Sciatic back pain and osteoarthritis in knees

uberalles

teddysmum wrote: »

I have tried various including the above mention pregabalin which made me put on a stone in 4 weeks (my GP fared even worse, herself) and gabapentin which made my legs swell hugely,but amitriptyline really scared me, as I experienced a know psychotic side effect.

Thank you. Wasn't aware of it and fortunately never experienced it.

Ladywriter1968

I saw GP he refer me for xray and mri scan, when had xray at hospital was told by hospital I may not have mri scan if they can detect it on xray, I guess its all these nhs cut backs. Already was told its narrowing of spine, same thing what was picked up before. He suggested injections for my knees but I cant have the injections until my sciatica eases off though. Also diagnosed arthritis in my back now. My late father suffered with same so a few years ago my uncle told me he thought it may be genetic.

faerielight

Have you tried localised pain patches?! They are called Versatis, it's lidocaine, you use them for 12 hours on 12 hours off.. I do put them on the hip/bum sciatic pain spots.. I get the pain right down to my heel too. It might be worth asking your doc for a trial of them..

Can I ask what the surgery entails?

Ladywriter1968

faerielight wrote: »

Have you tried localised pain patches?! They are called Versatis, it's lidocaine, you use them for 12 hours on 12 hours off.. I do put them on the hip/bum sciatic pain spots.. I get the pain right down to my heel too. It might be worth asking your doc for a trial of them..

Can I ask what the surgery entails?

no have not heard of it but will note it down though.

Ladywriter1968

Noble_Viking wrote: »

Hi OP, I care for someone with osteoarthritis in both knees and their pain is agony, it leaves them unable to walk far at all, they also have spinal problems from an accident 30 years ago. Both their knees need to be replaced but they can't have surgery because their BMI is too high, yet they can hardly move so exercise is non-existent, a real catch 22!

They have been under the pain clinic for about 18 months and have just started a course of acupuncture, so we are hoping it gives some relief from the pain, I'll keep you posted how it goes.

Definitely make a claim for PIP, because of my relatives poor mobility they get the higher rate which has just been awarded for 5 years, they were previously claiming DLA also at the high rate.

I have the other day put in claim for the PIP one, they said people cant apply for DLA no more, its all PIP now for new people, have been told its very hard to get though but I have completed form and sent it back. I wasnt on DLA previously either so may be harder for me to get now the PIP.

I feel sorry for the person you are caring for, although I dont think that I am quite as bad as the person you mention but doctor told me I now have arthritus in my back as well as knees. But I can manage to walk around and go out but have to keep stopping all the time and sitting down and get out of breath, I applied for freedom pass to help with fairs to and from hospital as cant afford to keep paying for cabs and they assessed me and sent email following day and failed me for one. I have appealed it today.

The doctor has put me on a medication that contains morphine and opium short term as its highly addictive, to help me deal with the sciatic pain now. As nothing else has worked. He said I cant have injections in my knees until my back sciatic pain eases whenever that will be. I could do with losing couple of stones but its hard to do vigorous exercise when you are in pain to drop the weight. And thats the only way you can lose weight. gentle exercises are good for helping knee and back pain but you wont lose weight with that type of exercise. I guess they are scared to put overweight people under sedation due to risks and that is why person you are caring for cant have the operation.

I have suffered with sciatic pain for years but before I would get flare ups and it would last a few weeks and then ease off but now they are becoming longer lasting as I get older. I can go out which am thankful for but I have to sit down every 5 minutes to rest which is annoying. I guess I just want my health back again. But unfortunately I guess that aint gonna happen so just have to get on with it. and do whatever I can to ease it and hope this flare up goes away soon. I wish the person you are caring for well and let me know how it goes.

missbiggles1

Ladywriter1968 wrote: »

hi,

Thanks I will mention this to my gp about a rheumatologist as so far I have been referred twice to physiotherapy of which they saw me a few times at the hospital and then signed me off with some exercises to do for my back. I had an xray on knees some time ago as they were hurting a bit and then they didnt give much trouble for a while but since my back went on me again my knees have been hurting more as well. I know the nhs has lots of cut backs and it seems resources are limited but I will find out though.
It would be good if I could self refer rather then having to rely on a gp to do this but dont think we can. I say this as have to wait a month for an appointment, I mean to get an appointment, not just my surgery but its like this now in our areas. Some gps only refer for certain things as well. but I will find out. thanks.

I'm going to see the osteopath again because she did help but I've now been referred by the GP to a rhumatologist for synvisc injections.

http://www.jointpaininjections.com/viscosupplementation/

http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/drugs/hyaluronan.aspx

I'll let you know how I get on.

Ladywriter1968

faerielight wrote: »

Have you tried localised pain patches?! They are called Versatis, it's lidocaine, you use them for 12 hours on 12 hours off.. I do put them on the hip/bum sciatic pain spots.. I get the pain right down to my heel too. It might be worth asking your doc for a trial of them..

Can I ask what the surgery entails?

I have no idea what the surgery entails as I have never had surgery on my back or knees.

missbiggles1

Noble_Viking wrote: »

My relative has done the joint injections previously but they didn't work for them.

Good luck with your PIP application, and remember if you have to do a Face to Face Assessment try to get your GP to support one at home. One of the things people often don't realise is for Face to Face Assessments at there 'offices' they are watching as soon as you arrive and will often question how you got to the appointment etc.

Have a look at the MSE Benefit and Tax Credit Board.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/forumdisplay.php?f=139

Also have a look at this link for help with travel costs when attending NHS Appointments.

http://www.nhs.uk/NHSEngland/Healthcosts/Pages/Travelcosts.aspx

There are several different injections for arthritis of the knee. If the synvisc is unsuccessful I'll expect to be referred to something else.

http://www.arthritis.org/about-arthritis/where-it-hurts/knee-pain/treatment/knee-injection.php

Gypsywoman

DomRavioli,

Can I ask what you mean by you are awaiting a new knee when one becomes available? They are always available. Also, can you share the secret of how you are up for a new knee in your 40'S. I have had severe pain in my knees for 25 years. Bone on bone and pieces shearing off and jamming mechanisms in both knees. So operations to remove the pieces of bone are what I have now, when needed. Just two so far. Morphine patches, liquid morphine, pregablin, gels, acupuncture and every med mentioned on this thread never helped. I do have DDD and slippage of vertebrae, so spondylosis in cervical and lumber spine. Arthritis in every major joint and fusion of toes on both feet again due to arthritis. Still though I am told I am too young at 60 years old for knee replacements. How in your 40's are you considered not too young for knee replacement?

Thank you.

missbiggles1

Gypsywoman wrote: »

DomRavioli,

Can I ask what you mean by you are awaiting a new knee when one becomes available? They are always available. Also, can you share the secret of how you are up for a new knee in your 40'S. I have had severe pain in my knees for 25 years. Bone on bone and pieces shearing off and jamming mechanisms in both knees. So operations to remove the pieces of bone are what I have now, when needed. Just two so far. Morphine patches, liquid morphine, pregablin, gels, acupuncture and every med mentioned on this thread never helped. I do have DDD and slippage of vertebrae, so spondylosis in cervical and lumber spine. Arthritis in every major joint and fusion of toes on both feet again due to arthritis. Still though I am told I am too young at 60 years old for knee replacements. How in your 40's are you considered not too young for knee replacement?

Thank you.

Different medical conditions and/or postcode lottery.