Arthritis - how do you cope

I_know_my_ABC_and_my_CMYK

I have arthritis as the title thread says but right now the arthritis which is bothering me the most is in my jaw and I am going through hell with it.

I am not asking for medical advice at all, I get that from my doctor who I have to say is actually very good

For the past 3 nights I have managed to get a max of 2 hours sleep each night so I am exhausted which doesn't help. I can guarantee that within 5 mins of laying down the pain starts which is also a muscle problem so I am sat up all night trying to massage the muscles in my neck and jaw/mouth to loosen them off.

So does anyone else suffer from arthritis and muscle problems in their jaw? and if so how do you cope with it, what do you do?

jenniewb

I don't suffer as badly as you do, but I was told I have knees which could be osteoarthritic (it seems the specialist thinks its osteoarthritis but my GP thinks its not so not sure who to believe!) I am also having tests done about this for my back.

I have spoken to my GP about pain relief as all the pills I have been taken have done little if anything at all, one seems to help a bit but the pain is still there though minimised. I am not sure if I am allowed to name the pill on here or I would.

I have also been told my my GP they will refer me to the 'pain clinic' who will be able to treat things and its a case of pain management (this is done though by a GP who isn't so sure its osteoarthritis so no idea if the treatment would be the same if she did think this diagnosis was correct).

I have been told things like CBT, accupuncture and various medicines will be suggested as well as physiotherapy which to my knowledge is about building up the surrounding muscles and building core stability (which I have had before and which didn't help though if this was because the teaching was very poor or because infact the problem they had assumed back then: 'muscle weakness' was not the correct diagnosis- I have not had physiotherapy given for the diagnosis of osteoarthritis which could be a very different form of treatment).

I have also found it helpful to talk about things with others via other forums or with other sufferers and there is a website you can go to here: http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/PublicationsandResources/Someonetotalkto/Helpline
and you can call a team of people on the number: 0808 800 4050 which is a freephone number.

Jojo_the_Tightfisted

Physio on my neck/strengthening exercises.

Worked hard on posture/yoga/Pilates.

No pillow - a rolled up fleece blanket instead.

Memory foam mattress topper.

Copious quantities of alcohol and opiates.

I_know_my_ABC_and_my_CMYK

Thanks for the replies. :T

I have had another sleepless night, well I did get all of 15 mins. I take opiate pain killers and last night I did try the alcohol with them, but didn't make any difference.

I think its definitely going to be a visit to the docs this week, the pain killers I have are just not touching this at all. In fact I live with fibromyalgia which is quite painful but this pain is unlike anything I have ever experienced. It is the worst pain I have ever had. I actually tried to sleep propped up last night with 4 pillows but didn't make a difference.

Sorry for winging and whining, I think it would be OK if I could sleep stood up:D

Racheldevon

I sympathise - I too have a chronic joint condition, and one which also affects my jaw.

Things i've found helpful:
A good physio - helps to give exercises to strength, soft tissue work etc
1:1 Pilates to strength the stabilising muscles inthe neck etc, so that the correct muscles are activited
Accupunture - when my jaw is really bad I can't eat, and end up on a soft diet as it ceases and I can hardly open my mouth - accupuncture really helps, especially when they use moxa, but if you go down this route choose someone registered etc with the British Accupuncture Council.
It might also be worth a trip to your dentist - I've realised I grind my teeth at night (i'm not aware of this but the dentist noticed during a routine examination), and after a referral to t maxillofacial surgeon (just to check out the jaw etc), I now wear a mouth guard at night, which has also made a big difference to waking up with stiffness/spasms in my jaw, so definately worth exploring in my opinion

jenniewb

I_know_my_ABC_and_my_CMYK wrote: »

Thanks for the replies. :T

I have had another sleepless night, well I did get all of 15 mins. I take opiate pain killers and last night I did try the alcohol with them, but didn't make any difference.

I think its definitely going to be a visit to the docs this week, the pain killers I have are just not touching this at all. In fact I live with fibromyalgia which is quite painful but this pain is unlike anything I have ever experienced. It is the worst pain I have ever had. I actually tried to sleep propped up last night with 4 pillows but didn't make a difference.

Sorry for winging and whining, I think it would be OK if I could sleep stood up:D

Sounds really difficult, wondered if you'd tried calling NHS direct as in some cases they can get your duty doctor to call you back, they can prescribe things for you and in some cases (where things already have a diagnosis) over the phone and can then be picked up at a local pharmacy.

This is something I had to do when I was diagnosed with a chest infection over Christmas and it was a God-send as it got rid of my chest infection within weeks. (I later heard others in my area had been in hospital and some on drips as a result of a chest infection at the same time as me so to all intents and purposes it was doing the rounds and I was lucky to have gotten mine dealt with so quickly!).

I hope you manage to get a proper appointment next week and get some help with this. If its very new -you mention its a new pain, keep an eye on things because it could always be something inconnected and a different problem altogether which could need a different type of treatment altogether.

I_know_my_ABC_and_my_CMYK

I have managed to get an appointment with my doctor but unfortunately its not until next Monday morning, he is fully booked up until then, so I took the first appointment at 08.25am.

I could see a different doctor as they are many at the practise but this one knows my history and the disabilities I have.

sounds really funny but is actually ended up sleeping with my head on the dining room table the other night, I actually managed to get an hour's sleep lol my son found me there and his shock at seeing me woke me up lol desperate times :rotfl:

I am ashamed to admit it ad especially as my best friend is a police officer that had I known where r to go and buy cannabis I would have done so, he would actually arrest me though if he caught me with an amount high enough to do so:o

so, plodding along until Monday.

Caroline73_2

Do you just see a GP or a rheumatologist?

brook2jack

It is actually quite rare to have arthritis in the jaw. What is very common particularly in people with chronic illness or pain is they subconsciously clench or grind. This puts terrific strain on the muscle and ligaments of the jaw particularly at night.
As Racheldevon suggested it is a good idea to see the dentist about a nightguard ,like a gumshield worn at night, as this relieves the symptoms for many without having yet more painkillers etc with all their side effects. Nightguards are available on the NHS but if you pay it may be cheaper to have one made privately. If the dentist can't help then can refer onto the maxillofacial unit at the local hospital who will be able to.

I_know_my_ABC_and_my_CMYK

brook2jack wrote: »

It is actually quite rare to have arthritis in the jaw. What is very common particularly in people with chronic illness or pain is they subconsciously clench or grind. This puts terrific strain on the muscle and ligaments of the jaw particularly at night.
As Racheldevon suggested it is a good idea to see the dentist about a nightguard ,like a gumshield worn at night, as this relieves the symptoms for many without having yet more painkillers etc with all their side effects. Nightguards are available on the NHS but if you pay it may be cheaper to have one made privately. If the dentist can't help then can refer onto the maxillofacial unit at the local hospital who will be able to.

Would this explain why my jaw feels as if its out of line, I can't seem to close my mouth properly. Really stupid but my teeth on one side feel raised as if they've all swelled. :eek:

brook2jack

Exactly. If you clench or grind you tend to favour one side. The teeth on this side fast hammered alot more and the bite feels "wrong". This in turn makes the clenching/ grinding worse.

The soft tissues around the joint make it difficult to open wide or close and you can feel clicking or popping.