[purplesnowflake]

Hello. In June my GP agreed to refer me to a rhuemie despite my blood tests coming back normal because my joints hurt so much all the time. I've not heard anything and my joints are still hurting all the time and my knees really really hurt when i walk and stand which is necessary for work. Made and appointment to see GP this afternoon and I do nt want to be foobed off with paracetamol. I'm dosed up all the time to get through the day. Any advise.

 

[LolaLola]

Dear Purple Snowflake,
You are doing the right thing in going back. Wish you luck.
x Lola

 

[Joandublin]

Hi Purple

Could you ask your GP for a course of NSAID's? At this stage I should think he might try something to help the symptoms. Also it would be interesting to see if anti-inflammatories help with the joint pain as this would indicate that there is some inflammatory process going on in your system which is causing the joint pain.

Explain to your GP that the pain is interfering with your ability to work and you need to try something other than paracetamol which is just not working for you.

Best of luck and stay focused!

Luv n stuff
Joan:rose:

 

[LLM1970]

Hi Purple

I was at my GPs today as my knee flared up over the weekend - first time this has happened but I am in alot of pain. She told me to take paracetamol and prescribed co codamol aswell said that if it was no better in a week I had to go back. I am still awaiting the results of my blood tests so am in a similar position to yourself.

Hope the GP gave you what you need to help, take care LLM1970 xx

 

[LadyLily]

I would just reiterate what one of the other posters has mentioned that paracetamol will do nothing to help an inflammatory condition as it is just an analgesic which can help reduce pain and lower temperature in the case of a fever. You need to either go back to the GP and ask for NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) or try an over-the-counter medication - you could check with your pharmacist as to which one would be best for you. Drugs such as ibuprofen or even good old-fashioned aspirin would be worth trying (if you don't have stomach problems as far as aspirin is concerned) as they both have an anti-inflammatory action as well as pain-killing one. Cocodamol is just a strong painkiller containing a mixture of paracetamol and codeine.

Hope this helps and that your joint pain subsides soon.

Lily

 

[purplesnowflake]

Hi. Thanks for your replies. I have been and she's prescribed cocodamol and wants me to have x-ray on my knee and hands to see if it show's anything. My knee has a habit of giving way so I may have damaged somehow.My blood results came back as normal so the waiting lists for a rhumie here is months long. She'll keep me on painkillers until I've seen them. Hopefully, they'll help.
I have had ibruprofen etc in past and it gives me major stomach problems.

Thanks again.

 

[LadyLily]

Please be careful Purplesnowflake! Painkillers can become addictive and cause problems of their own as I'm sure you're aware - codeine is an opiate. There are two strengths of cocodamol available - one containing 8mg codeine which can be purchased over the counter from a pharmacist and one containing 30mg codeine which is prescription only. Your GP has presumably prescribed this purely as a painkiller - I would be very surprised if they imagine you taking this for months whilst you wait to see the rheumatologist. Are there really no NSAIDs that you can take with your stomach problems? You can get enteric coated tablets which allow them to pass through the stomach and thus avoid irritation of the stomach lining - I don't know if this might be worth asking your GP about?

I was wondering re-reading your first post if you just have joint pain with no accompanied swelling? Perhaps that is why the GP has gone down the painkiller route rather than anti-inflammatories and has requested x-rays.

I hope you manage to find a solution to sort out the joint pain either way.

Lily x