Did your Dr. suggest or give you a reason why you shouldn't? I would get a new Dr. It is one of the first things my Dr. suggested I try for my hand pain before going the prescription route. It works wonders for me.

Suzag, Can you get that Osteo BiFlex at Walmart or Walgreens? I am having trouble with my left knee.

My exercise intructor is always telling us to make claws, like scratching a cat, with our hands to keep the joints warm bc it helps with arthitis (sp)

I was diagnosed with RA at 40 and by the time I was 45, doctors wanted to start giving me injections for the pain! No way was I starting these injections and having to live forever getting shots, and what happens when the shots don't work anymore...I did a little research and found an accupunturist in my area. OH HEAVEN!!!! I now only take aa Aleve once a day, if I wake up in pain...and make an appt with Dr Payne (yes, that is her name!). I visit her 4 or 5 times a year....and it is wonderful. I got her name from my chiropracter,,,and my DR said "give it a try"

I know, I know,,,all those needles....I usually have about 15 (she is also treating sinus problems), but I usually fall asleep while she is still inserting...very relaxing...the needles are smaller than a strand of hair! Please, at least look into it...I know people look at me weird when I tell them I use an acup, but at 50 something....I take NO meds on a regular basis...and LOTS of insurance companies cover it like chiro...including Blue Cross!!

Gotta go finish my latest...ALL HAND QUILTED Grandmas Flower Gardern....35 flowers with 20 hexagons!!!

I love to applique, too, so I gave up hand quilting and am learning to machine quilt. That leaves me "free" to applique in short bits of time.

I have arthritis in my neck and I get massage therapy. In between treatments heat helps. Give it a try, it can't hurt.

do u have to have a prescription for the osteo bi-flex??? i will try the creams also. i have arthritus in my thumbs and hip. thank u for all the suggestions

Thanks Linda for the link I believe I will order this for my myself and for my mother. She is 83 this year and still very active but is having more and more problems with the pain in her neck. Now that sounded like it was me but it really is arthritis!

I use this trick quite often and one day my son saw me and asked what I was using as as you stated they look like rolled up condoms. I replied you have heard of safe sex how about safe sewing.

I use something called a Needle Puller. They are available on Clotide.