Osteoarthritis

Posted by sandy148 @sandy148, Dec 26, 2024

I have osteoarthritis everywhere. As long as I keep moving, I am good but if I sit in a chair anytime at all, it hurts to get up. I cannot take motrin or advil because I have asthma. Anyone had any success with any particular medication. Steroid shots won't do it.

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Profile picture for bimshire @bimshire

@lisamarie235 thank you. The one place I didn’t look. I’ll search for it. Thanks

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@bimshire has anyone tried 4% lidocaine patches (Aspercream) for example? I had been hospitalized for pain control They prescribed 5% lidocaine patches and suggested Voltaren. I think the 5% lidocaine worked better for my pain.

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Profile picture for brokenlady62 @brokenlady62

@bimshire has anyone tried 4% lidocaine patches (Aspercream) for example? I had been hospitalized for pain control They prescribed 5% lidocaine patches and suggested Voltaren. I think the 5% lidocaine worked better for my pain.

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@brokenlady62 yes 5% lidocaine is very effective but only avail by prescription. I have used it successfully in the past for back pain.

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I take calcium because I am afraid of all the side effects these drugs have. I have osteoarthritis all through my hip and back, and many other back issues. Yup, the pain of sitting is terrible but I cant walk or stand for an entire day.

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Profile picture for kkcon @kkcon

@cavalryman Where do you buy your Flexiseq? Looks like it is only available overseas. Is there a US source for Flexiseq?

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@kkcon

Best I can figure .. you might can buy it on Amazon. Some places mention Walmart .. my local ones do not carry it. Some web sites mention compound pharmacy might make it.

Through research I got this bit of information.

Flexiseq needs to be put on clean (no lotion or powder) skin. Also it might not be safe for pregnant women. You might talk with a pharmacist that can tell you if it interacts with medication.

This is a good assessment of Flexiseq: https://www.consumerhealthdigest.com/topical-joint-pain-relief/flexiseq-gel.html

I am allergic to so many things .. Voltaren cream is one of them. My husband was prescribed a compound cream for his back. I applied it to his back and broke out in a rash and had a tingling tongue. I had to take Benadryl. So now I ask what is in compound creams.

Voltaren also comes in pill form. The cream does nothing for my husband, but he took Voltaren pills for a strained back and it helped .. he was surprised.

With most of the creams or gels you need to use them for a week or two to tell if they work. The icy or hot creams .. the smelly ones work faster. Some of those offer almost immediate relief. I have asthma and they affect my breathing.

I hope some of this helps you decide on a product. Everyone is different .. so it may take a bit to figure out what works best for you.

ZeeGee

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Profile picture for asc @asc

Since menopause I have been taking 750 mg calcium citrate per day (my ophthalmologist thinks it’s a good dosage though my PCP back then advised to 1,200 mg); but you also get calcium from food like spinach, & taking over dosage of supplements may not good for your body. To handle pain, I use Voltaren (which helps area like joint pain close to your skin (per package instructions). I also try to use my other hand to handle stuff like opening cans of food. I also go to the gym at least 4 times per week doing yoga or classes for senior (Silversneakers, etc.); on go on treadmills or bike, whatever makes me feel good, and not hurting. I used to walk 2-3 times per week outside with friends too (take fresh air & get vitamin D on sunny days) with sunscreen particularly on my face protected by cream with SPF30 or above.

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@asc
Correction:
(my “orthopedic surgeon”), not (my “ophthalmologist”).

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Profile picture for catartist @catartist

Hi all fellow sufferers. I too have RA and osteoarthritis and muscle atrophy that makes walking so hard now. I am a ‘young’ 78 ( or was!) - take only Tylenol ( as little as possible tho’) , and Volteran cream which is a blessing. But don’t over use OR lie on heat when it’s on skin. I also take Cymbalta (30mg) and it
takes edge off of pain maybe but definitely helps mood. We have to stay positive and it’s a challenge!
I do PT twice week for atrophy, daily ‘out of bed’ exercises to get moving, try to walk with walker 30 min when warm enough ( only 1/3 mile- slow! lol). But yes I am in mostly constant pain. Happy New Year all!

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@catartist I just turned 80 and am very active.
I’ve really never had much pain from my OA except from a knee that I had replaced a couple of years ago.
All of a sudden I played a round of golf which caused me no discomfort and then experienced a horrible flareup all over my body.
I’ve been taking ibuprofen 3 x a day and it really helped.
I stopped it and it all came back with a vengeance.
I’m just so shocked of how this intense pain can jump all over my body.
Where was it hiding all these years.
I have to keep moving and go back to my advil.
Any advice.
Thanks so much
Leslie

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Hi Robinleslie.
I read your post and I have a similar story. When I just reached retirement age, a family member became ill. My company wanted me to stay on, but I needed to help my sister who had developed cancer. I was glad I was able to help her out until she passed. Then, I decided to get a part time job to help with my bills. But, one morning I woke up with a wave of pain in many parts of my body. It came on so fast that I thought I slept wrong? The pain did not go away, so I thought I "caught something" since it was such a huge change! I had many aches and pains all over, but especially in my legs. I went to the Doctor's, but just got a prescription for arthritis. I tried looking up my symptoms, but I could never find out anything different. I actually used a walker to enable me to walk more easily. Most of the medical responses were arthritis, or maybe somehow I strained myself!....not said that way, but no real answers. It took months for me to feel better without ever figuring out what caused that pain so fast! Actually, I never found out what or why, but THEN, I did a little better day by day, no walker needed. I got used to what held on and still managing it OK. I do have lots of arthritis & more, but still going. I wish you better luck in finding out, but I think now you will and there will be a remedy for you since our medical keeps progressing!, You can get better like one did with no answers! Sending tons of wishes, I'm 91.

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Profile picture for robinleslie @robinleslie

@catartist I just turned 80 and am very active.
I’ve really never had much pain from my OA except from a knee that I had replaced a couple of years ago.
All of a sudden I played a round of golf which caused me no discomfort and then experienced a horrible flareup all over my body.
I’ve been taking ibuprofen 3 x a day and it really helped.
I stopped it and it all came back with a vengeance.
I’m just so shocked of how this intense pain can jump all over my body.
Where was it hiding all these years.
I have to keep moving and go back to my advil.
Any advice.
Thanks so much
Leslie

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@robinleslie have a blood or urine uric acid lab done. If you are even borderline it is gout arthritis. Plenty of home remedies and medicine to resolve the inflammatory pain. I had it for 30 years and was never diagnosed properly because the xrays show so much Osteo Arthritis and the docs are lazy and don't look any further.

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Profile picture for fala @fala

Hi Robinleslie.
I read your post and I have a similar story. When I just reached retirement age, a family member became ill. My company wanted me to stay on, but I needed to help my sister who had developed cancer. I was glad I was able to help her out until she passed. Then, I decided to get a part time job to help with my bills. But, one morning I woke up with a wave of pain in many parts of my body. It came on so fast that I thought I slept wrong? The pain did not go away, so I thought I "caught something" since it was such a huge change! I had many aches and pains all over, but especially in my legs. I went to the Doctor's, but just got a prescription for arthritis. I tried looking up my symptoms, but I could never find out anything different. I actually used a walker to enable me to walk more easily. Most of the medical responses were arthritis, or maybe somehow I strained myself!....not said that way, but no real answers. It took months for me to feel better without ever figuring out what caused that pain so fast! Actually, I never found out what or why, but THEN, I did a little better day by day, no walker needed. I got used to what held on and still managing it OK. I do have lots of arthritis & more, but still going. I wish you better luck in finding out, but I think now you will and there will be a remedy for you since our medical keeps progressing!, You can get better like one did with no answers! Sending tons of wishes, I'm 91.

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@fala Get a blood or urine uric acid lab done. If you are even borderline it is gout arthritis. Plenty of home remedies and medicine to resolve the inflammatory pain. I had it for 30 years and was never diagnosed properly because the xrays show so much Osteo Arthritis and the docs are lazy and don't look any further. Good luck!

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Profile picture for loriesco @loriesco

@robinleslie have a blood or urine uric acid lab done. If you are even borderline it is gout arthritis. Plenty of home remedies and medicine to resolve the inflammatory pain. I had it for 30 years and was never diagnosed properly because the xrays show so much Osteo Arthritis and the docs are lazy and don't look any further.

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@loriesco
Wow, really interesting.
Both my sons have gout, I’m going to look into that.
Thank you

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