Arthritis question

A

Ameriscot

SF VIP
Confused by online research. Husband has arthritis in one hand that is getting worse. He refuses to take any meds which I can understand as they can damage your stomach, etc. Any recommendations for pain relief?
 

You can make a compress from cabbage leaves pressed with rolling pin - it's an old folk remedy but it usually works. Also ginger is good - I take it in tea or coffee, but it's not a quick remedy.
 
There are different kinds of Arthritis Ameri and they are not all responsive to the same treatment. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and there is not very much that helps that.
 
Glucosamine supplements: Good one is Glucosamine, Chondroitin, MSM combo for osteoarthritis, don't know about rheumatoid arthritis though. He should check in the local health food store -- there is one a friend told me about called Recovery, expensive but she says it works on her.

Pineapple is also an antii-nflammatory, as well as ginger and turmeric.
 
I use an Arthritis cream with Arnica Montana flowers as the main ingredient and it really works. I have Rheumatoid and Osteo Arthritis and find Arnica cream or Gel very effective.
Be careful of Voltaren cream or gel because Diclofenac is similar to Aspirin and is absorbed through the skin.
 
Thanks folks. He doesn't have rheumatoid arthritis. His GP indicated it just had to do with getting older and this being the hand where he broke fingers a few times when he young and playing sports (rugby, football/soocer). This is only in one hand and nowhere else.
 
Be careful of Voltaren cream or gel because Diclofenac is similar to Aspirin and is absorbed through the skin.

Thank you for pointing that out. I had no idea and was using Voltaren, layered with Aspercreme and heat rub. Probably way to much aspirin in that combination. Doesn't seem to work too well either. The deep pain isn't my hand but my ankle. Wonder if the paraffin could be used for that?
 
Yes, magnesium is very good for the joints -- I take a Calcium Magnesium supplement too.

Also, its a good idea to get a doctor's diagnosis.
 
fureverywhere said:
Be careful of Voltaren cream or gel because Diclofenac is similar to Aspirin and is absorbed through the skin.

Thank you for pointing that out. I had no idea and was using Voltaren, layered with Aspercreme and heat rub. Probably way to much aspirin in that combination. Doesn't seem to work too well either. The deep pain isn't my hand but my ankle. Wonder if the paraffin could be used for that?
Click to expand...

I've been prescribed Voltaren, have tubes of it laying around, but, had bad reaction to it so, I don't bother with it. It was prescribed for my knees and my fingers, now I just live with the pain try to focus on other things since I never know where the pain will be worse in what part of my body any given moment.

I think some of the meds are worse than the condition causing other complications to pop up down the line. I think if any of the alternative methods work, it would be worth giving it a try. I may even give, some mentioned a try. I often have to find a way to refocus or just snarl and scowl at people who I encounter throughout the day. :what::grin:
 
Cookie said:
Yes, magnesium is very good for the joints -- I take a Calcium Magnesium supplement too.

Also, its a good idea to get a doctor's diagnosis.
Click to expand...

He has seen his GP. He told him to take pain killers if needed. Husband is very anti-medication unless mandatory.
 
I would recommend ThermaCare wraps for warming heat therapy. I don't have arthritis, but both of us have used them for back/neck strain, muscle strain and cramping. They come in various shapes and sizes and I think they would be beneficial for arthritis if you can find the idea size/shape for the hand/wrist. Good luck. http://www.thermacare.com/how-thermacare-works
 
I take paid meds every day (Tramadol) rx'd by my Dr. I can usually get by with a bit less than prescribed, but I refuse to live out the rest of my life in pain!

Compression socks help a little for ankles as does a velcro knee wrap.
 
Osteo-arthritis is what I have. It's quite severe in my hands, neck and knees so I take a low-dose vicodin 2X per day, but I have refused to increase the dosage. I also take ibuprophen if needed, mainly for severe neck pain.

That said, the paraffin treatments are very effective for my hands. I also drink yerba tea every morning, which relaxes my muscles thereby reducing/preventing inflammation. I've used other green teas, but yerba works best for me. And finally, a short walk every evening relieves the pain in my knees and also seems to reduce the leg cramps that used to occur when my knees became inflamed.

(edit:) Oh! Also I have had less pain since limiting sweets!
 
RadishRose said:
I take paid meds every day (Tramadol) rx'd by my Dr. I can usually get by with a bit less than prescribed, but I refuse to live out the rest of my life in pain!

Compression socks help a little for ankles as does a velcro knee wrap.
Click to expand...

I hear you RR, I'm rethinking it for the days I find myself paralyzed, and I mean literally could not move, happens now and then, but, last time I tried something all it did was nock me out and didn't relieve the pain, so I upped the dosage far beyond what I should have of Ibuprofen and my feet and legs were so swollen for days. At first I couldn't realized why my feet and looked so out of proportion, I was ready to go to the emergency room, then it dawned on me it started the day of my move, I had just started taking large doses of IBP. as soon as I stopped, the swelling went away. But, I've been facing not being able to move again, so I did take some just yesterday, Just once.

Days before my move, I had to put in an emergency call to my doc to give me something anything except as usual anything addictive, I don't remember the name, believe I threw it out or it may be buried somewhere, but, it didn't do me any good, so no plan to take it again, it had zero effect on the pain. I understand they are coming out with new kinds that are less addictive, so, at this point, I may just have to venture into giving something a go after giving it more thought after yesterdays attack on my body, I agree, I'm done living with the degree of pain that happens especially just when I take a walk to the dumpster to throw away my trash. I want my life back to some degree, even if it's just to be able to walk one mile.
 
After getting stomach upsets from diclofenic my doctor has prescribed tylenol. I haven't had much pain lately so I haven't tried it for pain yet so we'll see if that works. It's not anti-inflammatory. Her reasoning is that I am going to get a cortisone shot for my knee and the tylenol is temporary.
 
My niece has had some temporary pain relief with a compression glove and also a cherry stone bag/pillow that is heated in the microwave.

I assume any heating pad/bottle would provide some temporary relief.

Before you spend a bunch of money try filling a 12-16 ounce bottle with boiling water and wrapping a towel around it.
 
AprilT said:
I hear you RR, I'm rethinking it for the days I find myself paralyzed, and I mean literally could not move, happens now and then, but, last time I tried something all it did was nock me out and didn't relieve the pain, so I upped the dosage far beyond what I should have of Ibuprofen and my feet and legs were so swollen for days. At first I couldn't realized why my feet and looked so out of proportion, I was ready to go to the emergency room, then it dawned on me it started the day of my move, I had just started taking large doses of IBP. as soon as I stopped, the swelling went away. But, I've been facing not being able to move again, so I did take some just yesterday, Just once.

Days before my move, I had to put in an emergency call to my doc to give me something anything except as usual anything addictive, I don't remember the name, believe I threw it out or it may be buried somewhere, but, it didn't do me any good, so no plan to take it again, it had zero effect on the pain. I understand they are coming out with new kinds that are less addictive, so, at this point, I may just have to venture into giving something a go after giving it more thought after yesterdays attack on my body, I agree, I'm done living with the degree of pain that happens especially just when I take a walk to the dumpster to throw away my trash. I want my life back to some degree, even if it's just to be able to walk one mile.
Click to expand...

April it sounds like some of your pain could be neurological, and IB and Tylonol won't help that kind of pain. The only medications that will are ones that are classified as addictive. Before my arthritis got into my neck and back so deep that it effected the nerve roots, I was doing fine with just the IB....still had pain but it was very tolerable. But when it became unstoppable nerve pain, I had to relent and take the Hydrocodone. It's the only treatment that gives me a few precious hours of relief every morning and every evening (specifically my neck).
 

You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top