I have dealt with joint pain in my left arm and both hip joints for many years now. It all started about 25 years ago when I was 40. I was self-employed back then and one day all of a sudden I could not even use a hammer. I tried several times and the pain was so bad I had to just go home for the day. I remember calling a good friend on mine who was a Doctor and he sent me in a script for something he said I would need to take Rolaids with.

I used that drug for many weeks and finally the pain left. It showed its head about five years later and this time worse than before. I would take Advil then and continue my work. I got where I had to use them way to much and then I got an ulcer that showed signs of bleeding. I had the light run down and it was confirmed I had many small lesions. I was told to never take advil again as it could kill me.

Then here comes the good meds about the year 2000 and I was a new man again. I took Celebrex, and then the one that was took off the market (Bextra) I think it worked better than any of the others, it made me fell like I was 20 again. but from what I remember it was banned in 2005.

Now fast forward 13 years and again I can hardly make it through the day as my joints are acting up again and have for about a year.

I got a doctor to let me try some samples of Celebrex last month and I felt great but after about two hours it felt like my stomach was going to burn up. No more of that again. I was warned before but I was also at a point where I did not care. I begin after reading about someone over age 67 taking these type meds and it can cause death.

I am very active but some days I find it hard to get out of bed because of the joint pain. I play golf and tennis and I know it makes the joints flare up but I sure hate to give that up.


Thanks for any tips. Tim

Hi Tim ~ Have you been to a Rheumatologist? It would probably be a good idea if you did. They specialize in Arthritis and know what drugs work the best. I'd suggest that you get a referral to one, and see what they can do for you. There is NO reason for you to suffer like this.

I have the "other" kind of arthritis -- the Osteoarthritis. While it's painful, I'm SURE it's not as bad as what you're going thru.

I hope you find some relief --- but I'm sure a Rheumatologist can help you. I wish you the very best. I'm so sorry for the delay in answering your post. this site hasn't been very busy for some reason. God bless and please take care. Hugs, Lee

Thanks for your help. I will see if I can locate a good Rheumatologist. I really never thought about seeing one until you mentioned it. I am sort of limited on what I can take because of my age and past stomach problems. I sure hope a doctor can help. Retirement is no fun when you are in pain. Thanks again. Tom

I had the same kind of debilitating pain and ache, that never went away. They have thrown everything at me and finally they got one for me that REALLY works well. They said it is an older medicine like penicillin, also like penicillin it is the best. He said they don't use it anymore because pharmaceutical sales went in another direction. It is an NSAID, but the way it works is different. It gets into the synovial fluid. MY ESR was extremely high and is only 3 now on this drug. It is called Voltaren. You need a script as it is not on the shelves.

Is it Tim or Tom?

Anyhoo, what I've been learning of late is the impact pain, age, and various medical conditions can have on each other in a cascading effect.

Something else you might bring up with your doctor or rheumatologist is taking a look at your hormone levels -- testosterone in particular. Low T can influence how well you handle pain, reduce energy/stamina, sense of well-being, and has been linked to many other health conditions -- heart disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, and more....

http://www.google.com/search?q=effec...8&sourceid=ie7

Best Wishes,

Doc

also have your vit d levels checked

Its been over a year and I actually forgot I posted. I had most blood test but the b12 and vit d have not been tested. I will ask about those

Two months ago I went to a new doctor who said he would see and find out what was causing my problems. Testosterone levels was perfect, ESR was 19, Vit B12 and D was perfect.

They run every blood test known to man and nothing showed out of the normal range. He said there should be no reason I did not have energy or pain.
It was a waste of my time because the next morning I could hardly get out of bed.

I walk two miles a day and try and eat right. I have noticed my blood sugar has been easing up in the last few months and I mentioned it to the new doc.

They then did an A1C and it was 5.7 which is in the pre-diabetic range but this has been going on for 20 years as I tested it long time ago and it was right about the same number.

At age 67 and 1/2 now I guess I will just have to deal with it. I did start on Lexapro about three weeks ago. Not sure if it is helping or not. I have noticed my blood sugar running a little higher while taking Lexapro but time will tell if that medicine is causing this.

I will hang it and give it a try. I was on Prozac 15 years ago and the best I remember it did give me lots of energy but I was also only 52 years old at the time

I could not take the anti-depressant Cymbalta which is supposed to help with pain. I slept all day the two weeks I was on it and felt terrible. Never again for that one. I actually fell asleep at a red light while driving a car. Not for me but I tried.

I'd get the numbers for the B12.... the labs still report low levels as "normal"... You should be at least at 400pg/ml. or better.

If you are below 400pg/ml you could be having neurological symptoms.

Thanks mrsD. I will get them to print out the report tomorrow and let you know the results. I know a person could be on the borderline for blood work and the doctor would never mention it. Good point you made and again THANKS. I can't wait to see what my numbers are. TP