Morning everyone

I take MTX and Hydroxychloroquine, just wondered what everyone takes for pain relief? Since Hydroxchloroquine was added in August, I have been feeling a lot better and my esr has been coming down from in the 60's to 39 on my last months test. I saw my rhuemy nurse last week and i was telling her how much better I feel, although i still had a das of 5.39.

I had a depo-medrone injection last week at my appointment and in January when i see my consultant, we will talk about what is the next option for me, as my Nurse feels that biologic treatment will be discussed.

Sorry waffling on a bit, so after telling everyone that i feel so much better, yep you guessed it, I'm now in pain! I'm wondering if this has been caused by the weather or it could be that I have started driving again last week. The pain started Tuesday in my right shoulder, yesterday i stayed off work because it was really sore plus my neck and arm was also sore. Now my neck and left elbow is really sore, really hurts when i move my head or my left arm. Will have to stay off work again today then maybe go back tomorrow, i do worry as i've had so much time off work due to this.

Just not sure what to take, yesterday i took paracetamol but that doesn't really help, what do you find helps you?


Thanks
Lou xxx

Thank you Dorothy for your advice. My nurse just called and sugguested co-codamol and diclofenac. So think i will try that, although i did take some paracetamol at 8 this morning so not sure if i should take co-codamol at lunchtime.

Hi Louise, I take MTX 20mg once a week.Sulfasalazine 50mls every day 25mg folic acid spread over five days,Prednisolone 15mg every day.Pain killers i have got Co- Codamol 30/500mg Tramadol 50mg also Morphine.(I have had steroids injections & Steroid Infusion of 500mg) which did not work at all for me.I was at the hospital yesterday with a very very swollen elbow Pain was awful affecting all down my arm to my fingers swelling,i have to go back to the hospital next week,as i am awaiting for the infusion of Rutuximab".They are telling me i am not a normal patient as i have Bronchietasis also Dysphagia.When I am in a lot of pain I am allowed to take 8 steroids every day(40mg) then my pain killers rest & apply icepacks to the joint.Hope this is some help to you.
Good Luck Valerie-R

Hi ya

With pain relief the key is to try and iron out the peaks and troughs

Regular co-codamol or even paracetamol with aspirin or ibruptofen inbetween times as much as you are allowed if you feel you need it or not will help lots
Then you need big gun pain relief

I have oramorph for agony level
I have zomorph alongside paracetamol for background pain

Re your neck and shoulder you do need it checked and xrayed ideally but you can have ultra sound on the shoulder and they can give you an injection of local aneasthetic and steroids in there... It hurts I won't lie but it is great afterwards!
The shoulder might be what's hurting the arm and neck or the neck might be doing it do see a dr!

Jenni xx

Thank you for your advice and support as always


Still very uncomfortable in pain, my mother in law gave me a sling to try , to see if that would take the weight off my shoulder, it did help. But this morning, now my feet are sore and I can see where its swollen. Its very strange, i had a depo-medrone injection on the 2 of november at my routine appointment, i felt Ok then, think I've jinx myself as ive been telling everyone how much better I have been feeling.

Was very worried about calling in sick again today but my team leader said not to worry and to concentrate on getting better, my team leaders bosses wife has a form of arthritis so he is always very understanding. But you know whats its like, i worry that they might ask me to leave or stop my sick pay , Ive had so much time off over the last two & half years because of this, but what can you do.

I've left a message for my rhuemy nurse this morning, I just dont know what to do, not sure if the co-codamol is helping as still seem in so much pain, plus its make me feel really fuzzy.

Very very fed up

Just spoken to my Rhuemy nurse, she thinks its time I started anti tnf's , I dont know much about them , I do have a NRAS Biologics book, so i will read up on this. I guess it won't be till the New Year, not sure, but she said she will send me an appointment to attend the clinic and to also sort an appointment for blood tests. It had been mentioned to me before but I was hoping that things were improving.

I guess this flare must have been brewing, I cant believe Im in so much pain just for driving after one week

Also trying from today, co-codamol again but 15/500 & Naproxin?

Trying not to get down, but its very very hard isn't it

Lou xx