Community > Expert Q & A > Osteoarthritis > Just Dealing With Chronic Osteoarthritis Pain

Text Size

| Print | Email

Just Dealing With Chronic Osteoarthritis Pain

Q: With both fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis, I have constant pain. Even with treatment, it never goes away completely. I’ve just been “dealing with it.” Is that OK?

A: Chronic pain is not a problem you should just put up with; in fact, you should be dealing with chronic pain in ways that are effective. This is important because an increasing number of studies showing serious consequences of having chronic pain. It may cause damage to certain areas of the brain, just as chronic stress does. Chronic pain also may lead to psychological problems, such as depression; social problems, such as isolation or decreased earning potential; and functional problems, such as decreased activity or disability.

Overall, people do far better when they're aggressively dealing with chronic pain and with their chronic pain-inducing condition(s). You should treat pain, as long as the treatments you use do not have side effects that exceed the benefits. Practicing relaxation techniques and sticking with a regular exercise plan may reduce pain in some of the same ways as pain medications. Massage and some supplements also may provide similar benefits in terms of dealing with chronic pain, but these therapies have had less research documenting the benefits.

For moderate-to-severe knee osteoarthritis (OA), the supplement glucosamine may provide some relief, as may the right combination of analgesics or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). The analgesic tramadol (Ultram), four antidepressant medications – amitriptyline (Endep), cyclobenzaprine (Cycloflex), duloxetine (Cymbalta) and fluoxetine (Prozac) – and two anti-seizure medications – gabapentin (Neurontin) and pregabalin (Lyrica) – have been studied in people with fibromyalgia. In fact, Lyrica, which eases pain, promotes sleep and reduces fatigue, has just been approved by the FDA to treat fibromyalgia.

Tell your doctor that the treatments you tried previously are not resolving your chronic pain, and then work with him to find the right combination of treatments for you. It may take some time, but the result will be worth the effort.

Daniel Clauw, MD, Rheumatologist

Just Dealing With Chronic Osteoarthritis Pain

Q: With both fibromyalgia and osteoarthritis, I have constant pain. Even with treatment, it never goes away completely. I’ve just been “dealing with it.” Is that OK?

Daniel Clauw, MD, Rheumatologist

steve

13 Mar 2010, 06:55

Is there any information regarding geographical location and arthritis? New England opposed to say South Florida?

Annette Miller

12 Mar 2010, 16:49

I have Fibromyalgia and Osteoarthritis of the Spine. I have had 2 lumbar back surgeries with not a lot of relief, in '97 and '98, the scar tissue is causing problems now also. I just need some pain relief please. I have been having pain and numbness down my left side since '97, at times I can hardly walk. I fell down my basement steps and broke my foot. It is such a chore to go shopping and my husband doesn't understand why I can't do the things that I used to be able to do. I don't have a life anymore, but, I still try to hold down a job, even though I work from home, I do still bring home a paycheck, it is getting very hard to do. The pain is getting unbearable from both the Fibromyalgia and the Osteoarthritis. My Pain Mgmt Dr. will only see me for my Worker's Comp injury which is my low back, and so I can't get much pain relief for my Fibromyalgia, which I know was brought on by the low back injury, which he said he didn't believe in, so he wouldn't have that added to my claim. I really feel like I am stuck between a rock and a hard place.

d.solkowitz

24 Feb 2010, 18:21

will acupuncture help relieve the pain of arthritis in the shoulder???I'

Carolyn

01 Dec 2009, 11:25

I have had good success with McKensie MDT method of physical therapy. the McKenzie method is far more effective for alleviating my pain and regaining mobility than any other methods of physical therapy I've tried.
Autogenic relaxation training has been helpful for pain relief as well.
A sleep study to determine if there are sleep problems such as sleep apnea. Apnea can aggravate pain because your muscles cannot truly recover if your sleep is interrupted.

David

19 Nov 2009, 01:09

I have suffered with osteoarthritis in both knees since childhood, but now it has spread to hips and hands. At only 44 years old I am barely able to stand the pain to work sitting in a cashiers booth. The problem I have is convincing the my doctor at the VA clinic that I need joint replacement surgery. The doctors just want to give pain pills and think that going to the pool to exercise will make me well. They say they can't find anything wrong in the x-rays but having been in chronic pain for over ten years I am quite sure there is something wrong as I can't stand for more than 15 minutes. I don't know where to turn. What do you do when you think of suicide due to chronic pain and no one believes you?

Donna

28 Aug 2009, 20:01

I have read all these comments and my heart goes out to all of you. My father has severe OA in his back and hips and he is miserable and miserable to be with. He has tried all these things each of you mentioned, with no relief, and as many of you added, the pain pills don't help all the time, either. He is incredibly depressed and just wants to die. I feel so frustrated and helpless when I see him. I pray more than anything for help for his pain and for all of yours as well.

Susan harrison

26 Aug 2009, 20:29

I live in constant pain. Only one disk left. My spine is fusing naturally. Good news is when this happens it will be one less surgery The specialist says I need five different surgeries and each one will be done as each thing happens. New developement in the last few months. I now have large bumps on the joints of my right hand. They burn with pain all the time so this pain compliments the pain I already live in 24hrs a day. I thought you couldn't have both spondylitis,osteoarthritis and (RA) at the same time. The only pill prescribed that seems to work for me is used for pre-op and post-op. The only problem is I can only take it for a maximum of three days. So I have relief once a week, just to get some sleep. I've tried all the expensive alternatives like acupunture, message therapy, chiropratic care but they all say I need it a min. of 3 to 4 days a week.(expensive) I feel like I'm stuck between a rock and a hard place. I'm supposed to excerise to keep my mobility, but I can't because its too painful and I just fall down when my right side gives out. My problem is I refused to be disabled at such a young age. There must be some something someone can do to stop the constant pain.

Lizzie

04 Aug 2009, 13:11

I also have chronic pain in my lower back that goes through my hips and down my right leg. it's been over a year since i've been dealing with this and i was diagnosed with OA in 4 of my facet joints, along with 2 digenerative disks. i had 6 steroid injections, 4 nerve burnings and an epidoral, but none of that has really done the trick. i've gone to an acupuncturist, who again, has helped, but not a huge amount, then i started seeing a massage therapist and a chiropractor and they've made the biggest dent in my pain, but it's still hanging around. i've been trying all and any exercises and different nutritional things. my life is completely different than it was a year ago. it's been a never-ending battle and my heart goes out to all of you dealing with the same things. just keep praying and don't give up.

Burdwoman1

26 Apr 2009, 10:27

Greetings,

As with others on this site I have osteoarthritis of the lower lumbar spine. There is considerable deterioration of the facet joints bilaterally causing pinching of the sciatic nerves. This has created an almost constant aching, tingling pain that radiates from my low back,down my buttocks,legs,knees and feet. The tingle is mainly in my feet and toes. I am experiencing weakness that comes on frequently and suddenly that makes it hard to walk right. I walk like I'm drunk when this happens. I am currently on oxycodone that helps minimally. I'm ready to go to my doctor and say that I'm at the point to where I need something done to keep mobile so I can work and stay active. Any suggestions? Thank you!

Richard

15 Apr 2009, 09:15

I work at a restaurant job where I must be on my feet during a three hour shift. By the time I get home, I am usually so exhausted with severe pain in both of my knees and lower back and feet that it takes me two or three days to recuperate.

I have had cortisone injections in both knees and want to know how often I can safely have these injections before having to resort to total knee replacement (no cartilege in either knee).

Marge

13 Apr 2009, 21:47

I highly recommend osteopathic manipulation as a non-invasive treatment for back, hip, neck, shoulder etc. pain before considering surgery. My rheumatologist referred me to the Department of Osteopathic Manipulative Medicine at Michigan State University 3 years ago. They changed my life. Manipulation plus prescribed stretches and exercises, along with the right arthritis medication have saved me from a life of chronic pain and disability. Read about manipulative medicine at http://www.com.msu.edu/omm/. They may be able to recommend a specialist in your area. Please don't give up. Read everything you can about your condition. Tell your doctor your pain is not being controlled. Work towards a multi-pronged approach to control your pain. Another great source of info for back pain is spineuniverse.com. Best of luck to all of you.

karen

09 Apr 2009, 06:05

i feel that saying i have CWP does not take in the effect of the acute pain with regards to long term OA and spinal stenosis in the back, neck, shoulders, knees also the pain in thumbs and elbow. 30 years of nursing
because of debillatating pain which affects you psychologically,depression they class it as CWP.
thank you
karen

regina reale

05 Apr 2009, 12:55

Can you tell me which of these will give me the most benefit with my osteroarthritis inflamation and what the correct dose would be to take?
krill oil, flax oil, fish oil
Thank you
Gina Reale

Mary

30 Mar 2009, 17:09

I live in pain every day from my osterarthritis, even my darvocet does not help the pain much. I am on Mobic now but have tried all the othe medications for it and still do not get relief from this pain. I have it in my spine, knees , hips and now in my neck and shoulders. Its like it keeps getting worse and moving over my entire body.
I am just so tired of this pain because it has me so imobile that I can barely do anything anymore.
I do water exercises most everday in my pool but even that does not help.
Why is the medications not working?

Rich Bigelow

30 Mar 2009, 15:40

I too am living with chronic back pain, diagnosed as osteoarthritis, and have tried most of the above meds with limited effect, at best. Currently on steady diet of hydrocodone and gabapentin just to preserve a level of functionality in my life.

But, isnt there a specialist somewhere who can isolate the nerves carrying the pain signals, or find the source of the pain and either treat it or surgically intervene? Getting desperate to stop the pain .

Name:
Email:
Text:
Enter the words shown above separated by space Enter the numbers you hear

Just Dealing With Chronic Osteoarthritis Pain

Just Dealing With Chronic Osteoarthritis Pain

Leave a Comment