Alternatives to NSAID's?????

I am desperate. I fell in my driveway in February and landed on my knee. A week later I twisted the same knee and have been in horrific pain ever since. MRI cannot rule out a torn meniscus, and shows early osteoarthritis. Surgeon says there's nothing for him to do. I've done physio and had some improvement, but during a week in Florida, I overdid it and now the pain is never ending. I have another orthto apt July 25th, but I need some pain relief now. They've given me Tylenol#3 which I take sparingly. But I'm taking a ton of Tylenol #1. I'm lucky if I can get the pain down from a 10 to a 6. I wake up almost hourly during the night and just pop another pill and try to get some sleep.

Today I had a doctor who was approx. 90 tell me that there was nothing he could do for me - well he did say maybe I shouldn't bend my knee when I walk!!! This is as tears are rolling down my face because I'm in so much pain.

What do people who've had RNY take to help with arthritis? I'm grateful that I'm 85 lbs down from before my surgery, but this inability to take NSAID's is ruining my life.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Hi Pamela,

That sounds horrific, I am so sorry.

A good physiotherapist should provide you with alternative pain control methods such as icing, ultrasound and aqua physio.

Another option is a TENS unit. Where are you located? Ask your doctor for a referral to a pain clinic.

Why are you using the T3 sparingly, are you concerned about constipation?

I am sorry too to hear you're in so much pain.

I agree with the previous poster: why are you using T3 so sparingly? My brother in law had a back injury recently, and was using T3 very sparingly, for no reason other than the misconception that he shouldn't take "too many." He ended up at the hospital in excruciating pain, and they told him he is not taking enough of them to manage the pain. As soon as he went to a pain-management dose, he was able to ease the pain and heal.

Talk to your doctor about the right dose for you. Get the pain under control. And yes, increase your fibre to ensure you are not constipated. But you do not need to live with pain.

Wishing you quick relief.

I live in Brampton, Ontario. The doctors are so worried about people addicted to opioids that they really don't want to give prescriptions for Tylenol 3. I'm lucky to get 30 pills. Only supposed to take 2 a day!

I feel like I'm turning into an addict because I count the pills to make sure I don't run out!

I know your pain. I had my knee blown out 10 years ago, developed a DVT and was told that I had a torn meniscus and strained ACL. The initial pain was unbelievable. I couldn't even sit in a car because the vibration caused excruciating pain. I get it. I was sent home from the hospital and was told to take Tylenol. I didn't even get Tylenol 1, 2 or 3! Straight up tylenol! Ortho specialist told me that there was nothing to be done. Go to physio I was told. I was also told it would be better if I had broken my leg.

I have not had surgery as yet but I know you can't take NSAID's.

Here's the thing, if you are prescribed an opiod drug and are properly MANAGED, you will not become an addict. I think you should ask to see a Pain Specialist. I am sure that some form of patch or something can be arranged to deal with short term pain. It's not going to be like this forever and then you can wean down to straight tylenol. Management is key. You need the Tylenol 3 right now in order to keep moving. Take them.

Secondly, ice that knee.

Thirdly, when you sleep at night put a pillow under the knee as it makes it so much more comfortable. If you sleep on your side put a pillow between your knees. This was a godsend for me.

Keep moving. You must do some movement or else it will freeze on you. Mine did. Physio wouldn't touch me because of the DVT so the knee ended up locking.

Hope this helps.

How do you feel about medical marijuana? That could help with the pain, if you can find a doctor who is willing to prescribe it.

Any narcotic will help but most won't prescribe due to the opiate crisis in Canada. My NP gave me tramacet. It works not bad but gives me an upset stomach. Last year I got my medical cannabis licence and that has been a godsend and no I'm not stoned all day but I do use all day. I got my decent first night's sleep without waking in pain after just a few days on it. There are hundreds of strains of cannabis and some are for day, some for night, some will get you high, others won't. I am just in the process of renewing mine since it is only good for one year and having never been a recreational user I was apprehensive about using it but I had done everything you mentioned and then some and know I need a knee replacement but they won't do it until I am at least 60 and I just turned 50 so was desperate to try anything. MMJ has been a lifesaver for me and for the first time since I tore my ACL, meniscus and dislocated my kneecap do I feel like I have some quality of life back. I was misdiagnosed in 2002 when the accident happen so now it's too late to repair and osteo has set in all 3 compartments of the knee.

You could use something like Voltaren or get prescription Pennsaid. To be even a bit effective they need to be rubbed on many times per day. At one time they said no topical nsaids but a few years ago they said they were okay. You could check with your centre to see what their take on the topical ones but I believe I have seen others post from many different centres all saying it is now allowed.

Thanks for the feedback. It's very much appreciated. Some coworkers and even my daughters (28 and 26) have talked about medical marijuana, some have even given me some samples, but it's been so long since I've had any that I'm a little apprehensive. Back in the early 1980's, pot was pot, now it's so confusing! I'm not looking to get high, just get some pain relief and sleep for a few hours!

When I was younger I suffered horribly with endometriosis and chronic migraine, but I have never experienced pain like this, and never ever thought it could last this long and be this bad.

Yesterday was a particularly bad day for me - thanks again for the info!

Pam

I am soooooooooo sorry. My entire life changed when I fell down a flight of stairs and broke kneecaps, my back, tore ligaments... and well fast forward 15 years ... disabled .. living on Motrin and Naproxen and 150lbs fatter. I will only agree to the sleeve because I need physio and NSAIDS after knee operations and nothing else has worked... I went through all the addictive ones too .. Percocet and Oxy, Tramadol...T3.. nothing...they made me loopy and do not help with my severe OSTEO .....nuttin ....Pot doesn't help me and I am now allergic to anything inhaled......plus don't drink or smoke.

You could try Aqua therapy ... and braces.

I have tried acupuncture with a bit of success when it's inflamed... but doesn't help me to walk. Only NSAIDS and losing weight and surgeries for me.

Oh my goodness! How awful. I can't even imagine what you've been through. The doctor today gave me some Oxy, which he said is stronger than the T3. I took one and it's definitely making me loopy. I think I might actually get some sleep tonight! But I definitely can't take this at work. T1's are like chicklets for me, they really don't affect me and I can take a T3 during the day if I really have to, but I worry about driving.

I am concerned for the future - before my surgery, I didn't really worry too much about not taking NSAID's. There's a lot of people having RNY surgery and I wonder what we're all going to do as we get older and deal with arthritis etc.

I wish you all the best in your journey.