Suggest Remedy For Severe Pain When Diagnosed With Arthritis

Posted on Mon, 12 Oct 2015

Question: Have arthritis in L 4 that causes a lot of pain with exercise and doing household chores. At night my whole hip area aches and disturbs my sleep. NSAIDs don't work and I have liver disease (hep c) along with kidney stone problems. I also get neuropathy type pain in my legs and feet. Been checked for diabetes and is neg for that. Isn't there any non narcotic medicine I can take to alleviate this chronic pain. I 'm a 58 year old woman that is getting to the point I can't do some of the most basic household chores and yard work etc. I'm becoming more sedintary which doesn't help either. Walking is about the only exercise I can do that actually helps.

Answered by Dr. Nishad BN (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Physiotherpy and muscle strengthening exercises along with medication helps

Detailed Answer:
Hi

Thank you for asking HCM.

I have gone through your query. Your problem can be most likely neuropathic pain from lumbar spine problems.
In such case wearing lumbar corsets will be helpful. You can also do back muscle strengthening exercises. Physiotherapy like TENS will be helpful also.

Pregabalin can be used for neuropathic pain. It is an anticonvulsant & analgesic. Long term treatment will be required with this. This won't cause liver damage. Muscle relaxants like cyclobenzaprine may help but should be used in caution due to possible liver damage.

You can also do hot fomentation at home , life style modification like posture while sitting and sleeping. Use hard mattress for sleeping.

Hope this may help you. Let me know if anything not clear.
Thanks.

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar