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How Can Arthritis In The Upper Back Be Treated?
Hi, my name is Dave, I am 59 years old and have arthritis in my upper back that wakes me up at night. I just received a couple of creams, Doxepin 5% cream and Fluocinonide 0.1% cream. I am not sure these are something I will be using, but was wondering if you could share some insights on these products?
Wed, 25 Jul 2018
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advise.
Both creams you mention may be used for itchy or irritated skin but are generally not primarily used for arthritis. Creams mostly affect the skin and do not reach the deep structures like joints.
It is important if you have arthritis to take oral medications for pain especially before sleep like paracetamol and ibuprofen (after food to protect the stomach).
Having a visit with a physiotherapist may be of help as he can check the muscles and identify the ones that are in spasm and help relax and strengthen them and this will bring improvement of pain from arthritis as well because arthritis causes pain by straining the muscles and spasm.
So to conclude:
- local hot or cold compresses might help (you have to try and find if one or the other help in your case)
- paracetamol and ibuprofen for pain especially before bed time to relieve the pain and help you sleep better.
- see a physiotherapist to help you with exercises that will bring long term relieve
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Kind regards,
Antoneta Zotaj, MD
I have reviewed your query and here is my advise.
Both creams you mention may be used for itchy or irritated skin but are generally not primarily used for arthritis. Creams mostly affect the skin and do not reach the deep structures like joints.
It is important if you have arthritis to take oral medications for pain especially before sleep like paracetamol and ibuprofen (after food to protect the stomach).
Having a visit with a physiotherapist may be of help as he can check the muscles and identify the ones that are in spasm and help relax and strengthen them and this will bring improvement of pain from arthritis as well because arthritis causes pain by straining the muscles and spasm.
So to conclude:
- local hot or cold compresses might help (you have to try and find if one or the other help in your case)
- paracetamol and ibuprofen for pain especially before bed time to relieve the pain and help you sleep better.
- see a physiotherapist to help you with exercises that will bring long term relieve
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Kind regards,
Antoneta Zotaj, MD
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