Newly Diagnosed Arthritis

Forums › Health and fitness › Newly Diagnosed Arthritis

FineWine

2984 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Nurse (R)

Lifetime subscriber

#198846 25-Jul-2016 14:32

Just been diagnosed with arthritis of my articular cartilage in my wrist (carpus bones), base of thumb (metacarpophalangeal joint, or MCP joint) and the Index finger (proximal interphalangeal joint, or PIP joint).

Now that I think about it this is my mouse hand and finger. Been using a mouse since my first computer in about '88 so I suppose wear & tear is bound to happen especially since I am 62.

My doctor has recommended a cream called Zostrix which is a Capzasin-P based cream. Just started using it today so wont know the benefits for a few days yet. Plus he recommends a squeezing a stress ball for hand exercise.

My question is, what are forum members thoughts, experiences and recommendations on: NZ Green Lipped Mussel, fish oil, krill oil, Glucosamine and Chondroitin (separately or in combination) or any other cartilage rebuilders and discomfort relievers, their cost and supply sources?

My partner is a member of Netpharmacy NZ and recommends I buy from them. Also my sister-in-law who is big in NZ Tai Chi recommends Tai Chi for hand and overall body health.

Cheers

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

1 | 2

7785 posts

Uber Geek

#1598249 25-Jul-2016 15:14

The Greenshell mussel extract is real - although the actual active ingredient is yet to be identified. But it all depends how well it has been extracted. Heating kills the anti-inflammatory activity, so do other forms of poor process control.

Omega-3 oils (fish, krill etc) contain EPA and DHA. They have a mild general effect on cellular inflammation. Won't do any harm but may be about as much help as harsh language against arthritis. Agains Omega-3s have to be well extracted and stabilised and have a shelf life.

Omega-3 oils from vascular plants are pretty useless to humans (e.g. ALA from flax oil)

Deer velvet is worth a try. It worked wonders for mobility in three of my dogs when they developed arthritis in their last few years.

Mike

nakedmolerat

4629 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1598251 25-Jul-2016 15:16

Osteoarthritis?

frankv

5680 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1598306 25-Jul-2016 16:11

My sympathies to the OP... I have various arthritic joints. Getting old ain't for sissies.

I'm not a big believer in supplements... My view is that if it worked, they would purify it further to the extent that it was bloody well obvious that it did work, even if you had to get it on a prescription.

Nevertheless, (as suggested by my GP) I have tried a few glucosamine/chondroitin supplements, including some of which were recommended as "wonderful" by friends. Nothing seems to make much difference. Hope you find something that works for you.

rb99

3423 posts

Uber Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#1598309 25-Jul-2016 16:14

Hope this isn't too idiotic a comment, but if your still going to be using computers, might be worth giving a trackball a try.

“The modern conservative is engaged in one of man's oldest exercises in moral philosophy; that is, the search for a superior moral justification for selfishness.” -John Kenneth Galbraith

rb99

MikeAqua

7785 posts

Uber Geek

#1598325 25-Jul-2016 16:42

frankv:

I'm not a big believer in supplements... My view is that if it worked, they would purify it further to the extent that it was bloody well obvious that it did work, even if you had to get it on a prescription.

It's not that simple.

Pharma companies generally don't purify, they synthesise. Synthesising generally allows a consistent product.

If they can't synthesise they will consider extraction and purification from a plant grown on land. They are very leery of anything that must be grown in the sea, generally they will only grow enough to get through clinical trials.

That chips out shark chondroitin, many marine omega 3 sources and mussel extract.

Mike

FineWine

2984 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Nurse (R)

Lifetime subscriber

#1599986 28-Jul-2016 08:02

nakedmolerat:

Osteoarthritis?

Yes it is.

Been using the Zostrix cream which is a Capzasin-P based cream for 3 days now twice a day and that appears to be doing its job of blocking the pain and easing up the joints. I have not taken any analgesia for pain relief.

I am going to order an all in-one OTC medicine from Netpharmacy some NZ Green Lipped Mussel, Glucosamine and Chondroitin.

My research says if you noticed no improvement after three months using these OTC medicines then give up as they will never work. If you do notice an improvement keep going.

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

Fred99

13684 posts

Uber Geek

#1599998 28-Jul-2016 08:32

FineWine:

nakedmolerat:

Osteoarthritis?

Yes it is.

Been using the Zostrix cream which is a Capzasin-P based cream for 3 days now twice a day and that appears to be doing its job of blocking the pain and easing up the joints. I have not taken any analgesia for pain relief.

I am going to order an all in-one OTC medicine from Netpharmacy some NZ Green Lipped Mussel, Glucosamine and Chondroitin.

My research says if you noticed no improvement after three months using these OTC medicines then give up as they will never work. If you do notice an improvement keep going.

How are you going to attribute "working" to the snake-oil pills when you're presumably continuing to use Zostrix and following the Dr's advice for physiotherapy using the squeeze ball?

That sounds harsh - but it's a good example of how there's an aisle full of often expensive pills is in the supermarket - with no clinical evidence for much of it to be of any use for anything at all.

Sharesies

Trade NZ and US shares and funds with Sharesies (affiliate link).

FineWine

2984 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

Nurse (R)

Lifetime subscriber

#1600005 28-Jul-2016 08:56

Fred99: How are you going to attribute "working" to the snake-oil pills when you're presumably continuing to use Zostrix and following the Dr's advice for physiotherapy using the squeeze ball?

That sounds harsh - but it's a good example of how there's an aisle full of often expensive pills is in the supermarket - with no clinical evidence for much of it to be of any use for anything at all.

Because there is anecdotal evidence out there that suggests that some of these "snake oils" do provide some benefit to some people and I mean real benefit not a placebo effect. In my case the proof will be a lessening of crepitus in my index finger which means the cartilage is: a) not breaking down any further and remaining static or b) is being rebuilt to a degree or c) both.

I know there is no complete cure for OA except for an artificial joint insertion but if the OTC med's and the Zostrix cream and stress ball exercises makes my hand pain free and brings back the lost strength then I will be a happy man.

Whilst the difficult we can do immediately, the impossible takes a bit longer. However, miracles you will have to wait for.

jmh

458 posts

Ultimate Geek

#1600021 28-Jul-2016 09:23

My uncle has some form of arthritis in his hands and it's quite painful. He found the high strength krill oil eased the pain a lot.

As well as supplements you may find that cleaning up your diet helps - basically a return to real food and away from the processed stuff we get today. Since you're so old (!) you should be able to remember back to the days when we all ate simple food (I know some people find that fruit can cause problems - we eat a lot more of it than we used to).

I agree with the Tai Chi idea, or some form of relaxing exercise. If you can get access to a sauna that might help too. Many local pools have one, and of course swimming is great exercise that doesn't stress the joints.

Often these conditions are the result of a tipping point following years of less than healthy habits, so it may not be one thing that cures/helps the condition but a cluster of improvements. Most of them benefit overall health as well.

pctek

807 posts

Ultimate Geek
Inactive user

#1603648 3-Aug-2016 15:19

My doctor has recommended a cream called Zostrix which is a Capzasin-P based cream.

: NZ Green Lipped Mussel, fish oil, krill oil, Glucosamine and Chondroitin (separately or in combination) or any other cartilage rebuilders and discomfort relievers,

First nothing rebuilds cartilage once it is lost.

The cream can help by overloading your nerve endings, works somewhat for nerve pain.

My mum has had arthritis for 40 odd years now, me for 8. She tried everything. She will tell you none of them work.

I will tell you never do the nastier medications: anti-inflammatories, tramadol, celebrex etc.

Stick with Coldagin, it has minimal codeine and has paracetamol. Of course 8 pills is the absolute maximum per day, and I would halve that - because of the paracetamol.

But it does help.

Keep moving, but don't push it. I've learned that the hard way, oh I can ignore the pain longer, I can continue longer.....then it takes it's toll later and the longer you ignore it, the longer it takes to calm down.

Jax

92 posts

Master Geek

#1603686 3-Aug-2016 16:12

I came across this the other day - I cannot vouch for it but heard anecdotally from a few sources that it was helpful

http://www.positivehealth.com/article/nutrition/boron-major-cause-and-cure-for-arthritis

And agree with the other poster about cleaning up diet etc

networkn

Networkn
32358 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1603693 3-Aug-2016 16:17

My mother suffered, my sister suffers and I am led to believe there is a good chance I will also suffer, and so whilst I can't offer you advice, I would like to offer you my sympathy.

Fred99

13684 posts

Uber Geek

#1603729 3-Aug-2016 17:11

Since we're on to alternative therapies, google the relationship between regular aerobic exercise, inflammation, and many (most) chronic diseases related to the immune system.

Obviously presents some problems if the disease already affects mobility.

It's free (and with side benefits).

Quinny

887 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#1604218 4-Aug-2016 12:24

Osteoarthritis in hands and to quote gp have the hands and joints (knees and hip) of an 80 year old :(

Saw specialist who had me try Nutra-life MSM 1000mg which is working well for me at 1 a day. I get Zostrix free for life as GP filled in Health Board stuff and I had ticked all the have you tried this. Took 6 months but worth trying if it helps you.

I do Glucosamine daily but Specialist said below 1500mg not worth it. Worked awesome for me 20 years ago now

Only supplement that has been proven to work clinical trials is "avocado soybean unsaponifiables" or ASU but looks like only way to get to NZ is really expensive so have not bothered.

Other than that its Celebrex in NZ and that is user pays. I get 20 to take over 3 months and use when above have failed and everything hurts like crap.

linw

2849 posts

Uber Geek

#1611026 13-Aug-2016 08:53

Firstly, commiserations. If your other hand is better than your 'mouse hand', switch the mouse over. Years ago I was having right shoulder trouble and extending my arm with the mouse wasn't good so I moved the mouse over to the left hand and have been using it that way for years. I don't even bother changing the mouse setup to leftie mode.

Having hip joint problems I can empathise with the decisions over the expensive, totally unproven, 'healtheries' out there. Being of a very sceptical nature I regard them all with much suspicion.

Most of all, I hate the so-called sports stars who shamelessly plug this stuff. I wish someone would ask them for the scientific studies backing the claims. The word prostitutes comes to mind.

At least my problems can hopefully be fixed - first hip replacement in four weeks!

Once again, hope you can find something that helps.

1 | 2