What do you take for arthritis? Does it help?

survivorbc09 said:

Aleve works well.  Have you

Aleve works well.  Have you ever tried that?  Hoping you find something to help with the pain.

Jan

Ibuprofen or Aleve work great for the back pain that I get.  I was surprised how well Aleve worked.  When my back hurts, I take one in the morning and one at night. 

Rague said:

Yes

It is a little box smaller than a pack of cigarettes that clips to your belt (or whereever you want to).  There are 4 electrodes (sort of like the ones used for EKGs.  They are placed on the skin iin a pattern so that  the electric impusles travel in  an X with the center of the X over the area the nerve goes into the spinal cord and it disrups the the nerve sending it's electrical impulse to tell the brain to feel pain.  (I'm sure someone can give you a more complete answer but very basically thats it.)   It is adjusted for you and you can adjust it somewhat as you need to.   When I used mine, everytime I wuld start it I'd get a VERY slight little tingle for about 5 minutes then wouldn't feel it any more unless I increased it.  I am VERY sensitive to electric shocks but it was not bad at all.  I haven't used it in quite a while so think I'll dig it out and try it again.  

It is a real medical device, not some gimmick being hawked on late night 'info-mercials'.  Tallk to your Dr about one - might help.

Winyan - The Power Within

Susan

You can google TENS Unit and find a fair bit of info and the units.

I saw on tv, not for sure if it was a regular show, like the Doctors, about wearing a bracelet made up of magnets?  Anyone know about that?

Apparently I have arthritis in both shoulders and top of spine enough that it showed up in bone scan.  Makes it very difficult to exercise, even Yoga.  If I put a hot or cold pack on for even a few minutes when it starts up it helps me.  It's a daily thing now sadly.  I have just bought one of those spray on heat treatments and haven't used it yet but I will tell you what I think.  I also don't want to take more pills of any sort if possible, there is always the injections they can give if in the joints if very painful which I mostly hear work well.  Good posture may help, hence the Yoga.  They say oily fish such as kippers, sardines etc are good.............  Anti Inflammatories, but they are more tablets.  Hope you become more pain free one way or another.

RozHopkins said:

Arthritis

Apparently I have arthritis in both shoulders and top of spine enough that it showed up in bone scan.  Makes it very difficult to exercise, even Yoga.  If I put a hot or cold pack on for even a few minutes when it starts up it helps me.  It's a daily thing now sadly.  I have just bought one of those spray on heat treatments and haven't used it yet but I will tell you what I think.  I also don't want to take more pills of any sort if possible, there is always the injections they can give if in the joints if very painful which I mostly hear work well.  Good posture may help, hence the Yoga.  They say oily fish such as kippers, sardines etc are good.............  Anti Inflammatories, but they are more tablets.  Hope you become more pain free one way or another.

Have you tried a TENS Unit?

jnl said:

Thank you everyone for all of

Thank you everyone for all of this great advice, tips and information.  I know that something that you wrote will help me. 

Thanks again!

Leeza

Just hoping that you get some relief Leeza.  Lots of good info here and tips!

Sue

Rague said:

TENS Unit

Have you tried a TENS Unit?

I also take Aleve for pain.  With it, I take glucosamine/chondroitin.  I think the two together really helps.

Hugs, Debby

jnl said:

I did buy some glucosamine

I did buy some glucosamine pills, but wow, they are sure some big pills to get down.  I think I remember a post on here before about them helping, so, I will continue to take them.

Thanks again,

Leeza

Yea, they are huge, but, I really think they help me and I hope they do you too Leeza.  From what I was told, it might take a month for them to really start helping, so, give it some time. 

Alexis F said:

I saw on tv, not for sure if

I saw on tv, not for sure if it was a regular show, like the Doctors, about wearing a bracelet made up of magnets?  Anyone know about that?

I also know of some that say the magnets bracelet helps them.  If it works, I think that is great. 

Sue

survivorbc09 said:

Either a pain management

Either a pain management doctor or an orthopedist, should be able to help you further Leeza.  Let us know what you do. 

Jan

I did find a spine and pain management doctor in our center, so, I am thinking I might even go see him and just see what he says.  Like I said, my pain isn't bad, but, maybe the doctor could rid me of it totally.