HI There,

Don't suffer any pain, go back to your doctor and see what else he can give you. There are lots of things available to take, also you may have some underlying cause for the pain. You must go and see the doctor again and get to the bottom of this. Thinking about you take care Lorna

I have 3 different strengths of co-codamol to choose from depending on how I am. I must confess though that I have never found anthything that actually takes the pain the feet away - if only I didn't have to work! I do find that co-codamol 30/500s take the edge off though.

Julie

Hi

Thanks for all the advice. I have been allowed to increase pain killers to 40mg but they are not touching the pain in my feet. Very fed up today, sore feet and then injected the Enbrel which was very painful....struggling with headache, dry mouth and terrible night sweats......I wonder if taking the drug is worthwhile or whether I should just come off it and put up with the RA?

Louise

Hi Louise

Amytriptiline is unlikely to help with this sort of pain. It's a type of medication called a tricyclic antidepressant which acts on the nerve cells in the brain. It is more commonly given for nerve pain. I have been given it to take at night to help my knees settle, but it really doesn't do the job where RA is concerned! You need something like Co-codamol/Co-dydramol to act directly on the pain centres rather than the nerves.

It sounds as though you need a referral to a podiatrist who will be able to assess the problem with your feet. Many people with RA have problem feet as the RA tends to attack the smaller joints first. The podiatrist will advise whether you need insoles to alter the pressure on the joints and it sounds as though you may need toe inserts to separate the toes. Please don't leave it, do seek advice whilst there may be time to rectify things. I ended up with major surgery on both feet as a result of inadequate treatment early on. I wonder like that to happen to you ... it was not a pretty sight!

You've only been on the Enbrel three weeks so please stick with it. It could take 6 to 8 weeks for you to feel the difference but it will be worth it. Without the drug you could incur more joint damage which is irreparable except through surgery and I wouldn't recommend going that route unless really necessary!

Please go back to your GP and sort out pain relief. You need something that is going to work for you.

Good luck
Lyn x

Hello Louise

I'm glad that Lyn's replied regarding Amytriptline not really being for pain relief. I did when I first read your post think the same but only having RA for two years and my pain most of the time being bearable, I didn't think I knew enough to comment. When I first was diagnosed I too was prescribed Amytriptline to help me sleep, I was also prescribed slow relief pain killers, which I am still taking. I did tell the consultant that once the pain was undercontrol I wouldn't need anything to help me sleep. To be honest the amytriptline did nothing at all re sleeping but as soon as the painkillers started to work my normal sleep pattern did return.

Some time ago Lyn advised me about my feet, I too was having problems and basically was just putting up with it. I did on her advice make an appointment to see someone in the orthotics department and had some inserts made to help me. I find that I am now at a point where I can no longer walk in what I class to be normal shoes without being in considerable pain. I am now the owner of a pair of 'grannie' fly flot shoes (they have jel in the soles) which house my inserts. I still dream of being able to wear my heels and will not part with them just in case I will eventually beable to wear them. (well I can dream).

I hate having to take all of these drugs too. I use to have to have the headache from hell before I would even consider taking one paracetamol. It was ages before I would even take them in front of my husband but I have resigned myself to the fact that I have to take them and theres nothing I can do about it. I would hate to think of how I would be if I hadn't.

Really try to get to see your GP and get some adequate pain relief sorted.

Take Care

Paula x

Hello Louise,

Your last post reminds me of myself. I take amitriptyline have done for 3 yrs now initially for trapped nerves
in my back after having big spinal op. I agree they make me sleep (and I totally realise that is a great help)
I take paracetamol for pain at mo the co-codamol were too strong for me made me feel very light headed.

I too have the gel/bouncy inserts and like you yes they fit into our walking shoes and also like you
they do make the shoe fill 'full'. I am next week at the OT Dept so hopefully they will help me.

Also I walk with a stick.

Good luck tomorrow

Rose

Thanks everyone

Have gone back to work today so just getting on with the pain. Will make an appointment to see doctor next week when I am off for half term. Also seeing rheumatology nurse so can ask her about pain killers as well. Have got big red reaction to injection this morning which is very sore. Not sure what that is about as havent had any injection site reaction to the first two injections. Will ask about that too!!!!How I hate having to take all these drugs!!!

Louise

Forgot to add.

Was told to buy shoes that the inserts would come out, so the ones that I was having made would fit it their place. Some shoes inserts do come out to accommodate inserts, but the ones that I bought didn't. They were stuck in, but a bit of tugging whilst in the shop made me realise that they would come out. Don't let the shop assistant see you doing this.

Paula

Hello girls

I have also had to buy shoes a full size bigger for 18 months month as my feet
swell now.

The insoles the OT gave me certianly help with 'absorbtion' though

Rose