Arthritis is a long term condition and strong pain killers are not recommended for this reason as tolerance and addiction are inevitable. If you need long term opioids you may prefer definitive surgical care if applicable. In the short term with flare-ups, or after surgery multiple options are available though:
Higher dose codeine preparations: these are only available on prescription as they have higher side-effects and tolerance problems. This should be used infrequently. Eg to avoid night pain before bed, after severe exacerbations.
Narcotics: morphine, oxycodone, fentanyl patches. these are addictive drugs and should not be used long-term for arthritis. Drug tolerance develops quickly and there are multiple side-effects. You should only have a single prescriber and this must be your REGULAR GP. These are used commonly in the hospital setting and only in the first few weeks after surgery to allow rehabilitation. Post-operative pain control is very difficult for patients on long term opioids and you should see your GP/anaesthetist to consider weaning before surgery.
narcotic alternatives/atypicals: (tramal/Palexia) These are good alternatives for people who cannot tolerate normal opiods or metabolise codeine. Unfortunately these have drug interactions particularly with anti-depressants.
Pain modulating drugs: (gabapentin, pregabalin, amitrypaline) These affect your nerve and pain sensitivity.
Consult your GP/pharmacist for more medication advice.
Comments