arthritis

[west ham fan]

Hi I am a 62 year old and I get painfull joints due to arthritis in the knees, hips and hands,dose any body have information on good over the counter meds to help alleviate the pain. Thanks in advance

[chinadog]

An anti infammatory such as Brufen is the best but they can cause bleeding in the stomach. I massage Tiger Balm into my joints especially the old knees! Have a word with your pharmacist they'll advise you on Brufen.

[BagPussAA]

You could also try a TENS machine. They are very effective for pain from arthritis as I use one for mine. They are fairly inexpensive and most large chemists/supermarkets stock them. You could also try using Devil's Claw which is a herbal remedy that reduces the swelling and is also very effective. If you are looking for over the counter medicines then I would recommend Voltarol Pain-Eze tablets as they contain Diclofenic and are good for swollen joints.

[sqad617]

Why do you want "over the counter meds?"

[LoftyLottie2]

I am the same age (well nearly) and get medication from my GP which is discussed and tailored to my needs as I take other medications. Like Squad, I ask why do want to buy your medications over the counter. They may do more harm than good if you do not seek proper advice from someone who has confirmed your condition and knows your health history.

[sqad617]

mornin lottie......you always mis-spell my nom de plume...LOL no complaints though.
I agree, it is difficult to know whether our "west ham fan" is describing rheumatoid or osteo-arthritis, or indeed any of the the other arthropathies.
If he lives in the East End of London, then perhaps a rheumatologist at the Royal London might be of some help.

[LoftyLottie2]

Sqad Sqad Sqad Sqad Sqad Sqad Sqad - for a touch typist it doesn't come easy!!! Also proves that you see what you want to see and not what you actually see! ;o)

[sqad617]

LOL is that a quote from Oscar Wilde? LOL

[LoftyLottie2]

No it's a quote from LoftyLottie.

I shall still call you Squaddy though!!

(apologies for the diversion west ham fan)

Do you take a fish oil supplement? (Not you Squaddy - that was for West Ham Fan)

[carmalee]

Hi - I'm also at the age and stage of a bit of arthritis - try apple cider vinegar on a regular basis - a veterinery friend of mine recommended this to me many years ago when one of my neddies became a bit 'creaky' - it worked wonders and the mare was able to work comfortably again. I've been using it too - think the theory is that it releases potassium into the bloodstream which is good for arthritis. You'll have to experiment with how you take it as it's a bit sharp - I've built up to a good teaspoon daily in a cup of rooibos tea generously laced with honey. Like most things it takes a while to work so stick at it.

[sqad617]

lottie....funilly enough I do take fish oils, not for arthritis (useless) but because of the omega3 content.

C'mon ...cider vinegar!!!! abracadabra stuff.

Squaddy

[carmalee]

don't knock it til you've tried it Squaddie- thought this was a site for opinions and suggestions -not one to be judged on by others.

[carmalee]

There are lots of sites dedicated to apple cider vinegar and its effects on arthritis - try googling cider vinegar/arthritis/potassium lots will come u hope it helps you.

[sqad617]

carmalee....sorry if i have upset you, but I agree that this site is for opinions and suggestions, but surely that doesn't exclude scientific evidence.
Arthritis is a wide term embracing many types of conditions and as far as I know, rhere is no scientific evidence to show that raising the levels of K+ in the blood improves the pain of arthritis. Show me studies that show the effect of cider vinegar on the pain of arthritis and the effect of raised K+ in the blood stream and I will review my comments.

[west ham fan]

Thanks every one for your suggestions, firstly I know it is wierd to have a WESTHAM FAN these days especially a female like myself. I enquired about over the counter what I realy meant was Vitamin suppliments as I can not take Diclfenac or Ibuprofen I have had a Hiatus Hernia operation and ended up having part of my stomach removed so am unable to take these due to bleeds. I will give the cider a try I heard Magners was tasty. HA HA.
cheers

[shaneystar2]

This makes interesting reading
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7875192.stm
I sympathise with you west ham fan and have been down the route of trying anything apart from a gun to shoot myself with :) . I am very slightly younger than you and have been suffering for years .
Your best bet is to go and see your GP .There are many forms of arthritis . He can arrange for you to have your painful joints X rayed,take blood tests and depending on the resuts send you to see a rheumatologist .You don't have to go on drugs.There are all sorts of things now .Pain management clinics ,physio etc .
I have RA and secondary OE which is so severe I get the lowest disability allowance and they don't dish that out willy nilly these days .
My advice to you is to keep moving ,try gentle exercise ,swimming is good and go to the doctor !

I do use a cooling gel called Pferdesalbe which I get from Germany .It helps but it's not a cure . Glucosamine could help.
Thing is what suits one doesn't suit another .I don't take any medication anymore because of the side effects .It can take over your life if you let it .
If there was a cure for arthritis people would be queuing round the block to get it !

[craft1948]

You want glucosamine - it is brilliant. After years of suffering with arthritis in my knees caused by an op and sports injuries a friend recommended this to me. I was very sceptical but desperate and so tried it. After a couple of months joint movement had improved and pain decreased by approx 50%

http://www.healthspan.co.uk/vegetarian/glucosa mine-optiflex-liquid-hc/ProductDetail-p303-c31 93427.aspx

[chickenchick]

My husband suffers terribly with arthritic pain. He's also 62! He's on co-codamol and ibuprofen gel. We've also got a week in Spain soon cos the cold weather doesn't help!
Chch

[sqad617]

Take the advice of shaneystar 2, it is excellent advice.

[Eve]

I second that for Shaneystar's advice.

I'm only 30 but I've got general inflammatory arthritis along with joint hypermobility and a vitamin D deficiency.

I see a rhumatologist and am on medication (sulfasalazine) along with codine for painkilling as I also can't take stuff like ibuprofen. They also recently put me on amitriptyline for chronic pain relief/management.

I have physio at the hospital rehab centre and see a private osteopath and go for pampering massages.

I used to use voltarol gel on my restless legs but it started thinning my skin so use aloe vera gel to soothe and found a glucosamine gel (in the pound shop!) which contains devils claw etc... herbal anti-inflammatory stuff.

Heat can help, you can get those microwave heat pads or the Curaheat type ones you can attach to clothing from places like Boots. Even a covered hot water bottle can help.

Lots of stuff that can be done to help, a visit to your GP is the best place to start though.

[shaneystar2]

I'm going off thread here (sorry west ham fan ) but could I just ask you Jenna if you were ever given Co- proxymol as a painkiller ?
I was prescribed this ages ago when I first pitched up with this ailment but they have taken it off the drugs register due to silly B's taking it with mucho vodka or what have you to commit suicide which doesn't really help people like us who rely on a good painkiller.
I am only given Co-codamol now for pain and it is horrid stuff. Makes me feel like a zombie and plays my stomach up .If I was to take two three times a day as stated I would be staggering around like Max Wall. So only take it when desperate .
Co-proxymol was brilliant and had no side effects for me .
BTW Aloe Vera gel is brilliant especially in the summer .I keep it in the fridge :)