arthritis pain please help

shoe strings to shooting anything pistol or pistol grip related is not happening. most days im fine just uncomfortable throbbing pain but i can still do things . but the other 35% of the time its crippling . yes i know what real pain is as i have had 16 collapsed lungs (over the course of 4 and a half years ) and got stabbed in the gut causing 29 staples and many other painful life experiences . If i was not to the point of almost tears i would not ask for help !i already have taken myself out of the job game (cant be a rigger with bad hands , too dangerous) .Im only 36 and i dont want to give up pistols yet but i think being able to use a pen and tie my own shoes would be pretty keen too . So if anyone at all knows any tricks to help with arthritis pain please please help.Also could use a cheap doc (as im out of work ).
thanks

Alex, I'm sending you a PM about this arthritis stuff. Strongly suggest that you check it out as soon as you can. I am also experiencing some arthritis related pains but I've got almost 40 years on you so I guess I can expect some aches and pains.

I assume it is Rhumatory Ahrhritis.

I do have RA , and just taking basic Ibuprofen (NSAIDs) at this time.
I neeed a stronger NSAIDs and has a longer 1/2 life, but I can manage.

There are tons of RA treatment thesedays.
Talk to your MD or RA specialist for details, and do reserach on side effect.

1. Monoclonal Antibody ,Immunosuppressants (TNF inhibitors)

There are drug called Humira (Adalimumab) from Abbott, and there will be more approved by FDA. Since it is Monoclonal Antibody , Genentech (Roche) prods will be the ones who will get approved by FDA near future.

Enbrel (etanercept) from PFE and AMGN is an another prod to treating RA.

Remicade (Infliximab) from MRK is another.


2. Supplimenta to TNFalpha thearpy
Rituxan (Rituximab) from Genentech (Roche).

3. COX -2
Bextra, Celebrex, Arcoxia, and Prexige(not sold in US) is another way.
We all know VIoxx is no longer available.
"Personally" i would rather take advil or alieve, but cox-2 inhibitor may be beneficial for some.

I took Celebrex (Celecoxib) late 1999, early 2000 before. It does work little better FOR ME, but it does bring heart rate up (also excessive sweating).

I even took meloxicam (sp?) which has longer 1/2 life than avg NSAIDs, but didn't notice significant difference from other OTD NSAIDs.






I persoanlly cannot take any immunosuppressants. If you and your MD is going into that route, you gotta have serious testing of any infectious diseses.

These are just a basic FDA approved treatment for RA. THere are ways to prevent/reduce RA from happening. That is when diet/herbs/basic joint exercise works.

You can also check
http://www.fda.gov/Drugs/DrugSafety/.../ucm105782.htm
for more info.

Also sent PM

i wouldn't say its RA yet. too hard to tell. is it in both hands? is it only after using them or is it unprovoked? does anything give relief besides medication?

the COX-2 selective NSAIDs are really only used when GI ulcers is a real concern. they don't cause it any where near as much as regular NSAIDs. theyre expensive and shouldn't be used unless you have a history of GI ulcers. they are not particularly more effective than regular NSAIDs.

if you have a history of doing hard work with your hands i would guess osteoarthritis over rheumatoid even though it is in the hands (typically RA is more common in the hands than OA). RA is also much more common in women and you don't see it in men often. i know plenty of guys that have been in the military or been in laborous type jobs that have OA, even in their 20's. either way, if regular NSAIDs aren't cutting it you need to see a doc. they can do a few tests to see if its OA or RA and increasing NSAID use only increases your risk for cardiovascular problems, renal problems and GI problems. you can try switching to tylenol to see if it works better but since it doesn't work on inflammation i doubt it will.

pm sent

Have you seen a rheumatologist? Do you have insurance that will pay for it?

If you have insurance see a specialist. There are lots of treatments. They won't cure you but they will help. 28 years ago I developed sudden back pains that were crippling. After awhile I couldn't manage work. I saw chiropractors and doctors with no help. Finally the doc's PA suggested arthritis and gave me a prescription for an NSAID. I was back at work in a couple of days. Further testing showed I had Reiter's Syndrome, one of the rare ones. It has since been renamed to Reactive Arthritis since the good Dr. Reiter turned out to be a Nazi war criminal. The treatments have kept me functional. I have limits and I have bad times but I generally manage.

Just be aware that the meds that work have loads of side effects but I'm totally willing to put up with them to be able to move without screaming. Some meds are even generic and affordable. If anybody talks to you about Arthritis with a capital 'A' they are full of it. There many. many types and they have different treatments. Often there is a lot of experimenting to find a treatment that works and you'll have to change over time as you body gets acclimated to it.

I believe over 80% are Rheumatoid or Osteo but educate yourself since some docs are worthless and know your symptoms and don't let them push you around.

Hang in there and get help.

Steve

thanks for the info , ill be looking into all possible treatments (with the help of my gal)
but i am wonderful about side effects of the meds . Just the same thanks again

I have seen a show on TV about people using bees to sting the area.
Something about the venom helps treat the RA
Wish you the best