nerve damage neck pain

[ellye]

I have terrible pain in my neck and in my right knee.  I did have 2 knee replacement surgeries and all my doctors tell me that the pain in my knee and my neck are nerve damaged related to arthritis.
The only relieve I have is when I apply heat.  I did try accupunture and it did not help.  The only thing that helps the severe pain is PREDNISONE.  I know it a dangerous drug, but I don't what else to try.
Can you suggest anyting?

[NewLeaf]

Oh, I have both my knees replaced plus a shoulder replacement too...........

[NewLeaf]

Tried em all and nope, nada, nothing.

The only things that seem to work have been the newer biological meds like Enbrel, Humira, Remicaid combined with Celebrex and Methotrexate.  I had to stop the biologicals because my immune system went crazy and now I am on a new one that works really well called Rituxan plus the celebrex & Methotrexate.

[ellye]

Did a chriopractor ever help your neck pain.
What about accupunture?

[NewLeaf]

There are many arthritis drugs available now. Find a Rheumatologist to work with you. Heat is wonderful and so can aspercream or that capsicam cream too for some relief. Control the arthritis and you control the pain level. Celebrex, methotrexate, enbrel, humira..... many NSAIDS just to mention a few RA drugs out there.

Prednisone does seem like the miriacle cure for a while, I know, been there done that, but can cause the endrocan (sp) system to not function normally since it starts to depend on the steroids, prednisone, instead. You also gain weight, grow facial hair and get a hump on your back if you truly take too much of it for too long. Not a pretty sight.. Getting off prednisone after long term use can take years of very uncomfortable side effects - no energy, pain, lots of other stuff.