Wellness

[pdlinda]

I have 3 joint replacements:  2 hips and one knee.  The right knee was replaced in 2019.

After the surgery, I started to have a lot of pain in the LEFT KNEE.  Had virtually no range of motion and quad muscle (front of thigh) very painful.  Was using a cane.  Visited surgeon and was on the brink of scheduling another knee replacement surgery.

Was working with a nutritionist at the time (she is no longer available). She did an assessment and suggested I discontinue eating all LECTINS (nightshades/grains/beans/certain fruits). I did that and within a very short time, my pain was alleviated and I had virtually full range of motion from that knee.  

Visited surgeon and he was impressed.  Discontinued all surgery planning.  However, although I had full range of motion, surgeon assured me the knee was still arthritic.

Fast forward to now.  I'm experiencing a lot of pain from the hamstring muscle (back of thigh) on that side.

I've visited a pain mgt specialisst and he suggested I start physical therapy, which I did. 

I also cut out some foods that I think might be causing inflammation (like prunes and bananas).

I've been taking Andrew Lessman's glucosamine/chondroitin for years.

I'm thinking that maybe there are more effective supplements I could be taking to help me with that hamstring pain from my one remaining natural knee that's arthritic.

Any suggestions?  

[KittySoftPaws]

I take this supplement for arthritis in my hands, and it has worked very well for me for years. This company is in New Zealand and have excellent products. Right now they are having Black Friday sales. I just ordered 4 more bottles. This product has Levagen in it which is a patened trademarked arthritic and joint pain reliever that works. As well as Collagen and an anti inflammatory which is a must. Try it, see if it helps you too. I take one a day. 

[KittySoftPaws]

[pdlinda]

@KittySoftPaws   Thank you.  I'll try it!!

[LTT1]

@pdlinda 

I have some suggestions and these are based on my experiences only.

Fish oil

turmeric (AL)

cats claw

 mineral supplement

raw zinc and calcium (AL)

doterra deep blue essential oil mixture (takes care of the pain)

pumpkin seed oil

voltaren gel (OTC) but I have it prescribed (generic is diclifenac sodium)

I have had trouble with grains in my past also. I mostly avoid. I watch dairy and do not ingest gluten. I also do not ingest nightshades including white potatoes.

[pdlinda]

@LTT1   Thank you.  I take fish oil, but will research all the other things you mention...

[Tinkrbl44]

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@KittySoftPaws wrote:

I take this supplement for arthritis in my hands, and it has worked very well for me for years. This company is in New Zealand and have excellent products. Right now they are having Black Friday sales. I just ordered 4 more bottles. This product has Levagen in it which is a patened trademarked arthritic and joint pain reliever that works. As well as Collagen and an anti inflammatory which is a must. Try it, see if it helps you too. I take one a day. 

---

@KittySoftPaws   @pdlinda 

Is this vegan?  I'm allergic to shellfish, so there are many supplements I can't even consider.  

While supplements definitely have their place, I'd be lost without topical products ..... my fave is the roll on lidocaine, unscented.   I'd say lidocaine can reduce pain by about 35%, and it works in about 20 minutes.  

[KittySoftPaws]

@Tinkrbl44  That I'm not sure, I would say I don't think so or it would indicate it was. Plus, I think the Collagen would not be considered vegan. You could always check with them, or on their site. I agree too with the topicals, I use a CBD cream for my lower back pain and it works very well, and sometimes I will use Biofreeze in the roll on.

[Shelbelle]

I have one arthritic knee, my ortho doc told me to do my own research and take what I think is best for me, I take

Ginger

Tart Cherry

UC II Collagen  caps

Glucosomine/MSM, Shellfish free

Mangosteen

Boswellia

Hyaluronic Acid caps

Tumeric

Hemp Seed Oil softgels

[JoyFilled Warrior]

Hi @pdlinda 

Im sad you're having this kind of pain, esp after all the surgeries/replacements you've already been through.   I feel, & can imagine your pain.   

#1)

You might ASK YOUR MD, if the pain in your thigh area, is possibly " Pinched Sciatic Nerve?" Happens often, but might not be your particular cause.

    What could help for this specific kind of pain (IF YOUR MD APPROVES):

#A)   (SEATED)

Lower the body, as if in almost seated position.

At the knee, bend the hurting leg, at the knee, & cross it over,  on top of the non-hurting leg.  It'll probably appear as hurting leg ankle, resting on non-hurting leg thigh.

           - -     Similar Alternative - -

#B)  (LAYING on yr BACK)

Same pose, but when lying down on yr back. 

   I do this each night when laying down for bedtime.  Seems to keep the pinched nerve pain at bay, (vs repeated trips to Chiropractor).

        

(ONLY if the MD says & approves of these poses)

~~~~~~~~~~~

#2)

      For over 30 yrs now,  I swear by a Brand Name Knee Device Wrap called " CHO-PAT "  for knee stability, incl during many years of alotta exercising, many sports, & mobility, & now awful (both) knees instability & severe pain.

    (Cho-Pat wraps using only adjustable Hook/Loop closure), enabling it's loosening/tightening/removing  left to the wearer.

   I see Amz still offers CHO-PATs, and I plan to stock up again, cause I see the market is fluid with confusing/some attractive alternatives.  Ive tried many of these other alternatives - & NOT worked for me.  Waste of my money.

One reason I prefer the " CHO-PAT " is, I stretch it *pretty darn tightly* (above & below) my knee, when having to actually walk.

    But I can not keep it stretched that tightly all the time, or I'd stop blood flow!  heh

    So with Hook/Loop Closure CHO-PAT, I can easily just loosen it when seated for a length of time, get my leg blood flowing again.  And when ready to walk again, conveniently strap it tightly again.  (Love that Hook n'Loop).

Those other such wraps that I step in, stay wrapped on the knee, for all that time.  Arent as effective for me.

#3) 

       Off Hand, I cant remember the plethora of various OTC Supplements I've tried.

    But one consideration is, the combo of OTC supplements (which arent tested), might/might not mix well with Prescribed Meds one might also be taking.  Nobody necessarily knows; All that Combo hasnt been tested.  So I tend toward caution with such a mix now, esp if there's viable non-ingested alternatives.

Good luck @pdlinda 

    I know pain *sucks* BIG TIME.  I can imagine with you, with what you've already been through!

Hopefully, this is of some help.

Again, PLEASE CHECK WITH YOUR MD before any recommendations, K?  I dont want anything further untoward happening to you!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

(@ADDED:  ~  F Y I  ~

Below pic is a different looking  " CHO-PAT " that ended up also in my Amz Cart, (I guess when I clicked on two different sizes)?? 

     But I'm leery about this new one.

        

On cursory look, I dont explicitly see Knock Off.

     But I do see $10/each, more than the/my Old successful one. 

    And I see a purchaser has to choose Right vs Left Knee of this different one.  hmm

I hope to check out this different one, to see if it's a Knock Off, or an Updated Cho-Pat Technology.

In the meantime, Now, Im sticking with, & ordering the "old style" one, pictured wayyy earlier on my entry here, 'cause I KNOW it works, for over 30 years, no change, & wayyyy more than put to my heavy-duty tests. 

I just have this fear, that the successful ones, (of any product, that works, &/or I fell in love with), are going *POOF* away.  And I hate, *HATE* looking for replacements of anything, that indeed formerly worked really well!  grrr

HTHs