Non-Prescription Pain Relief

@suzanne2 I have had fibromyalgia for a long time and have tried meds OTC meds and for me know of them worked . I have Tramadol a perscription that is the only thing that works when the pain is intolerabol . I use heat and ice the TENS unit and different creams but the OTC meds didn't help me .

@suzanne2 This is a great question, and it will be interesting to hear how people work with over the counter remedies! If you have a bathtub, have you tried a warm soaking bath with epsom salts? While I cannot abide by a bath myself, my husband recently had a torn muscle and used epsom salts for several days to assist in pain relief. Tumeric is also a good anti-inflammatory, it is said, and can be taken orally. I have used arnica montana, a holistic compund that is for muscles and bruising, although it takes a few days to build up in your system. There is also arnica cream available. Sometimes a warm compress in the area of the worst pain is enough for me. I also deal with fibromyalgia, and never know when/where muscle discomfort may occur.

Will you report back to me, saying what you found works for you? I know everyone is different, and experiences things differently.
Ginger

@sandytoes14 Thank you for the suggestion. I will definitely check out the Theraworks and hopefully it will help the fibromyalgia. Some days can be torture!

@gingerw I have been taking turmeric supplements for sometime. I thought they worked at the beginning but now not so sure. Maybe I need to change brands. I just found an Amish lotion. It seems to help but it is so greasy and smells to high. Maybe okay when I am home but not great if going out.

@suzanne2 You are welcome! Yes, torture is right. I am now on medical marijuana with my pain doctors blessing. Low dose THC and CBD have helped muscle pain the most.

@suzanne2 If you have something that works for you, don't let the smell stop you from using it. I use a capsaicin type ointment on my knee sometimes, and if people don't like it, too bad! ;))
Ginger

@sandytoes14 I have considered medical marijuana but I don't know where to find a doctor who will listen. It is legal in Michigan so maybe I need to go purchase some myself and one of the stores. Problem is I don't really know what I am doing.

@suzanne2, @sandytoes14, Good evening. Michigan does have current laws about medical marijuana as well as recreational marijuana.
https://www.medicalmarijuanainc.com/michigan-marijuana-laws/
Depending on where you live in Michigan you may have a dispensary near your home. You justifiably ask....how do I know what to buy. For pain control and management, I personally use only 2 medical cannabis products........tinctures and topicals. Flower and edibles are somewhat unpredictable in my experience. I follow a roughly predetermined dosage system that I have developed for myself over the last seven years based upon my activity and pain levels.

You may find a pharmacy specialist at the dispensary who can help with beginning dosages. Or, you may have a friend or acquaintance who can be your coach. If you have a local pain clinic that supports medical cannabis, that may be the place to start.
Here is a link to dispensaries in Michigan.
https://michigandispensaries.us/locations
At this time my pain from Small Fiber Neuropathy (SFN) is totally controlled by medical cannabis. I would be happy to assist you with your questions and decisions.

What is your greatest concern? What will medical cannabis replace in your current medication list?

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris