By Kimberly on Wednesday, August 30, 2000 - 09:53 am:

What do you when the pain gets unbearable and the drugs don't seem to help? I usually get a major flare of pain every two months were all of my joints hurt and nothing seems to help except for painkillers. I hate taking them but I can't find anything else that seems to work for me.
Kimberly

By Beth on Wednesday, August 30, 2000 - 10:03 pm:

Have you tried heat? I take a HOT bath and soak whatever joint is bothering me the most. Hot/warm water works best for me. I also use some of the arthritis rubs. They relieve some of the pain as well.

Hugs Beth

By Gwen on Thursday, August 31, 2000 - 02:30 pm:

It may be worth trying a topical rubifacient rub such as Metsal or Transvasin or a topical anti-inflammatory like Difflam, Feldene or Voltaren gels. I sometimes use BeeVee Balm, which is a preparation of bee venom and is said to have a deeper effect than other rubs. Another treatment that may help is to support the joint(s) with strapping to minimise movement for a couple of days.
Acupuncture may be something else to consider. Some people get dramatic relief after a few treatments. A similar form of treatment is a TENS machine, which is useful if you only have a couple of joints playing up at a time but less so if it is systemic.
If things get too bad for me I find heat, massage and rest are usually the best treatments but they aren't always practical.

By Kimberly on Sunday, September 03, 2000 - 07:01 pm:

Are pain flares a common occurance with people who have HMS? Or is it just me?

Gwen and Beth thanks for your suggestions. I just bought some arthritis rub and I'm going to give that a try.