chronic joint pain

linni

Aldi have the mattress toppers in at the moment, double/king size is £49.99 and single is £39.99. I got mine last year and I find it's really good for keeping you warm it's really comfortable.

beth58_2

linni wrote: »

Aldi have the mattress toppers in at the moment, double/king size is £49.99 and single is £39.99. I got mine last year and I find it's really good for keeping you warm it's really comfortable.

Ooo thanks, I think I'll go get myself one of them, my mattrass is past it's best and I can't afford a decent new one.

dthompson_2

Have you tried an adjustable bed with built in massage like Adjustamatic? These can aid pain relief from things like sciatica, joint pain and arthritis.

good luck, hope you find something.

bigjl

Have you had an MRI scan?

Did your GP check your Inflammatory markers, specifically CRP and ESR, my GP never checked them but my Physio did, as he liked to take a belt and braces approach. Result the ESR was three times normal and the CRP was just shy of 60. I then got refered to a rheumatologist.

My GP did blood tests to rule out Ankolosing Spondylosis (spelling?), sent me to the pain clinic etc.

Sometimes GP's don't get it right first time, they are human after all.

I use St Johns Wart to help with any stress and Gotu Kola(spelling?) which is widely used as for it's anti inflammatory properties. Both from Holland & Barrett.

Strangely I noticed more of an improvment in my joint pain and swelling with GK than with just the Sulpha that I am currently on.

GK isn't specific to Arthritis, inflammatory or otherwise, but may help.

If you haven't had your ESR and CRP checked it might just be because you aren't in the typical group for such problems, for example I have Fibromyalgia along with other things but I am a 40 yr old male, so not in the typical group atall. hence why my GP didn't think about it.

Think about it like this, the first thing a midwife wants to do is check the baby, the first thing a dentist wants to do is check your teeth, a GP has to look at everything, to make sure you get referred to the right specialist, as the first thing a rheummy wants to check you for is inflammation.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Personally, as I have RA, Fibromyalgia, hypermobility and problems from an old neck break (I'm still walking, so it's still a win situation IMO ), I get by on a combination of;

1. Steroid pulse injections every 4 - 6 months from the Rheumatology department (livesaver!). I don't take oral steroids as I get the side effects before I get the benefits (although the GP will prescribe them if my hospital appointment is a long way away, just to keep me barely functioning as a human being)

2. A combination of different painkillers, as rarely as possible as they all make me hurl and other disease modifying drugs do the same - or I'm allergic to them

3. A TENS machine for acute pain (eg, monthly, bad muscle spasms)

4. A memory foam mattress topper (warmth, cushioning, support, etc)

5. A shaped neck pillow

6. (when I move in ) a wet room with a power shower every morning to warm up and loosen up everywhere.

7. Assorted splints, braces and compression stuff, together with a stick/crutch depending on how much help I need.

I am also looking at a paraffin wax bath (Argos) for my hands this winter, I will be wearing gloves indoors and probably doing as little as possible so I don't wear myself out.

I do have one of those infra red massager things - can't tolerate the buzz anywhere other than my hands, but holding it can help where nothing else can.

I had a shiatsu massage once - excruciating (I hate normal massages as they HURT) but I felt much better the next morning.

I also pay someone else to deal with my feet (the NHS chiropody service is a bit hit and miss for appointments, so I just hand over the money instead to a private one)

My ESR and CRP are usually rather high by the time I get the steroids - my February appointment has only just been held this week after it was cancelled 4 times but if I have the jab at lunchtime, I can usually feel it beginning to work by tea and within 3 days, all is loosening nicely. I just dread it wearing off as it means back to the painkillers all day every day

Other than that, I muddle through as best I can. I'm eternally grateful for The Bloke in my life, as he fixes things, does stuff above my eye level, will wash my hair, sort out my nails, lifts, carries and fetches and generally makes himself useful - so much so, I sometimes have to point out I'm not totally useless all the time

Be prepared for the silliest question imaginable from the doc - 'Are you sure it isn't just your perception of the pain that's the problem, as you're feeling a bit down at the moment?' :mad:

My answer has been along the lines of 'No, it blimmin well isn't all in my head, I'm blimmin miserable because IT FLIPPIN WELL HURTS SO MUCH'

I have been asked that question twice in my life. Neither doctor has ever tried that one on me again.

Anyway, rambling aside, yep, chronic pain is familiar to lots of us. Acute pain is too. Both of which totally suck.

But hang on in there, you can get help and there could well be relief closer than you think.

nogginthenog

Try having warm(not hot) baths with a few drops of clary sage essential oil about 2 hours before you go to bed(not just before)
Not too many of the drops either as they make you very relaxed and drowsy.

As said before a matress topper if you can afford one will certainly help.


And buy the dearest most comfy shoes you can afford,such as ecco or hotters.

juno

I sweat by Crocs, which don't have to be expensive. I have several pairs now. I even wear them for work after claiming they were a reasonable adjustment under the DDA.

nanamoo

yeh Juno, i swear by my crocs too, i got the fur lined ones, got my OH to take the studs off the sides so that the fur lining can be removed for washing and drying instead of having to wash n dry the whole crock lol and i can also wear the linings as slippers dual purpose

nogginthenog

juno wrote: »

I sweat by Crocs, which don't have to be expensive. I have several pairs now. I even wear them for work after claiming they were a reasonable adjustment under the DDA.

My wife loves crocs but she is in good health.Myself Looking at the build of them i cannot see how they can relieve pain,in the limbs and body.the sole and heel are just plastic arn't they.
If i stand on a hard floor,without shock absorbing shoe's i feel every step and movement ,going through my whole body.

By the way carpeting the house,if you can afford too is a good idea for relieving body and limb pain also.

saryoung

I have back problems and Fibromyalga and I find wearing Fit Flops realy helps, even if it is just walking in the house. I got mine from ebay for about £24 and find them worth every penny!!! I can now walk a little bit further when back permits me to get up.
I also find that if I get cold my pain gets worse. Sometimes doing things to distract yourself helps, I do knitting, crochet and cross stitch to pass time, I also listen to audio books, and play free games on the web(ones that have ads round the side).
There is a good website called sleepydust - not sure if its com/co.uk just search for fibromyalgia. They post reviews about products from fellow sufferers so if there is something you are thinking about it may give you an idea of how things help - not just manufacturers sales blurb.
Have you tried physio - my local one was brilliant set simple exercises, also gave acupunture, and relaxation excercises.