Dealing with osteoarthritis pain

How do you handle pain on a daily basis? Is it just medication, or have you got other things that  help you - like yoga, meditation, natural remedies, etc?

Don't hesitate to share your experiences with the community.

I am getting to the stage today after a bad flair up for a few days you start to think what's the point of being alive with this horrendous pain my old dog had arthritis and at 17 we put her to sleep I was thinking we treat pets with love we don't want them to suffer but living with this pain I get so depressed I am lucky to have a family that I can talk to any tips on anything yous find works I would be very grateful  I take a shed load of medication sorry for the rant .

 I have pain on a daily basis and mostly quite severe requiring opiate analgesia.  I've had it for over four years now and have been told with the injury that I will have to learn to live with it so I had a referral to the pain clinic at the hospital and they can be very helpful. They try all the things rather than just medication. They will review your medication and make sure you're having  what's best for you. There is lots to try and many do have side-effects so it's trial and error.

I do use a heat pad to help sooth the pain as muscles going to spasm when you are in pain and the heat is very good. 

 It can be very depressing and if I use my arm causes more pain but then I just get on with it as I can have pain in my sitting still.  Counselling can also help with the mental aspect and that is easy through your GP. I had it by telephone at a time that suits me and they were very helpful. 

 I hope this helps and that you get some proper help with it   

When my pain is bad i use an electric blanket in the bed even in summer.  I find it helps the pain and I get to sleep quicker.  I always switch it off as I get into bed, but it's such a relieve particularly around upper arms and neck

 I think it's always advisable to turn it off and I feel safer when my heat pad isn't plugged in whilst I'm sleeping. There are only a few alternatives to provide heat other than a hot water bottle which is too heavy. They do a microwave one but it doesn't hold its heat terribly well. There is also one that you plug-in and charge and the plug comes out of it once charged. Again it's heavy   

Now if I go to the doctor with anything new the doctor automatically puts it down to the osteoarthritis which is not a helpful process by any means. tried pain clinic, tried heat, tried cold, tried physiotherapist, tried hydrotherapy, tried morphine, tried everything, I'm sure you all the same.  nothing works for long.  day by day we all get worse.  I try painting a smile to hide the pain.  only a few get behind the smile.

Having tried all sorts of medication, heat, cold and different alternative therapies I've found what helps me best is my tens machine and especially the pain patches called salonpas that I order through Boots pharmacy.  They're good especially when you're out and about. X

Have to try those, thanks titch

Hi Titch

My problem is  the patches.......Those ones have aspirin or something similar in them I think.

Tel me if I'm wrong please. I take a full dose of paracetamol and also anti inflammatories

I think I would be overdosing if I used the patches as well??

Love

Eileen

Hi.  The active ingredients listed are Methyl Salicylate and  Levomenthol.  Because of the menthol they do have a bit of aa aroma attached but once covered with clothes you can't usually smell it. Most people would probably think you're using a cold decongestant. 

(They work for me so I'd still be happy even if they smelt of horse poop ?)

probably best to ask the pharmacist though to be sure about the overdose bit but I'm fairly sure it would be fine.