Natural Remedies for Arthritis?

[CombatVet]

I'm looking for some ways to help ease the pain of severe arthritis. The VA will prescribe the normal stuff, but it kills my stomach and I just can't handle it. I know of some less than legal substances that are supposed to help, but I'm not willing to risk getting arrested to go that route. So what are some treatments that don't include: Any sort of ibuprofen, Tylenol, Motrin etc. I've tried elevating the affected joints, and it helps some times. The VA wants me to shock the joints which I do some times, but it ends up burning my skin because I have to turn the voltage up so high. So I can't do that for more than a few minutes. This winter has so far been much more painful than past winters. Any suggestions are much appreciated.

30 seems way to young to have as much arthritis as I have. Play hard pay hard I suppose?

 

[Hoosier Gun Coat]

What body parts are you having issues with.

 

[CombatVet]

Ankle, knee, hip, lower lumbar. All same side.

 

[kevman65]

I've taken glucosamine and it has seemed to help. But it could also just be a mental thing. There are arguments both ways on it.

 

[U.S. Patriot]

I would like to know myself. I have spinal arthritis and it's very painful. I have been prescribed arthritis medication in the past and it has done nothing to help. I have also been through physical therapy and shock treatment. The only thing I have found that works is deep tissue massages. That was part of my PT. However, I can not afford to get massages on a regular basis. I too have tried every kind of pain reliever, heating pads, pain patches, etc.

CombatVet I know exactly what you are going through. This cold has really been getting to me. I'm 32 years old and sometimes I feel like I'm 60. I have been to quite a few Dr.'s. They play it off, and I think it's do to my age. Mine did not start giving me problems until three years after being discharged.

 

[rambone]

You are smart to not want to be taking pain killers and heavy pills for the rest of your life.

I posted a thread last week that you may find useful. Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar daily reportedly eases arthritic pain. If you try it, please let me know how it works for you. You need to drink it before meals. Read more here:

Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar for health benefits, weight loss

 

[CombatVet]

I would like to know myself. I have spinal arthritis and it's very painful. I have been prescribed arthritis medication in the past and it has done nothing to help. I have also been through physical therapy and shock treatment. The only thing I have found that works is deep tissue massages. That was part of my PT. However, I can not afford to get massages on a regular basis. I too have tried every kind of pain reliever, heating pads, pain patches, etc.

CombatVet I know exactly what you are going through. This cold has really been getting to me. I'm 32 years old and sometimes I feel like I'm 60. I have been to quite a few Dr.'s. They play it off, and I think it's do to my age. Mine did not start giving me problems until three years after being discharged.

I HATE when they try to down play it! Drives me ****ing nuts! I'm in pain damn it who cares how old I am, fix it! Jack boots! It's really bad today. Two Vicodin didn't touch it.

 

[CombatVet]

You are smart to not want to be taking pain killers and heavy pills for the rest of your life.

I posted a thread last week that you may find useful. Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar daily reportedly eases arthritic pain. If you try it, please let me know how it works for you. You need to drink it before meals. Read more here:

Drinking Apple Cider Vinegar for health benefits, weight loss

Where can I procure Apple Cider Vinegar. At this point I'll try horse **** if it works.

 

[rambone]

I spent a few minutes doing an internet search and found a few more suggestions. Any of these can easily be researched with a simple search.

Take a Multivitamin every day.
Additional daily supplements: Vitamin C, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, Calcium, Zinc, Omega 3 Fish Oils, & Glucosamine Sulfate.
Eat Sesame, Pumpkin, Flax, or Sunflower seeds. (anti-inflammatory)
Eat Garlic, or take Garlic supplements.
Add Cinnamon and Honey to your diet.
Drink Ginger Tea + Honey. (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory)
Drink Nettle Leaf Tea + Honey (anti-inflammatory)
Try visiting a Chiropractor.
Try Acupuncture and/or Yoga.
Lose weight.

 

[rambone]

Where can I procure Apple Cider Vinegar. At this point I'll try horse **** if it works.

It is recommended that for maximum health benefits you find the organic kind that still contains the mother protein strand. It depends on the stores around you. Maybe you will be in luck at your normal grocery store. Maybe you have some natural grocery stores or an organic food market in your area that might carry it.


Otherwise, you can order it online.

Bragg Apple Cider Vinegar

 

[Redskinsfan]

I spent a few minutes doing an internet search and found a few more suggestions. Any of these can easily be researched with a simple search.

Take a Multivitamin every day.
Additional daily supplements: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Calcium, Zinc, Omega 3 Fish Oils, & Glucosamine Sulfate.
Eat Sesame, Pumpkin, Flax, or Sunflower seeds. (anti-inflammatory)
Eat Garlic, or take Garlic supplements.
Add Cinnamon and Honey to your diet.
Drink Ginger Tea + Honey. (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory)
Drink Nettle Leaf Tea + Honey (anti-inflammatory)
Try visiting a Chiropractor.
Try Acupuncture and/or Yoga.
Lose weight.

These are my recommendations, I do them and my pain and stiffness is helped alot. Don't laugh at Yoga it is great for joint pain, the best thing I have ever done for it.

Terry

 

[Rookie]

A few years ago, my mom was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis. It was so bad that she would have to fall out of bed and crawl to the bathroom. She ended up going to see a specialist who diagnosed her with a vitamin D deficiency. After talking mega doses of vitamin D to get her levels up, she now takes a certain amount to maintain her level and is virtually pain free. Have you checked your levels recently? It wouldn't hurt...

 

[U.S. Patriot]

I HATE when they try to down play it! Drives me ****ing nuts! I'm in pain damn it who cares how old I am, fix it! Jack boots! It's really bad today. Two Vicodin didn't touch it.

I know exactly how you feel. Pain does not care how old you are. I just want something to help with the F'N pain. The Dr. said no pain killers because they they become addictive. I can see their point but I know there are alternatives. I tried to get cortisone shots but my past insurance would not cover it I have also been to a chiropractor and it made it worse.

 

[Hoosier Gun Coat]

I feel your pain. In my younger years I abused my body. I am now paying for it as I get older. Back in 2001 I had a motorcross crash that left me with a broken femur and collar bone. I also suffered injuries to other joints as well as internal injuries. I took no medication to ease the pain. I won't even take an aspirin. Some of the stuff they gave me hurt my stomach as well. I was at the point to where I though that that was the way it was going to be. About a year ago I took up biking. It is a low impact sport. I went from 185lbs to 165lbs. The loss of the extra weight helped my lower back, knees, and hips. It was hell at first but now I don't understand why I didn't do it sooner. It's still a little tough to get out of bed in the morning but it's a lot better than what it was. My suggestion would be to get your body weight down (not sure if you're a big or skinny guy). This will remove a lot of unwanted stress on your joints. Start a light exercise program. It will suck at first but it will get better over time. Oh.... a little shot of Jameson here and there helps as well but in moderation.

 

[CombatVet]

I spent a few minutes doing an internet search and found a few more suggestions. Any of these can easily be researched with a simple search.

Take a Multivitamin every day.
Additional daily supplements: Vitamin C, Vitamin E, Calcium, Zinc, Omega 3 Fish Oils, & Glucosamine Sulfate.
Eat Sesame, Pumpkin, Flax, or Sunflower seeds. (anti-inflammatory)
Eat Garlic, or take Garlic supplements.
Add Cinnamon and Honey to your diet.
Drink Ginger Tea + Honey. (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory)
Drink Nettle Leaf Tea + Honey (anti-inflammatory)
Try visiting a Chiropractor.
Try Acupuncture and/or Yoga.
Lose weight.

I've tried most of those. I refuse to go see a Chiropractor for personal reasons. Thanks for the advice. I'm going to look for the Apple Vinegar.

I know exactly how you feel. Pain does not care how old you are. I just want something to help with the F'N pain. The Dr. said no pain killers because they they become addictive. I can see their point but I know there are alternatives. I tried to get cortisone shots but my past insurance would not cover it I have also been to a chiropractor and it made it worse.

I wouldn't suggest the pain killer route. The Army and the VA had me hoped up on them. It destroys your body and you become an addict. After a while if you stop taking them you'll start having seizures for a period of time. It's really bad situation. If you were say 70 or 80 then I'd say go for it.

I feel your pain. In my younger years I abused my body. I am now paying for it as I get older. Back in 2001 I had a motorcross crash that left me with a broken femur and collar bone. I also suffered injuries to other joints as well as internal injuries. I took no medication to ease the pain. I won't even take an aspirin. Some of the stuff they gave me hurt my stomach as well. I was at the point to where I though that that was the way it was going to be. About a year ago I took up biking. It is a low impact sport. I went from 185lbs to 165lbs. The loss of the extra weight helped my lower back, knees, and hips. It was hell at first but now I don't understand why I didn't do it sooner. It's still a little tough to get out of bed in the morning but it's a lot better than what it was. My suggestion would be to get your body weight down (not sure if you're a big or skinny guy). This will remove a lot of unwanted stress on your joints. Start a light exercise program. It will suck at first but it will get better over time. Oh.... a little shot of Jameson here and there helps as well but in moderation.

I currently do low impact exercise when permitted due to weather/time. I'm wondering if it's still not getting aggravated by the exercising though. This is the first year in the past five I've worked out on my own and the pain is much much worse than in the past. Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[tyler34]

kettlebells, seriously. I'm on pain meds(I'm not one for snake oil) and they don't touch my hip pain(it' needs replaced like last year) after using kettlebells my hip has not only less pain but is in much better shape which will reduce rehab time once it's replaced. I can't do really any other exercise because of my conditions and where they are but I can do kettlebells, they are extremely low impact and effective.

 

[jeremy]

CV,

It depends on how much damage/loss you have in the cartilage of those joints that are affected. After a certain point the only option you will have is the pain...

On that note. I have done pretty severe damage to most of my joints repeatedly with mainly only Army Medics for care givers. Do not take this for a slam on the skills or abilities of the Medics and Corpsman at all! They can only carry so much of a treatment facility in their packs.
The things that have done wonders for my joints are Proper nutrition (whether achieved through good eating or the use of Flintstones?!) flexibility training (more than just Stretching), and Yoga...

 

[tyler34]

CV,

It depends on how much damage/loss you have in the cartilage of those joints that are affected. After a certain point the only option you will have is the pain...

well I have NO cartilage in my joints because of my conditon( avascular necrosis) you can get them replaced and that will get rid of your pain. a word to the wise if your joints are bad enough where replacement is one of the options, skip everything else and get the replacement ask me how I know.

 

[jeremy]

well I have NO cartilage in my joints because of my conditon( avascular necrosis) you can get them replaced and that will get rid of your pain. a word to the wise if your joints are bad enough where replacement is one of the options, skip everything else and get the replacement ask me how I know.

Sorry about your luck...
My problems are at least all self inflicted...

 

[U.S. Patriot]

I had very minor problems when I was younger. Most of my current issues must have been brought on from my time in the Service. I do not regret it, but the pain is not fun. I have lost hope honestly.