Arthritis anyone?

Becky · 01-29-2007, 11:35 PM

Anyone deal or know of someone that deals with arthritis? Can be osteoarthritis or rheumatoid arthritis. Just got diagnoised with it in my spine, along with two bulging discs, that's why I have been having back pain for the last 3 months or so. But they don't know if the bulging discs caused the arthritis, or the arthritis caused the discs to bulge. It's like what came first, chicken or the egg. I know I can just

it, but I want to know first hand remedies, tips, suggestions, what meds you take, etc etc from people I know. Right now, Im just taking 600 mg Ibuprofen every 4-6 hours until I see the doctor again next week. Thanks in advance. BTW, I will be starting physical therapy sometime soon hopefully.

Jen · 01-29-2007, 11:38 PM

So that MRI went fine then?

Isn't there some joint lube supplement you can take? I see them advertised on TV.

Becky · 01-29-2007, 11:49 PM

Yeah the MRI was fine. No contrast dye used which means I didn't get a shot

Yeah, there is stuff called Glucosamine Chondritin that I coudl take, that is long term maintainence/care to help rebuild lost cartilage. That won't really do much for pain though. My dogs take that right now.

I may start that, it's at least an option.

Thunderstruck · 01-30-2007, 08:08 PM

Arthritis is Arthritis...there is ZERO ways to stop it...i got it in my spine also, but not to that point you have...everyone gets it...its unavoidable...only way to work around it is to excercise daily with weights to build up the surrounding muscles to help support it...get calcium in ya like crazy...either by milk or by pills...really hot showers or for you women folk...take a hot bath...i dont have time to sit in a bath for a while...2 things i found that works 100% is a suana or a jacuzzi...the heat from outside sinks in...or jacuzzi relaxes your muscles and warms up the body...i bet you are feeling it like crazy cause of the cold weather for the last 3 months...only way to fully beat it is to move to a warm climate...

Becky · 01-30-2007, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderstruck

Arthritis is Arthritis...there is ZERO ways to stop it...i got it in my spine also, but not to that point you have...everyone gets it...its unavoidable...only way to work around it is to excercise daily with weights to build up the surrounding muscles to help support it...get calcium in ya like crazy...either by milk or by pills...really hot showers or for you women folk...take a hot bath...i dont have time to sit in a bath for a while...2 things i found that works 100% is a suana or a jacuzzi...the heat from outside sinks in...or jacuzzi relaxes your muscles and warms up the body...i bet you are feeling it like crazy cause of the cold weather for the last 3 months...only way to fully beat it is to move to a warm climate...

The hot shower thing...I love taking hot showers to the point where the room gets all hot and steamy you can't see in the mirror. But yes, now that you say it, it seems to be really worse in the cold. So, once I start PT, hopefully they will give me some exercises that actually don't HURT me more then they do good. Because I have tried to exercise with this going on, no kidding, I can't do ANY sort of bending at the waist with out wanting to burst into tears at some point.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thunderstruck

...only way to fully beat it is to move to a warm climate...

Ya hear that? Freddy pack your bags...let's go to cancun!

Turk · 01-30-2007, 10:34 PM

You ready??? Straight from DePiro, author of Pharmacotherapy.

"Treatment for the OA patient depends on the distribution and severity of joint involvement, comorbid disease states, concomitant medications and allergies. Management for all individuals with OA should begin with patient educations, with physical and occupational therapy, and with weight loss and assistive devises as needed. Since drugs do not change disease course, they are targeted toward symptoms...... Acetaminophen, up to 4 g/d, should be tried initially, if this is ineffective, low dose NSAIDs can be tried, with specific Cox-2 inhibitors preferable for some patietns. Short-term use of opiod analgesics can be effective for flares but long term use is discouraged. Application of capsaicin or methyl salicylate topical creams of specific joints can be used in combination with oral acetaminiophen or NSAIDs for added relief."

The book gives an algorhythm for treatment too, in laymens terms they recommend Tylenol use first, up to 4 grams total daily. If this does not work, you should try an NSAID (Ibuprofen, Naproxen etc.) If the Nsaid does not work they say you should switch to another NSAID, there are many prescription nsaids out there you can ask your doctor about. If the nsaids fail you can try an opiod. I would recommend vicoprofen, it has both hydrocodone and ibuprofen. If that fails you may require surgery, also says you can use creams at any point together with the oral medications. Always take the NSAIDs with food because they can be very hard on the stomach.

Maximum daily dose of Tylenol = 4 grams per day
Dosing of IBU for arthritis is 300-400 mg 3 to 4 times daily. Max 3200mg per day.
Dosing of Naproxen for arthritis is 250-500 mg twice daily. Max 1500 per day.

If you have any questions feel free to ask.

EclipsePrincess · 01-31-2007, 11:11 PM

I have it in all my joints, always have. Lots of calcium helps and yucca does too.

Becky · 01-17-2008, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turk

You ready??? Straight from DePiro, author of Pharmacotherapy.

Ahhhhh..... fricken DePiro.........

Turk · 01-17-2008, 10:48 PM

Buy it, i've used it in every single paper i've written on rotations so far! Speaking of which, I AM DONE WITH ROTATIONS IN 5 WEEKS!!!

FINALLY!!!

Arch · 01-17-2008, 11:45 PM

Go easy on the Tylenol/acetaminophen especially for something like this where you might be taking something constant. That stuff does horrible things to your liver over time.

Personally, I would go for the Profens (Ibu or Keto in that order) initially w/ the normal adult dose. If the dose says 1-2 pills, take 2 but eat something with it because sometimes it can upset your stomach if taken alone.

Definitely heat helps. Absent a bath/shower/jacuzzi try some zing-creams. These are the topicals that tingle... ben gay, absorbine jr, icy/hot, capzasin, etc... Sometimes just the skin-sensation distraction helps the brain focus on something else instead of the arthritis pain.

Find ways to work around the pain instead of through it if you can. Keeping a mobile lifestyle helps but don't try to overdo anything.. that will only aggravate it and make it worse. Slow and gradual based on what you can handle and no more. Also, invest in a $14 heating pad at walgreens and say hello to your new best friend. Sunbeam makes a nice el-cheapo w/ a soft cloth cover and variable settings.

It hurts, it's uncomfortable and it's a real pain in the ass.. and I'm sorry.

Freddy · 01-18-2008, 01:12 AM

heh, there are two soon to be rphs in this thread, bud

Becky · 01-18-2008, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Turk

Buy it, i've used it in every single paper i've written on rotations so far! Speaking of which, I AM DONE WITH ROTATIONS IN 5 WEEKS!!!

FINALLY!!!

Is your graduation in March, or is it for the AGOs? I think I signed up to be an usher, but I can't remember, I'll have to look. Maybe I'll see you there?

Do you feel like you're ready to be a pharmacist? I talk to a lot of people, and they say they don't feel prepared to be out there on their own.