There are no medications yet that treat the underlying disease process. Instead, the goal of medical treatment for osteoarthritis (OA) is to reduce pain and stiffness and make it easier to remain active.
The most commonly used medications for osteoarthritis are:
Analgesics – Analgesics are drugs that relieve pain. These medicines do not reduce inflammation or swelling. But if pain relief is your main concern, these drugs tend to have fewer side effects than drugs that reduce inflammation.
The most commonly used analgesic is acetaminophen, which the American College of Rheumatology recommends for the treatment of mild or moderate pain caused by osteoarthritis. Acetaminophen is available over the counter as generic and store brands or the name brand Tylenol, Anacin (aspirin-free), Excedrin caplets and Panadol. Acetaminophen can be taken in doses of 325 to 1,000 mg every four to six hours, but no more than 4,000 mg should be taken per day. This drug can interact with alcohol. Check with your doctor before using acetaminophen if you consume more than three alcoholic drinks per day.
If you have severe pain, your doctor may prescribe a stronger analgesic. Examples include propoxyphene hydrochloride (Darvon, PC-Cap and Wygesic), acetaminophen with codeine and tramadol (Ultram). Often, these drugs are used only for short periods because the carry the risk of dependence.
Topical analgesics – These are creams, rubs and salves that are applied directly to the painful area. One of them, Voltaren Gel, is a topical formulation of the nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) diclofenac, and is available only by prescription. The rest are available over the counter. Their effects come from one or more of a variety of active ingredients. The most common ingredients are:
Capsaicin – A highly purified natural ingredient found in cayenne peppers, capsaicin works by depleting the amount of a neurotransmitter called substance P that is believed to send pain messages to the brain. For the first couple of weeks of use, the ingredient may cause burning or stinging. Capsaicin is available under the product names Zostrix, Zostrix HP, Capzasin-P and others. Menthacin includes both capsaicin and counterirritants.
Counterirritants – Like stepping on your toe to take your mind off a headache, counter-irritants stimulate or irritate the nerve endings to distract the brain’s attention from musculoskeletal pain. Counterirritants encompass such substances as menthol, oil of wintergreen, camphor, eucalyptus oil, turpentine oil, dihydrochloride and methlnicotinate and are found in products such as ArthriCare, Eucalyptamint, Icy Hot and Therapeutic Mineral Ice.
Salicylates – Like the salicylates found in many oral pain relievers, these compounds may work by inhibiting prostaglandins. They primarily work topically as counterirritants, themselves stimulating or irritating nerve endings. Brand name examples of topical analgesics containing salicylates include Aspercreme, Ben-Gay, Flexall, Mobisyl and Sportscreme.
As a last resort I was given the option of becoming addicted to narcotic drugs or live with the pain. So far I have chosen to live with the pain. In the meantime the pain in my hip is getting worse and sooner or later, I will have to do something about this issue.
In the meantime, I am living with the pain and trying to be very careful with the amount of physical activity that I try to handle. If the pain becomes too intense, I stop what I am doing until the pain subsides, then I get back at the chore at hand. It takes me a lot longer to accomplish many tasks but I have nothing but time.
I have to been careful with the types of drugs that I take because I only have one kidney. The lost to other in bout with cancer. Thank god, I survived that ordeal
My arthritis started with inflammation, which I ignored, because I thought there is no heart,liver, kidney or anything important in my bud which could get ruined, but I forgot about the joints. Well the inflammation killed the cartilage.
The lesson I learned is not to ignore "inflammation!".
Then I was shocked to find out that no one can help me, not even doctors, except myself. And then I became health conscious. The lesson I learned is prevention! Anti-Oxidants!!!
I discovered L-Glutathione Reduced, Setria by Healthy Origins. I also recommend "Amrit Kalash, Ambrosia" from the Maharishi Ayurveda. I realize now that it's those radicals that do us all in, except those fortunate few who genetically inherited the capacity for their bodies to make their own anti-oxidants into advanced old age, that is why old age runs in families. Well, I am now taking in Anti-oxidants from the outside to make sure that I have them. We all need them!
In the meantime I'm trying to find a cure for Arthritis. So far I have tried every supplement for Arthritis on the Internet, and the best things I found so far have been SAMe, and 10% DMSO solution from Dr. Jacob's lab for sensitive skin. ASU is supposed to repair cartilage, so is SAMe, and Glucosamine Sulfate (not HDL). The very best Exercise I found is the DVD "Dr. Lam's TAI CHI for Arthritis", it's even better than swimming, which I also do about 15 hrs a week in my heated pool. I know that the cure is out there, we just have not found it yet!
Reynaud's can also cause severe muscle pain in cold weather. The pain may be diagnosed as a generic arthralgia. Treatment for the root cause can dramatically reduce pain levels and make winter much more enjoyable.
Been there. Still there, but with much less pain. I hope you find relief soon.
Leave a Comment