How to manage pain?

I do some water based exercises in the swimming pool to keep my knee joint mobile. I also go to the gym and use the static bike and cross trainer which helps a great deal. I use Glucosamine sulphate,MSM Ginger and Fish oil cpasules. Since I started having Turmeric milk the pain has been greatly reduced. I recently bought a Magnetic strap that I wear on the underside of my risk, but am not sure if its doing any thing. I would welcome any comments from the users of magnatic gadgets, whether or not they find it helpful. But most of all, I maintain a positive attitude all the time. My fingers are getting swollen and deformed and very painful. I find that emersing my hands in hot water before doing some hand exercises helps temporarily. I do not take any anti inflamatories since I came off Celebrex 2 years ago. Celebrex did control my pain and swelling, but due to media reports about patients on Celebrex were prone to having Heart Attack, I stopped it.

Nineteen_gale

Hi Nineteen_ gale

I too suffer with osteo arthritis in both knees. As to your question re magnetic gadgets. Using one as a leg brace can be effective as it gives you support. I find having cortico steroid injections yearly helps. At present I do aqua robics exercise and it is most effective in reducing pain and makes you more supple altogether. My GP recently px Fastum gel twice daily and it has helped in reducing my pain. It contains ketoprofen and it is specific for osteo arthritis. The other homeopathic tablet I take daily is chondromax which my endroconologist advised. Basically it is a higher strength of glucosamine chondritin. You can obtain same from Healthspan. co.uk. So that's my story.

hi, I was diagnosed with osteo-arthritus of the lower lumber spine 30 odd years ago, I am currently 57 years old. during this time I have had the following treatments etc(listed alongside the benefits).

cortisone-no benefit

traction- a lot of pain&limited help

assorted pills-very limited relief

acupuncture-no benefit

manipulation, no benefit

heat treatment- limited help for a short period

cold treatment-no help

cryogenic injections- very painfull treatment with relief until your body gets used to it

I find a very hot bath is the most effective and am currently looking for any other treatments like fuseing or replacement spinal treatments(if anyone has had this, please let me know the details)

I find the pain is worst in the morning until dinner time. I have just started a new job but unfortunately it involves bending and lifting, as a person that will not accept my limitations I know it is only making things worse and will probably put me in a wheelchair eventually but I can't give up. hopeing that the above may help others to make decisions in their treatment or if anyone has had different treatments please let me know.

Hi @nineteen_gale, @rose19, @iceman01,

Thanks a lot for sharing your experience! Where did you find information and tips on how to manage your pain? Was it your doctor's advice?

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If you need any help just let me know.

Margarita

yes, doctors advice as well as internet searches. as one treatment failed, another one was suggested, eventualy leading to "cryogenic injections", which involves 2 large hollow needles injected into your spine whilst you are awake. you have to let the surgeon know when the pain is at it's worst and then he injects the freezing fluid around the bare nerves to alleviate the pain. whilst it is happening it is very painful but the benefits are fantastic. I had a total of 4 operations with results as follows>

1st- 6 months relief

2nd- no relief

3rd- 2 months relief

4th- no relief.

eventualy gave up because the pain of the operation didn't negate the chance of relief(your body gets used to the treatment).

@Rose1952 

Hi Rose

Thank you for your comments. yes, I do take Glocosamine with Condroitin. Have done so for many years.  I do swimming and some water based exercises but not aerobics, as I have spinal problems. have had 5 Spinal surgeries and am bent from my hips, thus unable to stand upright and have to walk with crutches. But the static bike in the gym helps a lot. i also take Turmeric milk with ginger, black pepper, olive oil and cinnamon every day. I have found this very benificial. I have had 4 Corticosteroid injections already. i am told that you must not have more than 3 as it eventually weakens your bones and also affects your eyes. Thank you for Paxum Gel info. I will ask my GP about it.

Thank you for sharing the info.

@iceman01