Major Knee Pain + Glucosamine

[LeftCoastChick]

I was put on a higher dose of Lithium to control my depression, and within 5 days I've had grinding knee pain. I also suffer from arthritis of my L5, which rears its ugly head a couple of times a week. My psychiatrist said my back pain is anxiety (bull puckies) and has sent a note to my GP not to prescribe me ANY pain meds. With the new pain, I'm confounded on what to do. I've weaned off Lithium for a week now, and still have it bad enough I can't sleep without a large amount of ativan, something I'm not thrilled about. I have reflux disease, and taking 800mgs of Motrin at a time to control the pain. I have GERD, so I'm terrified to take this much, I"m chewing rolaids within 20mins. of taking it.
I'm not sure what else to do. I started taking Glucosamine for joints, I'm hoping someone has feedback about that.

[popolklkp]

I am on my second bottle of the Joint Support + Vitamin B12 (from Dr. Max Powers) and have been using it regularly. I was afraid that I was going to have to stop exercising, which I knew wouldnt be good for my stress level or health. After a couple of weeks of using this, my knee pain has stopped and my left shoulder feels much better when I am moving it. I plan to use this regularly and recommend it to other folks with similar issues.

[LeftCoastChick]

HI there, thanks for replying. I am on Nexxium, so that helps bunches with the nsaids that I take. I wish I could get switched by they are pretty rare in Vancouver, and there's a six month wait for a private shrinkl  My long term disability emphasizes using the same medical folks, sighs. I have been pushing to get into a pain management clinic. I think my nagging is working out :) I think it will happen sooner rather then later. *crossing fingers" Thanks for the advice I certainly will pay attention,
Thanks again,
LCC

[Tuckamore]

Hi LeftCoastChick,

I am sorry your psychiatrist has ordered your medical provider not to prescribe you anything for pain. How can arthritis can be painful, especially of the spine? Yes anxiety does contribute to our pain but it is hard for me to beleive that it is the sole cause of pain. Have you thought of seeing another psychiatrist, like a Pain Management Therapist?

Glucosamine works well for some ppl, for others it seems to have no effect. It will take a minimum of 4 weeks to determine if it will be effect for you. It is to help rebuild the cartilage in your joints and that take some time.

800mg of IB is a heck of a dose. I took it for years and have severe GERD attributed to the years of higher than recommended dosages of NSAID's. They can cause a serious GI bleed without warning. Be alert to signs and symptoms of such an occurrence. Never take a NSAID on an empty stomach. I would discuss your stomach issues with your PCP. There are other medication that are more effective than Rolaids in controlling symptoms of GERD.

Best of luck to you. Please let us know how you are doing. I will look forward to your updates. Please take care, Tuck

[LeftCoastChick]

Yep I'm thinking that, I know they keep in contact for my BiPolar, which is fine, but I was upset at hearing that. I have confirmed CT scans and xrays proving the arthritis, so I'm not crying wolf. If really makes my depression worse. I'm going to push for a pain management clinic. I told my shrink if it's indeed in my head give me something that will fix it!  I feel much older then I should. Yeah I was pretty mad at my shrink about that comment. I wish I could get rid of both doctors, but I'm on Long term Dis. and switching now would be more stress and I would have to fill out a ton of paper work explaining why, which could back up my payments.  I see my GP this week, and going to find a solution, I am also going to tell her how annoyed I am at my shrink assuming it's "all in my head". I could say a bunch of expletives lol.. but I'm a CL too ;)

[sandee1818]

First of all you need to get yourself a real doctor. A physciatrist has no business what so ever telling your doctor or you that the pain is " all in your head".
Has he preformed test or had any done to know this as a fact? NO! I am sorry this has happened and you should also fire you GP for even considering that the physciatrist has any knowledge of your back pain without having the facts of test and an examination.
Have your GP refer you to a PM doctor.