Arthritis

[davidvd59]

For 30 years I have had severe pain in the neck, ribs, low back, SI joints, wrist, fingers and toes. I have had plaque psoriasis, and gutate psoriasis. My index fingers are starting to turn inward along with the toes on my feet in the same digit location as my hands. I gave up on Dr.s years ago as they didn't manage the pain well. In the early years I saw a chiropractor who put my joints in place once a month, then I needed twice a month, then weekly, and now quite frankly I could use it daily. My son watched the chiropracter and he can put my back in place by walking on it. I used over the counter naproxen but at prescription strength. MRI's show areas of spinal stenosis, worse in the neck, and some degeneration of the SI joints. I had a heart attack and cannot currently take any NSAIDS. I am living on Vicadin, and flexeril. Stomach was ruined years ago by arthritis drugs and now have stomach ulcers. So I am fighting pain daily, from the time I get out of bed. I have been told it is psoriatic arthritis, and I have been told it is FIbromyalgia, depending on which quack you talk to. Any comments on care for pain would be appreciated.

[davidvd59]

Thank you for your replies, however the problem in this area of the country is getting in to see one, it is so restricted.

[carolanivey]

I wanted to add that many of the newer, disease-modifying drugs can be self-injected, so they bypass your stomach altogether. Please don't wait - find a rheumie!

[TrudieC]

The treatment of arthritis has come a long way.  You really should try again with a good rheumatologist.  There are disease modifying drugs as well as immune suppressants that can be used to control and stop deterioration of the joints.  It is common to get fibromyalgia in addition to arthritis so it is very possible you have both.  While none of these are curable they can be controlled.

It may take some trial and error to get the right mix of drugs.  For fibromyalgia they may try an anti-depressant and something like Lyrica or Cymbalta.  This helps control the pain signals from your brain instead of working specifically on the pain area.  There are other drugs and treatments for your arthritis.  I encourage you to try finding another good rheumatologist who can help you.  You don't need to live like this.  I'll also send you an invite to the Chronic Pain Couch group here on MedHelp.  You might find some comfort sharing with us there.