Self-Treatment Arthritis

By Carol Eustice

You may, like many others, decide to self-treat when you first experience symptoms. With the hope that the problem is minor and will go away, you may try self-treating with over-the-counter pain relievers or using even more conservative treatment (e.g., heat, ice, rest, supplements). There is a place for self-treatment in arthritis management, but not without evaluation by a medical professional.

With over 100 types of arthritis, each having different treatment options, it's necessary for you to be diagnosed accurately first. Think of your diagnosis as a cogwheel that sets everything in motion, so you can develop a strategy with your doctor for treatment and management of the disease.

The principle taught to all medical students seems to also apply to patients with regard to self-treatment: First do no harm. You must act cautiously. If you feel inclined to try over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications and pain medications, dietary and herbal supplements, or any one of myriad concoctions that claim to cure arthritis, you should consult your doctor about everything you intend to try. You should not begin to self-treat without the knowledge of potential side effects, adverse reactions, or possible drug interactions.

Essential

The Arthritis Foundation recommends seeing a doctor if you have joint pain, stiffness, or swelling which persists for two or more weeks, whether or not your symptoms began suddenly or gradually. Arthritis can only be diagnosed by a doctor, and proper treatment depends on a proper diagnosis.

For example, acetaminophen or Tylenol can cause liver damage or death if the maximum allowable daily dose (4000 mg or 8 extra-strength caplets) is exceeded. The cumulative amount of acetaminophen in multiple OTC products must also be considered.

For joint health, there is glucosamine, MSM, and SAMe sold as dietary supplements. Acetaminophen is a pain reliever sold over-the-counter. Ibuprofen, Naprosyn, and Ketoprofen are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications also sold over-the-counter in a strength which is less than prescription strength. Topical creams are also popular self-treatments for arthritis.

If you do actually have one of the more severe types of arthritis, the time spent pursuing useless or ineffective treatments takes valuable time away from starting early, aggressive treatment, which is the current recommendation.

Certain aspects of self-treatment are definitely good for you and may be incorporated into your treatment plan after you have been diagnosed. Tips for healthy self-treatment include:

• Follow joint protection principles
• Balance activity and rest
• Use relaxation techniques
• Maintain a healthy weight
• Stop smoking

Your self-care regimen should still be documented in your medical record at your doctor's office. Studies have shown that patients who work with their doctor to develop their treatment plan are more likely to be compliant and feel better about their care. Together with your doctor, you will decide which aspects of prescribed care and self-care should be used together, with the goal being to improve your health.

Alert

Over-the-counter (OTC) medications have an expectation of being safe, just because they are sold in front of the pharmacy counter rather than behind. There are potential side effects with OTC drugs, and you need to know how the OTC interacts with everything else you are taking before it can be deemed safe.