1. < Bones, Joints & Muscles

Do OTC joint supplements work to reduce pain from inflamation?

Posted by misscjv @misscjv, Sep 9, 2023

I over stressed both hip joints going up and down a ladder about 25 times, to replace my dead ice-maker. The next day I had severe pain in both hips joints. I've now had a cortisone shot in each hip joint with little relief. The only thing that really helped is a wheel chair, which was really inconvenient as I live alone and have a small house, large yard and two dogs to care for. I almost always refuse to get physical therapy as I don't believe that making my joints hurt worse is going to help. I am considering using an otc joint supplement but can't afford to spend a bunch of $ on something that may or may not help. Any suggestions as to what may (or may not!) help would be greatly appreciated. My effort to save a hundred dollar service charge to have someone install the ice-maker for me has resulted in hundreds of dollars of medical bills. Thank you for any advice you can gife me!

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Sep 9, 2023

@misscvj Welcome to Mayo Connect - we are a community of patients and caregivers that share our journeys and strive to help one another along the way.

It seems those trips up and down the ladder should not have caused the level of pain you describe, so I am guessing there are some underlying conditions going on here? There are some supplements that can help, but of course the most common would be the NSAIDs like Ibuprofen or a pain reliever like Tylenol - I am guessing they aren't helping?
Can you tell us a little more about yourself?
Sue

REPLY
1 reply
misscjv | @misscjv | Sep 9, 2023
In reply to @sueinmn "@misscvj Welcome to Mayo Connect - we are a community of patients and caregivers that share..." + (show)
@sueinmn

@misscvj Welcome to Mayo Connect - we are a community of patients and caregivers that share our journeys and strive to help one another along the way.

It seems those trips up and down the ladder should not have caused the level of pain you describe, so I am guessing there are some underlying conditions going on here? There are some supplements that can help, but of course the most common would be the NSAIDs like Ibuprofen or a pain reliever like Tylenol - I am guessing they aren't helping?
Can you tell us a little more about yourself?
Sue

Jump to this post

68 years old. I'm talking serious pain! Sharp pain in both hips, and my hip joints collapse out from under me when untreated. Tylenol 3, no help, Etodolac, no help. NSAIDS help SOME with pain but I've now been suffering from this since since mid-April. Without the pain pills I cannot walk without serious pain. I need something to calm the inflamation in my joints but no doctor will prescribe steroids. I'm also diabetic, and not supposed to take NSAIDS as they raise my blood sugar to the mid-200s. I know steriods, such as Prednisone will do the same, however 10 or so days of high blood sugar on Prednisone would seem to highly preferable to 4 months of NSAIDS.

REPLY
1 reply
misscjv | @misscjv | Sep 9, 2023

Also, I've never had any problem with my hip joints hurting in the past. I've also lost over 20 pounds in an effort to decrease the strain on my joints. I'm going out of my mind over this!

REPLY
4 replies
windyshores | @windyshores | Sep 9, 2023
In reply to @misscjv "Also, I've never had any problem with my hip joints hurting in the past. I've also..." + (show)
@misscjv

Also, I've never had any problem with my hip joints hurting in the past. I've also lost over 20 pounds in an effort to decrease the strain on my joints. I'm going out of my mind over this!

Jump to this post

@misscjv my kid has had type 1 diabetes for decades and has never experienced a rise in blood sugars from NSAID's. Prednisone requires triple dose insulin.
I wonder why NSAID's raise your blood sugar?

REPLY
kayraymat | @kayraymat | Sep 10, 2023

I have both osteopenia & osteoporosis & my doctor recommended Citracal +D3 maximum plus
as an OTC plus a prescription med that I am looking into. Cost is an issue for me also.

REPLY
kayraymat | @kayraymat | Sep 10, 2023
In reply to @misscjv "68 years old. I'm talking serious pain! Sharp pain in both hips, and my hip joints..." + (show)
@misscjv

68 years old. I'm talking serious pain! Sharp pain in both hips, and my hip joints collapse out from under me when untreated. Tylenol 3, no help, Etodolac, no help. NSAIDS help SOME with pain but I've now been suffering from this since since mid-April. Without the pain pills I cannot walk without serious pain. I need something to calm the inflamation in my joints but no doctor will prescribe steroids. I'm also diabetic, and not supposed to take NSAIDS as they raise my blood sugar to the mid-200s. I know steriods, such as Prednisone will do the same, however 10 or so days of high blood sugar on Prednisone would seem to highly preferable to 4 months of NSAIDS.

Jump to this post

Get a second opinion & talk to your pharmacist.
Being Diabetic must limit your choices. Do you swim?
I try to do exercises to strengthen the muscles around the bones
as the bones need the support as they weaken.

REPLY
gently | @gently | Sep 10, 2023
In reply to @misscjv "Also, I've never had any problem with my hip joints hurting in the past. I've also..." + (show)
@misscjv

Also, I've never had any problem with my hip joints hurting in the past. I've also lost over 20 pounds in an effort to decrease the strain on my joints. I'm going out of my mind over this!

Jump to this post

You might want MRI imaging of you hips. Your PCP or Internal Medicine doctor should be able to order these without a trip to see them. It is a little confounding that it is bilateral. You do need to know what is causing the pain--the joint socket (acetabulum) or bones.
You saved a hundred dollar service charge, but you may have uncovered an undiagnosed issue. Early diagnosis could save you hundreds more plus saving you from more pain.
Sometimes a steriod injection misses the area of pain. And many experience a flare of pain in response to the steroid. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4964-trochanteric-bursitis
Best wishes, and keep us aprised.

REPLY
kayraymat | @kayraymat | Sep 10, 2023
In reply to @misscjv "Also, I've never had any problem with my hip joints hurting in the past. I've also..." + (show)
@misscjv

Also, I've never had any problem with my hip joints hurting in the past. I've also lost over 20 pounds in an effort to decrease the strain on my joints. I'm going out of my mind over this!

Jump to this post

Did loosing 20 lbs. help with the pain?
Also consider your body type.
Do you carry your weight stomach & above ( apple) or
stomach & below (pear). Each has suggested strengthening
exercises. Find a good physical therapist who can evaluate
your problems; they can work miracles.

REPLY
Garygirl | @taftst1 | Sep 10, 2023
In reply to @misscjv "Also, I've never had any problem with my hip joints hurting in the past. I've also..." + (show)
@misscjv

Also, I've never had any problem with my hip joints hurting in the past. I've also lost over 20 pounds in an effort to decrease the strain on my joints. I'm going out of my mind over this!

Jump to this post

So it’s both joints. You won’t do PT. Steroids only work for a while plus can do more damage. Is there something else going on? Talk to pain Mgt? Recent MRI? Nuero? Ortho?

REPLY
1 reply
rjmtwit | @rjmtwit | Sep 11, 2023

Try CBD. Comes in tincture and also gel

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