Anything I can do to relieve pain?

Matilda

There was a five months gap between my ceasing rituximab for rheumatoid arthritis and starting abatacept during which time my RA became uncontrolled.  The abatacept has not taken effect yet, after four sessions, and I am told it is likely to be some months before it does.  Meanwhile, I am taking naproxen, co-dydramol and ibuprofen for the pain.  I am also coming to the end of a short course of oral steroids. None of these meds have relieved my pain significantly.  The pain is not in the joints but in the muscles.  I ache very badly and am severely stiff all over all the time. This has been the case for four months.

Is there anything I can take or do to relieve the pain until such time as the abatacept takes effect?

aaronw3440

My nan uses deep heat to help along with painkillers and morphine 

Matilda

Thank you, @aaronw3440

I forgot to mention that I also use freeze spray which helps.  I have got some voltarol gel but haven't got around to using it yet  - must try it.

My consultant mentioned Tramadol a while back.  If I went on to Tramadol, this would replace the co-dydramol.  I'm worried that my GP surgery, which is a basket case, might stop the Tramadol without warning and it could be some time before I could another prescription for co-dydramol!  So, for the time being I'll stick with the co-dydramol.