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What Is The Treatment For Painful Joints?
Hello,
I have swollen, red, hot extremely painful joints in bilateral hands that prevent any use of hands, that occurs mildly every 2-4 weeks lasting 12-72 hours and occurs in sever bouts every 3-4 months lasting up to two weeks and intolerable. I have tested negative RA, Lupus, normal Uric acid, bone density normal after all testing diagnosed with pseudo gout. MD ordered Colcrys but of coarse insurance doesn't want to pay. Are there any other medications to try prior to the Colcrys (it is to expensive and no way I can afford on my own I do have Medicare and have a drug plan with humana starting in January) I cannot tolerate the pain
I have swollen, red, hot extremely painful joints in bilateral hands that prevent any use of hands, that occurs mildly every 2-4 weeks lasting 12-72 hours and occurs in sever bouts every 3-4 months lasting up to two weeks and intolerable. I have tested negative RA, Lupus, normal Uric acid, bone density normal after all testing diagnosed with pseudo gout. MD ordered Colcrys but of coarse insurance doesn't want to pay. Are there any other medications to try prior to the Colcrys (it is to expensive and no way I can afford on my own I do have Medicare and have a drug plan with humana starting in January) I cannot tolerate the pain
posted on
Fri, 14 Mar 2014
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Tue, 10 Jan 2017
Answered on
Tue, 10 Jan 2017
Last reviewed on
Hi,
Your doctor may drain the synovial fluid from the joint to relieve the pressure within the joint and reduce inflammation. To help with acute attacks, your doctor may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce the swelling and relieve the pain.
You may not be able to take NSAIDs if:
- you are taking blood thinning medication, such as warfarin (Coumadin)
- you have poor kidney function
- you have a history of stomach ulcers
To help reduce the risk of additional flare-ups, your doctor may prescribe low doses of colchicine (Colcrys) or NSAIDs (which is a lot cheaper). Other medication treatments include: hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil, Quineprox), Methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall), Interleukin 1 beta-antagonist (Anakinra).
If your joints are wearing out, your doctor may recommend surgery to repair or replace them. Finally I personally think you should take the best drug of choice to treat it permanently and prevent it from coming back and that may cost even a lot more
Hope the above information helps you. Any further clarifications feel free to ask.
Regards,
Dr. Ahmed Aly Hassan
Your doctor may drain the synovial fluid from the joint to relieve the pressure within the joint and reduce inflammation. To help with acute attacks, your doctor may prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce the swelling and relieve the pain.
You may not be able to take NSAIDs if:
- you are taking blood thinning medication, such as warfarin (Coumadin)
- you have poor kidney function
- you have a history of stomach ulcers
To help reduce the risk of additional flare-ups, your doctor may prescribe low doses of colchicine (Colcrys) or NSAIDs (which is a lot cheaper). Other medication treatments include: hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil, Quineprox), Methotrexate (Rheumatrex, Trexall), Interleukin 1 beta-antagonist (Anakinra).
If your joints are wearing out, your doctor may recommend surgery to repair or replace them. Finally I personally think you should take the best drug of choice to treat it permanently and prevent it from coming back and that may cost even a lot more
Hope the above information helps you. Any further clarifications feel free to ask.
Regards,
Dr. Ahmed Aly Hassan
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