As you may have read, I find that tiger balm arthritis cream (not the ointment, the lotion like cream) really helps me a lot.
Would anyone like to share what creams, rubs, balms, ointments, sprays, topical stuff works for you?
Also has anyone made there own?
I was introduced to SalonPas through this site. They are stick ons that worked well on my hands, when my regulars didn't. I find that Tiger Balm, in the little tin, works really well. I also really like the icy hot type roll on, especially for shoulders and neck.
It seems to vary sometimes, what works where. I find that none of the topicals really work great on my hands and feet, but the SalonPas work better.
Yup, Salonpas all the way for those really bad spots. They last a long time ,up to 24 hours and they don't stink or move. I stay away from anything with aspirin now after the good warnings about too much NSAIDS. i like the roll on muscle rubs as well. They do go on the neck and shoulders very nicely and are so easy to apply, wrap a scarf around it and you're ready to go!
The only problem with Salonpas is, the adhesive is so strong it can damage your skin so do not us them in tender areas. Also, it hurts to pull them off of the osteo joints.
As for homemade- I like plain old mud. You know, dirt from the back yard mixed with warm water can really feel good on your hands. I learned this while making mud pies with my preschoolers and I still do it sometimes. Besides the tactile experience just makes you smile!! :0
I’m going to follow this closely. I had an emergency visit to my rheumy yesterday due to severe and debilitating wrist pain and he asked is I was using anything topical like Aspercream. It had never crossed my mind so I went out and got some. It seems to help a little, but I also had a cortisone injection when I was there. I felt like an old lady buying it!!
I tend to avoid anything that has adhesive (salonpas, tigerbalm patches, etc) because my skin is very sensitive, and I end up causing a huge angry rash whenever I remove them. I don't even like bandaids for the same reason! I do have a vat of tigerbalm ointment that I use whenever the muscles spasm and don't want to stop, but bengay and other roll-on or topical creams break my skin out in a rash (the tiger balm does also, but I use it as a last resort). I also have a homeopathic tension headache treatment that works wonders on shoulders and neck - relaxes everything and smells like lavender and heather.
I hadn't thought about mud treatments....I'll have to give it a try!
There are a number of Rx creams that are A-maz-ing.
Voltaren (diclofenac) gel or the Flector patch
Compounded creams
Lidoderm patch
The Voltaren gel is pretty cool. It’s an NSAID, but because of the way it’s used topically, you avoid a lot of the risks that you encounter with oral NSAIDs. It’s easy to have prescribed-most docs don’t have a problem writing for it because it’s a pretty safe pain reliever. It also comes in a patch form that can be applied directly to the painful area.
Compounded creams are super effective too. They usually contain a numbing drug like lidocaine, an NSAID, a muscle relaxant and a pain blocker, like ketamine. One should see a pain specialist for obtaining an rx for one of these. Usually, these need to be ordered through a mail order compounding pharmacy. They can cause drowsiness, so always use caution the first few times using it until you know how you will react to it.
Then, there are Lidoderm patches. These are nice and easy to use and provide pretty good pain relief. A rheum or family doc should have no problem prescribing for these. The only issue I have with them is that they aren’t sticky enough and tend to slide out of place. I always wash my skin well with warm soapy water and dry really well to remove any oils from my skin before applying. If I am using it on a wrist or knee, I reinforce it with an ace wrap.
For the OTC meds, Aspercreme, Tigerbalm, and SalonPas are pretty effective too, but I think that the Rx drugs work a little better, especially so with the compounded cream. For me, it seems to work a little “deeper” than the patches, if that makes sense.
I absolutely love the Biofreeze 3 oz roll-on! I buy at Amazon 2 for $15. I use it on my neck, shoulders, and feet or anywhere I need topical relief. The strong smell goes away about 2 to 5 minutes so not bad at all:)
We really like plain old coconut oil in our house to help keep dry skin or rashes at bay!
This is the body butter that we use at our house. Lauren thinks this works best to hydrate her skin.
I like Badger Balm for dry skin patches and my cuticles, plain old petroleum jelly for my feet to keep dryness at bay. I put a bunch of vaseline on my feet and then put socks on a couple times a week. Voltaren gel is great, but my insurance quit covering it, boo! My husband recently got some compounded cream that had the NSAID from Voltaren plus lidocaine, he uses it for his thoracic outlet syndrome. Since that is covered by my insurance, I'm getting some of that when I run out of Voltaren. I find that I also have problems with adhesive, my skin always turns red for days after having it applied. I have to use cortisone on any place that has a bandaid on it...and since I have wound healing issues with all the meds I always wear a band-aid if I get a cut.
My favourite rub is Voltaren. Note to Canadian members: it is available over the counter here. The strength is the same as the Rx stuff in the US.
Yes, I totally forgot about Voltaren. I used that on my hands for a while. I knew that it worked, because I knew when it was time to use it again. I stopped using it because I had to go back to using a systemic NSAID.
You may have an allergy to the latex in the adhesives. It’s pretty common. Sometimes, pretreating with Zyrtec or another OTC antihistamine can help. Also instead of bandaids, you could try paper medical tape with a gauze instead. The adhesives in paper tape are gentler and some are latex free. You could apply the gel or cream to a gauze square, cover it with another plastic dressing then use the paper tape to bind it. Definitely should check with a pharmacist on that first. Some meds aren’t meant to be occluded like that, but I’m sure there are aome that you could try it with.
Mel B said:
I like Badger Balm for dry skin patches and my cuticles, plain old petroleum jelly for my feet to keep dryness at bay. I put a bunch of vaseline on my feet and then put socks on a couple times a week. Voltaren gel is great, but my insurance quit covering it, boo! My husband recently got some compounded cream that had the NSAID from Voltaren plus lidocaine, he uses it for his thoracic outlet syndrome. Since that is covered by my insurance, I’m getting some of that when I run out of Voltaren. I find that I also have problems with adhesive, my skin always turns red for days after having it applied. I have to use cortisone on any place that has a bandaid on it…and since I have wound healing issues with all the meds I always wear a band-aid if I get a cut.
Stoney,
I think that you an still use the Voltaren even with a systemic NSAID, because they are absorbed differently. If you find it helpful for your tender hands it’s worth asking about - the worst they can say is no. 
Stoney said:
Yes, I totally forgot about Voltaren. I used that on my hands for a while. I knew that it worked, because I knew when it was time to use it again. I stopped using it because I had to go back to using a systemic NSAID.
Very jealous about that!
Seenie said:
My favourite rub is Voltaren. Note to Canadian members: it is available over the counter here. The strength is the same as the Rx stuff in the US.
I used Voltaren on my knees for a while (as prescribed by my Rheumy), but didn't find it to be at all beneficial. Of course, that was then, this is now, so things might have changed. I might ask about getting some for my hands. Now that they are all swelly and ouchie it might help them....hmmmm...... :)
Also, there are these wonderful clear dressings available now to the public. The brand name is Tegadem and they are quite pricey-over a dollar a sheet. Now, there are generics and Band-aid and Nexcare have started carrying them too at a much lower price. I have found that patients with sensitive skin do better with these and I am pretty sure they are latex free.
When removing any dressing with adhesive, use a cotton or gauze soaked in mineral oil to loosen the adhesive. This helps a ton with preventing rashes and skin tears.
Mel B said:
I like Badger Balm for dry skin patches and my cuticles, plain old petroleum jelly for my feet to keep dryness at bay. I put a bunch of vaseline on my feet and then put socks on a couple times a week. Voltaren gel is great, but my insurance quit covering it, boo! My husband recently got some compounded cream that had the NSAID from Voltaren plus lidocaine, he uses it for his thoracic outlet syndrome. Since that is covered by my insurance, I’m getting some of that when I run out of Voltaren. I find that I also have problems with adhesive, my skin always turns red for days after having it applied. I have to use cortisone on any place that has a bandaid on it…and since I have wound healing issues with all the meds I always wear a band-aid if I get a cut.
Just a note: for US members the Walmart $4 prescription program does not include the Voltaren gel, however it does include: (these are the ones I thought most of us have been on or will be on at one point or another)
Cyclobenzaprine 5mg tab
Cyclobenzaprine 10mg tab
Dexamethasone 0.5mg tab
Dexamethasone 0.75mg tab
Dexamethasone 4mg tab
Diclofenac DR 75mg tab*
Naproxen 375mg tab*
Naproxen 500mg tab*
Promethazine 25mg tab*
Promethazine plain syrup*
Amitriptyline 10mg tab
Amitriptyline 25mg tab
Amitriptyline 50mg tab
Amitriptyline 75mg tab
Amitriptyline 100mg tab
Prednisone 2.5mg tab*
Prednisone 5mg tab*
Folic Acid 1mg tab
You can find a complete list at http://i.walmartimages.com/i/if/hmp/fusion/customer_list.pdf
I also found a local mom and pop pharmacy that is scads cheaper on MTX. Most of the big name places run about 75-120 per month, while the mom and pop place runs 37.00. Just thought I'd throw that out there. I found them by calling every single pharmacy in a 25 mile radius of my house.
I have a body butter too that I swear by. It actually lasts all day. I have tried several kinds and most are pretty wonderful, but my favorite one from Melaleuca smells so nummy! It makes me feel pretty pampered after all of the stinky creams and gels!
Karen said:
Does anyone know the legalities of ordering the Voltaren gel online from a Canadian pharmacy and having it shipped here? I found a place online https://www.northwestpharmacy.com/productsearch.aspx?s=voltaren%20gel that sells it...and its CHEAP (in comparison to buying it via Rx here), but it says you need a RX to get it. Hmm...I wonder who I know who lives near Canada...