Folks with arthritis, any non prescription suggestions for stiffness?

[SeerSGB]

Minds out of the gutter.

Last year I was diagnosed with the onset of arthritis. 35 years old and both my hands are in pretty shit shape right now.

The doctor only wants to prescribe pain-meds; despite me telling pain isn't even a issue (it's moderate to nothing most days) but the stiffness in my hands is the real problem. I've told two docs this, and both of them just want to prescribe pain-meds, thinking that the pain is the issue-- it's not.

Ice bathes seem to limber my hands up for a while, but makes the pain worse-- still tolerable, just worse. So, anyone on the board got any home-remedies to ease of joint stiffness or suggestions?

 

[An Officer]

Re: Folks with arthritis, any non prescription suggestions for stiffne

I have heard turmeric is excellent for this. Preferably in its freshest form (it is a sister plant to ginger, just looks like orange-ish coloured ginger basically), ground and added to food or added to hot drinks... if you can't find that, non irradiated turmeric powder will do, and if you can find organic, all the better. Google the research for yourself... and the best of health to you.

 

[JiNX-01]

Re: Folks with arthritis, any non prescription suggestions for stiffne

Centrum with cosamin.

 

[Vulcan Princess]

Re: Folks with arthritis, any non prescription suggestions for stiffne

Have you tried heat? I've never tried heat for joint stiffness, but when I get muscle stiffness, there's nothing quite like a heating pad or hot bath to loosen things up. I imagine it could help.

 

[Miss Chicken]

Re: Folks with arthritis, any non prescription suggestions for stiffne

As someone who has been sufferinf with arthritis for nearly 20 years I am also going to suggest heat.

I often wake up very stiff and I find that a hot shower helps. A hot bath would probably be better but I can no longer get in and out of a bath easily.

 

[auntiehill]

Re: Folks with arthritis, any non prescription suggestions for stiffne

Centrum with cosamin.

My doctor showed me studies that showed glucosamine & chondroitin had the same effect as placebos, except in studies that were, of course, funded by the drug company themselves. I stopped taking glucosamine, after taking it for two years, and I can't say I'm any better or worse off. Your mileage may vary, of course.

Last time I was at Baylor College of Medicine, I saw a little flyer saying that such supplements did NOT work for osteoarthritis. Which I guess is why it's a "dietary supplement" and not "medicine." But it's not harmful, so if you think it helps, that's all that matters.

 

[Kemaiku]

Re: Folks with arthritis, any non prescription suggestions for stiffne

Mine kicked in at 19 and even at 27 it's still pretty mild but keeping warm, keeping the joints moving (gently), a little bit of wine now and then can help. Basically good hydration and plenty of warmth do wonders.

 

[RandyS]

Re: Folks with arthritis, any non prescription suggestions for stiffne

Immersion in warm water.

Or, if you hate sitting in a pool (as I do), wash cloths immersed in warm water.

It doesn't work as well Tylenol, but you wanted ideas other than medicine.

 

[24thcenstfan]

Re: Folks with arthritis, any non prescription suggestions for stiffne

Epsom Salt baths. Great for many kinds of ailments, soothing aches and pains, reducing inflammation. It would help my mom sometimes (she has RA). I've used it in foot baths many times. Very soothing and reduced my sore feet.

You can just soak your hands if you want. Make sure the Epsom Salt is dissolved in hot/warm water and soak as long as you want.

You can get a big container of it at any drugstore/pharmacy/first aid area of a store. Fairly cheep too (a couple of dollars).

 

[Holdfast]

Re: Folks with arthritis, any non prescription suggestions for stiffne

Epsom Salt baths.

You know, I grew up in Epsom. All that's left of the original baths these days is/was a rusty pump.

Anyway, Epsom salts are basically magnesium sulphate, which has a mild anti-inflammatory action, hence the benefit you're noticing.

The story we heard growing up was that the reason the town's baths became really popular amongst royalty and the aristocracy in the 17th/18th century was because the anti-inflammatory effect was brilliant for genital herpes, which naturally was rife in that segment of society at the time.

 

[SeerSGB]

Re: Folks with arthritis, any non prescription suggestions for stiffne

Thanks for the suggestions all, I'll give 'em a try.