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[kerrieann]

I was told by a chiropractor and so was a friend, that if we do not drink enough water and get dehydrated it will affects the joints     
I do have white coat syndrome if my blood pressure is taken in surgery or hospital it's really high, but a home its ok as long as i take 10mg olmectec daily and a diuretic every other day. This i what i asked earlier, as its been so hot and i have been sweating such alot i wondered if i was dehydrated and if that was why i have had alot more pain in the last few days.

[CLKD]

Well I beg to differ ;-)

What colour has your urine been?  You don't need to share here  but keep an eye on it ..........

[kerrieann]

clkd,  I have kept an eye on urine through today  doesn't sound right does it, anyway it was as you say dark this morning and got lighter throughout the day, so that sounds ok  .
When you say you beg to differ what exactly do you mean ? that dehydration would not cause joint pain?
I have been drinking a little extra water throughout the day and have just been to tesco for a few bits only 15 mins and my hip,groin and down to my knee is throbbing    it does feel like nerve pain to me but i really dont know.  kerrie

[CLKD]

It certainly sounds painful and must limit your daily activities  - I wonder if Ben Goldacre has any info on whether drinking more will ease joint pains ......... or have a look at the rheumatoid web-site?

It sounds a bit mumbo-jumbo to me 

[kerrieann]

clkd, the blood tests that i had several weeks ago showed no rheumatoid a  so is it still worth looking on that site?
What is the difference in the types of arthritis ? i really don't know
It really feels like a nerve pain, a few months back it was the other leg, so i really am wondering if it is trapped nerves, coming from the bottom of my back, which is where the x rays showed some degeneration but i don't know what to do about it if it is sciatica type problem?
Oh well maybe i will here something soon about seeing a back specialist 

[Taz2]

Hi Kerrieann - osteo arthritis is wear and tear on the joints http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/conditions/osteoarthritis.aspx

Rheumatoid Arthritis is an entirely different type of illness and is an autoimmune disorder which affects your whole body rather than just giving joint pain http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis.aspx

Degeneration can sound scary but often just means wear and tear. I say "just" but, of course, it is painful. I have degeneration in the top part of the spine leading to neck problems. The main treatment is regular painkillers and physio. Painkillers need to be taken regularly in order for the right amount of pain relieving drug to build up in the system. You can, of course, take them now and again to relieve particularly troublesome pain but this wont have a continuous effect on the overall pain.

This link has the recommended treatment for sciatica - I think you have tried cold packs with no success? My husband has always used heat pads when his plays up (too much golf normally) so that might be worth a go? http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Sciatica/Pages/Treatment.aspx

Taz x

[kerrieann]

hi taz thanks for that,  as i said it defiantly feels like nerve pain and i feel it in my groin, hips and sometimes thigh but as it seems to be going from one leg to the other i am thinking it's down to my back and something irritating the nerves . Yes i did use ice packs on my lower back religiously for around 2 weeks but it didn't seem to help, i have tried some tiger balm this morning rubbing it into my hips and lower back, it certainly feels very cooling, but this is only a short term relief thing ?

[Taz2]

It does sound like sciatica to me kerrieann - look at the symptoms http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Sciatica/Pages/Symptoms.aspx   

Taz x

[CLKD]

  for the sciatica link! and the detailed explanation.

Reading as much about the various conditions we suffer with can help give us informed choices 

[kerrieann]

thanks taz, having read through all the info, it really does sound like sciatica, your say your dh uses heat packs, what does this ice or heat treatment do ? is it just temporary relief, or is it actually healing anything? sorry for all the questions but its not really practical to be using ice or heat every few hours when your trying to get on with life or will this take away the pain if i did it regularly for a few days again?
one more question i have looked at quite a few drugs for nerve pain ie gabapentin do you know anything about them as i am really bad with side effects from drugs.

[Taz2]

If you look at treatments under the link you will find what is best. My husband uses diclofenac plus paracetamol and physiotherapy. Mostly it is kept under control. He has found that without painkillers it doesn't get better. Drugs such as diclofenac reduce the inflammation and so the pressure of the nerve lessens which improves things. Exercise is important but the right type of exercise. The heatpack gives short term relief. Have a good look the treatment option. I would ask your GP to refer you for physio.

Taz x

[CLKD]

Swimming is good too.  Breast stroke is non-weight bearing.  Skinny dipping anyone 

[kerrieann]

taz, i cannot take anti inflammatory, 1. i am on blood pressure med and 2. i have a very sensitive stomach.
the gp first gave me tramacet, which when i found out it was tramadol and addictive i was too scared to take, then the middle doseage of paracetamol and codeine which if i take more than 1 dose, spaces me out and i can't think straight .
I sound like i am being awkward i know just wish there was a more natural way to get round this as i really am terrible with meds.
I was told by gp 2 weeks ago that there were sending me for physio, but i am still waiting to here about that along with an appointment for the back specialist.

[Taz2]

Paracetamol is ok then but you do have to take it every day - four doses - in order for it to build up enough in your system. It's no good just taking a couple when the pain is really bad. The diclofenac doesn't affect my husband's stomach but other anti-inflams such as nurofen do. Of course it all depends on whether the upset stomach is more bearable than the back pain - you have to make a choice as to which is worse. Unfortunately you do have to reduce the inflammation in order to get less pain so I'm not sure what to suggest.

Taz x

[Rowan]

Local hospital have just phoned giving me an appointment next Friday to see one of the Orthopaedic  Consultant's Team.

I was just saying to OH before phone call that my back has felt better these last two days and that I was keeping my fingers crossed that it would continue!

I have being doing an exercise that seemed to release something and stop the aching.

Any its not until next week and it could start up again. Feel lucky I have appointment now though.

Kerrie I hope yours come through soon.