here via thebonesofferalletters. I have chronic pain in my joints (especially ankles, knuckles and wrists, which is currently being investigated, but one of the lead suspects is Some Form of Arthritis.) I also have bound my chest regularly for six years, so I have upper back pain related to that
Thinks I have found helpful-
a combination of NSAID painkillers (mostly ibuprofen in my case) and topical painkillers on the areas that hurt worst. (I use isopropryl gel, which apparently is mostly used for sprains/sporting injuries but it is a good and I have been told by my GP is fine to use regularly. Set reminders to take painkillers on your phone if you have problems with that. (In my case, if pain is quite bad I will be less functional and therefore forget to take them)
Hot baths during a pain flare, if it's at a point when you have access to a bath. (And would second the wearing long sleeves/being warm)
Heating pads can be really useful, although you can't use them on an area on which you've also used isopropyl gel.
In my case, pain is either worse when I have done a lot with the areas that hurt, but also first thing in the morning. If you are going to a doc about it have as much detail about stuff like that as possible.
I use a stick when walking most of the time now, and I do find that that reduces the level of pain I'm in later, but I know that might not be an option (and is still an option about which I feel sad)
Oh, if in bad pain before going to sleep I find resting on a comfortable chair/sofa for a while, while sort of dozing off, and then going to bed when pain has died down a bit better than just going straight to bed and lying flat
no subject
Thinks I have found helpful-
a combination of NSAID painkillers (mostly ibuprofen in my case) and topical painkillers on the areas that hurt worst. (I use isopropryl gel, which apparently is mostly used for sprains/sporting injuries but it is a good and I have been told by my GP is fine to use regularly. Set reminders to take painkillers on your phone if you have problems with that. (In my case, if pain is quite bad I will be less functional and therefore forget to take them)
Hot baths during a pain flare, if it's at a point when you have access to a bath. (And would second the wearing long sleeves/being warm)
Heating pads can be really useful, although you can't use them on an area on which you've also used isopropyl gel.
In my case, pain is either worse when I have done a lot with the areas that hurt, but also first thing in the morning. If you are going to a doc about it have as much detail about stuff like that as possible.
I use a stick when walking most of the time now, and I do find that that reduces the level of pain I'm in later, but I know that might not be an option (and is still an option about which I feel sad)
Oh, if in bad pain before going to sleep I find resting on a comfortable chair/sofa for a while, while sort of dozing off, and then going to bed when pain has died down a bit better than just going straight to bed and lying flat