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Original poster

Arthritis..... what really helps?

28 replies

BastardGoDarkly · 07/06/2020 08:29

So my Mam is yet undiagnosed, since she cant be seen by doc, but she can now barely walk on her knees!

Shes sure its arthritis, it's really upsetting her that she might have to get rid of her dog, and a stair lift etc.

So, I'm thinking ... cannabis? Turmeric? What have you found that really helps?

Thank you in advance x

OP posts:

bluefoxmug · 07/06/2020 08:33

I don't have arthritis but a good friend has.
the biggest difference for her was losing weight. she was top of healthy bmi and went to bottom and that had a great effect.

Original poster

BastardGoDarkly · 07/06/2020 08:37

That's a good point Blue we have talked about that before.

OP posts:

SuperSange · 07/06/2020 08:40

It depends what type of arthritis she has really. They're totally different in origin, so different things help. Apart from weight loss, that is very important and will be the most beneficial until she can be seen. Having a varied diet, heavy in veg and oily fish helped me.

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thecognoscenti · 07/06/2020 08:47

It depends hugely on what type of arthritis it is. I have rheumatoid arthritis and I'll tell you what helps: medicine. Any avoiding alcohol, which makes the pain a lot worse. As far as I'm concerned, anything else is just fiddling round the edges, though it's quite fashionable to claim that things like turmeric are a magic solution. She may have osteoarthritis, which tends to come on with age. Either way she needs to see a doctor ASAP.

ImAncient · 07/06/2020 08:53

I have RA & PA & a bit of OA. The inflammation can get bad. I’m on immunosuppressants but it took a long time to get the right ones & for it to stabilise. I find I’m worse after chilli crisps (my weakness) & I don’t eat gluten & I try to fast if my inflammation is bad. But mainly taking the medication.

Toomboom · 07/06/2020 08:53

You can see a doctor. They keep saying this. Contact the surgery for an appointment.

It will depend on the type of arthritis. My mum has rheumatoid arthritis and is on immune suppressant injections to try to keep it under control.
Osteoarthritis is age related. Your mum could try ibuprofen gel on her knees. The doctor will probably give pain killers, and if all else fails possibly a steroid injection into the knee.

Original poster

BastardGoDarkly · 07/06/2020 21:32

Thanks folks.

She spoke to dr again on monday, he just prescribed cocodomol. No sign of being able to go in.

She drinks about 3 bottles of wine a week, so going alcohol free will be a killer

OP posts:

lightsaver · 07/06/2020 21:40

She spoke to dr again on monday, he just prescribed cocodomol

This is what our GP did for DH for 6 years. It took a chance appointment with a locum to get him referred. Please make sure your mum pushes for answers and not be fobbed off with painkillers. That said, it may be jumping the gun to assume arthritis.

SheldonSaysSo1 · 07/06/2020 21:42

I agree with everyone else, immune suppressants will be the best treatment for her (likely). However, it can be quite a long road to these as they like to try other treatments such as painkillers first. It is important she pushes for a referral to a rheumatologist so it can be confirmed as arthritis. As for things that may help ideally exercise if she can bare it as I find it really helps with stiffness if I can get past the initial pain. Also, a long hot bath might help as well as ice packs used regularly. She might benefit from using anti inflammatories to reduce the inflammation as I find cocodomol doesn't help so much (although everyone reacts differently).

Sheldonoscopy · 07/06/2020 21:46

For me (oa) A mix of medication is all that gets me through the day.
I also have discs that are permanently out of place, and weight loss is good but so hard when your mobility is wrecked from the oa. It’s truly a catch 22. The lockdown has taken the one thing I could do that helped, swimming.

Oh, and don’t be ashamed to ask for mobility aids. I use a walker and mobility scooter. I’m young, I stick out like a sore thumb. But I don’t care, if it helps me live a more independent life, so be it

Borderscotch · 07/06/2020 21:48

My mum swears by flexisec, made a huge difference to her knees.

Sheldonoscopy · 07/06/2020 21:50

Oh, hot water bottle and a hot bath are also go to ways I deal with it

mineofuselessinformation · 07/06/2020 21:55

I have osteoarthritis, so no immunosuppressants for me.
I cope by keeping active, trying to keep mobility in joints that I can, and, for my knees, wearing knee supports when I am doing anything that might irritate them (I have under knee supports and also compression garments that go from above knee to below).
In desperate times, I take cocodamol (max strength) but that is rarely.
I have also dabbled with cbd oil, but haven't found anything yet that suits my stomach.

Elouera · 07/06/2020 22:03

She will need to find out what type of arthritis she has (osteo or rheumatoid) or something else. And where it is? If its osteo from wear and tear, the likely treatment will be a knee replacement. I have osteo type, and frankly nothing helped. Strapping a hot water bottle on at night, co-codamol, months or physio etc did little.

I'm in my early 40's, and will need a knee replacement in time. Mine is just one side at the moment, and an off loader knee brace has been a saviour. It forces my weight down the better side of my knee, and opens up the bone that is grinding together. This sort of brace isn't any good if you have it on all parts of your knee though.

After I got the brace, I was able to walk once again and do exercise. I lost 10kg, because I was overweight, and to had helped a great deal.

Your mum really needs an x-ray and/or MRI and blood tests to check what is actually doing on, and how to move forward though x

Goostacean · 07/06/2020 22:05

I had spontaneous monoarthritis (only one joint) in my knee when I was 25. It took years but finally was resolved with hydroxychloroquine (yes the drug at the centre of the Covid controversy, weird coincidence!). I saw a top London specialist for years who put me on stronger and stronger meds, nothing helped, eventually it mostly resolved itself, had another flare up when I lived in South America later, saw a seemingly dismissive doctor who put me on that and was cured almost instantly! Keep pushing for help, don’t be fobbed off.

MsMarple · 07/06/2020 22:07

I know losing weight will help, but in the meantime (as I have so much to lose it’s embarrassing) the things that have helped me gradually feel better over the last year are some rite-flex turmeric tablets from amazon, knee warmers if it is even slightly chilly out, and avoiding certain foods. Acidic things really set me off: citrus, tomatoes, kiwi, grapes and white wine all guarantee agony by the next day.

GalaxyAero · 07/06/2020 22:11

My gps advice was to watch motivational videos on YouTube.

I buy OTC cocodomal, use biofreeze roll on (it's a bit like deep freeze), Epsom salt baths. I've been told magnesium supplements help but haven't noticed much difference myself.

Moondust001 · 07/06/2020 22:19

Shes sure its arthritis, it's really upsetting her that she might have to get rid of her dog, and a stair lift etc.

Lots of ideas here, but I think my take on this would be that (a) she needs to know what kind of arthritis it is, assuming it is arthritis, (b) different things work for different people, and also at different stages, and (c) there is absolutely no reason she has to give up her dog. I have very severe arthritis now, and I cannot walk or stand for very long as it's in my spine amongst other places. I have a very active Border Collie. If you don't count all the games and other activities at home, he has around 10 miles a day exercise. It's called a mobility scooter (for me, not the dog!). I also trained him to use a treadmill for those very occasional days when it's impossible to go out due to floods, snow etc. That doesn't happen very often though. You just have to be more creative - dogs don't recognise disability in humans, and are very happy to adapt.

GalaxyAero · 07/06/2020 22:21

There are a few gadgets around that help make life easier too. Things to help open jars etc. Lloyds pharmacy has a good selection on their website if I remember correctly.

Goostacean · 07/06/2020 22:28

Wow @Moondust001 what an inspirational comment!

MaudesMum · 07/06/2020 22:35

I've had osteoarthritis in my hands and wrists for at least 10 years, and the only help I've had from doctors was an x-ray which at least confirmed that's what it is - so I'd suggest she presses for that. I also have it in my ankle around the site of a plate put in after a break and that is much less of a problem when I'm lighter - so I'd agree that losing weight is good. You can get iboprofen gel to take away some of the pain around the joint which is helpful. I'd also suggest something like pilates to keep flexible overall - a good teacher will work around any joint problems that you have and stop you overcompensating.

BlankTimes · 08/06/2020 00:14

Definitely get a diagnosis of which sort of arthritis.
@Moondust001 has nailed it, especially with this "different things work for different people "

I'm beginning to get it in my thumbs and now it's starting to affect my knuckles. I've found Comfrey ointment from Avena very helpful.

Complete Care shop is very reasonably priced for a lot of helpful aids.

If you're considering a rollator (mobile walker with seat) to help with walking, do be aware that some have hard wheels and aren't very good outdoors because that makes your wrists vibrate with every bump in a pavement or road.

Auntieelsie · 08/06/2020 00:19

I started taking high strength turmeric for its blood thinning properties a year ago and it suddenly occurred to me after about 8 weeks that my arthritic hips and knuckles didn’t hurt anything near as badly any more.

BarbedBloom · 08/06/2020 06:27

Ra here and obviously medication is the main help. Tumeric does definitely help me though as I do notice when I don't have it. I just add a bit to my green smoothie in the morning, along with cinnamon and ginger.

I do think stretches help too, I have to try and keep my joints a little supple. Nothing extreme, very gentle while I sit on my bed

Moondust001 · 08/06/2020 10:04

I would echo this - there are a lot of cheap ones around that look not a lot different from more expensive ones. The price difference isn't about looks though - it is about ease of use. I personally have an all-terrain Troja - Scandinavia doesn't half do a lot of disability stuff really well! It was expensive when I got it, but the degree of comfort and the ruggedness (to say nothing of the fact that yes, it does look prettier than some I've seen) is worth the price.

One thing that hasn't been mentioned here - for some reason this doesn't seem to have been noticed much in the UK - is avocado soy unsaponifiables. I am not at all one to rubbish natural remedies - many are very effective but lack scientific studies that support them (which simply means that science hasn't studied them sufficiently) but there are a number of studies on avocado soy unsaponifiables; and they all support the premise that they do have an impact. In some European countries they are now prescribed. And as an aside, they have also been shown to be effective on dogs too, and are routinely used by vets in Europe.

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