HomeAnswersRheumatologyjoint painWhy is Indomethacin not helping with my joint pain?

Kindly suggest an alternate medicine for Indomethacin for joint pain.

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The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.

Medically reviewed by

Dr. Hemalatha

Published At January 8, 2020
Reviewed AtAugust 2, 2023

Patient's Query

Hello doctor,

I am suffering from chronic gouty arthritis. It started ten-plus years ago and now progressed to every joint in my body with multiple joint attacks at once. I have constant pain in my joints, even if there is no attack. The attacks jump from joint to joint nonstop. I have seen many doctors; they can only give me shots and a prescription for Indomethacin, which is not working for me as it has been taken for more than 10 years. I have changed my diet to exclude a lot of food and drinks with sugar, purines, citrus, salt, etc. Right now, the pain is in my ankle, knees, and left arm (shoulder, rotator cuff, elbow, wrist, thumb, and neck). I have been very depressed and go to bed in pain and wake up in pain daily. My daily functions are limited.

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I have gone through your history, and it is a bit unusual for a 40-year-old to have polyarticular gout, that is involving a lot of joints. Firstly, I would recommend you visit a Rheumatologist near you to sort it out. Meanwhile, first, we should rule out if it is gout only or some other form of arthritis, which are intermittent sorts like gout such as Palindromic Rheumatism. I would like to know your last uric acid levels and if you have ever got rheumatoid factor (RF) and Anti-CCP (anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide) done. If it is gout, then Indomethacin is just going to help the attack. You need to start on proper medications. The treatment would be to start tablet Zycolchine (Colchicine) along with drugs like Febuxostat or Allopurinol.

Thank you.

Investigations to be done

1. 24-hour urine for uric acid. 2. Rheumatoid Factor. 3. Anti-CCP antibody. 4. Liver function tests. 5. Kidney function tests.

Differential diagnosis

Palindromic Rheumatism.

Treatment plan

Zycolchine.

Preventive measures

High fluid intake.

Regarding follow up

Consult a Rheumatologist at the earliest.

Same symptoms don't mean you have the same problem. Consult a doctor now!

Dr. Naval Mendiratta
Dr. Naval Mendiratta

Rheumatology

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