I think what you have is osteoarthritis, is a degenerative joint disease, osteoarthritis is characterized by the breakdown of joint cartilague, with the subsequent inflammation of the joints.
The exact cause of osteoarthritis is unknown.
The main symptoms of osteoarthritis are: joint pain specially after periods of inactivity, swelling or inflammation of your hands,feet, knees or hips.
The pain is worse after periods of inactivity, or weather changes.
There is joint stiffness too.
This disease is only diagnosed with a careful medical history and image studies.
Others medications,that can relieve your pain incredibly,is Tramadol with fewer side effects.
Other alternative to decrease the pain, is inject steroids in the affected zones. and the injection of hyaluronic acid,in the joints.
It is important that you maintain a healthy way and exercise regularly, to decrease the progressive deterioration of your joints.
Edited by ALVARO on May 3 2007 at 11:39 PM