General Chat

I suffer from this and would be interested to know if anyone has any tips on how to cope with it. My doc just gives me pain killers, I also take Glucosamine but Im still in agony inspite of the hospital saying that my Xray shows 'just a little' wear brenda

thanks Donna, Ill put that on my list - anything to get rid of the pain brenda

Brenda. I have had r.a for 17 years, you never really get rid of the pain. just control it to some degree or other. Have you been referred to a rheumatologist? If a joint is really bad you can have steroid injections into the joint which give almost instant relief. Unfortunately you cant tell how long that relief will last. There is a homeopathic pill called devils claw you may want to try, it did help me for a while You can pick it up in any health shop

dont eat any dairy products and try and keep exercising the offending joints

i went back to my GP this morning, have tried several anti inflammatorys, hes given me a different one now as the headaches have returned and the neck and back are still painful, at least he gave it a name today fibromialgia i have a lovely doctor, explains stuff its just getting to see him hes so busy

Julie Anne--I have fibromyalgia, was diagnosed last June but have probably had it for three to four years. My neck is horrid at the mo. If you want any advice, email me. I can recommend a good book on Fm--it's really helped me. I have noticed a huge difference in my pain and energy levels since I gave up bread, and any white flour products.

instead of using cows milk replace it with goats milk

hiya i have costochronderitis its were the ribs join the sternum .when you first get it you think you are having a heart attack.as when you cough sneeze even laugh its awful.You feel like a flag is on you chest i found since i took glucosomine and omega 3 i have been loads better.ps antiiflams are out of the question as i have asthma x

Hi Sandra, I sympathise. I have FM in my chest. No-one can imagine how painful the sternum can be until you have a problem there! Just between us girls, I find a bra really painful when it's bad but I'm too big up top to go without! Didn't help that my little man thumped me in the chest this pm! i almost dropped him with shock!

I have added to sand dancers thread re fibromyalgia.

Hi everyone Read with interest on tips for Arthritus, i have just had back xrays doctor said to me you have Osto arthritus, and a large amount of wear and tere which he thinks is also causing the problem with my trapped scatic nerve that ive had now for 11 weeks, other than painkillers and refering me to a Physio that is all i have been told, so reading the tips for it on this thread has help me more than the doctor has Thanks Margaret

hiya sand dancer thanks its a bummer when you get it in the chest.mine gets so hot you could fry an egg on it lol .the other day i had massaged it and i bruised it my hubby thought someome had man handled me lol in my dreams x

Bryan, do you find that those magnetic bracelets really work? I tried one a couple of years ago, and it didn't seem to make that much difference. I'm willing to try anything now, as the pain is so bad at times.

Diet plays a big part in managing the pain caused by Arthrites, there are several books available supporting this theory and many of them claim that eating citris types of food ie Tomatoes Oranges Lemons etc can cause sufferers a lot of pain, also Red Wine and strawberries are also culprits.

Brian, can you please tell me where you got your magnetic bracelet from? I would like to try one, as there was a recent report saying that they do work. However, they said that in order to work they must be properly polarised, so i want to get mine from a reliable supplier. Many thanks, Sal

It's so interesting to read other peoples experiences. I have RA, was diagnosed about 15 years ago. I have to say, I've not found any foods that adversly affect me. I take everything thst is offered, heaven knows what its doing to me long term, but I can walk and live a descent life now! and I'm very much a person who lives for today, tomorrow can take care of its self. I take methotrexate, sulfasalazine, plaquinol, indocid, co-proxamol and the odd steroid injection. It has been sugested that I may go on to Anti TNF, has anyone got any experience of this? Suex

Have been on anti tnf for almost a year. It has not been as good as I hoped it would be plus you have to inject yourself twice weekly, not very nice but you do get used to it. Hopefully coming off the methotreaxate so that should be a bonus as it is a very strong drug. Anti tnf is very expensive, seems like they will not put you on it till things are really bad. However if they are you should pester your rheumatologist and try it as like most things it differs with each individual person. Marilyn

Brenda, I have an electic heatpad... it is the most wonderful thing I have. It is about 8x12 I think. I get such relief from it. It is softer than a hot bottle, and so comfortable to use. They can be bought at ARGOS @ £15/16. It is the best pressie my son ever bought me...and he spends loads on us. Try it Brenda. Deanna x

Hello Marilyn, I had wondered about e mailing you earlier after reading your previous posting. Are you still on MTX? how much are you on. I've reduced mine to 25mg, as my hair started to fall out, and I wasn't having that!!! I didn't realise Anti TNF wa self injected, I thought it was by drip, about twice a month, like chemotherapy, obviously self injection doesn't interfere with life as much, but I don't fancy that! It is certainly billed as a wonder drug for those it works for, sorry to hear you aren't one of them. Love Suex

hiya sand dancer my friend was a manager at health rack and the bracelets were a good seller £30?.Brian they do glocosomine in a slow release capsule. not tried it yet cos a have afew weeks left of my others x