We're in the same boat girlie. Frickin' Tylenol doesn't wanna work anymore! Poo poo!
Phats, I will post what I did over on Katie's thread - that somewhere I read that Aleve is the best OTC NSAIDS for RAers - have no link or proof. Funny how alcohol and nicotine are legal, and marijuana isn't. Take care and I hope you get some relief soon. CathyI know this isn't exactly on this topic, but wouldn't it be okay for MJ
to show up on your blood test if you have a medical prescription for it?
I would think it is no different from any other Rx. I think I heard something about a male who had a Rx for MJ and it showed up in his random drug test and he was fired for it. I think they have a lawsuit going on. I don't know where it was, but I thought it was interesting. Yeah, but how many states actually allow medical MJ? It's like...5 or something dumb.
I will never be able to explain marijuana being legal in Alaska for many years.
my pain doc prescribed flector patches. They are diclofenac (voltaren) patches that last 12 hrs and can be cut up for different areas. They are very new on the marketPG - if you are serious, why not try a number of the OTC painkillers, there might be one that works for you. Also, on prescription is Tramadol and it's varients which many of us use as reuired. There are so many painkillers about, and so many posts about killing pain, I wondered if you were pulling our collective legs. - Cheers, Des.Basically Phats, you have the over the counter options...which are not many or the narcotic RX options. Not many OTC ones work on our levels of pain and as far as I know there is nothing non-narcotic out there except your Aleve, which is a basic NSAID anyway or anti inflammatory stuff (NSAIDs). You may or may not tried these already.
I don't find NSAIDs at all effective and I don't believe they do a hell of a lot to severe RA anyway. They work for OA well as that is what they are really used for. My doc threw one in just for the hell of it but honestly, it doesn't do a thing.
If you read Katie's thread she mentioned, there is a link to another thread where I set out all the sustained release and fast acting pain relieving medications, how they work and what they are used for. Maybe that will be helpful.
If you are in a lot of pain you may need to go to some sustained release narcotic to get the relief you need. I have found that they don't make me drowsy so maybe you can find one that works but still enables you to do your job.
Sorry guys, I should have put in my first post that I have tried everything OTC that is available. It just doesn't cut it for me. I'm not ready to do the narcotic thing yet. Plus, I don't know how that will work for my profession. Anyhoo, thanks for everyone's input!!!
PhatsWhen you take OTC NSAIDS like Advil do you double the dose Phats? I have to take 4 advil at once to actually help when I have strong pain. 4 advil would be the same strength as a prescription NSAID. That's the only way I can get those to work for me. Always make sure you have something on your stomach if you take that though; I'm sure you know that.
I have a prescription for Lidoderm patches that I use on a portion of my leg that has some nerve pain. Their great for that kind of pain....but I'm not sure how good they are for strong joint pain. The patches would actually be a great idea for you. There are several different kinds now some stronger than others.
I take Tramadol and muscle relaxers when I'm home. Although I don't find either that strong I do think they interfear with my consentration at times and I'd hate myself if I got into a car accident with my daughter in the car.
I also forgot to mention acupuncture has provided some relief, and if you're able, exercise has incredible pain damping effects. If I work out at the gym or go for a nice swim the effect usually lasts for a couple of days. You don't need a prescription for that!Phat..My doctor gave me patches called lidoderm for my hip. It numbs the nerves around the joint and helps a lot! I don't think it is narcotic, but it does make me a bit light headed at first...but it works! I three have the lidoderm patches. I sometimes cut them into strips and put them on my fingers. Helps with spot pain but not overall general pain.
Isn't there a type that does help with over all pain? I can't think of what their called but I've heard other's talk about them. Lovie, like the Fentynal(sp????) patch???? Lord I can't spell to save my life.
You spelled it right actually. The other name for it is Durogesic. All of the sustained release and fast acting pain relief medications work for all over the body pain, as that is what I have. From my nose to my toes...
That's it! Do they make you groggie like strong pain meds do? I do ok right now (Thankfully) without anything more than advil during the day; but there have been times when I couldn't wait to get home and take some real meds.Phatgirl2,
Have you tried any of the prescription NSAIDs? You didn't say.
Yes, I have tried a Rx NSAID. I don't recall what it was. As with most people here, the dr. wanted to start me on that before doing anything else.
Phats
The fentanyl patch does make you tired...it does for me anyway., If I'm on the go I'm fine, but as soon as I sit down I feel like I could sleep forever.I was having most success with taking 800mg of Iubprofen for some of my pain. It only took the edge off for me to be able to bear the pain, but it done nothing for pain that was like I was having in my neck/upper back/shoulders and hip.
Oh and the IBU also helped with my swelling too. Another reason I kept taking it, because my RD at the time would not give me anything but pred for my swelling. I asked and he gave me Naproxen Sodium 550mg, but he did not think it would help with my swelling, which he was right it did nothing. IBU done a little better job for swelling.
I hope you find something to help you with your pain, Phats. I will keep an eye on something that might be out there somewhere for you.
I had actually found a pain med that had IBU in it LOL! But my current RD would not RX it for me because she was unfimilar with it.
Thanks Joonie! I hope my Rd has some suggestions this month when I go in. I have a list of complaints
I hope it does not for you. Good Luck!
Oh and my RD liked looking at the pics of my knees, probably what also helped her to want to aspirate it.
That is what I was afraid of Cordy. I was hoping that I over looked something. Thanks for your input!
PhatsYeah, Phats, unfortunately there is nothing else. If I knew of it I would tell you. The only thing I can suggest is maybe try one of the sustained release narcotics and see if it effects you badly with work. You may be like me and it not effect you at all. Go and talk to you GP, they may know or be able to think of a plan that might work for you.
I do understand about not wanting to go to the narcs. I survived ten years of incredible pain without them until six months ago but then it just all got too much. I must admit, not being in agony all the time, does improve life somewhat.
I hope you can work something out for yourself soon, darl.
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