What other medicines help with pain?

Bones, joints and muscles
1

I am still early in my treatment and the pain is getting better but the NSAIDS aleve or Advil are taking care of the pain and cramping feeling in my hands. I go back to rheumatologist on Wed and just wanted ideas on what I could ask about to either take with the NSAIDS or in place of them.  

There re was one medicine mentioned here that isn't approved in the US.  Thanks. elaine

2

I meant to say are NOT taking care of the pain!

3

There are a remakable amount of NSAIDs both requiring prescriptions and over the counter. Unfourtunately, it does require experimentation. I just changed one again, all prescription stregnth, as over the counter does nothing for my pain and a lot of NSAIDs don

t do too much either, but I am always willing to try. I also have to resort to some opiates for pain management , mostly tramadol, which comes bith with Tylanol and without. I currently take it without tylanol, and with Nsaids, and Methotrexate, and sulfasazine, and Voltaran gel--which is sometimes helpful Remember, you must be your own advocate for care. Tell them you HURT and make them help you!

Good Luck!

4

Hi. my current medications are methotrexate, sulphsalazine and prednisone. I am reducing the level of prednisone gradually.

5

Be careful with NSAIDS. In the beginning they helped me a lot, too, but I ended up with three stomach ulcers and now my gaterintologist NEVER wants me to take another NSAID. I sneak one in occassionally because they do help, but not often.

 

6

Yes, they can be dangerous. I now take an antacid 1/2 hour before my Nsaid, at least with this one. All medications are portentially dangerous. You contstantly have to way the cost/benefit and be careful. . I was mostly trying to encourage pain relief at all costs. I got a neurolobical reaction to Enbrel. I was the 1% that that happened to. But I keep trying, just not with anti-TNF's .

So yes, these are all powerful options, but so is RA, it can destroy lives, too.

7

My doctor prescribed Nefopam also called Acupan. You can take it alongside other analgesics. It's not an opiate and not addictive. I know someone said it wasn't available in the US though which surprised me.

8

I am on same combo now. Currently 10 cc's self injected methotrexate and 3,000 mg of Sulfasalazine in 2 doses. I also take an NSAID and Tramadol 100 or 75 mg. as needed for really bad pain.

Hope that's helpful

Good luck

9

I am on same combo now. Currently 10 cc's self injected methotrexate and 3,000 mg of Sulfasalazine in 2 doses. I also take an NSAID and Tramadol 100 or 75 mg. as needed for really bad pain.

Hope that's helpful

Good luck

10

I just searched it by both names and neither comes up.  Hopefully soon.

11

Thanks everyone.  It is very frustrating to take the NSAIDS and not see a huge difference considering how rough they can be on the stomach.  I will ask the Dr about tramadol.  I hope the acupan gets to the states soon.

12

By the way, I don't find tramadol addicting. I just take it when I need it.

13

Good to know.  Thanks