HELP! I am having alot of joint pain - Lupus Message Board

football_mom · 10-23-2003, 06:59 AM

Hello all again! For the past week I have been experiencing a lot of joint pain. Ankles, knees, hip, etc. It is hurting me so bad to walk. I've tried everything otc and nothing has worked. What should I do? My neuro will not be back in the office until Monday. Should I call my gp or what? I just feel like crying.

AngelicBrat · 10-23-2003, 11:28 AM

Hey ya football_mom!

Have you tried Advil liqui-gels? Those are the only over the counter thing that helps with my joint pain. When is your pain the worst? I would call your GP and get in to see him. Maybe he can put you on a stronger NSAID (Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory) like Vioxx or Celebrex. The Vioxx won't mask your tests so that might be the best option. Every drug works different for every person. The only thing that took the edge off of my joint pain was the Advil liquid ones. They are amazing! Take care

~Angelic

football_mom · 10-23-2003, 12:01 PM

thanks, I'll try that

Luvmypugs · 10-23-2003, 11:10 PM

Hi football_mom

,

I have just been diagnosed with Sjogren's syndrome and have very bad joint and muscle pain and swelling. I am only 34 and all of this started after I lost my first child in March 2001.

Most mornings I ache so bad and my hands and feet and ankles are so swollen and red that it hurts to even move. The Rheumatologist that just diagnosed me started me on Plaquenil but it is a very slow acting drug and so I'm going to have to wait and wait

for the benefits of it. Meanwhile, for me, none of the over-the-counter NSAIDS work. I also have a herniated disk and have been through 6 spinal blocks and many cortisone shots and the Orthopedic Surgeon said surgery was the next option and I said "NO" and he said then I have to release you, so I searched and found a wonderful Primary Care Doctor who has taken care of me as far as pain medicine and he has made me an appt. with a Pain Management Center.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to tell you my problems. I just wanted to convey to you that the over-the-counter medicines don't work for everyone unfortunately. And unfortunately too, no two people with Lupus, MS or Sjogren's have the same problems so it's very hard to say what works for me will work for you. Hopefully you have a doctor that is compassionate and will listen to you when you tell him/her that you are in pain and will give you what you need if you find that none of the medicines you buy in the stores work.

Take care

Melissa

AngelicBrat · 10-24-2003, 01:02 PM

Hi again,

When I said that over the counter meds do work a bit in some people, I just meant that maybe you could try them until you see the Neuro on Monday.

luvmypugs- How did he diagnose you with Sjogrens? With a blood test or with the Shirmers blot (small paper put in eye to measure eye moisture). I have Sjogrens, Lupus and APS (clotting problem). I am not fully convinced that Sjogrens is responsible for all of your symptoms though. I have re-read through your posts and all of that, and I think that you may still have Rheumatoid Arthritis (because of the spinal problems). Now, I do know what symptoms Sjogrens can cause, and joint pain is definitely one of them. I do agree that you probably have Sjogrens.. but I still think that they may be missing something? I don't know.. I am not there and haven't "seen" you but still. The Plaquenil can take up to three months to even start working- perhaps you can get on Prednisone in the interm to calm the immune system down. I had ZERO joint pain when I was on the prednisone. It was a miracle!! Even as little as 10mg a day can help ease the joint pain. Worth trying thats for sure!

Footballmom-
I am not against narcotic medications, I am on oxycontin and oxycodene due to my extreme abdominal pain. It has given me my life back. So those are options, I just felt that perhaps you wanted to wait till Monday when you see your neurologist. If you are really really sore get back to your GP ASAP or call to see if he can give you something for the weekend. I really hope that your Neurologist clues in with your positive test results what is going on here! The joint pain can be from the Lupus AND the APS if that is what you have. Please take care, and hope to hear again from you soon

~Angelic