I've done some research on vitamins as well as tendon health. I realized that I had cut back on vitamin C not long before my flare up started. A coincidence ? Who knows.
1. So I've increased my vitamin C since then. The body uses Vit C to create Collagen which is needed for healthy tendons.
Also, I had believed I might be low on iron. What I ended up finding is that Folic Acid deficiencies can have a similar effect, so another good thing about orange juice. It turns out Sulfasalizine also inhibits the body's ability to absorb folic acid, but the doc doesn't give me a folid acid supplement like they do with Mtx.
2. Since i am on sulfasalazine, I have also increased my folic acid intake by eating more foods that contain folic acid.
For the most part I think this has helped.
3. I haven't tried yoga yet but I try to do gentle stretching daily. I think this helps.
4. I also found a cream in the drug store that helps with what I call " surface pain". It contains willow bark which is similar to aspirin. It helps me get through really rough days I had about a week ago. I'm not using it much now.
I've done some research on vitamins as well as tendon health. I realized that I had cut back on vitamin C not long before my flare up started. A coincidence ? Who knows.
1. So I've increased my vitamin C since then. The body uses Vit C to create Collagen which is needed for healthy tendons.
Also, I had believed I might be low on iron. What I ended up finding is that Folic Acid deficiencies can have a similar effect, so another good thing about orange juice. It turns out Sulfasalizine also inhibits the body's ability to absorb folic acid, but the doc doesn't give me a folid acid supplement like they do with Mtx.
2. Since i am on sulfasalazine, I have also increased my folic acid intake by eating more foods that contain folic acid.
For the most part I think this has helped.
3. I haven't tried yoga yet but I try to do gentle stretching daily. I think this helps.
4. I also found a cream in the drug store that helps with what I call " surface pain". It contains willow bark which is similar to aspirin. It helps me get through really rough days I had about a week ago. I'm not using it much now.
That’s the exact one that hubby and I have. We love them, and won’t travel without them! We really want a gel foam mattress topper too. I get so hot now, especially when I sleep. I’m hoping that maybe for Xmas, Santa will bring me something special! Also, it’s my birthday month, so there’s a chance of getting one early. I have it picked out!
SublimeAmiga said:
I had pain in my shoulder and neck for a long time and it was suggested to look into pillows… I bought this a few weeks ago and I love it! It has a cooling gel side to it too!
I get some rise in inflammation when I have not been doing it for awhile. I get wicked stiffness and pain the next day. I have to build up my tolerance again going frequently for smaller periods of time until I am back in the swing of it. It sometimes happens if I walk a lot and am not use to it too. I try to do something every day but sometimes I have to take a day or two off to rest up.
I can agree with this most of the time. I do get some day after aches, but not anything that I can’t just “walk off”. For me, there is nothing better to forget how crappy I feel.
rsdno said:
Please I’m not trying to be funny . The best thing is sex for pain hands down . I haven’t looked it up but Im sure Im right the Serotonin flowing so many things and feeling relaxed after . Unless she falls asleep on my arm and looks like an Angel so I dont want to wake her but my arm is starting to hurt . I wonder if there could be an invention but I have racked my mind ,well it is worth a little arm pain
I have not read anything about Vitamin C being helpful for inflammation. Initially, I looked into all sorts of supplements. The ones that I have heard most recently are turmeric and ginger. There has been a little research on them, but not much. Many people claim that they get a lot of benefit from them in terms of arthritis symptoms.
For nutritional deficiencies, it’s best to ask your doctor to test for them. It is very common for adults to be Vitamin D deficient, and to require supplementation. Your doc can write for an Rx strength tab that is taken weekly. It’s nice to have it prescribed, because it is less expensive than buying it over the counter, and its only one pill a week instead of 25 a week! I take Vitamin D, a B12 complex, Calcium, Acidophilus (a probiotic for my IBS), melatonin, phytosterols, black cohosh and a multi. I take the last two, because I started to have menopause symptoms this year. They have helped a lot. They were recommended by my GYN.
I do not use cleanses, nor do I recommend them. They can be very harmful, especially ones that dramatically restrict your intake of nutrients. There’s one that uses molasses, water, hot pepper and lemon and you drink only that with no food for several days. Anyone who claims that is good for you is full of it.
Protein shakes, or bars can be helpful, especially if one has a diminished appetite. If you are able to maintain a well balanced diet, you shouldn’t need to supplement your protein. Many of those drinks are full of carbs too, so you have to be careful when shopping for them. There are some protein drinks that are great to use as a snack, especially for the afternoon slump, or for those of us who hate eating breakfast. (Guilty!)
My symptoms are always worse when the barometric pressure suddenly drops. This is usually before a storm. Like most people, I have a harder time in the winter. I wear tights under my clothes all winter long and dress in layers. It helps a lot. I also have an electric blanket on my bed. It’s really nice because it has a control for each side. I can cook my side and my husband can turn his on, just a notch or two. I like to turn my side on 20 minutes before I hit the hay. I also have heated throw blankets for the couch. I started with one, then the dog and the kids took it over. I had to buy myself another one! I take warm tub soaks, and use my heated compresses to ease my achy and stiff joints.
I do have depression and anxiety. Actually, my anxiety triggers depression is a more accurate description. I have tried St. John’s Wort, but I feel like I want something that is made with a little more regulation for something so important as that. I want to know that I am consistently getting the same medication, dose, and effectiveness, and you just can’t be sure when it comes to herbals.
I do feel toxic if I don’t follow my prescribed diet, FODMAPS diet. I will let you google it, but I will describe it simply here. There are certain foods that are known to cause GI inflammation. I avoid those foods. Each letter of the FODMAPS stands for a group of these foods. If i dont stay away from gluten, I will also get pretty sick and will suffer the whole GI gamut. It makes me pretty compliant with my diet.
Gentle stretching, gentle rubs and my warm tub are the best things for my comfort. Those really are life savers when I’m at my worst. It also helps me to escape into a really good book. I am better able to forget my symptoms.
I hope that helps! I’m not the best resource for alternative therapies, but I know a little bit.
Andy said:
I know this is for us to relate what helps us. But I would like to ask questions about certain things, if it’s ok?
Does vitamin C help with inflammation, pain & stiffness? How much do you take?
Do you have any nutritional deficiencies?What supplements have you found to be helpful?
Does anyone use any kind of cleanse?
Does anyone drink protein shakes? Are they beneficial?
Does the weather make your symptoms worse? What type? What do you do for it?If you have depression, what works for you?
Are there any foods that make you feel worse or better?
Well now I’m not advocating doing housework to make you feel better but I just gave in and bought a product called Cillit Bang power cleaner limescale and shine (not sure if this can be bought elsewhere)…bright shining kitchen sink and NO scrubbing! Just sprayed it on left it for a few mins and rinsed it off, my hands are very grateful:)
Speaking of housework, I tackled a huge and very long overdue job the other day. I sorted out and organized the chest freezer. UGH I wore winter gloves, but it was really difficult. (Physically and mentally difficult -- job was much overdue and I had to throw lots out. I hate throwing food out, but a three year old casserole ... :-( ) Took ages, but I got it done. I was pleased to have tackled that, but felt terrible that it had got that bad. Time to move on!
Louise Hoy said:
Well now I'm not advocating doing housework to make you feel better
Several of you have stated that you use heat or heating pads. My Physical therapist told me to always use ice packs for inflammation, that heat will make it worse. My shoulder and hip pain are causing me the most pain at present and sometimes the cold is too much to bear. I know that ice is best for an acute injury, but is the treatment different for chronic pain?
As difficult as it seems (even to the logic of PT's) ice may reduce inflammation, but we don't have the inflammation like from a sprain..... When nerves are involved (as they all too often are) ice will absolutely send you..... try moist heat what have you got to lose?? You can always alternate heat to cold which is what my therapist recommends.
For my hand the first thing the OT had me get was a hot paraffin bat. She told me to get the big one so I could use it oj my feet too. Good idea IF i had checked it out with my wife. Using the same bathe for feet and hands - no way we have two.
I cant bear cold packs, they make me hurt so much more, but others swear by them. We are all so different that I think its best to do what your body prefers. I’ll go for a heat pad every time, my doc says to use which ever brings me relief.
I also have a paraffin bath for my hands (occasionally for my feet). I saw a hand PT specialist for awhile, and she started every session with a paraffin dip.
I find this very odd. I have been to physical therapy many times and they ALWAYS told me to use heat. I have tried ice and it only works after I immediately have an injury.
Andy said:
Several of you have stated that you use heat or heating pads. My Physical therapist told me to always use ice packs for inflammation, that heat will make it worse. My shoulder and hip pain are causing me the most pain at present and sometimes the cold is too much to bear. I know that ice is best for an acute injury, but is the treatment different for chronic pain?
