Matching Conditions to Medications
OSTEOARTHRITIS (OA)
STUDY QUESTIONS
- How does pain arise?
- What are the common causes of pain?
- What are the simple non invasive measures for pain management?
- What are the invasive complex measures for pain management?
- What are the pain medications?
- How are pain medications formulation/made?
- What are some examples of pain medication commonly used by patients?
- What are the adverse effects of pain medications?
- How can bone changes be monitored?
- What are the necessary clinical investigations in bone pain?
LOOK UP
- C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
- ANA
- SED
MEDICATIONS
Make a list of medications mentioned by the patients and look them up.
CASES
I have picked out cases for you to try and work them out on your own.
Case 1
I forgot to mention that I was tested for RA, which was negative, I was told. I haven't been retested in several years, and I also have not been sent for any bone scans, x-rays, or other screenings for Osteoarthritis (except for my neck, done by the chiropractor), or any of the other related diseases. I do run a high level of C-Reactive Protein, which was recently higher than ever, and I do not know what my ANA is, or if my SED rate is elevated. Thyroid levels are low but within normal ranges... Hoping the orthopedic with run some thorough tests...
Case 2
I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia at age 40, although symptomatic for a couple years prior to that. I am now 44. I have extreme fatigue, morning stiffness, joint pain in my hands, wrists, ankles, shoulders, and now in one of my knees. I also have severe chronic tendonitis in my right elbow which has now spread upward toward my shoulder. I do have some degenerated disks in my neck C3-C6 which causes frequent headaches. My body is tender to pressure, not only at the "tender points", but anywhere that the bone is close to the skin, such as forearms, shins, hips, etc. I went to a Rheumatologist who said I had a difficult to treat condition and should just learn to live with it! I went to physical therapy a few times, a chiropractor, and my family doctor. My family doctor is the only one who understands my frustration and she has been more than willing to do "trial and error" to see what helps me. Currently I only take Cymbalta, which helps considerably with the stress of living in pain, along with muscle relaxor Flexeral which helps me sleep. I have tried many NSAIDS but they really do not help me much since I have been taking them for so long, so I don't take them anymore. Excedrin Tension headache does helps with my neck/headache pain a bit. Nothing seems to help with my tendonitis except ice. I am going to see a different Rheum. but couldn't get in until December. I am seeing an orthopedic for my tendonitis next week. My biggest problem is because I "Look" fine, no one takes my pain and fatigue seriously and I get a lot of ribbing about being a "complainer" or a hypochondriac, which is almost worse than dealing with the pain!!
Case 3
I find it amazing how many of us suffer from multiple problems. I have had fibbromyalgia for over 30 yres, have had a brain tumor, breast cancer, PMR, osteoarthritis, have had both knees totally replaced, and degenative arthritis and bone sdpurs in my shoulder and neck. My hands and feet hurt constantly along with the muscles in my upper arms. Now I am having shortness of breath and sharp shooting pains up both sides of my neck with only minimal activity. I am in the process of going through tests to diagnose this. I recommend that every once in awhile you take a "wallow day"...where you just cry, feel sorry for yourelft, rail against the world and scream why me?? and then get up the next day, go to work, and live your life. My daughter has lupus and Raynauds, and she also takes a wallow day every so often. Believe me...it works. I don't know how this is all going to turn out but I am going to fight to the very end!
Find other cases at the link above and do your own self-study.
I have picked out cases for you to try and work them out on your own.
Case 1
I forgot to mention that I was tested for RA, which was negative, I was told. I haven't been retested in several years, and I also have not been sent for any bone scans, x-rays, or other screenings for Osteoarthritis (except for my neck, done by the chiropractor), or any of the other related diseases. I do run a high level of C-Reactive Protein, which was recently higher than ever, and I do not know what my ANA is, or if my SED rate is elevated. Thyroid levels are low but within normal ranges... Hoping the orthopedic with run some thorough tests...
Case 2
I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia at age 40, although symptomatic for a couple years prior to that. I am now 44. I have extreme fatigue, morning stiffness, joint pain in my hands, wrists, ankles, shoulders, and now in one of my knees. I also have severe chronic tendonitis in my right elbow which has now spread upward toward my shoulder. I do have some degenerated disks in my neck C3-C6 which causes frequent headaches. My body is tender to pressure, not only at the "tender points", but anywhere that the bone is close to the skin, such as forearms, shins, hips, etc. I went to a Rheumatologist who said I had a difficult to treat condition and should just learn to live with it! I went to physical therapy a few times, a chiropractor, and my family doctor. My family doctor is the only one who understands my frustration and she has been more than willing to do "trial and error" to see what helps me. Currently I only take Cymbalta, which helps considerably with the stress of living in pain, along with muscle relaxor Flexeral which helps me sleep. I have tried many NSAIDS but they really do not help me much since I have been taking them for so long, so I don't take them anymore. Excedrin Tension headache does helps with my neck/headache pain a bit. Nothing seems to help with my tendonitis except ice. I am going to see a different Rheum. but couldn't get in until December. I am seeing an orthopedic for my tendonitis next week. My biggest problem is because I "Look" fine, no one takes my pain and fatigue seriously and I get a lot of ribbing about being a "complainer" or a hypochondriac, which is almost worse than dealing with the pain!!
Case 3
I find it amazing how many of us suffer from multiple problems. I have had fibbromyalgia for over 30 yres, have had a brain tumor, breast cancer, PMR, osteoarthritis, have had both knees totally replaced, and degenative arthritis and bone sdpurs in my shoulder and neck. My hands and feet hurt constantly along with the muscles in my upper arms. Now I am having shortness of breath and sharp shooting pains up both sides of my neck with only minimal activity. I am in the process of going through tests to diagnose this. I recommend that every once in awhile you take a "wallow day"...where you just cry, feel sorry for yourelft, rail against the world and scream why me?? and then get up the next day, go to work, and live your life. My daughter has lupus and Raynauds, and she also takes a wallow day every so often. Believe me...it works. I don't know how this is all going to turn out but I am going to fight to the very end!
Find other cases at the link above and do your own self-study.
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