acute arthritis

thank you all so much for your comments. I have started a new medication today OxyNorm capsules plus my Naproxen. I have also purchased a circulation booster!! which I am told will help with weak muscles'

I have bought myself a recumbent exercise bike. Only pedal rather slowly but there is no weight bearing for my hips and knees and it keeps the muscles exercised. Physio very pleased.

See a physiotherapist and then religiously follow his exercise regime, even if it is very small exercises at first. It will not be easy and will sometimes be painful but the best way to improve your arthritis symptoms will be through strengthening your supporting muscles and keeping moving as much as you can. Also if you are overweight, try your best to lose a little as this will relieve the strain on your joints a bit.

If you haven't been seen by a Rheumatologist, they can do thorough investigations to double check which form of arthritis you have. Pain Clinic can be a great help. In some areas you have to be referred by another specialist e.g. Rheumatologist, rather than your GP.
Pain Clinic can try out different pain killers, injections, TENS machine and acupuncture. I found acupuncture a great help. Stress and exhaustion make arthritis worse.

I have flare ups with osteoarthritis. After one especially bad one I read about avoiding plants and spices in the nightshade family. Asked the GP and she said to try it for a month and see if it helped.

It did. It can’t undo damage already done, but have managed to avoid flare-ups and those that do occur I can usually trace back to something I’d eaten without realising eg dry roast peanuts contained paprika.

Not offering this with any sense it will be accepted but as my GP said - why not try it for a month? Won’t hurt.

blossom 76

Sadly there are no words that can be of much use as you have joined ' the club ' so to speak.

I have had osteoporosis, osteoarthritis , for decades and learnt that no matter how I feel the pain is not felt by others, no matter how down I feel that does not apply to others and I have taught myself to be aware that everybody has their own problems and it is best to only moan to myself.

After many years of trying various medication I was prescribed a combination of Tramadol and Meloxicam and that combination works for me. I am in a very lucky position in the sense that if I need to sit, stand, lay down I can do so as and when to keep me going. Whilst at work it was becoming impossible to function and I am of the rare breed I was grateful that by sheer coincidence I was made redundant at the right time .

It is the case that being housebound is demoralising but if you have ANY opportunity to go out, socialise I advise you take the opportunity , don't keep telling others of your pain and become a health bore , good friends and family will know. Do not feel taking medication is going to ruin your life it is there to assist you. I am prescribed 8 Tramadol and 2 Melixicam a day but I only take them now on an if and when basis , I was at one time taking them to conform to the prescription and I had what is jokingly called ' Good and bad days ' and felt I should be in control because of addiction possibilities.

I am sorry you are in this predicament it is nothing short of a bugger factor and our mental health is part of being able to cope with it all. Do you live alone? If so seek out help and take advantage if any is offered there will be an understanding of your capabilities .

Not Alcohol, but also ?

What Teetime said, I alcohol have multi-joint Osteo-Arthritis including spine and have had two hip- replacements and a decompression of my spine.
I take Naproxen daily which really helps with the pain and keep as active as I can, could you try a walk everyday or maybe swimming which is excellent for your joints and muscles. The problem is not moving your joints isn’t helping you to maintain mobility. Have you been assessed by a physio?

It is very important to keep up the regime of the painkillers, do not try to be brave and manage without. I have found a gentle exercise regime from a good physio keeps me as supple as possible and found acupuncture soothing.

Do ask your GP about referral to a pain management clinic. They are the experts and will help you find the right combination for you.

Being housebound is horrid and no joke, but do try to find ways to keep in touch with the outside world and please don't let pride stop you from asking for help. My mother did this and she was the only one to suffer - you don't get any brownie points for being proud!

Firstly I would ask if you are being seen by a rheumatologist. Acute arthritis is the inflammatory kind like Rheumatoid and this does need specific medication regimes. I would guess from what you say however that you have the chronic kind e.g. osteo-arthritis so I would guess its back to the GP and painkillers. There are a variety of these of various strengths and only your GP or consultant can advise on the regime for you.
However there are things you can do firstly to relieve the anxiety and help relax you e.g. yoga, meditation, various complementary therapies like acupuncture are available but you will have to see which suits you- not everything works for everyone.

What I would say is dont try going without your painkillers thinking that you can manage. Its far better to get on top of the pain and stay there than waiting until it bites.

Hopefully lots of other sufferers on here will offer further advice. I do hope you get some relief and can get some sleep and rest which will do you a power of good.