Question: I have osteoarthritis with severe pain is my wrists and thumb, 5 bulging disks, spinal stenosis, temporal arteritis, an acquired deformity of my right foot, neck and shoulder pain and medically induced hypothyroid disease. I am 78 years old, living on my own with no relatives within 200 miles. Some days I am so tired I can hardly get out of bed. I am not allowed painkillers because steroid treatment contraindicates it and the government has my doctor convinced that prescribing opioids creates addicts. Only tylenol is allowed. What can I do?

I took prednisone tapering 70 mg to none over the course of a year AND now take methyltrexate once a week (6tablets) for temporal arteritis. It doesn't help my osteoarthritis like the prednisone did. The prednisone is responsible for the damage to my spine however so it is not an option for me. Is there anything that is not addictive but would help relieve my pain? I have had cortisone injections in my back. I use a wheel chair most of the time and can only walk for short distances with a rollator. Wven then the pain in my wrists and the joint at the base of my thumb make it difficult to use the walker or crutches. I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia 20 years ago. also Lyme disease and mono. Could one of these cause the tremendous fatigue I have now. My doctor has urged me to go to a nursing home but I am going to stay in my own home. at least until my next bad fall. What can I do to regain enough stamina to stay home? I have a small dog that I will not leave. Thank you for letting me vent to you!

Do you have any answers to my situation yet?

I guess what I really want to know is if I should keep trying or just give up and go veg in a nursing home.