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Is there a relief from arthritis pain

DunnroaminDunnroamin Posts: 2,437
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My wife has arthritis in her shoulder and at the top of her spine. The pain in her shoulder goes down her arm, causing pins and needles in her hand. Her problem is hereditary, her mother and sister also had the problem. She has had a steroid injection into the shoulder joint, and we have tried Deep Heat, Deep freeze, thermal pads, and various jells and ointments, all to no avail. I would appreciate advice or suggestions from anyone who has had this problem and found some form of relief. Thanks in advance.
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    Brain DonorBrain Donor Posts: 1,685
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    I don't have arthritis but I have suffered with joint pains for many years. I'm on Naproxen (anti-inflammatory) and Codeine when it's really bad. You could try Capsaicin ointment, which is supposed to work well for arthritic conditions.

    You'll need a prescription for all of the above.

    I hope your wife can find some relief.
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    cinnamon girlcinnamon girl Posts: 814
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    Amitriptyline (I know about this because I'm taking it for facial pain):

    http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/drugs/amitriptyline.aspx

    Lots of info and advice on that Arthritis Research UK website, actually. Hope you find something that helps!
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    simon40simon40 Posts: 620
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    My Mom has Arthritis in her shoulder and knees and just recently in her spine.

    Creams did not really help and now she takes a low dose of Morphine, which she has been told can be increased if the pain get worse. Which obviously it will sooner or later.

    Perhaps you could ask GP to send your wife to a clinic for the Arthritis or maybe a pain clinic who will be able to find her some releif.
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    zoepaulpennyzoepaulpenny Posts: 15,951
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    Capsaicin ointment, made from peppers. is prescribed to my partner, with another anti inflammatory gel.. and ibuprofen tablets, and co-codamol lavender heat pads, and non are much good at all for her condition.
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    Lou KellyLou Kelly Posts: 2,778
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    Ask the Doctor for Tramadol, it's the only drug that works for my arthritis.
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    alr837alr837 Posts: 1,844
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    I use the capascin cream when my arthritis is bad, it is a nerve blocker so it doesn't work all the time, I've learnt to tell the different types of pain I get. You have t be careful, it comes from chilli peppers, so can feel like its burning at times, and you have to be really careful about hand washing! If your wife's pain is not due t nerve pain it won't help though,
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    duffsdadduffsdad Posts: 11,143
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    Biofreeze gel could maybe help. I use it for tendonitis in the hand as I cant take anti inflammatories or use anti inflammatory creams.
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    QFourQFour Posts: 555
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    You could try growing your own .. ;-)

    Cannabis for Arthritis Pain try Google ..
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    Fibromite59Fibromite59 Posts: 22,518
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    Is it osteo or rheumatoid arthritis? If it is rheumatoid then your wife needs medication and help from a rhumatolagist. I am taking Methatrexate, steroids, hydrocloxiquinine and tramodol for mine, (I have RA in nearly all my joints). I am still in pain, but it is more managable. Arthitis is relentless and people who don't have it, cannot imagine what constant pain is like.
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    robborocksrobborocks Posts: 2,728
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    QFour wrote: »
    You could try growing your own .. ;-)

    Cannabis for Arthritis Pain try Google ..

    2nd this. get some weed.
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    starry_runestarry_rune Posts: 9,006
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    Jennifer Thompson is a raw food entrepreneur who advises you avoid flamitary foods. Look her up
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    sweetpeanutsweetpeanut Posts: 4,805
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    QFour wrote: »
    You could try growing your own .. ;-)

    Cannabis for Arthritis Pain try Google ..

    Yep, my son takes this and never has any problems anymore.

    Also cut out grain and high carb foods.

    I can now cross my fingers again after around 7 years of not being able to cross them.
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    phepiaphepia Posts: 1,476
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    I have osteoarthritis in both shoulders and neck.
    For me I can't take tramadol,codeine or naproxen as am allergic to them.

    Right now after suffering from it for 10 years I am on Butrans pain patches, a type of morphine. I also take paracetamol, ibuprofen and glucosamine. Only problems with the morphine is the side effects have caused me to lose my driving license which sucks. I get dizzy, drowsy and fall over constantly due to no balance. But less pain is more important to me.
    Pain wise I have alot less and only really suffer badly after activity and overdoing things. Then even breathing hurts.

    You also could try a tens machine - it helps for a while for me.

    May need a arthroscopy to remove some of the bony spurs.
    You can also now self refer for physiotherapy, you don't need to visit gp to do it anymore. They may be able to help with excersises, and if their help doesn't work they can refer you to surgeons and pain clinics.

    I am due a nerve block in my neck/shoulder area in hospital this Thursday hopefully to remove some of the pain.
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    TassiumTassium Posts: 31,639
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    There is an extract from Tumeric that is supposed to help with both forms of arthritis, Curcumin

    Unfortunately you either have to take lots (because it's not that well absorbed), or you take a special form that is well absorbed but is quite expensive.

    The special form: Meriva (there are also other special forms but Meriva seems the best)

    Taking 3x500mg Meriva daily is worth a go, but it would likely cost about £20/month
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    sweetpeanutsweetpeanut Posts: 4,805
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    Tassium wrote: »
    There is an extract from Tumeric that is supposed to help with both forms of arthritis, Curcumin

    Unfortunately you either have to take lots (because it's not that well absorbed), or you take a special form that is well absorbed but is quite expensive.

    The special form: Meriva (there are also other special forms but Meriva seems the best)

    Taking 3x500mg Meriva daily is worth a go, but it would likely cost about £20/month


    I am starting to grow my own.. Then I will dehydrate it, and grind it down and put it into capsules.
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    [Deleted User][Deleted User] Posts: 2,376
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    A news story about this condition broke today .

    Supposedly a glass of milk a day helps considerably BUT. Only for women !?

    http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2598423/A-glass-milk-day-keeps-arthritis-bay-woman.html
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    TelevisionUserTelevisionUser Posts: 41,417
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    Dunnroamin wrote: »
    My wife has arthritis in her shoulder and at the top of her spine. The pain in her shoulder goes down her arm, causing pins and needles in her hand. Her problem is hereditary, her mother and sister also had the problem. She has had a steroid injection into the shoulder joint, and we have tried Deep Heat, Deep freeze, thermal pads, and various jells and ointments, all to no avail. I would appreciate advice or suggestions from anyone who has had this problem and found some form of relief. Thanks in advance.

    I would that your wife books an appointment with her GP and asks for a referral to a specialist arthritis or pain consultant. It might require the combination of a number of treatments/medications to get things under control. l hope that things work out for you both. :)
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    alanwarwicalanwarwic Posts: 28,396
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    Both arms?

    If just one arm then maybe there is a catalyst such as driving that causes it.
    Very light exercises lubricate and do not impact.

    I say 'impact' in that any weight bearing in the joints adds to the cause.
    BTW paracetamol was shown to reduce inflammation and thus pain, but like lots of stuff it is maybe more camouflage than solution.
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    Louise32Louise32 Posts: 6,784
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    Joint pain is symptomatic of magnesium deficiency so I'd recommend magnesium supplementation before weed.

    A good book to buy would be say no to arthritis by leading British Nutritionist Patrick Holford, which takes a nutritional look at managing the condition.

    Has your wife been tested for any food allergies? As apparently some sufferers suffer from food allergies and this can play a part in the aches and pains. Although there is an anti allergy diet plan in the book to follow for 13 days to see if there is any relief from symptoms.

    It's best to read book as more helpful and informative!
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    HieronymousHieronymous Posts: 7,290
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    Relief yes, cure no.

    Glucosamine and Cod Liver oil tablets may help.

    There was a recent article where someone reckoned they'd cured their arthritis by putting 2p pieces in their shoes. Copper, apparently, is good for the relief/cure of arthritis. I have no idea how effective or otherwise that would be.
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    Louise32Louise32 Posts: 6,784
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    Apparently apples, onions and beetroot are good for arthritis.
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    alanwarwicalanwarwic Posts: 28,396
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    Yes, beet root and related things like green leafy veg will aid oxygen flow.

    There is some silly stuff written in that milk etc likely just fixes a bad diet and is preventative, it can do nothing whatsoever to cure osteoarthritis.
    There is no cure, just work rounds. Losing weight is a major work round cure for knees and hips.
    Swimming instead of walking is another one.
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    jackoljackol Posts: 7,887
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    There really isnt an effective painkiller from Arthritis.
    What should happen is your wife should be referred to a specialist who can then prescribe drugs to help with the Arthritis.
    I have to take a cocktail of drugs (Methotexrate and Leflunimode)
    Occasionally i will still get a flair up so i have cortisone injections.This along with the correct prescribed drugs is pretty effective.
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    jackoljackol Posts: 7,887
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    Lou Kelly wrote: »
    Ask the Doctor for Tramadol, it's the only drug that works for my arthritis.

    For really bad Arthritis Tramadol is about as much use as swallowing a Smartie.
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    Lou KellyLou Kelly Posts: 2,778
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    jackol wrote: »
    For really bad Arthritis Tramadol is about as much use as swallowing a Smartie.

    In your opinion. Everyone's different.
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