General Chat

Helen, glad your xray is clear. I didn't know that about the pain and lung cancer connection, altho I don't think the pains are bad enough to wake me except for last year when I had the shoulder problem. My late Dad had lung cancer so would be worrying for me, but he did smoke most of his life, which I haven't so I suppose, hope, the odds are in my favour?
Lizx

I brought myself one of those wheatgerm cushion like things, ( that you heat up in the microwave,) the other day and I have found that that has been helping. I put it in the micro about 5 mins before I go to work and wear it until the shop opens and touch wood, it has been helping and I haven't had too much pain while at work. And it has been keeping me warm on the cold frosty mornings as well.

Helen

I have osteo arthritis in C 5/6 lumbar region, both hips (well one now after replacement), knuckles, toes, throughout pelvis etc., a right old crock!....lol

I tend to stick myself on a course of anti-inflammatory plus co-codamol 30mgs/500mgs until the symptoms ease. I have had steroid injections which are marvellous but opt not to request them now because I feel that without some sort of pain I can over use the joint and make things worse.

I have periods of remission from bad pain, especially if I am in hot weather. I find alternate hot/cold packs help but don't apply them directly to the skin!

Probably of no help at all....lol

Hope you get a definitive diagnosis and treatment.

Sue xx

I have osteoarthritis(sorry about spelling) in my knees and elbows, I find exercising helps painkillers give me heartburn so try not to take them, I also have lymphodemia my legs and right arm which doesnt help

Hi folks,
Went to the Dr's today and had the results of the Xray. (which was a chest one, because I had been walking up during the night on a few occasions with the pain, and one of the possible symptons of lung cancer is shoulder and neck pain which wakes you at night, which when the Dr told me put the shivers down my spine as I lost my Mum to Lung cancer).

Everything is clear and there's nothing to worry about on that score. He's sending me for physio, and told me that it would help to do some form of regular exercise. Which led him onto the usual Dr's talking to about loosing weight, but I must admit that I have put half a stone on since November and I can feel it. He weighed me and told me that my weight was the same as 7 years ago, which I thought was good, but no I've got to take some off. so the diet will start next week, well I'm on holiday from work at the mo and am just chilling. LOL

Helen

Hi folks,

Well I went for the Xray yesterday, got to go back to Dr's in a fortnight to see what it shows up. Have been in some pain this last week. have been using stick on heat pads a couple of times during the week while at work, these have helped.

Helen

Hi,
I had the injection in my left shoulder as I could not use it at all in the end.
And now its free this was 3 weeks befor xmas but I have been told that I will need to have the injections until they stop working the have a new shoulder joint.
But at the moment I can do any thing again.

OMG, aren't we a bunch of invalids? lol

I too have some terrific pains... at the moment in my lower back on the left.

To all of you, whatever you take for the pain.... I know I keep on about it, but a small heat pad my son bought me years ago has been the saving of me... many times.
They sell them in ARGOS about £15/16, and worth TWICE THE PRICE.

Julie your little girl, has quite upset me. Poor little thing, she is just babe, and all that pain.
Bless her.... give her a hug from me... gentle now. I am a BIG therefore soft woman... tee hee.

Deanna X

Wow thanks for all the replies, I'm off to Dad's shortly and am going to give the tens machine ago.Yesterday wasn't too bad not too much pain, but this morning have woken up and it's sore.

will catch you all later.
Helen

I have R/A to - and one thing I learnt quickly is that some drugs work for some and not for others. You need to keep trying them till you get something that works.

ibuprofen did diddlysquat for me, and after trying several things I eventually got something that worked - cant remember the name of them now but it was an NSAID plus sulphasalazine. That combination worked really well for a few years and then stopped - I guess my body got used to them.

Then I heard about Celebrex and demanded I go on those - and the effect was almost instant! I am now on Celebrex and Leflumomide.

I was speaking to a friend over the holidays and he has shoulder/arm pain that isnt arthritis but went on Celebrex and it has really helped him.

i suffer from Arthritis in my neck legs and feet use to have phiso on my neck as when it locks they have to crack my neck have had xrays on it but theres nothing they can do,have to special shoes made for my feet as cant walk in normal ones,have been taking arthrotex for afew years now also had new new 18mths ago,but its very painful also take ihibin for cramps in my legs
Dutchxx

I had the same problem a couple of months ago. The doc gave me several options: injections, but he said they could introduce germs to the site (do they use dirty needles?!); anti inflams; an op to make more room for the tendon in the shoulder; do nothing and hope it gets better by itself. I opted for the latter, I just exercise it gently when I think of it, otherwise use my shoulder and arm cautiously, but some nights the arm and hand are so sore I have trouble sleeping.
It is nice (??) to know that I am not alone with this problem.
Also have a sore foot. The outer edge where I injured it a couple of years ago, plus I developed a heelspur this year. I thought the special innersoles I had made had cured it but it sometimes comes back and the foot can be so sore. Old age, who would have it?
Huia.

I have had Rheumatoid Arthritis for 40 years. I was given Steroids for the first few years but they gave me awful side effects and I took nothing but Paracetamol for several years. I have recently started taking Fish Oil capsules, 4 a day, and I think they are helping a bit, but mostly I just have to put up with the pain.
I am 79 now and I suppose I could be a lot worse than I am.
Good luck to all those fellow sufferers.
Sylvia.

Donna, I understand water can be injected into the shoulder to dissolve the calcium particles and wash them out so I expect that is what you had done, but a shame you had the other op and it didn't help.
We don't appreciate our limbs and joints till they play up then we wish we had taken better care of ourselves. I used to move furniture alone and all sorts, carry home heavy shopping and now I am paying the price.
Lizx

Yeah I know snorers,Ive have insomnia spend half night waiting to go to sleep and other half rolling OH over, you have a good sleep in when your OH go to work

It is ten to 5 in the morning lol I am a real night owl, actually I have chronic fatigue syndrome and fm, and a partner who snores for England, he will be off to work in a while and then I will be able to sleep!
Lizx

thats ok it must be getting late there - mid afternoon here
Darlene

The rheumatologist told me to take glucosamine daily and also ginger tablets which apparently make the glucosamine work better.
Lizx

Sorry Darl, forgot to say hi, am a bit tired now.

Hi Helen
my oh has arthritis in his spine he takes glucosamine tablets every day.
Darlene

I have calcific tendonitis in both shoulders and it is very painful altho not so bad now, touch wood, as it was in my right shoulder earlier last year. I was crying with the pain and had to go to a and e in the end, he recommended some gentle exercises which helped a bit and just painkillers, like the diclofenac, an NSAID I have for my fm.
I have arthritis in both knees and the big toe on my right foot too lol
Lizx

I have had a frozen shoulder in the past and that is awful too. Could that be what your problem is, as they sometimes inject cortisone in but have to catch it at the right place and stage of the problem.