Arthritis?

[PlaneMan]

Had the left shoulder injected with steroids today, hard to tell if it’s actually worse or I can just feel it more now that the right is better after the steroid injection there.

It’s odd it works in my shoulder but hasn’t the few times I’ve had it in my hip. ?

When I was showing the GP where the pain was he got a little freaked out at my dislocating wrist and how blasé I was apart form the wince when it went back into place. Another referral in the pipeline……………..

[PlaneMan]

I’ve just got back from seeing the Rheumatology consultant and I’ve now been diagnosed as having Fibromyalgia.

Another one for the ever growing list…..

[Richard]

Yes it can be very painful and what is worse very hard to control as medicines do not always work as hoped. With some luck it may ease off over the coming weeks, without that luck I hope you can find another way to ease things. Is it a general issue, i.e. affecting a wide area or is it narrowed down to particular area(s)?

Some years back I was diagnosed with trigeminal neuralgia, which can be a life long situation, though happily for me it abated after a relatively short period. It appears it might have been triggered by some dental need and possibly relieved by a dental intervention. It was extremely painful and debilitating while a guest in my person.

Good luck with that one.

[PlaneMan]

Thanks Richard.

It’s all over, some areas like my back, neck and shoulders are the worst but others like wrists, knees and ankles are catching up quickly.

[Bob Williams]

My missus has Fibromyalgia Nolan, has suffered with it for years. Unfortunately the injections did nothing for her. Last January she had a new hip and I have taken her back to the GP several times after the pain has not subsided with time. GP has sent her for Physio, (made it worse) ultrasound and now he has fixed an MRI scan for next week. The consultant who gave her the new hip was insistent that nothing was wrong: said once that she had “soft bones”. I asked for a medical definition of that, to include in a diagnosis, which appeared to upset him. I have to say that our GP’s are very good, they always support us in dealing with their supposed ‘betters’.

It’s the Rheumatoid that is tormenting me atm: fingers and toes are really painful. I need some sun!

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[PlaneMan]

Bob, the consultant was happy with my rheumatoid, that’s the hip and hands, but also told me that I have osteoarthritis in many other joints, right wrist being potentially the worst ATM.

I’m currently in agony after the examination earlier on.

[Bob Williams]

Nolan it’s the osteoarthritis that led to aggravating my spinal injury and shortened my height by almost 2″.

I hope you are feeling less pain very soon mate.

When the Thought Police arrive at your door, think -
I'm out.

[PlaneMan]

Thanks Bob.

[PlaneMan]

Had and National Exercise Referral Scheme appointment today at a local leisure centre.  The place looks it should belong in Russia in the 60’s.

Woman was very good and after some basic health tests showed me around the gym. Bloody hell, it’s awesome. Not very big but lots of stuff in there and doesn’t feel cramped. I’ve never been a gym person, I’d rather be out and about but circumstances have put me where I am so I have to try and make the best of it.

I’ve been advised after trying a few machines to stick with what I know, cycling and weight bearing  and gradually increase resistance/ weight.

Best bit? £2 a session for 16 weeks, if I continue I get a rate  of £15 a month instead of £20.

I’ll see how I go and if I get on with the space/ noise and get the inside info from the staff about quite times I can see me being there for years.

[Tippon]

That sounds great, especially the fact that they’re paying attention and not just trying to get you on any old regimen.

Have you tried noise cancelling headphones? I got a pair to try with Alice when we had to fly recently, and even a bad pair made a huge difference with background noise. If I go down the gym route in September, I’ll probably invest in a decent pair (if not I’ll probably have loads of random cycling questions, so brace yourself! 😛 )

[Ed P]

There are also apps such as Zombies, Run! which could distract you from the gym noise.

[PlaneMan]

I tried white noise apps before, they just annoyed me.

The cycle machines have a large touchscreen on them and they have different scenery and terrain you can choose from or you can watch YouTube or Netflix. (Apparently, I didn’t see that working).

[PlaneMan]

Saw the GP yesterday and I’m starting on Duloxetine for the fibromyalgia on Monday.

[PlaneMan]

The duloxetine didn’t last long.

Had very bad side effects including strong muscle tremors, headache, dry mouth and not sleeping for 48 hours. My anxiety also increased noticeably.

Saw the pharmacist this morning and she advised stopping them and seeing the GP again.

 

[Richard]

I was sorry to hear that, it would be the last thing you wanted. A failure to treat and side effects like those. Get hounding the GP (in the nicest sort of urgent way) as clearly you need a better option. Those issues all appeared very much related to each other, more like nerve agents and pretty horrid.

[PlaneMan]

Thanks Richard.

Managed to book an appointment for tomorrow afternoon. I was very lucky, must be a cancellation.

 

[PlaneMan]

Now have Amitriptyline to start next week.

See how that goes.

[JayCeeDee]

The wife took that a while back, but didn’t get on with it. She felt woolly headed and dopey in the mornings.

THIS gives a good write up on it.

Good luck.

[Richard]

I was given Amitriptyline a while back but did not find it that helpful to assist with sleep, but recently my wife finished up my old stock before starting on her own supply for similar issues to yours. She really finds it helps her with sleeping and has been getting through the night for the first time in several years without pain waking her.

I have said before that many drugs are highly selective and personal when it comes to how effective they are. Some pain killers will knock some out, make others high as kites but have no useful effect on others. Tramadol stopped my stomach but did nothing else, strong sedatives sent eldest daughter bat-sh*t-crazy when she was small in a did not try this at home but in a hospital event.

Getting the right thing for you is always going to be a slow titration process, also known as suck it and see.

Hope this one goes well for you.

[PlaneMan]

Thanks both.

 

[Author]

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