topic Re: Help - Need Arthritis Cream/OTC Med in Wellness

Help - Need Arthritis Cream/OTC Med

Tigriss — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 00:12:22 GMT

I need to know which arthritis cream/OTC meds work for you. I've been diagnosed with it in both my knees along with 50% cartilage loss on my knee caps because they slip out of the little groove they ride in causing pain and cartilage loss. I'm working on my weight, like we all need to loose some pounds, but prefer non-narcotic forms of pain relief. I use cold and heat therapy but I can't take that to work with me. Thanks for the referrals of things that really do work.

Re: Help - Need Arthritis Cream/OTC Med

appm — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 00:19:49 GMT

I like Blue Emu (or Emu Blue - don't have the jar here and don't remember). I get it in the drugstore. There's no smell to it. I rub it in after showering and it has helped with the arthritis pain.

Re: Help - Need Arthritis Cream/OTC Med

betteb — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 00:26:24 GMT

I have one knee that is pretty much bone on bone, and I like menthol patches.

This size is perfect for the knee. It helps the pain and also give the knee a bit of support.

Re: Help - Need Arthritis Cream/OTC Med

Bella2 — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 00:29:41 GMT

I take 2 capsules of Zyflamend every morning and use Topricin topically. If that doesn't take care of it, I take Aleve. I buy Zyflamend at Vitamin Shoppe and the Topricin at Wegmans but they are available in many stores.

Re: Help - Need Arthritis Cream/OTC Med

Mistic — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 01:13:14 GMT

Hey tigriss ~ I have a bad knee. Surgery in 2001, torn cartilage got cleaned up, but sometimes my knee still hurts. Have you tried a good heavy duty knee sleeve? The one "without" the hole for the knee cap. It really helps me when I am hurting. They have a good selection at Walgreens. The black one (ACE BRAND, I Think) is really good, and not expensive. Under $10.

Re: Help - Need Arthritis Cream/OTC Med

merory — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 01:13:49 GMT

I was just prescribed "Voltaren Gel", which is a topical gel. My first time using it was last night. I did notice a little difference. Everyone's chemistry is different; what works for one might not work for another. I'm not certain if you've ever tried "ThermaCare" heatwraps. I'll use them once in a while and they do offer some temporary relief. I hope you are successful in finding something that works for you. It can be challenging. Good luck to you.

Re: Help - Need Arthritis Cream/OTC Med

gazelle77 — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 01:29:22 GMT

Have you talked to a joint surgeon about knee replacement? I was miserable for ten years. Replaced both my knees a year ago. I am now free from pain! Nothing I applied topically helped the bone on bone pain....

Re: Help - Need Arthritis Cream/OTC Med

Tigriss — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 02:27:16 GMT

I've been to a surgeon and can do surgery, but I'm trying to avoid that. I do have a knee brace that is specific for keeping the knee cap from dislocating. That helps, but I was awoke last night by the pain in bending my knees at some point. I grabbed the heating pad and plopped that on. I also take Aleve and a joint supplement. I've used something similar to the Voltaren Gel called Flector Patch. It is a topical NSAID and have a cream prescribed by my knee doc that is compounded at a local pharmacy and contains ketamine and benzocaine and things like that, but the pain last night was bad. We are going from 80s in the day to upper 40s at night and that kills me! I'm looking at the Zyflamend, and I take Turmeric for my fibro, so that helps too. The reviews are really good for it on Amazon! Super thanks for that!!

My father has had both knees done, my mother one, my maternal grandmother both and my paternal grandmother both. I think it runs in the family, but we are hard working farmers, so that may have something to do with it. I really was quite the Tomboy and rough-housed with my 23 cousins nearly daily. All that hay bale jumping probably didn't do any good either!

Thanks for the recommendations. I may also ask for the Voltaren Gel and see what the doc thinks because it is script.

Re: Help - Need Arthritis Cream/OTC Med

ritasNo1Fan — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 03:02:48 GMT

magnesium oil from the Vitamin Shoppe. Put some in your body lotion until you get used to it. I sleep so sound after I rub this in my hands. Just a few drops.....

Re: Help - Need Arthritis Cream/OTC Med

merory — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 04:20:26 GMT

Tigress, I saved the receipt from the Votaren Gel prescription (it's 1%, by the way and 100 gm, whatever that means). The cost was $20.44. I hope this helps you. I am sorry to learn that you, too, have FMS. That's a lot to deal with. My thoughts are with you. Hope you're able to rest better tonight.

Re: Help - Need Arthritis Cream/OTC Med

OnlyShopsOnline — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 05:11:22 GMT

I've had ligament issues with my knees for years, and now have arthritis. My knees have become very unstable, but I rarely needed anything for pain, so I'm lucky. However, being active was difficult, so my issues got worse. My new ortho doc sent me for aquatic therapy, and the difference in my knee function, after just my first session, was incredible.

I intend to join a gym that offers water aerobics and water programs for arthritis, when my PT is finished. I'm sure this is something I'll always have to do. But, I do find it very relaxing as well. No more tennis for me, lol.

You would definitely need your doctor's approval. But, if he/she says it's ok, I would highly recommend it. It might delay your need for surgery. And, if not, it's a great form of exercise.

Re: Help - Need Arthritis Cream/OTC Med

Tigriss — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 14:27:49 GMT

On 10/3/2014 merory said:
Tigress, I saved the receipt from the Votaren Gel prescription (it's 1%, by the way and 100 gm, whatever that means). The cost was $20.44. I hope this helps you. I am sorry to learn that you, too, have FMS. That's a lot to deal with. My thoughts are with you. Hope you're able to rest better tonight.

THanks. I knew I've heard of this before. It is available through Canadian pharmacies without a script. I may try there or just call the doc since the prices are about the same.

Re: Help - Need Arthritis Cream/OTC Med

Luvitorleaveit1 — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 14:34:24 GMT

I should have stock in Icy Patch which I use, but Avon has a great cream for arthritis which I am about to use on my knee since it's raining like crazy in my area.

Re: Help - Need Arthritis Cream/OTC Med

Kathlen — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 14:41:41 GMT

Didn't your doctor recommend anything? I had a fairly lengthy discussion with my doctors (PCP and Orthopedist) ... regarding how to handle pain/inflammation.

Re: Help - Need Arthritis Cream/OTC Med

Tigriss — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 14:41:59 GMT

I have spent 6 weeks in physical therapy with no progress for the knee cap dislocation, so surgery is what the doc recommends but after I get some weight off to see if that alone doesn't help. I'm working on that with new thyroid meds, weight watchers, exercise, and common sense. I"m muscular so heavy with a nice layer of padding. I will never be a small woman as none of the women in my father's family are, and those are the ones I take after. We are all 5'8" or above and broad shouldered. My mother is 5'2" and slight in frame, so my sister takes after her. Genetics can be a pain sometimes, but the women on both sides live much longer than the men folK!

The magnesium oil sounds great. I prefer items with simpler ingredient decks as not to aggravate sensitive skin, but right now I'm willing to try anything and everything. I've already got the OTC things in my Amazon cart and will try them in the coming weeks, but will also call the doc for the Voltaren gel for another option!

Thanks for all the wonderful recommendations!

Re: Help - Need Arthritis Cream/OTC Med

PilatesLover — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 15:41:36 GMT

I also use Voltaren gel for arthritis joint pain. I've told my rheumatologist that the makers of it need to come out with Voltaren bath salts. He laughs but I'm not joking!

Re: Help - Need Arthritis Cream/OTC Med

ritasNo1Fan — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 20:08:04 GMT

On 10/4/2014 tigriss said:
I have spent 6 weeks in physical therapy with no progress for the knee cap dislocation, so surgery is what the doc recommends but after I get some weight off to see if that alone doesn't help. I'm working on that with new thyroid meds, weight watchers, exercise, and common sense. I"m muscular so heavy with a nice layer of padding. I will never be a small woman as none of the women in my father's family are, and those are the ones I take after. We are all 5'8" or above and broad shouldered. My mother is 5'2" and slight in frame, so my sister takes after her. Genetics can be a pain sometimes, but the women on both sides live much longer than the men folK!

The magnesium oil sounds great. I prefer items with simpler ingredient decks as not to aggravate sensitive skin, but right now I'm willing to try anything and everything. I've already got the OTC things in my Amazon cart and will try them in the coming weeks, but will also call the doc for the Voltaren gel for another option!

Thanks for all the wonderful recommendations!

. Tig., I put a little mag. Oil in hot water to soak my feet before sleeping. It's in Epsom salts but stronger. Surprising how effective this one is.

Re: Help - Need Arthritis Cream/OTC Med

NanaS — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 20:47:21 GMT

DON'T LOOK ANY FURTHER !! QVC SELLS THE BEST PRODUCT FOR ARTHRITIC PAIN....

JOINT FORMULA 88 .......ITEM NUMBER IS A220588........I USE IT MYSELF AND HAVE USED IT FOR YEARS. ITS THE BEST THING I HAVE EVER USED ON MY KNEE AND MY ARTHRITIC ANKLES. RUB IT IN REALLY WELL AND BEFORE I PUT THE CAP BACK ON THE TUBE MY PAIN IS ALL BUT GONE.

TRY IT.....BELIEVE ME IT WILL HELP !

Re: Help - Need Arthritis Cream/OTC Med

Zhills — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 21:03:03 GMT

My prescribes a mixture of Mobic (meloxicam) and lidocaine from a local compounding pharmacy. That works great!

Re: Help - Need Arthritis Cream/OTC Med

shoesnbags — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 22:02:26 GMT

As someone said, everyone's body chemistry is different, but the one that works for me is Aspercream. I had a total knee replacement 7 years ago, so that's fixed, but my hands are also affected by arthritis. Having tried a number of OTC creams, I find that I get the most relief from Aspercream. When I had a really painful flare-up last winter, my dr. prescribed Voltaren gel. It definitely helped, but I only used it for about 10 days until my hands were back to "normal" - achy, but not too bad. Then I went back to Aspercream.