Topical gels for arthritis

The flexiseq gel works differently to anti inflammatory gels apparently, it puts the moisture back into the joints, my husband and I have found it very good he uses it on his neck and I rub into my knees at night.

I’m so glad I saw this thread. I’ve just ordered some and it will be here tomorrow! Thank you.

But HOW does the moisture get INTO your knee?

Yes, I can recommend Flexiseq. I too find it helps my aching knees, if I pat it on morning and might (they say not to actually rub it in). It’s quite expensive - worth looking for offers on Amazon - and I use Flexiseq Max now too.

I've tried all the usual Gels, knee and hands for Osteoarthritis pain.. and I find Helios Rhus Tox & Ruta cream rubbed in twice a day brings great relief from the pain and particularly the stiffness .

I buy directly from Helios online, it's usually here within 48 hours.

I don’t know the exact mechanism for how a gel gets into the body through the skin but it must be possible - in the same way that HRT patches work.

I've found the Fibrogel prescribed by the GP to be of no use at all.
Voltarol is a bit better but nothing topical I've tried so far really alleviates joint pain imo.

Some alternatives on here that sound interesting though ?

ExDancer

But HOW does the moisture get INTO your knee?

Hello Ex Dancer

The skin Is the largest organ in the human body, it covers the entire body. It is a permeable, meaning it's a two way barrier, allowing liquids to pass through it. It allows sweat and waste products to leave to enter the body, it allows draws moisture from the atmosphere.

Because it works as a two way barrier it also allows Medicines to be administered topically, provided the molecules are small enough to penetrate the outer layer (the epidermis).

The skin has three layers, the epidermis, the dermis which is the middle and the lower layer, the subcutis. The subcutis, houses the veins and arteries, the dermis is home to the capilliaries, the tiny threadlike veins.

If the molecules of any product applied to the skin are
Small enough to bypass the epidermis via the pores or hair follicles they can then pass into the dermis and the capilliaries and thus enter the blood stream and become part of the circulatory system.

This is how drugs can be administered. Unfortunately it is also the case that harmful chemicals can also enter the blood stream in the same manner.

There has been a huge growth in nanotechnology (making molecules small enough) hence the rise in topically administered drugs, and also the use of active anti aging ingredients in cosmetics. (Hyraulonic acid, retinol etc).

There is of course a downside ...... we are learning more about how some of these ingredients can be carcinogenic - some hair dyes for example.

Hope you find that helpful.

I find tiger balm very effective.

Sorry first paragraph not very clear.

The skin allows sweat and waste products to leave the body, and allows moisture from the atmosphere to enter the body.

All done via the pores.

I swear by 911 cream, which I get from Amazon. I think there may be more than one kind, so be sure to get the bee venom one.

I find it much more effective than Ibuprofen gel, and it has no contraindications. The instructions are in a Slavic language, but you just rub it on your knees and they heat up in minutes and feel better very quickly. Be warned - they will go quite red as they heat up, so you might not want to use it with a mini skirt and sheer stockings if you have a hot date .

www.amazon.co.uk/VENOM-gel-balm-joints-muscles-100ml/dp/B011LB31HK/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_pb_opt?th=1&tag=gransnetforum-21&ie=UTF8

My husband used to say only Fenbid gel helped his arthritis. But using it all the time the effect of it used to wear off.

I think most painkillers, gels or tablets, have the same outcome, the body gets used to them and they become less effective.

It becomes like a nuclear arms race. ,

I read that Flexitol was just used as a carrier for other things and they then realised it helped used on its own. It’s rather expensive though. When you put it on you’re supposed to leave your knee uncovered for 20 minutes. I also realised that I’m supposed to put pain relief on the back of my knee, not the front (although that might only apply to ibuprofen). My knee improved when I restarted the exercises I’d been advised to do several years ago. I get a bit slack when it comes to doing them. I take turmeric in the form of golden paste and try not to sleep with my knee in an uncomfortable position. Do doctors not prescribe voltarol or ibuprofen these days?

It’s 10 minutes and it is just the back of your knee and the sides. I was putting it on the front of my knee for a long time.

Do doctors not prescribe voltarol or ibuprofen these days?

Ours will prescribe an ibuprofen gel but nothing else. No anti-inflammatory tablets at all because of worries about side effects.

Voltarol tablets was the best ever, but my GP won’t prescribe them anymore. One tablet would see me through a couple of pain free days..

Oh yes, they were!

I like Flexiseq and it’s really good, but pricey.
I usually use Phorpain-it’s a strong ibuprofen gel.

Those who have Kidney Disease should not use Ibuprofen or Ibuprofen gels ...

There are various contraindications for Ibuprofen gel (including taking other drugs that don't mix), which is why I like the 911 I recommended upthread.

Not supposed to take ibuprofen after a certain age. 65 ? ( need to check that).