[villagetinker]

Has anyone found a medican OTC or prescription that works for both of these? Wife is suffering. Also if you have a really good doctor for these conditions that would be appreciated if she decides to change doctors.
Thanks in advance, VT

[Happydaz]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

Has anyone found a medican OTC or prescription that works for both of these? Wife is suffering. Also if you have a really good doctor for these conditions that would be appreciated if she decides to change doctors.
Thanks in advance, VT

You can find many over the counter treatments for osteoarthritis such as Motrin, Aleve, aspirin, diclofenac creams, etc., etc.. There are many products that can help temporarily relieve symptoms. If you have a chronic problem you should check with your primary care physician for more extensive treatment options. Now, if you are talking about rheumatoid arthritis you have a more serious issue and need to talk, at a minimum, to your PCP and maybe then be referred to a Rheumatologist. Osteoarthritis is the pain and swelling from the normal wear and tear of our joints that most of us get as we age. Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that results in much more serious consequences. That is why you may want to talk to a Rheumatologist and discuss many of the treatment options for this disease. These specialists are the doctors to talk to if you have rheumatoid arthritis.

[jdulej]

There is the pain management side and the actual treatment side. I think you will only find pain management stuff otc. For me ibuprofen is the only drug otc that touches RA. I lived on the stuff for 15 years. You need a big dose. 800 mg 3 times a day but for me it was the difference between crawling up and down the stairs and walking
There can be bad side effects over time with that big a dose
My Villages dr was horrified at the dose I was taking and moved me to 5mg X 2 times a day of prednisone. That also seems to work but my swelling and pain are nowhere neAr as bad as when this first kicked in
Dont neglect the treatment side or your joints will continue to get eaten away. I take Methotrexate weekly and it works fine. Be aware that some treatments cost a fortune like Embril. Dont let yourself get talked into those if you can help it

[villagetinker]

Thank you all for the info and comments so far, a lot of this is what my wife has already tried or is currently doing, hoping for something she has not tried yet.

[Babubhat]

Voltarin gives me temporary relief but is not a long term solution. Still waiting for my appointment with a specialist

[wisbad1]

Originally Posted by villagetinker

Has anyone found a medican OTC or prescription that works for both of these? Wife is suffering. Also if you have a really good doctor for these conditions that would be appreciated if she decides to change doctors.
Thanks in advance, VT

I’m suffering from RA, effecting my lungs and joints. Been going to Sands in Gainesville, taking Prednisone for two weeks, never felt better . You pm for more info if you need.

[tophcfa]

CBD works very well for many people with Ostio, including myself. Rheumatoid is a very different and more difficult nut to crack. A couple of close friends have been battling RA and nothing available OTC has provided relief. However, both of my friends got very good results from the prescription medication Hydoxychloroquine. The medication works slowly over time, but after a couple months both friends got significant relief. Played golf with one of them today and he shot a 73 and kicked my a$$. Wishing the best for your wife!

[rjm1cc]

I do not know if this will help or not. Over the counter "schiff move free"

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Voltaren can help with some of the joint pain. I wouldn't put it on the fingers though - you need to wash your hands pretty thoroughly after applying it to other parts of the body - rubbing an itch on your eye would be a pretty nasty experience if you had voltaren on your finger.

I just bought a bottle of Bigeloil, hoping it'll help my own OA pain. It's a horse liniment that is pretty popular I guess with the Senior set, made by Absorbine (remember Absorbine Jr? Same company). Ingredients are mostly menthol, with salicylic acid and methyl salicylate (both chemical components of both aspirin and of willow bark), juniper berry, thyme, rubbing alcohol, and water.

The only real treatment for my OA will be a hip replacement at this point, so pain management is the best I can hope for until then.

[Catfishjeff]

Dr. Catherine Sullivan, rheumatology at the Center for Advanced Healthcare at Brownwood. She’s been treating my two types of arthritis with lots of success. 352-674-8700

[Hape2Bhr]

I have been using this for over 20 years. It works for me, and several other people I know of. It does not help everyone.

Is Pineapple Juice Good for Arthritis Pain? | Healthfully

[jdulej]

Originally Posted by Catfishjeff

Dr. Catherine Sullivan, rheumatology at the Center for Advanced Healthcare at Brownwood. She’s been treating my two types of arthritis with lots of success. 352-674-8700

I’ll second Catherine Sullivan

[NotGolfer]

I'm so sorry your wife is suffering. I have both of those plus fibromyalgia. We're all different with our diseases so how she responds to treatments may be different than others. You said she's pursued treatments to no avail. I don't know that OTC can help much as the RX meds are supposed to slow down the progression. OTC and pain meds just cover the issues that cause the pain. One thing I found though to help my fibro. is CBD---I use both tincture and gummies at bedtime. I would say she needs to continue with a rheumatologist. IF she's unhappy then find another one. Dr. Gresh in Ocala is a good one. I see Catherine Sullivan at the Specialty Clinic but heard she's not taking new patients. Not sure if that's correct or not. Used to go to Simed but can't recommend anyone there.
Osteoarthritis comes from aging and use of the body parts. It's different than RA, which is an autoimmune disease. I can't take nsaids so my rheumatologist recommended acetametaphin. She also prescribed a muscle relaxant that I take at bedtime. If pain really hits in certain areas, a heating pad or a soak in the tub might help. I've been the route of pain specialists and won't do it again. Steroids just aren't good for your body. They thin the bones, skin tissue and veins...example with me is being poked for labs or having IV's in the hospital. My veins are hard to find now AND I "blow" the IV's so multiple tries have to happen which isn't fun. PLUS if you get the steroid shots from a pain specialist---I'm talking the kind where you have to fast and they use an x-ray machine to place the needle---these are short term fixes.

[socrafty]

I was referred to Dr. Kennth Stark in Tavares and saw him last week for the first time. I was very happy with him and Dr. Blum and felt they were well worth the 45 min drive. They spent a lot of time with me, and explained things in a way I could understand them. They think there are a couple things going on and gave me a couple of options to ease the pain. Prednisone was one, but it whacks me out and once done with it, the pain comes back. My other option is Methotrexate, which they monitor closely with bloodwork. I think I'm going to go that route. I hope your wife gets some relief soon.

[La lamy]

Doctors always go to drugs as a treatment, and I know arthritis is very painful, but maybe she can also try anti-inflam foods and all holistic approaches. Like others have said, I've heard CBD oil is quite effective. All the best to her.