Get Informed: Osteoarthritis
1 in 14 people have Osteoarthritis
iGuard is currently monitoring more than 136,520 patients with Osteoarthritis from around the United States as shown on the heat map below. These figures suggest that roughly 20.4 million Americans have Osteoarthritis with women being 2 times more likely to be affected than men.
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
iGuard is currently monitoring more than 136,520 patients with Osteoarthritis.
Medications used for Osteoarthritis
Drugs commonly taken by iGuard users for Osteoarthritis are listed below, together with the percentage of patients that take each drug.
|
Commonly Used Medication Name* (Hover mouse over name to see medication class) |
% of Patients | Average Risk Rating | Has Generic Available |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tylenol | 21% |
|
Yes |
| Advil | 19% |
|
Yes |
| Celebrex | 13% |
|
No |
| Aleve | 8% |
|
Yes |
| Vicodin | 5% |
|
Yes |
Less than 5%: Glucosamine, Mobic, Ultram, Osteo BI-Flex, Voltaren, Hydrocodone, Darvocet, Flaxseed Oil, Aspirin, Feldene
*This list is NOT EXHAUSTIVE - Only drugs used by a sufficiently large number of iGuard users are listed.
**Medications are sometimes known by different brand/generic names, depending upon how they are packaged or used.
Global Patient Feedback for Osteoarthritis ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I, too, have osteoarthritis but in the neck, hips and big toes; so far my knees are alright. I also have shoulder pain, around the blades and was told it was fibromyalgia; I have my doubts. None of the drugs for fibromyalgia that are currently on the market and being used for that syndrom helped with the pain. I can't tolerate them. I don't take NSAIDs as they don't help and they just make my acid reflux worse. Any pain medications with codeine or codeine derivatives, i.e. hydracodone, perocet, etc. also don't help and I didn't like the side effects. The only time I don't have pain is when I'm asleep; and the only way to get that is by taking Ambien CR. I prefer not to be dependent on sleep meds, but I need my sleep to get some relief more. Those in similar circumstances might talk to their physicians about a sleep med; it's definitely important to get proper rest to help fight the stress of any type of pain.
60 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-09-22 14:23:54
Question/Comment:
I had my first round of synvisc three in 2007..three injections... a week apart. The outcome was great, hardly no pain but it only lasted about 3 months and then the pain started to come back. I have osteoarthritis in both knees...pretty severe. In June of 2009 I decided to try another round, the pain of everyday activities was just getting to much. After reading about the synvisc one, I decided to give it a try. My dr. numbed both knees (with an injection) before the injection of synvisc one but the shots were still surprisingly painful. I know that he was pushing 3 x's the meds in my knees at once since synvisc one is a 1 shot deal but this was truely painful! I am so disappointed with the synvisc one...barely a difference. I was so hopeful for even the 3 months of pain relief but have not found that sucess with the synvisc one. I will have to wait for 6 months for the next round and I will most certainly go back to the synvisc three. After my 6 week follow up with the dr., we both decided that this would be the best for me. I am 51 and dr. states I have the knees of a 70 year old! He also prescribed mobic to help with the inflamation...but I have read now, it is a risk along with the diauritic I am taking. What is the general concensus about inflamatories?
52 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-26 10:50:38
Answer/Reply:
I can certainly sympathize with you ma'am because your knees sound just like mine! In fact, I was only 22 years old when an orthopedic doctor in the u.s. navy suggested that I had the knees of a 70 year old, and that was 23 years ago! I am going to be totally honest with you all out there right now, and what I am going to say, lots of folks probably will not believe it and perhaps disagree with me as well. Here I go anyway......Celebrex has been the one and only medication that has helped me whatsoever with any inflammation in either of my knees, and in turn sometimes it eases the horrific pain! However, to get total pain relief as to feel like myself again, I have discovered that morphine has been the one and only medication that brings me 100% relief!
45 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-12-20 20:04:00
Question/Comment:
I don't know where to begin ... I have had 2 rounds of 3 shots each, spaced out 6 months apart, of a joint replacement syrum similar to Synvisc. The shots worked "OK" but haven't lasted as long as the doctor expected them to. Partly because I believe the pain that I'm feeling isn't my OA pain, even though he had said it was in the beginning. I believe it is more of my RSD/CRPS pain that has been spreading from my L foot to my L knee and over to my R side. I have a multitude of problems and I'm being cared for them by a pain management specialist. When my dorsal column stimulator was failing after only 3 years (expected life 4-5 years) no one attributed my symptoms to the failing stim unit and the loss of pain relief. It wasn't until it completely died and could not be changed that we realized what happened. I still take several powerful medications, all through my implanted pain management pump which keep the dosage at a very minimal level. My osteoarthritis is just the latest diagnosis in 18 years of chronic pain from failed back surgery syndrome. I suffer from lumbar disc disease, failed low back surgery syndrome, post-laminectomy syndrome, lumbar radiculopathy, sciatica, bio-mechanical and myofascial pain syndrome, chronic pain, migraine headaches, de-conditioning, sensory deficit, fibromyalgia, disordered sleep, hypertension, medication induced tachycardia, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, plantar fasciitis, ankle tendinitis, hip bursitis, right elbow tendinitis, patella tendinitis, tear of medial cartilage or meniscus in R knee, lumbosacral (joint & ligament) & L ankle sprain, Reflex sympathetic dystrophy (RSD) or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and Posterior (left foot) Tibial Dysfunction (w/o a tibial tendon tear)
With all these diagnoses over the past 18 years I should be very depressed but like someone else had said, I look at the glass as 1/2 full. BTW, Limbrel IS a wonder drug. I don't know why it works but it works and it's great at relieving pain. On the otherhand, Lyrica is horrible, at least for me. I gained 35 lbs. and it did nothing for me except make me hurt worse because of the added weight. I'm still struggling to get the weight (plus more) off. That too, is a very real key to arthritis pain control - control your weight and you'll control your pain. Your joints will thank you for it.
Sorry for going on as I have but as I said, where should I begin, I have experienced practically something in each of the topics discussed.
18 years and still figuring it out
56 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-11 16:35:30
Question/Comment:
Has anyone had any experience getting the Synvisc shots?
77 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-07-02 14:47:38
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Synvisc is an injection given to patients to improve osteoarthritis of the knees when other therapies have failed. You may require multiple injections under the guidance of your physician, depending how you respond to each injection. In several clinical studies done by the manufacturer, 30 to 40% of patients reported feeling well or very well approximately 6 months after the injection. You should contact your doctor to talk about any concerns you may have as well as ask for his or her opinion on whether Synvisc is an option for you.
Posted: 2009-07-02 22:39:27
Answer/Reply:
I have a neighbor, 80 year old woman, who has had both knees injected with Synvisc. Her outcome has been poor. She is now facing a knee replacement in one knee, the knee she always said was her 'good' knee.
66 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-07-09 04:21:26
Answer/Reply:
yes, years ago ween it 1st came out! i was about 40yr. i had #6 shoots ! it didnt work for me! and now i am 50 yrs. old and have alot of more problems than i did before! i would not have done,or will do those again! good luck
51 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-07-12 21:01:35
Answer/Reply:
I'm a 54 y.o. CCU nurse who "runs" on tile covered concrete floors at work that has had the 3 shot regimen of Synvisc 9 months ago. I still have to take Ultram to control OA pain but believe the worst of my knee pain was significantly reduced with the injections. I have to admit, I wondered about the 1-shot Synvisc regarding pain with injection as the 3-shot series was tolerable but painful enough for me as was. I'm glad I've read other's experiences and think I'll go through the 3-shot hassle again vs the "new and improved" 1-shot.
Back to the question; Yes, the Synvisc injections are worth trying.
55 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-09-10 17:15:44
Question/Comment:
I am a 39 yr. old female, I am suffering from osteoarthritis in bothe hips, knee's, lower back, and I know believe it is moving to my shoulder's. I also have degerative congenital bi-lateral hip dysplasia. So I guess my question is, is it possible to get or have bi-lateral shoulder dysplasia as well, and if so, couls someone/anyone help me to get some type of relief from/for it, because it is almost impossible to sleep at night, considering that I sleep on my sides the majority of the time, BUT now I am forcing myself to sleep onj my back which is real uncom- fortable for me and my husband because of my snoring, can I please get some sort or kind of advice, PLEASE !!??!!?? My pain on a scale of 1-10 is a 23 ! I hope someone out there is feeling me but NOT my pain !!! Thanks !!
40 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-06-25 19:15:44
Answer/Reply:
Hi, sorry to hear about your pain. Have you been diagnosed with FIBROMYALGIA? It sounds like you may also have that. I have osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, PTSD & sleep apnea (57 y o fe). Not much relief from my meds(Lortab, Baclofen, Topomax, Cymbalta, Levoxyl) and various supplements. My pain is very similar to yours, my hips, legs, knees, low and mid back, neck, shoulders, hands and fingers, etc. I haven't been able to sleep in a bed for over 6 years now. I found a really comfortable recliner that I sleep in(couldn't afford a sleep # BED). It forces me to sleep on my back, which helps control the pain on my thighs/legs/knees and neck, stops the tossing and turning. It hasn't stopped the restless leg syndrome, but has helped the neck and shoulder pain. Stopped the sinus problems in my eustation tubes and ears,face/eyes. I've just started Tart Cherries to see if that will supply any relief, also green tea and grape seed.
I've gotten some relief from a topical essential oil rub, here's the info if you want to try it.
www.e-scentiallyyou.com It does a pretty good job. Anything at this point!! Good luck to you and God Bless you!
59 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-07-02 14:50:52
Answer/Reply:
I am a 53yr. old male. I have several knots and distortion of the first knuckle on my fingers. The specialist told me that I probably had it in my left knee also. June 13th I fell off my bike as I have done many times before. this time my left knee gave way and I broke my tibia plateau. I have to have both my rotators cuffs fixed as soon as I can walk on my left leg again. Get a hospital bed and lift your lega and your torso. Just keep your ankles just above your heart. If you are snoring real bad; then for god's sake get a sleep apnea test. I now use a cpap machine. I believe it saved my life. I can sleep finally now. I beleive it will help you immensely.
53 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2009-08-12 05:50:15
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33
Patient Comments about
Osteoarthritis