just_cyd: (catface)
just_cyd ([personal profile] just_cyd) wrote2003-04-17 03:12 pm

(no subject)

i took 3 advil at 2pm. a full 80 minutes later, i feel no different. how long do these things take to work, if they're gonna work at all?

[identity profile] octavialuna.livejournal.com 2003-04-17 02:03 pm (UTC)(link)
you should be feeling better by now...
have you considered trying a homeopathic remedy such as arnica?

[identity profile] ocean-star.livejournal.com 2003-04-17 03:58 pm (UTC)(link)
Or saw palmetto. It's an anti-inflammatory. If not, try motrin. It's good for swelling, too.

[identity profile] just-cyd.livejournal.com 2003-04-18 06:37 am (UTC)(link)
no, i've not heard of that. do tell!! i'll try ANYthing right now.

Best herbal remedies for joint pain

[identity profile] octavialuna.livejournal.com 2003-04-21 11:50 pm (UTC)(link)
Sorry it took me so long to get back with you on this. I know your doc gave you an anti inflammatory but here's the info in case you're still interested:

GINGER AND TURMERIC: people in study report at least some relief from pain and swelling. no side effects. You can drink ginger tea.

PINEAPPLE: research suggests that bromelain, a chemical in pineapple, helps prevent inflammation. Trainers have recommended pineapple to athletes to prevent and treat sports injuries.

RED PEPPER: contains a pain-relieving chemical called capsaicin which triggers the body to release endorphins. also contains aspirin-like compounds called salicylates. Helpful when taken as food, but also when applied to the skin. Old Thyme Herbs carries a salve and a soap, as well as other products, for arthritis/joint pain, in which the main ingredient is red pepper. They have stores in Kenwood and Milford and are also online at www.oldthymeherbs.com . I have bought from them and find their products to be very high-quality.

STINGING NETTLE: I don't have a lot of info on this, except that you can eat the leaves as a vegetable

OREGANO: Oregano is a powerful antioxidant.

ARNICA: This can be taken as a homeopathic, or you can buy an arnica salve or cream or ointment and apply it topically.

Most of the above information is based on either first-hand experience, or by referencing THE GREEN PHARMACY by James A. Duke Ph.D.

Basically with the dietary herbs/foods such as ginger, oregano, pineapple, I would recommend simply trying to incorporate more of them into your diet. Let me know if you have any other questions or anything.

peace,
Christina

Re: Best herbal remedies for joint pain

[identity profile] just-cyd.livejournal.com 2003-04-22 06:40 am (UTC)(link)
THANK YOU for the info, Christina!!! i'll see what i can add to my diet; everything but the red pepper should be ok (i don't like peppers). i'll check my library for that book, too.

Re: Best herbal remedies for joint pain

[identity profile] octavialuna.livejournal.com 2003-04-22 09:36 am (UTC)(link)
No problem. As for the red pepper, try using topically, such as the soap or salves I mentioned....I think it really does help!

take care
Christina

[identity profile] cjsmith.livejournal.com 2003-04-17 07:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Takes about an hour for me. Of course, you know me: I wouldn't even think of eating a number as small as three. :-) If you need to hit it with a bigger hammer, try Aleve. Expensive, but strong too.

[identity profile] just-cyd.livejournal.com 2003-04-18 06:41 am (UTC)(link)
i should give Aleve another shot. i tried it when it first came out, and it made me horribly nauseous, and i don't recall the pain-killing effect worth it.

i broke down and took two of the darvocet left over from last year's surgery at bedtime. it still took a good hour to find a comfortable sleeping position, but i did sleep fairly soundly, and woke up in less pain than when i went to bed.

it's going to be a loooonng weekend.

[identity profile] cjsmith.livejournal.com 2003-04-21 11:54 pm (UTC)(link)
i tried [Aleve] when it first came out, and it made me horribly nauseous, and i don't recall the pain-killing effect worth it.

Ick. Then it may be the same now. Too bad! How about ketoprofen (Orudis KT), does that do the same thing to you? Like ibuprofen (Advil) and naproxen sodium (Aleve), it's an NSAID -- many people seem to have similar reactions to all of them...

So how are you feeling now? Better, I hope???

[identity profile] just-cyd.livejournal.com 2003-04-22 06:38 am (UTC)(link)
i've never tried the other NSAIDs. my doc just put me back on Voltaren, which worked pretty well last time, so i may stick to that for now.

The pain is tolerable, or was, til this AM. it's bitterly cold (about 33) and damp, which makes every joint in my body hurt. i'm somewhere between 3-5 on your pain chart, so i'm better than last week.

if i don't make it to water aerobics tonight, i'll do yoga/stretching and some upper-body stuff that doesn't involve knee-bending. stretching would feel really good right now!

[identity profile] cjsmith.livejournal.com 2003-04-22 01:00 pm (UTC)(link)
Stretching sounds really good. I bet you have a low-pressure sensitivity, too, yes? (Low barometric pressure, I mean: your joints sense bad weather?)

I hope this improves soon, and I especially hope that you'll find a good long-term way to keep things bearable!