chronic joint pain

summerof0763

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Many people find that a TENS unit is helpful for pain in specific areas.

have one and tbh does not help,pain clinic gave me one years ago for my back,but gave up,still get acupunture for back at pain clinic,will see if they have anymore suggestions,but thanks for mentioning

summerof0763

sh1305 wrote: »

As painful as it might be, you may find that moving around eases the pain. I have problems with the muscles in my neck and have tried physio and painkillers - neither helped much. I find that I do need to keep moving; but I have to be careful what and how much I do.

I also found a memory foam mattress topper and pillow helps with sleeping too.

hi thanks,again i do move around as much as poss,as find if you sit or lie too long it hurts more.
and yes knowing your limits when moving around too,which i am bad at,as i try to get on with things and cannot,which is frustrating.
have thought about memory foam mattress,but wary of spending a lot of money in case it does not help.

Mupette

I never found my TENS worked either..

summerof0763

LittleTinker wrote: »

Try to keep warm as much as you can. Use hot water bottles or wheat bags on particularly painful places through-out the day.

Try to limit caffeine as much as you can and try to have more natural teas or hot water with lemon instead.

Good quality vitamins/minerals are also a good idea. Particular ones are beneficial to certain ailments, such as magnesium.
Aloe Vera juice also beneficial.

It is also important that you try to move around as much as you can without overdoing it so that you do not cease up completly.....which I know is easier said than done.

Small steps though as too much too soon can overload your system.

hi thanks,lol even in the hot days we had for summer,i was wearing jumpers,wheat bag i am going to look out see if it helps,everything worth a try!!
never thought about vitamins etc,but wary as do some not interact with meds from doc?
not a tea drinker,cannot abide it,but have changed to decaff coffee,but not noticing much difference in it.
i do try to pace myself,and know i tend to overdo things,but i am learning,i pay the price for it!! just wish a magic fairy or even pill would help lol
will go healthshop see if they can suggest anything,so thanks for suggestion.

freyanneke_2

Hi Summer, Just want to let you know you are not the only one. My GP needs regular reminders too. Sometimes it is only because she has a certain track in mind that we have to follow first before she can make a referral. Ask your GP to be specific about the suggested options. Maybe you could try to keep a diary. Even if it is just a star on a calendar when you are doing better or have something that was particularly good that day. I bought an electric bed on an auction for £10 and that helped a lot with getting up when my body is not working with me. Making sure the heating is on before I get up in the morning is also an important one, otherwise I don't get going at all. Strangely enough it helps me a lot to knit and crochet. I make fingerless gloves and wear them almost all year round to make sure my joints keep nice and warm, ' cause when they are cold there is no way I get them warm again. Good luck on your next appointment with your GP. Keep pushing for that specialist. I am sure that will give you a clearer picture about your condition.

adviceforall

I have a heat pad that plugs into the mains, I use it mainly for my back but as the days are getting colder I find just sitting with it and transferring it around my body is effective at times. Mine is like the one below.
http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/4428121/Trail/searchtext%3EHEAT+PAD.htm

I also wear fingerless gloves, cant find any the same but there is these ones:
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Therapy-Gloves-for-Arthritis-Relief-Size-Large_W0QQitemZ180516331170QQcmdZViewItem?rvr_id=145701692510&rvr_id=145701692510&cguid=2433fe1712a0a0e202f77f27ffe4b06a#ht_500wt_947

and I quite like the look of this when I have some money
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=380256093226&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT#ht_500wt_721

beth58_2

Sorry but the best I can offer ensure you tell your GP exactly how you feel and the effect of medications, there may be other combinations which might help, it took many yrs to find what was best for me.. Also, stay mobile my consultant and physio always drum it into me.. sometimes hard when your in so much pain and the meds turn you into a zombie, sometimes all I want to do is sleep or soak in a hot bath.
Other than that learn to live with it unfortunately most ppl with chronic pain have to, untill the fairy turns up to wave her magic wand. Oh and if you can manage swimming it can be good but in a therapy pool which is warmed. Good luck

Indie_Kid

summerof0763 wrote: »

hi thanks,again i do move around as much as poss,as find if you sit or lie too long it hurts more.
and yes knowing your limits when moving around too,which i am bad at,as i try to get on with things and cannot,which is frustrating.
have thought about memory foam mattress,but wary of spending a lot of money in case it does not help.

The mattress topper is around £80. I've found that too - I overdid it in June and am still suffering.:( I have now been offered injections.

never thought about vitamins etc,but wary as do some not interact with meds from doc?

You can ask in the chemist about interactions. If you buy vitamins from the chemist, (I can't remember if you can?) they will ask what medication you're on.

[Deleted User]

summerof0763 wrote: »

have one and tbh does not help,pain clinic gave me one years ago for my back,but gave up,still get acupunture for back at pain clinic,will see if they have anymore suggestions,but thanks for mentioning

could your gp refer you to a local NHS pain clinic?

pipkin71

summerof0763 wrote: »

anyone here suffer chronic joint pain?
i have put that lightly.
i already suffer from arthritis and some disc problem along with severe sciatica in my back.
but over last year i have been suffering from severe joint pain,in just about every joint i have.
taking medication ,but tbh its not touching the pain,i am constantly exhausted,live in my jamas most days,my short term memory is shot,waken up crying from pain during the night and cannot move for the pain.
one of my daughters has been coming in to help me get out of bed in morning,think i would be stuck in it otherwise.
anyone got any ideas on how to help ease the pain a bit?

Do go back to your GP to discuss your medication as a little tweak can help ease the pain for you.

I can identify with your post and have been diagnosed with sero-negative polyarthritis on top of all the other things.

The first port of call is really your GP. Print out what you have posted so that you don't forget when you get there.

Other than that, the glucosamine gel, hot water bottle, pacing, all the things we already know, really. Pacing is a very good one to try though as it can help.

Hope you can find something to help