Boy do I need help!

[3BlueRosebud]

I have just recently been diagnosed with degenerative arthritis in my back and left knee. I have been put on anti-inflamatory med, otc joint med. had series of physical therapy and do exercises prescribed. I am suffering so much I cry. I am a adult female. I have pain med. but it does not seem to do much good. Being a new arthritis patient I am sure I have a lot to learn about how to deal with all of this....the specialist I went to was very disappointing...he spent 5 min. with me, gave me medication (not the pain medication, I had to go to my family doctor for that because my blood pressure was going so high from the amount of pain we were concerned about a stroke). The specialist told me I did not need to make an appointment for a return visit. I did call him back. I received a return call 9 days later from his nurse practitioner's nurse! I have had all my records sent to my family doctor. At least he will talk to me. I am going to see him this week now that he has all my records I pray that he can help me when the "specialist" did not seem concerned at all regarding my severe pain, stiffness, etc. And no return visit???? Can anyone suggest a arthritis medication that has helped them better manage their condition and possibly a pain medication that seems to releive the type of suffering assosiated with arthritis? I cry a lot because I hurt so much and I have a very high pain threshold. I do hot soaks and am in process of getting a hot tub. I have also bought a great new mattress. I am trying to help myself but any and all suggestion and prayers will be deeply appreciated. I need help to learn to cope and manage this disease that has almost overnight changed my life completely. Thank you so much for your replies. KJ: Blessings to all.

[teachergirl64]

Bless your heart! You need to be under the care of a rheumatologist. If you've seen one, find another one. Ask your primary doctor to refer you ASAP. Lots of times you can get in faster that way than if you schedule it yourself. I have RA and am familiar with bad arthritis pain. If your BP normally is okay, Mobic is a good anti-inflammatory, as is Relafen. I was pain-free for most of the day while taking Mobic. It made my BP soar, though and I had to stop it. I never found any anti-inflammatory that ever came close to the relief I got from it. A warm shower at bedtime along with anti-inflammatory or pain meds will help give you a good night's sleep. Rest is very important to your body's being able to renew and heal itself. When the weather gets cooler, an electric blanket gives wonderful relief. You can make rice packs from cotton socks and long-grain rice. Fill the sock and either sew it shut or tie a knot in the end and nuke it in the microwave for 1-2 minutes. The rice steams and makes marvelous moist heat. Heat doesn't work for everyone, so if it doesnt' help, you might try an ice pack. I keep one in the freezer filled with rubbing alcohol and water. It is kind of slushy and works well. You can also practice deep breathing. Slow in and slow out. Visualize the pain leaving as you exhale. Sounds kind of dumb, but it works. Good luck to you.

[snowmelts]

There are actually many types of arthritis.
Treatments vary per type.
What helps one type may not help another at all.
Excercises good for one type can actually be harmful to another type.
You really need some specifics as to what type of arthritis you have, in order to know what to try to do to help yourself.

I have OsteoArthritis (OA) in both knees and every inch of my spine.
Oh yes there have been many painful days over the years but I'll admit no matter that I consider my pain lousy I am highly aware that people with Rhumatoid Arthritis (RA) have more pain in general (as far as inflamation goes ) than those of us with osteoarthritis (OA). That's 2 common types but there are actually many others that are also common.

I've had the joint problems many years now but I have never been referred to a Rhumatologist (maybe because I have OA, not RA???)
Yes, My family Dr has referred me to Orthapedic surgens (however it's spelled.. bone Dr's) a few times over the years and all they do is say I have OA and they send me off to take some Physical Therapy. . since I'm allergic to aspirin I can't even get a pain pill perscription for the OA.

My knee OA is in both knees.. basically the cartilidge padding is disapearing and the bones are tilting sideways. sometimes when I walk, bending and then straighten the leg.. the knee fails to go back into place properly and.. THAT is painful bone-on-bone pain.

My spinal OA has resulted in shrunken disc's, disentigrateing facet joints and lots of bone spurs from my rear end to my skull!

On top of OA I also have osteoporosis.

For my OA I can only take Tylenol Arthritis cuz I am allergic to aspirin and it's relatives.
Most OA meds contain aspirn.
Actually the Tylenol Arthritis really does help me a lot.

I use Aspercream on the sore joints and surrounding muscles.

I take Calcium & Vita D
I take Clucosamine and CHondroitin (natural suppliments) because it does tend to help relieve my knee pain .it takes a while..weeks for it to work but it has eventually helped me somewhat concerning the knee OA. It does nothing for my back pain though.

Ice packs wrapped in a thin cloth ..20 min on the knee are marvelous for reduceing swollen muscles surrounding the knee joints. Also can be used to unswell swollen muscles along the spine. 20 min is the limit in any one area. After an hour you can do another 20 min if you want.

For stressed or sore muscles along the spine I find sleeping with a ThermaCare heated back wrap on is wonderful.

For me back a REAL pain relieving miricle has been sleeping on my side with a knee contour pillow just a hair above and between my knees as well as regular pillow below and between my knees. You won't believe how much that can help in just 3 nights. I've been sleeping with those pillows for a 1½ years now and never plan to sleep without them again.

I find when the muscles around the knees are all kinds of unhappy I wear an athletic knee braces while useing the knees. ~sigh~ Painful experience has taught me to put those on BEFORE doing anything that is seriously gonna stress the knees. Putting them on before I start tends to save me pain. I've even been known to sleep in the braces when the knees are seriously throwing a fit.

YEP, I've had the lower back Physical Therapy (PT), which ..well it's better than nothing I guess.

Then developed hip bursitis due to the OA/osteoporosis combination causeing a 15% bend in my lower spine.. did PT for that too..and got a Steroid shot in one of the irritated Bursa Sacs. The shot will take care of Bursitis pain by the 3rd day after the shot but only in that one area..and I had it more than just that one area and so did the PT... bursitis calmed down but did not go away. Like living with a toothache in your hip.

Finally decided to taek matters into my own hands and try a Chiropractor.
I've gone to my Chiro 30 times now (YES 30) and my back feels at least 3 years younger than it did before I started!
My hip Bursistis pain is totally gone thanks to the Chiropractor!
So there is hope!

But there is no real currently known method to stop OA in it's tracks..
It's a progressive disease and that's all there is to it.
Medical science is certainly working hard to find an answer, but they haven't found it yet.

Knee joints and hip joints can be replaced but it's serious surgery not to be taken lightly.
You spine cannot be replaced.

Remember once the spine is bent you cannot unbend it.
So push any Dr hard to help you do everything you can do to slow down and any bend that begins.
My Chiro told me right upfront he cannot stop the bend, but we are defiantly trying to slow it down.
He certainly is relieveing my pain.

I hope you find pain relief.