Arthritis Remedies

[TikiRoomLiz]

Now that the weather is getting a bit chillier I wondered if anyone had some good remedies, or pain relief methods, for arthritis. It's kinda funny that with the weather the rod in my leg bothers me every once in a while, yet the arthritis in my left elbow and shoulder flare up at the slightest chill.

Right now I just take 600mg Ibuprofen when I have really bad pain and slather Icy/Hot on it too. At times it does get bad enough that my left arm becomes useless and I can't even grasp or move a sheet of paper! I've had this for about 10 years now, but it seems to intensify as I get older.

So does anybody have any remedies, ideas to ease the pain/progression. Has anybody had any procedures done to help alleviate this? I'm thinking I need to approach my doctor with this and see if anything can be done.

[DMof2]

Re: Arthritis Remedies

Oooh don't remind me!!!

I was diagnosed w/JRA when I was 5- I have it in my entire body.

It really attacks my immune system when I have a flare up. Knock on wood it's been a while since its been bad. The humidity in the summer is just as bad as the cold in the winter-

I basically just live by Motrin on bad days and those stick on heat patches are great too! Try to keep a regular exercise plan too-

[Jazzman]

Re: Arthritis Remedies

Nothing like a soak in a hot tub to ease arthritis pains. Sometimes my knee gets to throbbing so bad that I can't even stand without cringing, so I'm incredibly fortunate that our complex has a year round hot tub to soak in. I don't know what I'd do without it.

[Wotan]

Re: Arthritis Remedies

I have a lot in various places, and about six or seven years ago, my orthopedist put me on prescription strength Naproxen (non-prescription: Aleve).

It's worked wonders. Without it, I might not even be able to move, much less get about.

It does have sort of a funky side effect, though. But I'd look into it, it might do the trick for you!

[pratt55]

Re: Arthritis Remedies

I would recommend checking with your doctor about a prescription strength anti-inflammatory. In addition I use Emu oil to help alleviate the pain. When it is really bad I use moist heat take a damp towel heat it up in the microwave for a minute or two depending on how warm you can take it and do that for 10 to 15 minutes at a time every few hours.

[Mickey'sGirl]

Re: Arthritis Remedies

I was diagnosed w/JRA when I was 5- I have it in my entire body.

Same here, I'm actually on an infusion treatment. But when I get flare ups I usually soak in the spa for 15-20 minutes or take a super hot shower with lots of steam. That seams to hold me off till my next dose. I don't like to take any extra meds unless it's completly unbearable. I try to stay covered like long sleeves and long socks. When that dosen't help I wrap my joints(knees, elbows, ankles) in sports bandages. Icy Hot is not comfortable for me it's a little too,....Icy,....and ,....Hot:blush:. So I stay away from creams and rubs. If Arthritis is a problem, you should see your rheumatologist. I know that was the best thing I did for myself.

[TikiRoomLiz]

Re: Arthritis Remedies

Thanks for the advice everyone! When it gets bad I also tend to wrap my arm in a bandage as well ... and nice steamy showers do the trick as well. For sure I will be talking to my doctor about doing more about this since it seems to get worse with time.

[TraceCub]

Re: Arthritis Remedies

It does have sort of a funky side effect, though.

I'll bite. What's the side effect?

I would recommend checking with your doctor about a prescription strength anti-inflammatory. In addition I use Emu oil to help alleviate the pain. When it is really bad I use moist heat take a damp towel heat it up in the microwave for a minute or two depending on how warm you can take it and do that for 10 to 15 minutes at a time every few hours.

The moist heat is what I was going to suggest. That's what I like to use. It's so relaxing as well.

You could also look into prescription strength rubs. Ask your doctor if it would provide arthritis relief. I had one - I can't remember the name of the drug though I think it started with a K - that was fabulous on the tendinitis. However, it turned out I was allergic to one of the binding ingredients (not the medicine but one of the ingredients that makes it a cream in that concentration) so I had to stop using it.

Good luck with keeping it at bay this season!

[Wotan]

Re: Arthritis Remedies

I'll bite. What's the side effect?

Naproxen is a Cox-1 inhibitor. Which means if you take it in significant doses for a long enough time, you will run low on platelets.

Or in other words, when I bleed now, I bleed for a long long time...

[Hakuna Makarla]

Re: Arthritis Remedies

I have had it severly for years, I was on all kinds of meds, today I do flax seed ( ground fresh every day) it has helped me so much I am off meds!! I know people will not believe it, but go look up studies, I know for me it has been a miracle. I ground it up and add it to soy milk, cereal etc. 1/4 a cup a day!

[TikiRoomLiz]

Re: Arthritis Remedies

I'll have to check out flax seed and emu oil then. Sounds like a better alternative then taking meds for a long period of time.

[Dustysage]

Re: Arthritis Remedies

Try liquid pectin. Just mix it in with your morning OJ or into a glass of water. After a while, you'll notice the joints moving better and hurting less.

My sister and grandmother both do this as well.

[pratt55]

Re: Arthritis Remedies

I'll have to check out flax seed and emu oil then. Sounds like a better alternative then taking meds for a long period of time.

FYI the emu oil is something you rub on, not ingest. It also works well on healing scars much better than Vitamin E.

[DisneyDarian]

Re: Arthritis Remedies

Hi Liz,

sorry to hear about your arthritis and problems with your metal parts. My doc has given me Vicodin and Fiorinal for when my metal bits act up.

I've heard the glucosamine and MSM (?) help regrow damaged joint surfaces. Some friends of mine swear by the stuff. I haven't used it personally so I can't attest to how well it works. Just what I've heard.

Hope it helps!