Arthritis and what's best

I'm so sorry you are suffering susytish.

What is your GP saying about this? Is surgery an option?

What is your GP saying about this?

Mine says take paracetamol.

I feel for you, susytish
I've had one injection so far.
Are you on the (long) list for a knee replacement?

Mine says take paracetamol. That's not very helpful at all Callistemon21, I hope the injection eases your pain.

My GP referred me (after I did a lot of moaning) and now I'm waiting for an op - waiting list approx 3 months I'm told so not too bad.

Thanks Coastpath
Another GP kept saying Bless but did refer me to the orthopods.

I have knee pain as well. Anti-inflammatories are what helps me. I take Ibuprofen. Voltarol tablets are the best, but my GP won’t prescribe them for me due to my Asthma. Unfortunately it’s not available over the counter.

I am having a knee replacement in September. I am 63 but can't cope with not being able to live the life I want. My consultant says it is a life style choice. He agreed immediately that after X-rays and MRI scans that the knee needed to be replaced. He said it wasn't a new knee and would never be the same, but I would be able to live without pain which would enable me to get my life back to a certain extent. Maybe not skiing but better than I have now. I hope that helps. The injections did not help me at all, neither did physio. I would see a consultant and see what they say x

My husband has had knee pain for months. X-rays showed some Arthritis (he's 64 next week) and some carteledge damage. He's been prescribed Naproxen, and has seen a Physiotherapist, who has referred him to have Physio at a local gym, starting in a fortnight.

Painkillers alone are not always enough.

He's been prescribed Naproxen
Oh lucky him - my GP said it has been banned!!

I am having physio, well, given some printouts of exercises.

Have your healthcare professionals done the relevant tests to see whether it’s osteo or rheumatoid arthritis ? I was being treated for osteo arthritis to several joints including left knee. After the knee joint flared up badly I was referred for some tests and diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis as well as osteo - the treatment options for which are very different to those of osteo arthritis, as rheumatoid is an auto immune disease rather than wear and tear of the joint. I was referred to a rheumatologist and the treatment was modified from there. The pain and inflammation resulting from arthritis can be severe and you need an anti inflammatory such as Naproxen to tackle it. I would be asking for your condition to be reviewed to make sure the diagnosis is correct.

Callistemon21

^He's been prescribed Naproxen^
Oh lucky him - my GP said it has been banned!!

I am having physio, well, given some printouts of exercises.

Naproxen hasn’t been banned - I can attest to that as it’s prescribed by the rheumatology clinic as part of rheumatoid arthritis treatment. It does cause digestive problems if taken long term, but in short bursts it really helps to bring down inflammation and tackle pain.

My GP said paracetamol and ibuprofen and I had 2 phone calls from a physio once the X-ray showed severe arthritis in my knee. After 2 years, I have not seen an orthopod and am nowhere near any waiting list. The only thing which helped was acupuncture but £40 each week? I now have hip pain so I shall see the physios face to face!

susytish

I am driven mad with arthritis in right knee. Have had 2 different injections, seen an osteopath, now seeing a physio. The pain and lack of mobility are making me depressed and I cry every day now.
What do others do?

I feel for you susytish.
Chronic pain is awful
A lot of painkillers have awful side effects as well.

Callistemon21

^He's been prescribed Naproxen^
Oh lucky him - my GP said it has been banned!!

I am having physio, well, given some printouts of exercises.

Naproxen hasn't been banned.
You have to take it wirh Omaziprole to protect the stomach.

Have a look at hyaloronic injections.
They are meant to promote the regrowth of cartilage in the worn-out joint.
Husband had an injection of this and it worked. It as when we were moving house.
You might have to pay though.

snowberryZ

Callistemon21

He's been prescribed Naproxen
Oh lucky him - my GP said it has been banned!!

I am having physio, well, given some printouts of exercises.

Naproxen hasn't been banned.
You have to take it wirh Omaziprole to protect the stomach.

Well, they won't prescribe it at all - I asked but they said it is not prescribed any more.

Thanks Fennel

My sister-in-law has had both knee joints and a hip replaced, albeit at different times. Order was knee, hip, knee. She’s on a waiting list for her other hip, has been since before the start of COVID. She’s now well into her 80s, uses a walking stick when walking on hard surfaces outdoors, but still manages to do some of her own housework, plus potters about in her garden for hours. She found, prior to each surgery, that painkillers (can’t remember what, but it wasn’t Paracetamol) and daily physio helped and still does to relieve the pain.

Callistemon21

snowberryZ

Callistemon21

He's been prescribed Naproxen
Oh lucky him - my GP said it has been banned!!

I am having physio, well, given some printouts of exercises.

Naproxen hasn't been banned.
You have to take it wirh Omaziprole to protect the stomach.

Well, they won't prescribe it at all - I asked but they said it is not prescribed any more.

www.nhs.uk/medicines/naproxen/about-naproxen/. Here’s the link to the NHS website page which details how naproxen is used and the conditions for which it’s prescribed. The page was last reviewed in January 2022 and there’s no mention of it being stopped. Might be useful if you want to challenge your GP.

My friend's mum is having some kind of artificial cartilage added - under epidural, as she can't have a general anaesthetic. The injections did help her for a few years, now it's 'bone on bone' pain!

Nobody is talking about diet here.
I tracked my bouts of knee pain to potatoes and tomatoes, remain pain free now. It's worth the effort

Callistemon21

^He's been prescribed Naproxen^
Oh lucky him - my GP said it has been banned!!

I am having physio, well, given some printouts of exercises.

Blimey Callistemon

I’m on 500mg naproxen twice a day; plus Pregabalin and Tramodol (both controlled drugs)

I’m sorry you are in so much pain you need to speak to your GP if you haven’t already, stress how much it’s affecting your life, the pain and affect on your mobility. Painkillers/anti-inflammatories at least and possibly surgery.
I can also confirm Naproxen is not banned I’ve taken it in the past for my Arthritic pain while awaiting surgery and was prescribed it with a stomach protecter 2 mths ago for a bout of Sciatica which is now improving thank goodness.
Please talk to your GP he must help you.

I have shoulder arthritis and although I didn’t imagine that taking turmeric tablets would help, I’m sure they really have relieved much of the pain. My general go to painkiller is ibuprofen but of course there are concerns about its long term effect on the stomach so, as I also find my pain reacts to weather changes, I take just one of those in the morning and one in the evening on bad weather days. I’d forgotten about Omaziprole for protecting the stomach.

A most effective way to relieve pain in knee and hip joints is to reduce the weight put on them. I think clinicians often don’t emphasise this because people don’t react well to being told to lose weight and prefer a quick fix. @Pammiel your local formulary committee may have restricted prescribing of naproxen. Different areas make different rules on drugs, even though they are licensed and available.