PLEASE, PLEASE HELP! NEED ADVICE WITH PAINFUL ARTHRITIS!

Thanks Liz.  That's exactly the one that I take - the D3. :o)  You all are great! =D
Rose

I've had severe arthritis sine age 20, and I'm 53 now. I do take NSAIDs, daily. (I had the DS.) I also use topical NSAID creams, and you might consider them yourself.

Although NSAIDs taken in any form have a systemic effect that can lead to ulcers, topical creams have a lesser risk, and ar pretty effective on 'thin' places like hands and fingers. (They do NOTHING for my hip---waaay too much 'meat' there, LOL!) I use one called keprocaine.

I also use LidoDerm pain patches. They don't have any NSAIDs, and can be cut to fit. I use these on my feet, ankles, and knees with fairly good results, but they don't stick well enough for some parts of the body. (And again, they don't help my hips much.)

And there are capsacin creams. I've not used these myself, but I think I'm going to give them a try.

Heat is wonderful, when you can apply it. Sticking my hands in ho****er, even just for a mintue, helps a LOT. I sleep on a heated mattress pad, under an electric blanket, wearing wool socks.

Thank so much MsBatt!  Listen to this.  I left work and took a short break to run over the CVS pharmacy.  They had Osteo Bi-Flex liquid on clearance.  I've read about this supplement before.  I bought the 2 6/packs that they had left for $4.64/pack (reg. $9.99/8 oz. size).  The label listed it as a joint-aid with immune support.  It contains 1500 mg of Glucosamine, 1200 mg of Chondroitin, 300 mg of Calcium, and 2000 IU of Vitamin D3.  I felt like I hit the jackpot - sure hoping at least!!!  Advertisement on the side states: Liquid relief for achy joints!  Wow...just what I need - hopefully it works like it says.  I will give a report on it after I've had a few bottles of it.  The dosage is only 1 bottle per day.  That's good, and with the two packs that I bought, that will be 12 days for me.  That's a good amount of time to find if there is a significant improvement in my condition.  I can't wait to give an update, and I promise that I will for those wondering if this will work. :o)

Hallelujah!  I may have found some help! :o)  Thanks everyone for your input and encouragement!  You're the BEST support team ever!

Much love,
Rose

I've never taken glucosamine/chondroitin, but my brother used to give one or the other---sorry, I don't remember which---to his elderly, arthritis dog and it really seemed to help. I figure there's no placebo effect with a dog---he had no idea he was SUPPOSED to feel better, although I'm sure he appreciated the treat John stuck the pill in. (*grin*)

Not positive about this but I think it takes several weeks or months to feel a difference from the glucosamine chondrotine combo. My sis has arthritis in her fingers and gets cortisone shots, don't know if that is of intrest for you. I imagine it is kinda painful. I have it severely in my back and got a spinal stimulator but don't know if that would work in the finger area. At the very least I know what the pain is like!

I don't want to get the shot (I would imagine VERY painful in a thumb area????????).  I will admit that I've had the shots before in my knee and shoulder.  It does hurt a bit, but living pain free for awhile is sure worth it.  Perhaps the drinks won't give immediate relief, but hopefully I'll notice a slight difference in constant use over a week.  If it works - great!  If not - it was worth a try!  I've heard about the vitamin D3 being of help, and this drink has it in it.  So possible the fact that it is liquid and will get into my system quickly, the Vitamin D3 may help as well.

Thanks for your input!

Blessings,
Rose

Cortisone shots don't have to be given directly in the painful joint. I get one occasionally (in the butt) for my overall crap. Works better some times than others.

Since you've having pain in your hands, have you looked into that hot paraffin thing? I keep threatening to get one, if it's big enough to put my feet into...

Hi MsBatt,

You are a continued source of reminders, as well as great information!  I happen to have a hot paraffin machine and the wax.  I bought it a few years back (still brand new in the box under my bed), thinking that I was going to give myself these wonderful beauty treatments, and to this day I've never used it.  I do have a co-worker who uses hers almost daily for the rheumatiod arthritis that she has in her hands.  I guess with my machine being out of sight, it didn't even dawn on me to start using it until you just mentioned it here.  OMGoodness!  I'm going to get it out and use it this week-end and hopefully feel some good benefits from it.  Wow! =D

I'm so trying not to have to get the shots, but if I have to, I will.

Thanks so much,
Rose

Rose,

I suffer from shoulder pain.  Not sure if it's arthritic, or simply aging, lol!  I am 56 years young (grins) and I think as we age it's probably normal to have some aches and pains.  There are times though that it is very painful.  I take long HOT showers, sometimes use the ICY cold ointment..  My surgeon told me that it was okay to occasionally take an NSAID as long as I take a prilosec with it.  So I do break down occasionally and take a Naproxen, but I always take a prilosec with it.  It sure does give alot of relief.  You might want to talk to your surgeon about this.

Thank you so much HappyPeach!  I take prilosec right now.  I still have some reflux occassionally.  When I speak with my physician, I will ask about this combination.  At 57 years "young", I understand what you mean about some aches and pains coming with age.  I too have noticed that from time to time I have some joint aches here and there - especially in my knees when I work out more faithfully.  It helps one area, but hurts another area!?!  Go figure! Lol. 

Thanks again,
Rose