like I’ve been to middle school LOL 😂 . to know every single thing I can about every Diagnosis & medication has been life-saving for me .
I did want to address the question about Celebrex vs meloxicam I have been on Celebrex for 10 years, about three months ago, they changed it to meloxicam. At first, I didn’t find it as helpful but after a few weeks, I realized that it is was in fact helping and with less side-effects so I’m told. I have a Pharmacy of other medications at home for multiple issues, but like you, I would love to find one medication that could simply address pain everywhere at once! Good luck to you and I hope everything works out for the best.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
4 Reactions@loriesco I do not have gout. I have been tested for it. Thanks.
I agree on reducing celebrex because it is a strong releiver.Meloxicam i would steer away from soley as it will upset your stomach in ways you dont want.
Rheumatology is a great idea. I too have pain in multiple areas and was diagnosed w an autoimmune disorder. As I'm sure you e discovered all docs are not equal. Hope you're seeing a different rheumatologist this time.
-
Like -
Helpful -
Hug
2 Reactions@arbez Thank you for posting this. Which autoimmune disorder were you diagnosed with, if I may ask?