I'm going to try glucosamine

[Ghost]

Aleve

Hi Janice, :wave For the pain of arthritis which I have in my hands(arthritis) I take two aleve's in the morning and two before I go to bed every day.

[Janice]

Mike, I haven't tried Aleve but my doctor did give me a prescription for 800 mg motrin that I take only when I need it. I wanted to do something to "help" the situation instead of just masking the pain. Supposedly the glucosamine helps grow more "cushion" for the cartlage. Or something like that.

Thanks for telling me about Aleve. I'll have to try it for the pain sometime when my motrin runs out.

[lunazul]

Janice,

If naprosin doesn't agree with you, don't take alleve. They are have the same active ingredient.

Debby

[Janice]

Thanks Deb!! I'll stay away from the Aleve.

'appreciate it a bunch!!!!!!!!!!! :nod

[canuck]

Have you been assessed to see if its carpal tunnel or tendonitis, then could see a pysio and get wrist reworkd into place or accupuncture stops the pain. My arthritis all disappeared when on Atkins, was on vioxx for yrs.Try wear a brace, takes long time but helps. Just suggestions.I was fortunate as I belevie once I got healthy my bdoy healed itself eating nutrient dense foods.
Dont dismiss idea of anti inflammatory thou as its one of only known ways to also keep arthritis from going full tilt in the way of a drug. I refsued to take anything for yr then read some info and decided trtment was better than non trtment, but to each her own :icondance
I understood gluc/chron took many months to work when you read up on it???

[Janice]

Thanks canuck!

My main problem now is my "thumbs". The big joint near my wrist. My wrist is fine. I have a hard time doing certain very simple tasks like twirling a Q-tip in my ear. That little motion of using my thumb and other fingers to twirl with almost kills me. I cannot pick up a glass sometimes because having to use my thumb to grasp with sends shooting pain through my thumb. The problem is, your hands are pretty useless if you can't use your thumbs. When I stick my thumb out and try to rotate it, I can hear major grinding. There's no cushion there much at all. I have had my thumbs x-rayed before but my family doctor says there is nothing to do but take pain meds or try naprosen, etc. In other words, I'll have to live with it for the rest of my life. I was hoping the glucosamine would tend to be a "healing" type supplement and might even help me grow some more "cushion" back around that joint. What do you think?? Can I grow new "cushion" (I can't think of what it is called). lol lol

[FarsideMom]

Cushion

Sounds like you have osteoarthritis Janice, which is what I have. Tiny little bone spurs act like buzz saws on all the cartilage we have. The glucosamine may very well help as it promotes cartilage growth. Your doc is right though, they can operate on the major joints (knees, back, pelvis etc) to aleviate the pain by removing the spurs, but fingers are very tiny and delicate so they're not usually worked on. Don't give up whatever you do though.

[Janice]

Thanks so much! I'm not giving up by any means. It's just sad I have to live with this when I still have so much "living" ahead of me.

I really think that as us "baby boomers" get older and older the research into "old people's" diseases and problems are becoming better and better. So maybe someone ---- somewhere----- is working on this problem now and is close to a break through. :icondance

[FarsideMom]

Right you are

I know I'm getting tired of being an early warning system for storm fronts. When those fronts move in I ache in every joint.. Ow, ow, ow! :anger

[IrishIrish]

Arthritis Meds

I'm 51 and I've had arthritis for a number of years ... I used Glucosamine for years, but it really wasn't helping. I've tried Naproxen, Vioxx, Celebrex, Motrin and others. Most recently my doc gave me Bextra. I took it and within a day or two there was a remarkable difference. It's been about two months, now and the change has been so welcome. Some days, I still can't use my hands or arms well until very late in the day and some days I can't crack an egg, but most days, I'm finding some relief.

And although I've been cautioned that my weight loss could be slow due to my meds (Beta & CA Channel Blockers, Cox2 inhibitor, diabetic treatments), I've been satisfied with my loss. I must say, I don't give myself any latitude. I'm very strict about my Induction, but I'd rather do it this way than lose too slowly to keep my interest.

My best to all of you. Janice, you are one of the people on the boards that inspires me!

[FarsideMom]

Good for you

Janice, I'm taking glucosamine/chondroitan with omega oils and also a separate B complex vitamin. The B vitamins were recommended by my physician because they are good for bones and joints.

We're expecting a Nor'easter here and normally everything in my body would be screaming in pain. Not so this morning, so this combo is working for me as well. ha

Check with your doctor, see what he thinks about Vitamin B in addition to the glucosamine. ensive

[Janice]

Thanks ladies!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have told ya'll lately that you are two of my favorite people!!!! :yes :nod

It sure helps to know others are going through the same thing.

I apprecaite both of you --- thanks SO MUCH for being a part of this community.

:hug IrishIrish - - - - - :hug FarsideMom

[FarsideMom]

Awww

Thanks Janice, I'm blushing now That was a nice compliment.

Hey Irish would you email me that pic of your cat? I love it and know a ton of people who would get a kick out of it!

[longtimer]

Farside Mom

I have been taking Osteo Bioflex from Walmart for about 4 years now.
My ortho Doc "poo poo'd" this stuff, denying it really would help me. BUT my xrays of my knees came back with PERFECT 59 yr. old bones!!!!

One thing I found out about antinflamatories... ALL CAUSE WATER RETENTION OR EDEMA. NONE ARE GOOD FOR THE LIVER.....

It is the ONE you take that makes the difference.

I take TRIPLE strength Osteo Bioflex.

Just an FIY!

[Janice]

Thanks for your post. There may be some members that want to try that and your experience is definitely worth noting.

I cannot take the anti-inflamatories --- Naproxen was terrible on my stomach and I have slightly elevated liver function tests already so I know I need to stay away from them. I did not notice the water retention but I was probably more concerned about the upset stomach. LOL

Is Osteo Bioflex very expensive?? Just wondered?