Do chondroitin, glucosomine, emu oil cream help?
I have used emu oil (by Outback Medic). It did help me, the stiffness and pain really did ease up, but it was short lived maybe an hour at the most. One of our pain managment nurses gave it to me to try. She swears by it, and one of the Dr.'s uses it himself on occasions.
I've often wondered about chondroitin & glucosomine but never tried it.
I would love to know about chondroitin, glucosomine myself as i have OA and can use all the help I can.
Also want to know if it goes with methotrexate, prednisone and celebrex.
I am a pharmacy tech and we sell alot of glucosamine and chondroitin as one capsule. People with OA say they get great relief but my RA said not for RA. You have to take it for awhile before you notice relief. I believe you can take it with your meds but check with your pharmacist PatI take gluchosamine/condroitin 3 times a day 500mg each for my OA/ It does help. Many people with RA also have OA.I took G/C for a few days and that was all I could bear. Mind you it did a WONDERFUL job on reducing my swelling but my swelling was padding my joints. Took away the swelling and it made my joints ache! My Ortho said he heard of a few cases like that. I have no cart. left in either of my knees.I have heard numerous people swear by them, but for OA. Not RA.
Shandi, have you ever tried Synvisc shots? They call them "chicken shots" because they are made from actual chicken cartiledge. This gives you some extra padding. Most people only get relief for 6 months to a year and then they get repeat injections.
I did very well with mine as the doctor paired it with water physical therapy and I wear braces. I only had the one series in both knees. But the relief was wonderful.
My knees still swell, but wearing the braces and doing the exercise really can help stave off the knee replacements. Although, from some of the other discussions here, I kind of wish I could go ahead and get them done.
However, my shoulders are really giving me a hard time right now. I don't think I could do the crutches required for surgery recovery.
Also, I heard the the G/C has sulfa in it. I don't know if that's true. If it is, are you allergic to it like I am. There's no warining on the label. I guess that is also the reason they don't give me Celebrex.
I know that these things do help:
sports creme (although I can't handle the ones with capisin, they burn)
ice packs
heating packs
massages
flax seed oil (it has anti-inflammatory properities and I do notice when I dont' take it for awhile)
Primrose oil is often recommended although I haven't tried it yet.
sitting in a jacuzzi
cooking with olive oil
eating tuna and salmon (easier than fish oil tablets)
The topical sports creams are a miracle for me and my hands. For some reason the Casazin works the best and doesn't burn my hands, but my daughter put it on my back one night for me and OMG I swear I felt like I was on fire.... had to sit with no shirt on for over an hour till it subsided! I take MSM, glucosamine, and chondroiton. Yes, it is usually used for OA but it helps with the damage done by RA. I can feel a difference if I run out. Now I have to try Emu cream - they don't have to kill the Emu to make it do they or do they just milk the EmuI swear by Carlson Cod Liver Oil w/ LEMON. You have to have the lemon because it makes the taste a non-event. It gives you all of the good omega 3 fish oils. I take 1 tablespoon a day.
Massage helps greatly but who can afford it on a regular basis!
Positive, otherwise I would not been taking herbs for over 15years. My experience is that massage, heat treatment, hot herbal bath, application of cream/oilment etc. at best temporary. It is internal disorder that requires continuous adjustments to balance the body system. It is the correct herbs that ease pain, go direct to the swelling joints and control the disease. Once the disease is being tamed it is just a nuisance and no more a threat.
This path is natural, less suffering, better quality of life and a "master" to the disease without any drugs. To be a "slave" of the disease is subjected to its continuous inflicting more and more unbearable pains, mercy and also drugs bombardments and side effects.
It is all about mindset, correct herbs, natural foods, determination and lifestyle changes.