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I'm single and sole caregiver for mom who is 91 and lives with me now. She had a stroke in 2016, moved from cane to walker, was recovering well, but was injured during therapy in 2017 causing a torn rotary cuff, ganglion cyst on shoulder that cannot be removed, and additional issues and fears developed. Since the stroke, she's on Plevix and baby aspirin. She is truly allergic to almost everything and cannot take pain meds so only lives on aspirin for pain. Recently, her arthritis pain, muscle pain have taken it's toll and she seems in constant pain. For her age, she's active and we have moved around more than most on drives, shopping, trips, but this past 3 or 4 weeks, arthritis is fierce. Thanks, Marc

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GrannieAnnie: Yes, they are to be spaced out every four months - no sooner. Glad that you were able to ditch your cane. Yay!
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I have used Penetrex (from Amazon) for the last 2 years for my arthritic knees and tired legs and it helps a great deal. I use it daily and find it lasts about 6-8 hours. Whenever I forget on the weekends (when I'm out of my work-day routine), my knees and legs remind me that I forgot.

It is not inexpensive (about $37 for a 4 ounce jar) but it is well worth it to me.

I hope this helps your mother or she finds something to relieve the pain.
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My mother loved the product called Penetrex. (she got it on amazon) She used it all through her 90's. I believe it has arnica in it.
My husband has now tried it, and it appears he is hooked on it too, for his arthritis pain. They both have said it's the only cream that actually helps the pain.
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Voltaren topical. Is rx. Amazon has product I have used for self. Roll on.sore no more.hot and cold. I have both.
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You could also try Gallixa (gallium maltolate), which I think I learned of from somewhere else in this forum. It is reported to work for many types of pain. My mother used it with great satisfaction for the post-herpetic neuralgia that follows a shingles outbreak. People have also reported getting relief from arthritis pain using Gallixa.

Gallixa is available here: https://www.gallixa.com
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You might try BioFreeze. We prefer the lotion as opposed to the spray which can be a sudden blast of cold. My parents use it a lot. Available over the counter in most drug stores. Many physical therapy facilities sell it, too. Goes on with a cooling effect, hence the name. Make sure the ingredients are okay with her personal health situation. Good luck!
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Just had a friend, who took a lot of aspirin, spend the night in the hospital with bleeding ulcers and permanent esophagus damage. yikes

Is your Mom truly allergic to the pain relievers themselves or the inactive ingredients? I am allergic to corn, which is a binder in many pills in the form of starch. I have several medications "compounded" without any corn. Generally, they can only compound generic meds. My compounding pharmacy will mail prescriptions, so even if one is not near you, you can still get a compounded prescription delivered. I have had Tylenol compounded in the past.

I also support looking into CBD creams (a marijuana product with no THC to cause the high - so legal in more states). Personally, it did not work for me consistently. If medical marijuana is available in your state, perhaps an edible version would be easiest.

My "go to" topical ointment is Bio Freeze.

As you can see from this thread, there are lots of things to try. It takes perseverance to keep looking for the best solution, which most likely will be a combination of treatments. Good luck.
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real time pain cream - natural ingredients that definitely aid in pain relief for a few hours generally...
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I've had 4 spinal operations, plus another 4 operations on various parts of my body. Needless to say, I was in constant pain! I was taking 40-60 mg. of Hydrocodone a day. After being bombarded on TV about opioid addiction, I decided to go down a different path. I know this sounds "outside the box", but I got a medical marijuana card and I'm using a topical salve with marijuana properties in it. It works instantly!!! Lasts a fairly long time, and when it wears off...apply more! No, you don't get "high" from it. There are no side effects at all! Everyone I let use it, wants a jar! It works wonders!!!
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Riverdale Sep 2019
Is that product only available in states that have legalized marijuana?
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Several posters have suggested epsom salts. This suggestion is probably headed in the right direction, Most likely, like most people, Mom is very deficient in magnesium, which can wreak all kinds of havoc in the body in many ways. Epsom salts are made of magnesium sulfate and soaking in an epsom salt bath allows absorption of magnesium through the biggest organ of the body, the skin.

Probably more effective, however, would be oral magnesium, but there are many different forms of oral magnesium, some of which can cause gastrointestinal stress. You'd have to plan to try them all until you find one that doesn't. You'd also need to determine what a sufficient dose is for Mom.

The easiest method for getting magnesium into the body and targeting it directly to problem areas (e.g., painful joints and muscles) is topical (transdermal) magnesium. There are lotions, oils, sprays and creams.

THE expert on everything magnesium is Dr. Carolyn Dean, MD, ND, She literally wrote the book: The Magnesium Miracle. Her Website is https://drcarolyndean.com/. She creates and sells her own products here: https://www.rnareset.com/ (Note: I have no personal or financial relationship with Dr. Dean other than as a satisfied purchaser of some of her magnesium products.)

Here are a couple of Dr. Dean's blog articles about topical magnesium and arthritis.

https://drcarolyndean.com/2011/08/magnesium-arthritis/
https://drcarolyndean.com/2015/07/magnesium-knee-arthritis/

Dr. Dean makes her own transdermal (topical) magnesium lotion: https://www.rnareset.com/collections/frontpage/products/remag-lotion?variant=51240324179

Dr Dean has also recommended the magnesium products of a company (formerly) called LL's Magnetic Clay, which now operates as Enviromedica (https://www.enviromedica.com) and markets its topical magnesium products as the Ancient Minerals line: https://www.ancient-minerals.com/
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Maybe your mom could bennefit from more magnesium and potassium in her diet. A baked potato has more potassium than a banana and easy to eat. Dark chocolate is my favorite source for magnesium but there are many others. Most of us need more. Rotator cuff can heal in time but very painful. Acupuncture can help and some mild movement exercises. I am in my late 70's been in pain 28 years from severe fibromyalgia and knee injuries, etc
Nothing stopped the pain. I too have had very bad reaction to many drugs, even aspirin so I do not use these. Didn't stop the pain either. It is often not just bone pain from osteoarthritis. It can also be nerve and/or muscle pain. I have used the blue emu for some short term relief but I would need it head to foot all day. For fibromyalgia the best thing I have found is the Quest device. Battery operated (rechargeable) attached to the skin with electrode strips and I sometimes wear it 24 hours a day. Does not work for every kind of pain but no side effects. I bought mine at Target. Also sold in drug stores & can get in online. It is $250 but you can return it for a refund if it doesn't work for you. I wish I had this years ago. It sends an electrical signal up the nerve in your leg to your brain which triggers serotonin. Chronic pain is torture and makes it hard to sleep which increases the pain. I often wear it while sleeping as well as in the daytime.
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Check with her doctor and try some more, See What One Works or Doen't Work, May have to keep Trying With Whatever Prescription Or Over the Counter as Advised...
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Voltaren cream or 5% Lidocaine patches (the prescription kind)
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Get some epsom rub in th tube. Rub the pain areas.
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Try D-Mannose to prevent UTIs instead of the long-term antibiotics. It's OTC. And my mom has great success with Lidocaine patches for arthritis pain.
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I wish that I could offer what you are looking for. I am a slightly over 72 and 1/2 year old woman, who for the past 6 - 7 years have been successfully treated with cortico steroid injections in my arthritic knees every 4 months. For me, this works VERY well and I walk out of the orthopedist's office as if a 20 year old!
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anonymous272157 Sep 2019
I didn't know those shots can be given that often.  I've had 2, and yes, they helped.  Gave up my cane.
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Icy Hot is a good one. Ben Gay, none greasy formula is also good. I use Ben Gay for sinus pain when they act up. I don't know if there is anything on the market which will bring her total relief since it is so intense. Hang in there and keep trying. Let us know what works and what does not. You may be helping others with the same problem.
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This is so timely for me, as I am coming off 3 busy 12 hour shifts at the hospital, and while reading this I remembered I had a bottle of Biofreeze.. haven't used it in years. My knee and hip are killing me,, so I rubbed in on knee, Its now 20 minutes, and my knee actually feels better! Lets hope it keeps on working.. but for now I am a bit happier!
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Has anyone tried diclofenac gel (generic Voltaren), which is an NSAID, but topical only. Easy to rub into all those painful areas. Not greasy. Prescription only, and dosage to be prescribed. I can't take any NSAIDS by mouth, but the external gel is fine, and I can use acetaminophen and aspirin, but they don't do anything for my severe osteoarthritis (sometimes inflammatory) local pain. Diclofenac sodium gel works for me, and is covered in most Medicare Rx plans. Worth asking your doctor about it.
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pamzimmrrt Sep 2019
Voltaren did not work for mom and I, but different things work for different people.. so glad it worked for you!
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I have tired so many. Those infused with "the weed", those with arnica, and actually a ton of them as a well meaning friend keeps sending them. I want to say that some help, but the fact is when I use the "Badger Oil" my daughter sends in the pretty tin that has not much in it but the good old warming stuff that "Bengay" (dating myself here) always had, it works just as well. I don't think there is much that topically works. Remember Absorbine Jr.? These things have usually something in them that causes a warming. That warming is comforting. Anecdotal evidence is just that, but studies don't show much for anything topical. Salon Pas feel nice to me. But again, it's the warming and tingling that feels good when you are in lots of pain.
I don't know, but sure am open to trying anything. In fact, I AM trying anything, hee hee. For me it is the neck, and can go to headache pretty quick. If I rub those spasming muscles out, doesn't matter with WHAT, it is the rubbing I think that works. My opinion only. I am open to miracle cures. BELIEVE me. I will try anything, hee hee.
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Arnica, cream or roll on. Company that is good is Boiron. Both Boiron and Hyland make tablets that disolve under the tongue, Hyland disolves faster.
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Durbin 1, thanks for the question.  I need to know also.
Everyone else, thanks for all the replies.  Wow, I have plenty to choose from and try.
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Arthritis for some is awful. For even worse is people allergic too anti-inflammatory medicine! I’m surprised if allergic then be careful with aspirin. Same as any ibuprofen drug?
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I take turmeric capsules and drink a little tart cherry juice every day for arthritis pain. My mother has peripheral neuropathy and was having severe foot pain. The doctor gave her a compounded prescription. She ran out and was unable to get a prescription right away. After researching a number of ingredients that had been in her prescription, I ordered Neptune Ice from Amazon. She liked it so well that she is just using that instead of the prescription.
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Have you tried Tumeric? It is anti-inflammatory.... tastes great in most stir fries but to get a good dose you may want to make 'golden milk' or golden'pudding'
If she cuts out the carbohydrates - this helps. Really. But if that isn't possible - just reducing the sugar as much as possible will improve things.
There are a lot of anecdotal therapies out there - DMSO(concerning), capsaicin (works for me - but it is HOT), eucalyptus oil (massage). Warm soaks in Epsom salts; using warm packs (you can get dry rice or some such, heat a little in microwave and apply in a soft pillow case - ). Depending on how pin point the worst pain is (like lower back) you could try a TENs unit......
If you think this pain may be residual damage from a stroke - be aware that the pain may be more neuropathic than inflammatory. In which case, Tylenol will help better than aspirin - though they certainly can be taken together.
Immobility is the worst thing for pain - it makes pain worse. Get her to move some - frequently.... maybe doing something favorite (golfing?, shopping? gardening?). Stretches are very helpful - I recommend having her do them with a video such as "Say 'Good-bye' to Back Pain"- by the YMCA, Isolated Isometric Exercise(probably too difficult), Supple Leopard, or PBS - "Sit & Be Fit"
When pain is severe - it usually requires multiple strategies. For instance: Combine. Tylenol internally with TENs and some topical applications (some essential oils are very helpful).

Be aware that Tylenol is not kind to the liver - in average to low doses, you are ok unless there are underlying liver problems; Aspirin or Ibuprofen (really good for bone pain) are not kind to the stomach(gastritis-ulcers) or kidneys, in some cases. So depending on your mom's medical history - you may want to take into consideration the status of those body parts.

Naturally- if she already has a lot of sensitivities to medications - be on the look out for poor toleration of new trials (don't buy a large amount of anything for a trial run..... no matter how wonderful anyone says it is).
If she ends up trying prescription drugs... be prepared for constipation and other GI upset; increased falls, increased somnolence (though somnolence usually eases after a few days of therapy).

Good luck.
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Riverdale Sep 2019
I've tried it. It doesn't really help with serious arthritis.
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My mom can't take any pain meds so we have to try OTC stuff for her terribly painful knees. She uses ibuprophen regularly. We have tried the Arnica cream - seems to help a little. Nearly every day, she puts a Rx Lidocaine 5% patch on each knee. Dr said she could use up to 3 a day - each knee and on back when it hurts. The Lidocaine patch is an Rx, but doesn't cause the pain medicine issues for her (constipation being the worst side effect).

Just noticed on this post someone mentioned a med from Canada called Liv Relief blue package. I'm going to read up on that one
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my2cents Sep 2019
I nearly forgot about this. There is a procedure called Cool-ief where they do something to the nerves by the knee. It lasted about 6 mos for my mom and we need to do it again (she is 95). They do put patient to sleep because the instruments are larger than a needle that are used to deaden the nerve. But, mom felt much relief that day. She said it didn't kill all the pain, but much more tolerable afterwards. I noticed she seldom took the ibuprofen afterwards. Look up Coolief procedure close to you to find a doctor who does it.
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I don't know from personal experience, but Blue Emu must do the trick for my 86 y.o. Aunt Lily in England. So much so that, like clock work, I get an e-mail from my cousin asking me if I can bring some with me on my annual visit. I tried it on my tennis elbow and it didn't seem to do too much. I saw that some folks suggested CBD, but if you live in a state where it is legal try to get a rub that has CBD and THC. I use a 3:1 compound on my elbow, and it does the trick (1 part THC 3 part CBD). For more stubborn pain 1:1 and 2:1 ointments are available.
That's advice from an old hippie...now advice from an old horseman...

If you find a rub that works, but works slowly or doesn't last long then look in your area for a tack shop (Equine Supplies), or probably on Amazon and get some DMSO, it is usually in roll-on or spray.
The problem with ointments and creams is that the active ingredient sits on the skin and has to be absorbed through the epidermal layers to get to the nerve endings - and it loses some effectiveness in the journey.
DMSO makes almost anything get through the skin to the nerves in no time. If you can get the spray then all you do is apply the ointment that works for you, give it a spritz of DMSO (you might notice that you get a taste of garlic in your mouth - just an odd effect of the DMSO). The effective ingredient in the ointment is going to get to the source of the pain at warp speed!
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DMSO or Zilis Topical CBD cream. I have heard great things about both. Personally, I have used Zilis Topical with great results.
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caring4ken Sep 2019
Great minds work alike - We were writing similar tips at the exact same time. DMSO is amazing, but most folks, unless they grew up around horses, have no idea or they are dubious
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I’m allergic to everything as well. My natural dr recommended inflamyar for inflammation. It does not have a scent. I found they sell it on eBay or amazon. Hope it helps
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Neglected to mention prescription cream diclofenac 1% and Arnicare which is a homeopathic cream available in health food stores.
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