Osteo Arthritis Knee And Shoulder Pain ( No Sleep)

[raybarrell]

I have been diagnosed with Osteo Arthritis confirmed by Xray. But the hospital just prescribed 10 days of tablets, & the goodbye! Can anyone advise me as to what tablet to buy to just take say, 1 per day to ease the pain ? This is not a severe pain, just a niggling pain which disturbes my sleep pattern,cannot get comfortable. I do not want to stuff myself with unecessary pills.Any name of a good pill, or website link, would be grateful?

[FBN]

Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease and first line treatment would be with a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medication such as Voltaren, Feldene etc.

Night pain is common as the joints are not lubricated by movement and get stiff and painful.

Weight bearing joints are most commonly affected such as knees, hips and shoulders; many time a pre-existing injury or overuse due to sports activities of some kind precedes onset of symptoms.

Check out the Mayo clinic site: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/osteoarthritis/DS00019/

[ravip]

I too was diagnosed having early stages of OA on my left knee in start 2011. Pain killers were prescribed.

Further I was recommended long term therapies such as glucosamine and/or chondroitin sulfate and Rose Hip powder capsules, which I learnt are not 100% proven scientifically to cure OA.

After a couple of months, as the pain was intolerable I resorted to Ayurvedic treatment.

After 5 - 6 weeks therapy, now I am minus the pain and do my regular walk/jog 6-10km. No medications are taken now except some fish-oil capsules.

My Doctor advised against any exercise involving squatting.

Just stating my experience as I had the same problem.

[Valentine]

I too have it in the knee, in fact I think no cartilage left or very little. It resulted from an old rugby injury when I was 21 & the doctor stated then I would have problems when I was older. I am not using any medication for the pain even though I have moments when it is excruciating but only lasts a few seconds. Last week I was prescribed Norgesic & Meloxicam (NSAID) http://www.medicinenet.com/meloxicam/article.htm for a neck problem which would not go away & it seems to have helped my knee as well. I don't know how much they cost as I got it through my health care. Doctor told me a couple of years ago I need a knee replacement.

A friend of mine was about to head home this year to have two replacements then he started exercising in a pool everyday & soon came off painkillers & able to walk much more freely.

[Ryanelahi]

I would advise against taking NSAID's since they have been shown to increase cartilage degeneration, thin bones and increase arthritis.

I have also been diagnosed with OA and I did extensive research on what can help/reduce it.

Take: 1) Glucosamine Sulfate, chondroitin, MSM, 2) Wobenzym-N, 3) Hyaluronic Acid, 4) SAMe 5) Diacerein,6) Collagen (type II), 7) Omega 3, 8) Calcium and 9) Vitamin C.

I'm taking all of the above except #2 and 3 which I haven't been able to get a hold of yet. I have already noticed an improvement in my knees and right shoulder. I have OA in both knees, right hip, right shoulder and both elbows which I got from excessive exercising (I started exercising regularly 30 years ago.)

[Sheryl]

Hyaluronic Acid is a naturally occurring fluid that lines joints. For relief of arthritis, hyaluronic acid needs to be injected into the joint by a doctor. Taking it orally will not work as it is a polysaccharide (a chain of sugars) and will be completely broken down in the digestive process, thus having no effect on the amount of HA in the synovial space (space around the joint) which is where it is needed. (which fact hasn't stopped people from selling it on the internet with false claims).

Injections of corticosteroids (also directly into the joint) will also often bring symptomatic relief. However repeat injections can have adverse long term effects ion the cartilege.

Both need to be given by an orthopedic specialist.

in OP's case neither is likely to be indicated since his pain is minor, these are usually reserved for people in whom conservative therapy (anti-inflammatories, glucosamine etc) isn't enough.

Another conservative measure that helps some people is the application of heat, moist heat preferrably. Heating pads and the like.

Losing weight (unless you are already on the thin side) will also make a positive difference by putting less strain on the joints.

[PoodMaiDai]

For starters, glucosamine every day, without fail. This is very important and you will be surprised how much better this alone can make you feel.