Dr put me on meloxicam as he thinks I have rhumatoid arthritis of knee but the pain is unbearable. I had an xray and its definitely arthritis. Waiting for MRI now. I'm also on BuTrans 30mg, pregablin 200mg mornings and 300mg at night as I also have fibro and S1/L5 can anyone help or advise please?
Meloxicam 15 mg - Not helping pain in knee, Why?
Question posted by katie200 on 19 Dec 2013
Last updated on 23 March 2015 by BearSprings
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5 Answers
My physician suggests that Meloxicam works better for osteoarthritis than rheumatoid arthritis. She also made it clear to me that it only works in about 40% of patients. It helps a little, so I don't have to take as many Tylenol 500s. I ran out of Meloxicam for 5 days, and yes, the pain was back in full force. There are tests to determine whether the arthritis is rheumatoid or osteo. Rheumatoid is a disease, and osteo is from overuse of joints that creates bony arthritis clusters around the ends of the bones. The doctor should have made the diagnosis before giving you NSAIDS, as rheumatoid arthritis responds better with different medications than osteo.
Meloxicam is for osteoarthritis, rhumatoid arthritis. an nsaid drug, the swelling sounds like arthritis, but there may be other things going on there. an MRI will show any other problems. You might want to ask your doc.if the pain is that bad to prescribe a narcotic analgesic as needed, at least untill you get the MRI. Good Luck!
There are a lot of medications out there now for joint pain and arthritis. Meloxicam works well for many people, but not for all. The same goes for medications that treat rhumatoid arthritis. Since you were recently diagnosed, it may take time for serum blood levels to reach the therapeutic range.
If you continue to have have pain, you might ask if your Dr. is willing to add a narcotic medication either temporarily until the condition is under control, or as a PRN medication.
Faded time
Hia
Thank u for ur answer I'm guna call him monday didn't have time past few days grr!!! As I work too and working is NOT helping as I'm a chef too :( I'm on BuTrans patches,pregalin,anatriptiline,co-codimals and its not touching the pain so guess knee must be quite bad but thanks 4 the advise but already on morphine patches 4 the fibro I have too xxx
Good luck. I hope your Dr. can find something to give you some relief.
Faded time
Thank you very much I hope so too hope you all have a lovely and safe christmas xxxxx
Hello Katie - U could try taking paracetamol as well. It will enhance the effects of the morphine. Have a good christmas too.
Realli omg I didn't know that many thank you,s hun, I'm seeing a rhummi in january so hope he finds out what the heck is going on xxxx
Yes paracetamol works plus any opiod will enhance its effect.Good luck @ the rheumatologist. I hope that U have had your MRI scan done B4 U C the rheumatologist. It will help them a lot, plus your blood test results too - Take care.
My brother had torn cartilage in his knee. There was actually a piece hanging that they think could have been pressing on the nerve. Nerve pain can be quite severe and no meds help much. He had to have surgery. Hopefully you get that MRI and results soon
Has he done testing to see if its rheumatoid? If it isn't, its not so much inflammation and an anti inflammatory may not help as much. A simple blood test would tell that. Its possible there is something else going on in their too. Some injury or other that is causing the severe pain. The mri should tell you exactly what is going on.
Hia
Thank u for ur mail back,I'm in uk and have to wait til 3/1/13 for my blood test and waiting for mri appt I have swelling front of knee and now a bit of swelling on outside knee area to side its so frustrating and very painful ud think with the amount of drugs I'm on it would take pain away ;(
That sounds almost like a torn cartilage. It will be interesting to see what it turns out to be. I would tell the dr its not helping. I don't know what you have access to, but a salicylate cream might help. Have you tried using something to support your knee? I've had fibro for most of my life and I go in pharmacies and look at all the things that are available otc. We have wraps that warm up that are great for joints.
Hia
Thank you for your reply I hadn't thought of torn cartlidge thank you ill mention to GP I'm guna call friday as I can't stand the pain I'm on so many medz re: fibro ud think it would help knee slightly? I've not heard of that cream but ill ask dr I've been using voltorol gel and to be frank its useless!!! I'm having surgery on left elbow new yrs eve lucky me !!! So if I get no joy between now+then he's ortho so he should have a idea shouldn't he? Thanks again xxx
Hello Katie. I am in the UK also. The 3 people who have responded to your question have all made excellent suggestions. Not sure why it is taking so long 4 you 2 have a blood test unless U live in a remote area. U can have MRI scans privately (I am sure you know this). Most places offer a cheaper price if you go early in the morning say 7.00am for e.g. Should cost about £200. Also I would ask 4 better oral pain medication. What would work best is something like Codeine phosphate or Tramadol. But don't ask 4 these by name. Dr's get suspicious when U ask 4 these types of drugs by name. In the mean time U can buy Codeine phosphate combined with paracetamol over the counter (otc) - good luck and take care.
Related topics
rheumatoid arthritis, pain, fibromyalgia, meloxicam, pregabalin, chronic pain, butrans, knee, mri
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