sewphie

Biofreeze and also my hot wax machine

Alondra

I'm sorry you're hurting and can relate to your problem, since I have osteoarthritis in my hands, wrists, and knees. I refuse to take dangerous, liver-destroying drugs that address only the symptoms, not causes. I will share my experiences with you, but you must do your own experimentation, to find what's right for you. After reading about the possible options, I've set myself a daily regimen, and it seems to work well for me, since, although the stiffness is still there, I'm out of pain, and without steroids and NSAIDs.

Here is some good reading on the subject. Also, please google "natural anti-inflammatories" and read Dr. Cannell's and Dr. Mercola's articles on Vitamin D3 therapy (listed on Dr. M's Resource Page in the first link below). God bless you!

Vitamin D3
http://www.mercola.com/article/vitamin-d-resources.htm (on this site is his 1-hour lecture on Vitamin D3, which is a jewel, as well as many other resources and references).

Natural anti-inflammatories, such as boswellia, curcumin, and green tea (be careful that it's really green tea - if it brews up brown, it's not green tea).
http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/553966_5

Increase Omega-3 oils (particularly krill oil) and decrease (don't eliminate, just decrease) Omega-6 oils.
http://www.ocd-free.org/omegaoils

Eliminate ALL hydrogenated oils (shortening and margarine).
http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/QAA40014...d-omega-6.html

Avoid as much sugar as possible, especially high fructose corn syrup. However, a little sugar is a long shot better than artificial sweeteners!

http://theconsciouslife.com/top-10-a...tory-foods.htm

http://www.naturalantiinflammatory.org/

http://www.livestrong.com/natural-anti-inflammatory/

MissQuilter

I find that changing activities helps me alot, and is really like therapy. I sew for a bit, iron a bit, hand quilt a bit, but do not stay at the same thing for hours on end. I no longer go to the ironing board and do that for a long time. I have various problems, including osteoarthritis. If I stopped doing what I love it would make both my hands and my HEAD worse!

Aminnie

I have had RA for 5 years and don't like taking prescription drugs --too many bad side effects. But have found MSM to really help. It is a supplement to take several times a day and by a couple weeks feeling a lot better. Good luck, God bless.

butterflies5518

use the fingerless support gloves as well as a mouse with a roller ball, keeps my right hand finger from over use of clicking. Big difference. I also have had a steriod shot for the middle finger for "trigger finger", not nice, hurt worse than child birth but has lasted at least 6 months and just started flaring again. I have already had the carpel tunnel surgery on the right hand but now it has settled into arthritis. I completely understand the pain, and I am left handed at that.

Rntraveler

I too am taking the Meloxicam and can't really tell any difference.. I take an generic Excedrin everyday.. sure helps me get going..

Keep active, it's very important..

Carol Sheldon

I have arthitis in my wrists. All I do is get the ace elastic wraps you can get at Walgreen's.

The best thing I did was go to a Prolotherapist. That was the best but now I can't go because medicare doesn't cover.
prolo is the best. it is better than knee replacements and less money spent. I've had it on my knees and the prolo has helped them too.
Carol

IT_Nana

Thank you for this information, fishnlady! The last few years I've had more back and joint pain accompanied with swelling , so consulted a rheumatologist who ran blood work and diagnosed it as severe osteoarthritis. I was relieved that it wasn't RA or some other auto immune problem. I've wondered if there might be some dietary changes I could make to help this, so I'm going to take this article to heart and give it a try. Incidentally, my SIL has chron's disease and is on a very restricted diet. I recall now that she has mentioned that nightshades contribute to her flareups.

Landers

I am sorry to hear you are in pain! I know that feeling! I sew so much that not only does my hands ache but also my back and shoulders. I sleep on a large heating pad at least 3 nights a week. I just take Bayer Back & Body pain Aspirin! It does help me.

Shermy

I also was diganosed with RA in 1995 and have been on Remicade that long. I also take Methotrexate, Prednesone and because of the Methotrexate I'm taking, my hair was thinning so I'm taking folic acid for that...I was almost in a wheel chair, no kidding. The pain was so bad I couldn't even get off the toilet by myself..I went and had test after tests taken and the doctor said I had RA. The Rhumatologist put me on the Remicade and in two days I was back to my old self again...I just cried and cried and said thank you, thank you for giving me my life back again...I know the meds are really bad for me, but I couldn't function without them...I love life again...I caught it before my fingers and toes started to grow crooked. It isn't a cure, but it sure helps control the pain..