I can’t take ibuprofen or any other NSAIDs. I’m stuck with Tylenol which is not kind to my digestive system.
Doc won’t prescribe tramadol any more and actually suggested I try medical mairjuana, even though he wouldn’t prescribe it. I don’t think it would help my pain, but I don’t know. I do believe it would help stimulate my appetite and alleviate my nausea, and I actually made an appointment with a doctor for Friday who will. Just have to prove I have arthritis. Strange, because recreational cannabis is legal in Michigan, but not available yet. It won’t be until sometime in 2020. I’ve lost a lot of weight in the last few months. I’m 5’ 11” and down to about 150 lb. Most of my adult life I carried 180-185 lb.
Oh my! I am SO sorry that the mainstream NSAIDs won't work. Regarding Tylenol, have you tried different incantations? Like, instead of the white-coated pills (which I can't handle either) but trying the quick-release gelcaps or liquid gelcaps instead?
I've never heard of Tramadol, but I'm assuming your doctor's reluctance is a good sign and has to do with the opioid madness that's descended upon the country.
Re: marijuana. I'm selfishly skeptical of as it's 'medical' usage has provided the gateway for recreational use that I am often the secondhand or thirdhand smoke recipient of here in cannabis-crazy Los Angeles. :(
I am sending prayers your way, but I honestly believe that CHRONIC pain necessitates treatment that addresses UNDERLYING causes and not just symptoms. It also needs to address things like the impact of mental stress on the body. A holistic approach that also includes dietary and exercise changes.
And this is where I hope you can find access to (affordable) professionals in the Chiropractic field for example. Or Acupuncture, Physio, and Massage therapy. Also nutritionists.
My opinion drastically changed with personal experience. Always figured they were the same, because realistically, how could a miniscule amount of fillers or additives affect the response, if the active ingredient was the same? Then, in 2009, I was physically compromised for 7 months when my citalopram was changed from one brand to “Torrent”. Joint pain, malaise, weakness, corners of mouth sores. All bloodwork normal. Not until I went out of town and refilled with another generic, did the problem end almost immediately, within days. (I figured it out when a harmless side effect reappeared after the first dose...hadn’t even known it was missing for 6 months). Hard to believe it was a filler, probably insufficient dose of the active ingredient.
This happened years later with escitalopram; different symptoms but probably insufficient active ingredient. Being unable to afford brand, I always had to change generic mfgrs, which was usually easy. Later, it happened again with duloxetine and/or bupropion.
This must be mentioned: the insuffient response or bad reactions came long after I could have been conscious of any “placebo effect”. When first on a new drug, you might notice or exaggerate perceived differences. After months or years, any placebo effect is gone, you just slam them down, so it is caused by the particular make up of the drug (assuming all other conditions are equal).
Anti-depressants cause extra trouble, since a new med may take weeks or months to demonstrate effectiveness. If a new anti-depressant generic happens to be problematic, it might be attributed to the specific drug, and ruin the chances of finding the right AD for treatment.
I’m a non-practicing RN, and pharmacogenetics (reaction of drugs to a person’s genes) is becoming unbelievably accurate for many disorders. Never would have believed it even 5 years ago. Hopefully in 5 or 10 years, there won’t be as much trial & error in prescribing meds.