A big thank you to all of you who take the time to give all of your own experiences and wisdom and what I might be able to try. I find that I function just fine on Vicodin and OxyContin. Natural heating tape is good for my back and I can't tolerate or stand anything cold on my joints it irritates them and is painful. I do stand in the shower and hot bath it feels great. I have gotten many cortisone shots in all joints over the years which help that particular joint at that time it's not a cure though. I do not bother with physical therapy anymore because it aggravates and rips my joints and they already have so much damage. So I just do what I can when I feel good and I make the most of those days. And as for the other terrible 3 weeks of the month I suffer and that's okay. I do a lot of praying and I just take it easy.

I was told that I need a hip replacement because the MRI shows degenerative joint damage and rips in the tissue as well as bone spurs. I do not want to have this done. I am prolonging it and if anyone has had this done I would be grateful if you could tell me your experience. Thank you so much take care and God bless.

Jet wrench... thank you for the list of foods. I have a RA cook book kind of thing. I find that red meat flares me. I became a Vegan. No meat or dairy. Milk inflamed me also. Strange how certain foods affect our immune system and the we get inflamed. I will never understand this RA, and I've had it since I was 18 and I'm 34 now.

Good luck everyone. I'm trying to stay strong and I keep all of you in my prayers. Pain is so depressing but I fight it.

Hello Lady, I am sorry you have an uncaring MD and suffering so. My MD was so kind and compassionate until I saw her last week. She screaming at me because I failed yet another RX and am choosing to try alternate therapies. I am an RN and still work but barely. I get so frustrated when I start to hear about "getting addicted" to pain medication. There is a difference between tolerance and addiction. If pain meds are being taken because of pain that is not addiction. I have been on Norco as needed for a long time. My last RX of 30 pills, lasted me 14 months. I take 1/2 tab when I just can't take the pain anymore. When I asked for a refill my doctor gave me a lecture about "addiction", made me sign a pain contract and gave me 20 tabs. I don't think any of us want to take pain medication. When the pain is so severe you just want to die, that is what pain medication if for. As an oncology nurse I have seen patients in excruciating pain and healthcare providers should be helping patients with pain relief as it effects one's
quality of life. They should not making them feel worse by labeling them "drug seekers" because they need pain relief. I agree find a new doctor, thats my plan as well. You may want to try warm bath epsom salt soaks, although I understand it can be hard to get in and out of the tub when in pain. Bio freeze and tiger balm have helped me. I have also learned over the years for me. if I eat any dairy or gluten I have terrible flares of course the doctor says thats not possible,I also pray or read the Word which helps calm my spirit. I am getting ready to try CBD/THC oil. Know people who have had amazing relief without psychoactive side effects. Remember when we are weak He is strong. May He comfort and guide you on your journey.

Grace46
I am in no way excusing your rheum's attitude toward you or the way she has treated you in your search for relief of your pain.
I just wanted to add a bit of information that some people may not be aware of...many states are now requiring physicians to register with drug monitoring programs in an effort to get some handle on the terrible opioid addiction problem. Some states have very strict regulations on how many tablets can be prescribed and how often, and physicians/hospitals are coming up with pain contracts and other ways to meet the requirements of state regulations. Physicians have been blamed (in some cases rightly so) for the opioid addiction problem, and now there is great fear of overstepping new boundaries.
Again, I am not excusing rude or insensitive physicians, but just want people to keep this info in mind when you notice a sudden change in prescribing habits if you are one who needs these controlled pain medications.