Arthritis and what's best

I have had one hip replaced and now my knees are troublesome. Previously I had used Voltatol gel very freely and found it helped a lot. But now I have been advised against that, as since the hip op, I have been diagnosed with heart problems. Flexiseq is ok to use, but quite expensive as you need to use a lot each time.

I do take magnesium sometimes as it alleviates cramp but DD recommended turmeric too
Thanks Missingmoominmama

I’m waiting for my second hip replacement, and I find that if I forget to take this daily, I suffer more. I have a repeat prescription for Naproxen, but I try not to take it because, even with Omeprazole, it affects my stomach.

One GP has prescribed 2 weeks worth in the past but now they just advise paracetamol only.

That's the problem, isn't it, one drug which works well may cause unrelated problems.

Callistemon21

Fennel

You can buy Voltarol without a prescription.
I use it to soothe postviral pain/itch from shingles in my left ear and head.
But will heed your warning about long-term use, annodomini.

You can buy the gel over the counter but not tablets.

From a Government website:

Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat pain and inflammation. Diclofenac tablets must no longer be sold to anyone without a prescription.
22 January 2015

^When prescribing or dispensing diclofenac, consider that^:

^oral diclofenac must not be sold without prescription
a recall has been issued for non-prescription diclofenac
the prescribing advice for diclofenac was updated in June 2013^
^topical formulations of diclofenac (eg gel and cream) remain available for sale over the counter^

My late husband ended up with an internal bleed caused by Diclofenac tablets prescribed by the hospital, to treat spinal arthritis. I remember his GP saying if he had his way, he would ban them as they caused more problems than they solved. If it’s of any interest to anyone, although Voltarol can be bought over the counter in gel form, there is a stronger version of the gel only available on prescription. I think most anti inflammatories are really not designed for long term use. I have rheumatoid arthritis and a swollen, painful knee joint as a result. I’ve been prescribed Naproxen with Omeprazole but the advice is only to take it for a few days at a time to reduce inflammation and then have a break from it.

Fennel

You can buy Voltarol without a prescription.
I use it to soothe postviral pain/itch from shingles in my left ear and head.
But will heed your warning about long-term use, annodomini.

You can buy the gel over the counter but not tablets.

From a Government website:

Diclofenac is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used to treat pain and inflammation. Diclofenac tablets must no longer be sold to anyone without a prescription.
22 January 2015

^When prescribing or dispensing diclofenac, consider that^:

^oral diclofenac must not be sold without prescription
a recall has been issued for non-prescription diclofenac
the prescribing advice for diclofenac was updated in June 2013^
topical formulations of diclofenac (eg gel and cream) remain available for sale over the counter

You can buy Voltarol without a prescription.
I use it to soothe postviral pain/itch from shingles in my left ear and head.
But will heed your warning about long-term use, annodomini.

I was prescribed Voltarol, or officially, Diclofenac under the name of Arthrotec, when it was first introduced. It helped my very painful elbow and I continued to take it when I had a painful shoulder, and an arthritic hip. It turned out that I should have been prescribed Omeprazole or equivalent to protect my stomach and now I have several complaints that could be traced back to long-time use of diclofenac.
So please be warned crazyH and be sure to ask your GP about the risks.

Tomorrow I’m going to ask my GP for Voltarol. It’s the one tablet that keeps me going

Well my knee was loads better until the dog ran into it and then today DH knocked it as I was sitting on the sofa and he walked past me and somehow knocked my leg.

Thanks everyone.
Doing physio and have appointment with Consultant in 2 weeks. He will just say knee replacement won’t he?
Long to be able to drive again, as discomfort stopped me a few weeks ago now.
Will ask physio about compression supports. It is osteo that I have.

Pammie1

Callistemon21

Osteo-arthritis was the diagnosis. Apparently.
I've seen an orthopod, now the physiotherapy starts.

I hope all goes well for you.

Thank you. I really do dread a knee replacement (yes, I know how successful people say they are ?)

My weight has been going up due to lack of exercise
It's a Catch 22 situation, Maybee!

I find GP’s pretty useless when it comes to joint problems. 10 or so years ago I struggled to walk with arthritis in my knee. After several months I saw an osteopath who sorted it out right away. I was only thinking today that I had months of mobility problems hoping that my doctor could help. When I did eventually see a consultant he seemed furious that I’d seen an osteopath and left me sitting in a consultation room not realising that he had finished with me. I’ve struggled to walk for several weeks now but my knee seems to have improved over the past couple of days. I wish I knew what had helped as it has been like this on and off for a year or so. I wondered if the warmer weather had helped. The arthritis in my hand has improved at the same time. I sympathise with the OP as I’ve been feeling pretty depressed about it. My weight has been going up due to lack of exercise. I do believe in taking turmeric for my arthritis. And I’ve started taking a prebiotic on top of all of my usual potions.

Callistemon21

Osteo-arthritis was the diagnosis. Apparently.
I've seen an orthopod, now the physiotherapy starts.

I hope all goes well for you.

Osteo-arthritis was the diagnosis. Apparently.
I've seen an orthopod, now the physiotherapy starts.

Callistemon21

My useless (sic) GP has referred me to an orthopaedic surgeon.

I hope you get what you need, but it puzzles me as to why you’ve been referred to an orthopod before a definitive diagnosis of either osteo or rheumatoid arthritis, because if it’s rheumatoid a rheumatology referral is more appropriate. Or has this already been established ? I ask because my GP kind of assumed from x rays that my joint damage was as a result of osteo arthritis and it turned out to be rheumatoid.

My useless (sic) GP has referred me to an orthopaedic surgeon.

Callistemon21

HowVeryDareYou

Callistemon21 Your GP isn't up to much then

It may be against recommendations in this LA area. It's not just our surgery.

They have probably researched the contra-indications (of which there are many serious ones) and decided the risks outweigh the benefits of prescribing Naproxen.

I think this is probably right. Naproxen can cause significant side effects - most notably gastric, and GP’s prescribe it with omeprazole to protect the stomach.

The problem is, that for people with rheumatoid arthritis, Naproxen is a very effective anti inflammatory. For example, I have problems with swelling and horrible pain in my knee - without exaggeration on occasions it looks like a small sideways rugby ball !! Although I take methotrexate to control the progression of the disease, it does very little for inflammation.

If I take Naproxen for 3-4 days the swelling comes down and the pain is mostly relieved, but it doesn’t last long and the temptation is to carry on taking the tablets. The recommendation is not to take them for more than 3-5 days at a time, with a break in between and I think there’s a reluctance for GP’s to prescribe Naproxen unless and until the alternative have been exhausted because they know a lot of patients won’t follow that advice.

Thank you Pammie1 will take it tonight and hope to sleep better.

For anyone suffering from rheumatoid arthritis, have a look at your cooking methods. Because it’s an autoimmune disease, foods which would normally not be a problem, can really aggravate and cause inflammation. Red meat in particular when cooked at high temperatures searing steak or lamb for example or putting a joint into a hot oven, releases toxins into the meat which, while they would be unnoticeable for someone without the condition, for someone with RA those toxins can make the disease flare up. Putting cuts of meat into a cold pan/oven and heating gradually avoids this.

Mamie I think it would be RA being an inflammatory disease. Osteoarthritis is much more to do with “wear and tear” isn’t it?
However, I would see no risks in trying to avoid the “trigger” items.

HowVeryDareYou

Callistemon21 Your GP isn't up to much then

It may be against recommendations in this LA area. It's not just our surgery.

They have probably researched the contra-indications (of which there are many serious ones) and decided the risks outweigh the benefits of prescribing Naproxen.

mokryna

Have been suffering for a fortnight and my doctor Wednesday, prescribed this and to be honest thé opium part frightens me so much that I haven’t taken any and still having problems. I am reseeding the doctor tomorrow with the X-rays

A lot of painkillers are opioids - nothing to be afraid of and they work. If you’re sensible and don’t exceed the dose, they’re fine. I find that liquid morphine - oramorph works best for pain relief as I can take very small doses and it takes the edge of the pain without the drowsiness or nausea associated with strong pain relief.

Re-seeing

Have been suffering for a fortnight and my doctor Wednesday, prescribed this and to be honest thé opium part frightens me so much that I haven’t taken any and still having problems. I am reseeding the doctor tomorrow with the X-rays