chronic joint pain

juno

nogginthenog wrote: »

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.

There's a group of scientists that believe excess padding is actually bad. They claim that if you have expensive trainers with lots of padding at the heel this causes you to "heel strike" in order to use that padding but this places too much strain on the body and causes more injury due to unnatural techniques. This is more to do with running than just walking, though. It's called barefoot running.

But with Crocs I think it's more that they're light so you don't have anything heavy on your feet. They also have nobbly bits which are supposed to massage your feet or something.

nogginthenog

juno wrote: »

There's a group of scientists that believe excess padding is actually bad. They claim that if you have expensive trainers with lots of padding at the heel this causes you to "heel strike" in order to use that padding but this places too much strain on the body and causes more injury due to unnatural techniques. This is more to do with running than just walking, though. It's called barefoot running.

But with Crocs I think it's more that they're light so you don't have anything heavy on your feet. They also have nobbly bits which are supposed to massage your feet or something.

Yes i am well aware of that theory which i personaly believe is right, as anybody in the Army will testify to, as far back as the early 20 century.
All i am saying is if you ALREADY have a weakness in your joints walking on plastic shoes will cause even more pain.
Then you do need cushioned footware to soften the blow. as most physio's will advise.
Running and walking barefoot needs to be started as young as possible to train your body.Even Zola Budd is now wearing shoes.

And i would just like to add if you have lower limb problems most physio's advise not wearing backless shoes and slippers
http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2003/aug/05/fashion.shopping




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summerof0763

woodbine wrote: »

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

thanks i already attend pain clinic and get acupunture,but effects dont last long

dthompson wrote: »

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.

yikes i hate to think how much these costs,but could do with one

bigjl wrote: »

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.

had mri scan done which comfimed the degenerative discs causing the scitica pain,also have arthitis in back.
but this joint pain on top is causing me so many problems.
having been getting different meds from doc,but none touching the pain,have app for wed so going to ask about rhuemmy and fibro.

summerof0763

Jojo_the_Tightfisted wrote: »

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.

lol the doc that asked me "if i was sure the pain was as bad as that" i have never gone back to.
the one i am seeing just now has been great,trying different meds but they are not helping.
your wetroom sounds bliss,i only have a shower if energy,pain will allow me to,i refuse to ask daughters to help with one.
think will ask for referrall to rhuemmy see what happens,what is esr crp?
i know i am not alone with chronic pain,but sometimes you feel no-one listens nor cares,which i find hard as inside i am still me!!

beadle2

Hi,i have fibromyalgia and severe neck/shoulder pain

.I recently bought a memory foam pillow which is fab

Also i have BOTOX injections every 5-6 months in my neck shoulder
area.A pain specialist recommended it.

It works !!! I swear by it and therefore recommend you ask if it would be appropriate for you

also ask about side effects of your meds as some actually can cause joint pain.

hope you get sorted soon.

bigjl

summerof0763 wrote: »

had mri scan done which comfimed the degenerative discs causing the scitica pain,also have arthitis in back.
but this joint pain on top is causing me so many problems.
having been getting different meds from doc,but none touching the pain,have app for wed so going to ask about rhuemmy and fibro.

Your med hx seems similar to mine, and it would be a could idea to have your inflammatory markers checked, CRP and ESR.

Joint pain is probably more likely to be something like RA than fibro, but remeber that there is no specific blood test for Fibro, it is more of a presumptive diagnosis, along with the tender points, try not to focus too much on fibro, just ask for a referral, and make sure your GP knows that the pain killers efficacy is reduced.

summerof0763

well been to doc,he seems pretty certain am along the lines of fibro,but wants to try tweaking medication a bit before doing anything else.
back in a week,so hoping for some relief from the pain,tiredness,memory loss etc.
so now add this to the neuropathic pain i already suffer,just feel am falling apart,also had bad stomach ulcer flare up this week,so feeling sorry for myself.