Ideas about managing/ coping w/ fibro/arthr/sjogrns
mommycharlie
Posts: 39 Member
Hello everybody! I am so sorry that we all belong to this group and that we are all suffering with pain. A little background:
August of 2013 I was diagnosed with Sjogren's, fribromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and symptoms of (just no current flairs) rheumatoid arthritis. Also at this appt with the rheumatologist I was told that if I did not replace my hips within the next two years I would be in a wheelchair with even more pain. The diagnoses was a congenital birth defect that with the arthritis had become so much worse: FAI femoral acetabular impingement. It was so bad that he was afraid that my pelvic was going to fracture. A week before my first surgery it did. I saw 5 different surgeons. All but one refused to help me due to my age. March 4, 2014 was the first replacement. The second hip was replaced May 20th. Healing is going great, but anyone who suffers from any of these knows that pain is intensified in other areas as well while healing. I am really looking for ways that will help lesson the intensity of the pain without being on narcotics. If any one has ideas I would love to hear them. Thank you!
August of 2013 I was diagnosed with Sjogren's, fribromyalgia, osteoarthritis, and symptoms of (just no current flairs) rheumatoid arthritis. Also at this appt with the rheumatologist I was told that if I did not replace my hips within the next two years I would be in a wheelchair with even more pain. The diagnoses was a congenital birth defect that with the arthritis had become so much worse: FAI femoral acetabular impingement. It was so bad that he was afraid that my pelvic was going to fracture. A week before my first surgery it did. I saw 5 different surgeons. All but one refused to help me due to my age. March 4, 2014 was the first replacement. The second hip was replaced May 20th. Healing is going great, but anyone who suffers from any of these knows that pain is intensified in other areas as well while healing. I am really looking for ways that will help lesson the intensity of the pain without being on narcotics. If any one has ideas I would love to hear them. Thank you!
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Oh dear. You are going through a lot. Yes, the surgical and post-surgical pain can sure trigger all the others. I'm not sure this is a good day for me to answer as I have just decided to go for the narcotics.
These are some of the things I use. So take what you need and leave the rest. Not everything works for everyone.
First meds besides narcotics. Daily anti-inflammatories do not work for me and leave me no option when the pain is bad. The most effective OTC for me is ibuprofen (Advil) and my doc has told me I can take that and acetaminophen (Tylenol) together as they act differently. Occasionally I use muscle relaxants but that is only for muscle pain.
Topical applications. My go to is Voltaren or sometimes arnica helps. I found the arnica helpful after surgery on my wrist.
Other things. Sometimes I find if I can get rid of the worst pain at the time I can cope with the rest. It may be something as simple as enough pillows to find a comfortable position. Hot and/or cold. I use a wheat bag heated in the microwave for moist heat and ice packs. Eg for headaches I use the ice on head or neck and hot on upper back. You could still use your ice cream...but on the outside, not the inside.
TENS unit. I used that for months after my wrist surgery. Massage...but never deep massage! My DH does a great foot rub when I am ready to scream. I need to ration these though. :happy: Your plan for a hot tub maybe should be bumped up if that helps you. I'm not sure if epson salts in the bath help me or just the warmth of the water but that helps when the pain is everywhere, everywhere.
One other thing I have been doing that is helping generally is restorative yoga. I am fortunate to have found an awesome and understanding instructor. I am unable to do regular yoga at this point.
Thanks for your post. After writing this I have decided to postpone the narcotics and deal with my migraine first. Maybe the rest will be tolerable then. All the best in your recovery.0 -
Thank you so very much for your response! You certainly have given me some ideas. The only topical I have used has been ben gay and it really doesn't help. I will have to look for the others. But there again I have to wait for the surgeon to give me the go ahead to try tylenol and/or advil. Right now it is a waiting game. I have also found a new rheumatologist that works holistically so as soon as the surgeon give me the ok to move on that is what I am doing. Thank you for the information. I will definitely be trying a couple of them. Thank you and best of luck to you!
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