Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
What Causes Intolerance To Medication While Treating Osteoarthritis?
Question: I have have been dx with fibro and osteoarthritis for many years. As time has gone by I have developed a intolerance to medications. I now an unable to take any medication inc. B/P, statins, Ibuprofens, asa, Paxil, In fact I have stopped taking almost everything inc. Vitamins, Ca. I took antibiotics during the winter and did ok. I can take tylenol. I stopped seeing arthritis specialist since they don't seem to have any help for me.. I do use topical pain patches but there are days I would have to wrap my body in one. What can I do?
Brief Answer:
Pain management
Detailed Answer:
Good evening
Thank you for writing on health care magic
I have gone through your history. I understand, it gets very taxing to continuously take medications for so long.
Firstly, I wont recommend you to take any excess of Ibuprofens as it can harm the kidneys at your age and we could be heading for serious trouble.
I would like to ask you a few more details before I can guide you further with the management of your pain:
1. Could you describe where all the pain is at??
2. Is the pain more at nights or during the days?
3. DO you get enough sleep?
4. ANy history of irritability or forgetfulness?
5. How bad is the knee pain? Do you get it at nights also or only during walking?
6. Any swelling in any joints??
Do let me know these queries. We will try to minimize your medications so you get the maximum benefit and least side effects
Await your reply
Regards
Dr Naval
Pain management
Detailed Answer:
Good evening
Thank you for writing on health care magic
I have gone through your history. I understand, it gets very taxing to continuously take medications for so long.
Firstly, I wont recommend you to take any excess of Ibuprofens as it can harm the kidneys at your age and we could be heading for serious trouble.
I would like to ask you a few more details before I can guide you further with the management of your pain:
1. Could you describe where all the pain is at??
2. Is the pain more at nights or during the days?
3. DO you get enough sleep?
4. ANy history of irritability or forgetfulness?
5. How bad is the knee pain? Do you get it at nights also or only during walking?
6. Any swelling in any joints??
Do let me know these queries. We will try to minimize your medications so you get the maximum benefit and least side effects
Await your reply
Regards
Dr Naval
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Pradeep Vitta
Answers to questions:
1. Pain is low back, both sides. Occasionally, between shoulder blades. Pain is dull ache.
2. I don' usually have pain at night, just during the day when I am active. I have to sit down and rest my back often.
3. Usually I get enough sleep. Since I stopped taking Paxil 3 months ago I have had problems getting to sleep or waking up in 2 -3 hrs. This does not seem to be pain related.
4. Yes i get irritable at times especially when I am hurting.
I don't believe I am any more forgetful than any other people I know at 72.
Pain management is a good start but what I am trying to tell you is that the problem I am having is that I cannot take medications without side effects. Right now I don't take any medications except the occasional tylenol. I am using topical pain methods.
What I am worried about is why I can't take medications and what will the impact be if I get worse.
Basically I can't take meds to lower my chlorestrol, blood pressure, or control pain.
1. Pain is low back, both sides. Occasionally, between shoulder blades. Pain is dull ache.
2. I don' usually have pain at night, just during the day when I am active. I have to sit down and rest my back often.
3. Usually I get enough sleep. Since I stopped taking Paxil 3 months ago I have had problems getting to sleep or waking up in 2 -3 hrs. This does not seem to be pain related.
4. Yes i get irritable at times especially when I am hurting.
I don't believe I am any more forgetful than any other people I know at 72.
Pain management is a good start but what I am trying to tell you is that the problem I am having is that I cannot take medications without side effects. Right now I don't take any medications except the occasional tylenol. I am using topical pain methods.
What I am worried about is why I can't take medications and what will the impact be if I get worse.
Basically I can't take meds to lower my chlorestrol, blood pressure, or control pain.
Brief Answer:
Medication side effects
Detailed Answer:
Good evening
Thanks for your response.
Well, I understand your concerns. I would like to know in a bit more detail, what kind of side effects you have been experiencing after taking the medications? Especially to the cholesterol and the blood pressure one.
At this stage, I am not too concerned about the medications for osteoarthritis or Fibromyalgia as the medications we use for these conditions are mostly supportive. But yes, not taking blood pressure medications will lead to Surge of the blood pressure which can be harmful.
So please let me know the name of the medications and the side effects you were experiencing with the blood pressure and the cholesterol ones.
The best way out is, always start medication one by one till you tolerate it and we will know exactly which one is causing what side effect. At times, it happens when lot of medications are prescribed together and they interact with each other and it can cause side effects. SO what I usually do is, to add medications one by one...Like you take the antihypertensives for a week and if you tolerate it ok, we can add the next one. So, we know which one starts causing side effect and we can change accordingly
Do let me know. Will try and restart you on antihypertensives first and then the rest will follow.
Await your reply
REgards
Dr Naval
Medication side effects
Detailed Answer:
Good evening
Thanks for your response.
Well, I understand your concerns. I would like to know in a bit more detail, what kind of side effects you have been experiencing after taking the medications? Especially to the cholesterol and the blood pressure one.
At this stage, I am not too concerned about the medications for osteoarthritis or Fibromyalgia as the medications we use for these conditions are mostly supportive. But yes, not taking blood pressure medications will lead to Surge of the blood pressure which can be harmful.
So please let me know the name of the medications and the side effects you were experiencing with the blood pressure and the cholesterol ones.
The best way out is, always start medication one by one till you tolerate it and we will know exactly which one is causing what side effect. At times, it happens when lot of medications are prescribed together and they interact with each other and it can cause side effects. SO what I usually do is, to add medications one by one...Like you take the antihypertensives for a week and if you tolerate it ok, we can add the next one. So, we know which one starts causing side effect and we can change accordingly
Do let me know. Will try and restart you on antihypertensives first and then the rest will follow.
Await your reply
REgards
Dr Naval
Note: For further information on diet changes to reduce allergy symptoms or to boost your immunity, Ask here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
