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

Hi Tim

I hope you feel better now. What did your rheumatology doctor say? Is it Rheumatoid Arthritis you have had all these years?
Are you now on any kind of arthritis med such as disease altering meds? Those are the meds that help put the rheumatoid arthritis arthritis into remission.

Those NSAID can be very hard on the stomach. As they can help with the pain symptoms, they are anti-inflammatory. I can not take them due to being on anticoagulant ant anti platelet meds, and the danger of bleeding.

If I have a flare up with joint pain, my rheumatologist sometimes prescribe some steroid in the form of a Medrol dose Pack, which is a 6 days treatment. With this med, I get relief, and feel better. But one has to be careful and not use it often, only when absolutely necessary, due to side effect in long term such as boneless (osteoporosis) and many others.

I hope you found a good rheumatologist.

I have a question ...

If I already know that I have osteoarthritis and I take pain meds and a chaser of OTC NSAIDS, what is the rheumy dr going to do any different?

I was one of those who was on Vioxx years back and like ThreePutt I felt like a millions bucks. I had my life back!

Then they took it off the market and I was back to square one. Through the years I got through the bad days just as enjoying the good ones.

Fast forward to today 20 years later.... dx of MS and my osteoarthritis has gotten much worse. I know I am older now and things just don't work like they used to but come on now .... the medical field is suppose to have gotten advanced.

But I am not getting any better .... I miss my Vioxx

Unfortunately, what they do know is still infinitessimal compared to what they do not know.

Have they checked your homone levels?
ms testosterone
Both sexes have it, and it's just as important to both/either—it's only a difference in quantity.
ms testosterone in women

Adrenal axis hormones (of which testosterone is only one) are also a factor in pain control.
hormones chronic pain
Hormone Treatments in Chronic and Intractable Pain
Hormone Replacements and Treatments in Chronic Pain: Update 2010

Then—of course—there are the ubiquitous Groundhog Squeezin's...

Doc