Any suggestions for arthritis?

Katybug

Katybug

Senior Member
Location
Charlotte, NC
I knew what it was before I asked my dr last week. I've ignored it for a couple years because I didn't want to hear the answer, but I was right. It's in my right thumb joint near the wrist and causes lots of limitations and discomfort.

She gave me a script for a topical compound that may be pretty expensive and may or may not work. Haven't had time to go to the pharmacy that can make it for me. In the meantime, any suggestions for relief?
 

Did she mention which one of the 150 varieties it was Katy? Different treatments for different types. If it's only stayed in one place for so long it's probably osteoarthritis. Did you do work, or do crochet or knitting or something that put repetitive strain on it? Don't know much about osteo A. so not much help with that sorry. Rheumatoid runs in our family, different critter altogether.
 
Sounds like what I get at times. It is at the base of my left thumb and can swell up and be very painful. The dr. Gave me a glove like thingy that keeps my thumb from too much movement. I have to wear this several times during the year and more when it is cold and damp.

i also have Meloxicam to take, but I try to stay away from this drug. Tylenol does help.
 

Diwundrin said:
Did she mention which one of the 150 varieties it was Katy? Different treatments for different types. If it's only stayed in one place for so long it's probably osteoarthritis. Did you do work, or do crochet or knitting or something that put repetitive strain on it? Don't know much about osteo A. so not much help with that sorry. Rheumatoid runs in our family, different critter altogether.
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No she didn't mention the type, but clearly said arthritis...not "osteo." It has stayed exclusively in one place and you can easily feel a lump the size of a marble. I know it isn't rheumatoid, as like you said...different critter altogether.

I was a legal secretary for 25+ years so, yes, the thumb got a lot of repetitive use on the computer. Had no clue there are so many varieties. I'm just hoping the topical she prescribed works, as when I asked her if any over the counter meds worked, she emphatically said no. Good to hear that others have found some relief from them tho, perhaps a different type. And thx for everyone's input.
 
Pappy said:
Sounds like what I get at times. It is at the base of my left thumb and can swell up and be very painful. The dr. Gave me a glove like thingy that keeps my thumb from too much movement. I have to wear this several times during the year and more when it is cold and damp.

i also have Meloxicam to take, but I try to stay away from this drug. Tylenol does help.
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I'm going to try the Tylenol since I some here. It can't hurt to try it and thx for your response.
 
I won't take products like Tylenol...

http://www.anh-usa.org/acetaminophen-the-killer-painkiller/

Acetaminophen: the Killer Painkiller
March 30, 2010

The active ingredient in the painkillers Tylenol, Anacin and Panadol was the focus of a recent analysis of 19 studies of 425,000 children and adults treated with acetaminophen in the past year. Children given acetaminophen were 60 percent more likely to suffer from asthma, while adults who had taken the drug were 75 percent more likely to experience asthma. According to a University of British Columbia-Vancouver review published in the journal Chest, higher doses translated to a greater risk of asthma.

The March 2010 issue of the American Journal of Medicine contained an analysis of data from 26,000 men, participants in the Health Professionals Follow-up Study. Researchers at Harvard University, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Vanderbilt University, and the Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston, determined that men younger than 60 who used acetaminophen were 61 percent more likely to experience hearing loss. Studies appearing in the journal Drug Safety (2008 Vol 31p127-141) have linked acetaminophen to adverse vision events.

The U.S. Acute Liver Failure Study Group found that acetaminophen poisoning is the leading cause of liver failure in the nation, associated with nearly 50 percent of all liver failure . The Life Extension Foundation has also sounded the alarm about acetaminophen and liver damage.

With 70-75 million prescriptions written annually, acetaminophen is the most commonly prescribed class of drugs in the United States. It is blamed for 56,000 injuries, 25,000 hospitalizations and 450 deaths. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has been aware of this situation for decades.

As early as 1977, the agency warned about acetaminophen and liver damage. The FDA Advisory Review Panel noted that exceeding the recommended dosage or (please note the or) taking acetaminophen for more than 10 days puts the patient at risk of liver damage. A suggestion that pharmacists distribute information explaining the risks of this drug has fallen on deaf ears at the FDA.

A study published in the journal Arthritis Care and Research cautioned that adverse reactions to acetaminophen not only affect patients’ quality of life, they also impose substantial economic burdens on society. Given all that we know now, how can the FDA remain silent about acetaminophen?
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White Willow Bark taken regularly can help, I've successfully used it for back pain, still have some on my shelf. http://www.natmedtalk.com/wiki/White_Willow
 
SeaBreeze said:
Taking supplements like MSM (methyl-sulfonyl-methane), Glucosamine Sulfate and Omega 3 fish oil will help. Magnesium oil applied topically will help with the pain. Here's some info and links worth a looksee about arthritis...http://www.natmedtalk.com/wiki/Arthritis
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I responded to the post on White Willow Bark, but it's obviously in the ozone or delayed. The fact it would help my lower back as well is music to my ears. I just printed this out and am headed to the health food store for all these products. Since the dr emphasized the cost of the compound medicine, perhaps I can get all of these for less than the script. It's worth a try. Thank you!
 
Just a reminder, with any vitamins, supplements or herbs...always research side effects and drug interactions if you're on any prescription meds. For example, White Willow and Fish Oil help thin the blood, so if you're on Coumadin/Warfarin, or have bleeding issues, you must avoid these things.
 
When the doctor diagnosed arthritis in my knee I told him I prefered my name for it....................computeritis:lol:

The doctor didn't prescribe anything, instead printed of a sheet of exercises to do and gave that to me and it has helped.
 
SeaBreeze said:
Just a reminder, with any vitamins, supplements or herbs...always research side effects and drug interactions if you're on any prescription meds. For example, White Willow and Fish Oil help thin the blood, so if you're on Coumadin/Warfarin, or have bleeding issues, you must avoid these things.
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Thx for the reminder, but I'm a very lucky woman. I take no regularly prescribed meds thus far.
 
Bee said:
When the doctor diagnosed arthritis in my knee I told him I prefered my name for it....................computeritis:lol:

The doctor didn't prescribe anything, instead printed of a sheet of exercises to do and gave that to me and it has helped.
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Bee, I'm pretty sure that's what mine should be called as well.
 
I was just reading today about the healing properties of Basil. Apparently, it does about the same thing to help arthritis pain as using medicinal marijuana does, but it doesn't make you high, so nobody cares if you grow it and use it.
I just posted the article today in the health subforum here under the taking herbs for health thread, if you want to read about using basil.
I also use the MSM, and I get mine from the Vitamin Shoppe. Some towns have one, and if you don't, then you can order it online like I do.
 
I used MSM for the arthritis in my hands, and it really helped. They would get so swollen and sore in chilly or rainy weather; but I haven't had that problem anymore after taking that. Seabreeze, I didn't know the magnesium oil was good for that, also.
Emu oil helps the neck pain I get, but only sometimes, others not so much, and I don't get why that is.

Happyflowerlady, I noted your post on Basil. The only one that came up for me this year was the licorice basil, which I don't care for, but maybe that's just as good.
 
Happyflowerlady said:
I was just reading today about the healing properties of Basil. Apparently, it does about the same thing to help arthritis pain as using medicinal marijuana does, but it doesn't make you high, so nobody cares if you grow it and use it.
I just posted the article today in the health subforum here under the taking herbs for health thread, if you want to read about using basil.
I also use the MSM, and I get mine from the Vitamin Shoppe. Some towns have one, and if you don't, then you can order it online like I do.
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Thank you, I'm going to read the article and I've just added the 2 items to my list to purchase. I appreciate your recommendations.
 
Happyflowerlady said:
I was just reading today about the healing properties of Basil. Apparently, it does about the same thing to help arthritis pain as using medicinal marijuana does, but it doesn't make you high, so nobody cares if you grow it and use it.
I just posted the article today in the health subforum here under the taking herbs for health thread, if you want to read about using basil.
I also use the MSM, and I get mine from the Vitamin Shoppe. Some towns have one, and if you don't, then you can order it online like I do.
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TWHRider said:
I'm going straight for the throat with this answer because I have to wear Lidoderm patches on my back/hips and sometimes I need something more.

Plus I have arthritis in my right hand from trimming my horses.

There is nothing, zip, nadda on the market that works for me.

Buy this but you'll have to order it. Thankfully it's not expensive.

http://www.coxvetlab.com/products/gel-flex.htm and by golly, it's made in the U.S.A.

Yes, it's for horses but "Absorbine" was invented for horses and humans have been using it for years. You'd be surprised at the human/horse stuff that crosses over in both directions.

I use this on my hands, my knees, my leg/hip joints where I don't put the patches. It works, and I've never had my skin burn.

The down side to this stuff is the menthol because you'll smell just like it, so leaving the house with this stuff on might not be something you want to do.

I also have "Two Old Goats" cream, which does help but nothing like the Gel-Flex. You can however, go out in public wearing Two Old Goats without smelling like an old person - lol http://www.twooldgoats.com/page/page/4642375.htm

Back On Track makes products for humans. I think Seabreeze bought the leggings for her Mister and they work pretty well. I have several of their products for my horses and swear by them.

Here's the link to BOT's people products; notice they make gloves. http://www.backontrackproducts.com/People-Products-c17 I belong to several horse forums and I have yet to hear a bad review on any of their products. They are pricey but well worth the investment, IMO:)

You can probably find most of this stuff at Amazon, if you don't want to buy directly from these websites:) My local feed store carries the "Gel Flex", so you might check the feed stores in your area. Maybe even Tractor Supply but not likely. I am starting to hate Tractor supply -- they have gotten so "yuppie" it's pathetic; they're going the way of the GNC Health Food stores in that they cater to people that aren't serious about their sport. I can no longer get a lot of stuff I used to buy at TSC and they won't order it -- unless of course I want a cutsie pink or purple halter that wouldn't hold a large dog for two seconds------------
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Thank you for all the info and I'm trying it all to see what works best for me. I've added your suggestions to my list and sincerely appreciate your input.
 
Casper said:
I tried MSM.....actually 2 x 500 gram packs and absolutely no difference at all :dejection:......I'd read about it and really hoped it would help me some, but no such luck......maybe it helps some others though..... :smile-new:
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Me, too. In fact, none of the great sounding alternatives seem to give me any relief. Maybe I'm expecting results too soon...
 
That Guy said:
Me, too. In fact, none of the great sounding alternatives seem to give me any relief. Maybe I'm expecting results too soon...
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Taking any kind of natural product usually works slower than taking a prescription med that will knock you off your feet, but stop the pain. The MSM helps me overall, but I take some every day. It takes a while for the sulphur to build up in your system.
Also, the one thing that seems to trigger my painful arthritis flares, is when I eat something with sugar in it.
I pretty much avoid the foods that have sugar, or at least only a little at a time, because I know I will pay the price when I indulge.
However, natural fruits seem to be fine, and a raw pineapple is one of the foods I DO eat when I need help, because it's anti-inflammatory and pain reducing properties help me every time.
My theory is that natural products DO help, but they take time, and you have to work with them, since they treat the actual problem, and not just knock out the symptoms.
 
I'm a great believer in natural remedies. I've taken various things for long periods and never seen results. Even the placebo effect had no . . . effect. Maybe my body is just stubbornly resistant...
 
Casper said:
I tried MSM.....actually 2 x 500 gram packs and absolutely no difference at all :dejection:......I'd read about it and really hoped it would help me some, but no such luck......maybe it helps some others though..... :smile-new:
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You have to take it regularly, every day, to notice the positive results. I take a 1,000 mg capsule once per day. With most natural things, they don't work immediately for pain, but the lowering of the inflammation will lessen the pain over time.
 
That's too bad Casper, not everything works for everybody, yes, 6 months is a good long time to judge.
 
Katybug said:
I knew what it was before I asked my dr last week. I've ignored it for a couple years because I didn't want to hear the answer, but I was right. It's in my right thumb joint near the wrist and causes lots of limitations and discomfort.

She gave me a script for a topical compound that may be pretty expensive and may or may not work. Haven't had time to go to the pharmacy that can make it for me. In the meantime, any suggestions for relief?
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Any reason you can't just try Aspercream or BenGay? Arthritis is inflammation in a joint. Aspirin reduces inflammation. Aspercream (and BenGay) causes a bit of heat to work the inflammation out of the system and it is applied topically.

Either that or ask your doctor for something that doesn't cost a bundle. Most often, doctors prescribe whatever the pharmaceutical rep just told them about recently. Prescribe enough of any recommended drug, and doctor gets a free cruise.

(I spent way too many months in pain, simply because a pharmaceutical company was pushing for off-label uses for a famous drug that ended up on the class-action suit commercials. I've trained my doctor to think "generic" for me.)
 
atwhatcost said:
Any reason you can't just try Aspercream or BenGay? Arthritis is inflammation in a joint. Aspirin reduces inflammation. Aspercream (and BenGay) causes a bit of heat to work the inflammation out of the system and it is applied topically.

Either that or ask your doctor for something that doesn't cost a bundle. Most often, doctors prescribe whatever the pharmaceutical rep just told them about recently. Prescribe enough of any recommended drug, and doctor gets a free cruise.

(I spent way too many months in pain, simply because a pharmaceutical company was pushing for off-label uses for a famous drug that ended up on the class-action suit commercials. I've trained my doctor to think "generic" for me.)
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Thx for your suggestions on Aspercream & Ben Gay. They may help in some cases, but my friends haven't found any relief from them. I've tried using theirs a few times and didn't have any luck either. What my dr prescribed for me, Voltaren, is what she says is the only thing that helps her mom. It isn't cheap, but not what you'd call expensive, and it's not yet available in generic form -- but soon! It's $40 for the size of a large toothpaste container -- and is giving me a lot of relief. For the size of it and no more often than I have pain from the inflammation, this will be a 6 mos supply. I am very pleased with money well spent! (I'm totally w/you on generics, and insist on them when they are available.)
 

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