topic Re: Arthritis Pain in Wellness

Arthritis Pain

Starpolisher — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 18:31:51 GMT

I have Osteoarthritis and Osteopenia. I have been to the doctor and have also been tested to rule out Rheumatoid Arthritis. I've had my wrists, ankles, shoulder, knees, right middle finger(r-rayed recently, it hurt so bad, I thought it was broken) and back x-rayed. All have Arthritis. I have a benign tumor in my right wrist(encondroma) caused by Arthritis. I have bone on bone Arthritis in both my knees and get Cortisone injections every three months which makes the pain manageable. It used to be that my Arthritis mainly bothered me when the weather was humid outside. Lately, it's starting to bother me more and more on a daily basis. My whole body aches some days and I can hardly stand the pain! The doctor gave me Meloxicam but I find myself having to take two Bayer Aspirin(500mg each) also to manage my pain. I also use a white liniment lotion which contains Camphor and Turpentine. It also helps. What else can I do? I'm starting to feel like an old bedridden woman! I'm 68. Anyone who has Arthritis with suggestions would be appreciated!

Re: Arthritis Pain

ThinkingOutLoud — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 18:26:16 GMT

My first thought is do things that reduce inflammation (ie diet, turmeric supplement).

from google:

Mayo Clinic Q and A: Turmeric's anti-inflammatory properties may ...
Curcumin has anti-inflammatory properties, making it a potential treatment for a number of health conditions, including reduced pain and increased ease of movement in people with osteoarthritis. One study found that taking turmeric extract three times daily was comparable to taking a 1,200-milligram dose of ibuprofen daily.

Re: Arthritis Pain

vsm — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 18:30:51 GMT

I truly feel for you, @Starpolisher . As someone who has arthritis (though not as severe as yours) as well as osteoporosis, my orthopedist has also prescribed meloxicam for pain. I have two suggestions. First, meloxicam is very powerful and sometimes has adverse interactions with other drugs; I woudn't take aspirin with it (especially a full gram daily) unless my doctor okayed it. Second, if your doctor is not an orthopedist, you might want to consider seeing one. I wish you all the best.

Re: Arthritis Pain

catmama — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 18:36:58 GMT

I have both Osteoarthritis and Osteopenia. The Osteoarthritis is not severe enough to warrant taking medications. I have been using Turmeric and Glucosamine/Chondrotin for several years to hopefully ward off any any increase in the arthritis. So far it seems to be working. I heard that collagen is helpful, but I haven't added that to my regime.

I hope you find something that eases your pain as I and millions of others who suffer from this understand what you are going through.

Re: Arthritis Pain

chrystaltree — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 18:38:39 GMT

I do have arthritis in several body areas but my pain is not as severe as yours. I suggest that you go to your doctor, explain your pain and ask for a referral to a Pain Control specialist.

Re: Arthritis Pain

Snowpuppy — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 18:46:57 GMT

I agree trying dietary changes. Sugar and some artificial sweeteners are triggers for me.

Tumeric and Voltaren did nothing for me. Neither did Tylenol or aspirin.

I do get relief from ibuprofen but use it sparingly. Epsom salts baths work. Handful in the tub is enough.

For topicals, I found a combination of pure camphor oil first, then apply Ben Gay Max Strength over it. I purchase from The Plant Guru. They also offer a blend for Muscle Relief. I wanted to stay away from turpentine.

Re: Arthritis Pain

tends2dogs — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 18:49:34 GMT

@Starpolisher My sister was recently diagnosed with RA. She uses topical CBD roll on and Voltaren....not at the same time. She said they have helped give her relief especially at night. She also takes a low dose prednisone (10 mg) as needed and hydrochloroquin (sp?). It has helped with her discomfort. She refused the biologics for now and her doctor is okay with that.

I hope you find something that works for you and gives you some relief.

Re: Arthritis Pain

Forbidden Fruit — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 19:08:17 GMT

A lot of good suggestions already given. If you can, I would give acupuncture a try.

Edited to add: Also, try looking into cold laser therapy.

Re: Arthritis Pain

ECBG — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 19:13:28 GMT

I am so sorry that you are dealing with this. Praying that you will find a workable solution.

Re: Arthritis Pain

Kachina624 — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 19:36:59 GMT

@Starpolisher I have the same arthritis in pretty much the same places as you. Those cortisone shots lose their effectiveness with time so you can't depend on them for on-going relief. For years I saw a rheumatologist and tried a variety of NSAID medications until I found one that was very effective. If you're not seeing one, I'd highly recommend you do so. Getting the right meds is a lot of trial and error.

For years I took a NSAID called Lodine (generic Edolac) and functioned normally with minimal discomfort. After about 30 years of use with constant monitoring, it started affecting my kidneys and I was ordered off of it. I've tried various alternative, none of which has been satisfactory. I refuse to take narcotics. Now I'm in the same boat you are except you have options whereas I do not.

If the medication you were prescribed doesn't work, ditch it and insist on trying another. There are plenty available but a rheumatologist can give you the best guidance.

Re: Arthritis Pain

Shelbelle — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 20:25:16 GMT

I have it in one knee, took Meloxicam briefly, afraid it was raising my BP so went off of it. I do load up on supplements and no OTC meds. I take tumeric, msm, glucosomine, boswellia and ginger. I use topicals but not Votaren, too many side effects can happen with it.

I hae a friend who takes Meloxicam for 6 mos, then her doc switches her to Celebrex for the other six.

Re: Arthritis Pain

ruthbe — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 20:39:37 GMT

I feel for you. I was diagnosed with osteoporosis and I have arthritis in my spine and wrists. I heard about this and am looking into this. I heard it is more for muscl pain, but I going to try it anyway....so please talk to your doctor first...

I heard of infrred heating pads....different than regular ones. Regular ones only heat the surface of the skin and infrared ones go deeper. From what I understand because they go deeper, they need less heat. So don't get nearly as hot. They are more expensive.

But I want to try something that helps the pain. I don't want anything stronger than over the counter.

So before anything talk to your doctor first.

Re: Arthritis Pain

skatting44 — Fri, 18 Nov 2022 23:32:01 GMT

Take vitamin D3 . If your level is below 25 then it' to low .Talk with a Rheumatologist or Arthritis Specialist

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4070857/

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/vitamin-d-supplements-may-help-reduce-chronic-inflammation-study-finds

Re: Arthritis Pain

Zernia Rose — Sat, 19 Nov 2022 03:53:47 GMT

I have osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. I have infusions (biologic) every six weeks, take Meloxican twice daily, one weekly injection of Methotrexate, and hydroxychlorquine daily. I will soon be goin off the hydroxychloriquine because Prednisone is better. It has taken nearly two years of trial and error to get the right levels of medication that have reduce my inflation to nearly normal levels.

Hot bamboo massages help me significantly along with being in a heated pool several days weekly. Tai Chi helps me also. Cold and rainy weather aggravate my pain levels and I ensure that I wear Lands' End long underwear, sock liners and glove liners, along with merino wool, cashmere, or wool blend sweaters, wool or fleece pants and tops , sleep in flannel pajamas and sleep on flannel sheets. I know this may seem a lot but it has helped many through many cold and wintry months in the midwest winters.

I can't take prescription pain meds, allergies and hallucinogenic effects. I use OTC: Tylenol and a rare Ibuproben. I also engage in mindfullness techniques with an empathsis on stillness, silence, and deep breathing.

Re: Arthritis Pain

Trailrun23 — Sun, 20 Nov 2022 03:57:13 GMT

Make sure your doctor knows you need to add so much aspirin to help with your pan. If you want to try something natural, tart cherries have long been known for their anti-inflammatory properties. You can buy them in capsule form, juice, or eat fresh ones, but they can be hard to locate when they are not in season. My DH has arthritis in his hip, shoulder, and knee, and has gout flare-ups and they end within a could of hours when he drinks a couple of glasses of the tart cherry juice. His arthritic areas also have less pain and his range of motion is a bit better in his shoulder when he uses the capsules on a regular basis. I read about the tart cherry relief for inflammation on the website The People's Pharmacy and also in Prevention magazine. It is well documented other places as well. I am so sorry you have so much pain to deal with and hope you find a regimen that can give you relief.

Re: Arthritis Pain

JeanLouiseFinch — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 17:28:59 GMT

Getting off sugar and grains, and taking off the extra pounds, had a huge impact on my sore joints, but I also supplement with turmeric, hyaluronic acid, and collagen peptides.

Re: Arthritis Pain

SeaMaiden — Mon, 21 Nov 2022 19:05:37 GMT

@Starpolisher sorry you are dealing with so much pain....I have, like you, osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis. It started in my 30's.... I had both knees and both hips replaced in my 50's...now I have arthritis in my spine , fingers and some toes bother me. But since replacements of my knees and hips, I can do so much more and will just deal with the discomfort I feel at now 67.

Not going to get better, so I just try to deal with it...and give thanks to bionic joints

Re: Arthritis Pain

Shelbelle — Wed, 23 Nov 2022 23:07:35 GMT

Thanks for the tart cherry rec, I am going to try the caps along with the ginger, tumeric, boswellia and glucosomine I already take.

Re: Arthritis Pain

Starpolisher — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 19:50:26 GMT

@Trailrun23

Thank you for the tart cherries recommendation. Which capsules do you use and where do you get them? I'd like to try them.

Re: Arthritis Pain

Shelbelle — Sun, 01 Jan 2023 20:52:43 GMT

I ordered Nutricost Tart Cherry caps from ebay, cheaper than amazon, potent and take one per day. Very good brand,I take other supp by this brand.