osteoarthritis....?

Question

just been diagnosed in my thumbs (!?) and have been told to use ibruprofen gel and painkillers....already take lots of pills.....any ideas how to ease the pain without more drugs?

Answer 1

You ask about ideas on how to ease your pain, and immediately you get a cut and paste answer from the NHS site which tells you nothing. What a waste of time.
As a sufferer, the best you can do is to take the pain killers given to you by your Doctor, although Ibu CAN affect the kidneys, so if you've any doubts in that direction, make them known.
One of the usual "alternative" remedies is Glocosamine. It's quite expensive, and I was taking 1500g a day (and that's a bloody horse tablet!) but more importantly, it didn't do a thing for me despite a great deal of perseverance, so don't go down that road unless you think it will help you. I suppose it's fair enough if you want to - nothing ventured etc - but in my case, despite cod liver oil and gluco, I still had one hip replaced and I'm waiting for the other one AND both knees to be done - so like I said, I DO have a bit of knowledge on the subject rather than extracting it from elsewhere. Hope yours doesn't get any worse! Best wishes, Eb#

Answer 2

Hi, i've got osteoarthritis in my legs and have recently started taking (about 2 months ago) two products which have REALLY helped! They are Bromelain and Joint-Care both from Healthspan. I order it and its sent through the post from Guernsey. Gran Stead's Ginger is a reasonably pleasant drink and that is supposed to help too, although i havent been taking it on a regular basis so dont know if its helping me yet.

Answer 3

Osteoarthritis mostly affects cartilage (KAR-til-uj), the hard but slippery tissue that covers the ends of bones where they meet to form a joint. Healthy cartilage allows bones to glide over one another. It also absorbs energy from the shock of physical movement. In osteoarthritis, the surface layer of cartilage breaks down and wears away. This allows bones under the cartilage to rub together, causing pain, swelling, and loss of motion of the joint. Over time, the joint may lose its normal shape. Also, small deposits of bone – called osteophytes or bone spurs – may grow on the edges of the joint. Bits of bone or cartilage can break off and float inside the joint space. This causes more pain and damage.
An estimated 12.1 percent of the U.S. population (nearly 21 million Americans) age 25 and older have osteoarthritis.
Hands: Osteoarthritis of the hands seems to have some hereditary characteristics; that is, it runs in families. If your mother or grandmother has or had osteoarthritis in their hands, you’re at greater-than-average risk of having it too. Women are more likely than men to have hand involvement and, for most, it develops after menopause.

When osteoarthritis involves the hands, small, bony knobs may appear on the end joints (those closest to the nails) of the fingers. They are called Heberden’s (HEBerr-denz) nodes. Similar knobs, called Bouchard’s (boo-SHARDZ) nodes, can appear on the middle joints of the fingers. Fingers can become enlarged and gnarled, and they may ache or be stiff and numb. The base of the thumb joint also is commonly affected by osteoarthritis.

How Is Osteoarthritis Treated?

Most successful treatment programs involve a combination of treatments tailored to the patient’s needs, lifestyle, and health. Most programs include ways to manage pain and improve function. These can involve exercise, weight control, rest and relief from stress on joints, pain relief techniques, medications, surgery, and complementary and alternative therapies.
VR

Answer 4

Available from health food/supplement suppliers and some chemists, Glucosamine, Chondroitin and MSM can be helpful (or you can get it without the MSM). It's trial and error really - I use Glu and Cho and also take cod-liver oil capsules/eat oily fish etc. Some people suggest changing diet e.g. tomatoes affect some people badly and also rhubarb. For some, apparently, potatoes are a problem.
It's also important to keep exercising even though it may be a bit painful; gentle exercise in a warm place can get the pain to ease but again, you needed to be guided by your own good sense, experience and what your body is telling you.
You could also try some energy therapies e.g. EFT.. try anything as long as it does no harm! Good luck.

Answer 5

I have Osteoarthritis and Scoliosis which means my spine is twisted like a figure 8, be careful what you take for the pain, pain killer upset my tummy,I dont know of anything I wish I did.

Answer 6

You don’t need to exercise for long periods of time. Short, sharp sets of exercise will produce better results should you work hard. Get a bypassing rope, skip for two moments, do push ups for about a minute, skip for two minutes, rest first minute. Then change the push around something else like sit ups along with do the set again. Repeat it five times and it’s an instant, effective workout that will improve results than a long function or swim.

Answer 7

I'm with Eb# on this one. I did the same pills plus chromatin, think that's the spelling, its a matter of tried and tested but I do find a spoon of honey in morning has helped although this might be psychosomatic. I am trying some products from Avena. co.uk for my hands and knees. Its a rub on and is giving a bit of relief. The only other thing is try your health food shop but don't get fobbed off with expensive remedies

Answer 8

You don’t need to exercise for long periods of time. Short, sharp sets of exercise will produce better results in the event you work hard. Get a passing up rope, skip for two moments, do push ups for 60 seconds or so, skip for two minutes, rest for example minute. Then change the push as much as something else like sit ups and do the set again. Repeat it five times and it’s an instant, effective workout that will improve results than a long work or swim.

Answer 9

Well a lot of people who I've met who said they have arthritis said they moved here to Phoenix for the heat, supposedly because of the heat and the amount of sunshine we have year on a yearly average helps them drammatically with the pain. But then osteroarthritis is in the joints, wearing away of carthliage so I would think you'd still be utilizing your knees, which would still cause pain so I'm not sure if the warmth would help it.

Answer 10

It depends what kind of arthritis it is, but cider vinegar works for some types of arthritis and gout.
If the pain is caused by ureic acid crystals collecting in the synovial fluid of the joint cavity, then the malic acid in apples can dissolve the crystals; they are then excreted. Malic acid is found in apples and green gooseberries.
You put one tablespoon of cider vinegar and a teaspoon of honey in a cup of hot water, and drink that 3 x a day. Also eat apples, green gooseberries, and drink apple juice. If you're going to see any benefit it will be by the fourth week. It can't harm.
Omega 3 capsules are useless, the type of Omega 3 they contain cannot be digested or used by the human body! For more Omega 3 eat 2 portions oily fish a wek, or try Columbus brand eggs. The hens are fed on a natural diet and the eggs are cholesterol free.
Glucosamine is another supplement that has real benefit.
Avoid processed foods that contain tartrazine and azo dyes, these aggravate joint pain.
And massage your hands gently every day, stretching your fingers back as far as you can to keep them mobile. And keep them warm.