Topical creams for arthritis

@Knitter43 I used to use Capsaicin for arthritis pain many years ago and found it to be really good. I used to get it on prescription (though they didn't like giving it to me). Currently I use Voltarol or generic Ibuprofen cream (given when the doc thinks they need to cost cut!). I find that both work equally well - but must add that I take 2 paracetamol at 7pm, rub on the gel at 9pm and that gets me through the night. I then take 2 paracetamol at 6am and rub on gel at 7.30am and generally that gets me through the day. I'm not 100% pain free but as long as I don't overdo things during the day I'm ok.

Think l.may have passed on this information before to Gransnet.

The NHS used to prescribe Capsaicin and Zaicin creams routinely for arthritic pain up.to around 3 years ago. Two. different strengths. Mild and strong.

Then they said the manufacturer was having supply problems. Last time l Googled it. The NHS claim they may get a supply later on this year.

But they have.ben saying that for the last two years.

Capsaicin is made from chilli and can burn your skin if you put too much on. But it is the most effective topical cream.l.have ever used for arthritic pain.

Does the job a treat. Had terrible bone grinding pain in my left knee for years before a total knee replacement. And it really did help.

When I'm Spain on holiday l buy Physiorelax heat in the red tube from the Farmacias.. 15 to 20 Euros.

It is meant for massage after exercise but has a good Capsaicin content and it does work.

Remember that old fashion Ralgex cream used to contain Capsaicin as well. But no longer available. Think Tiger Balm does as well but not very much.

l can get also get tubes of Radium B through my local chemist at about £4.50 a tube.Another old school product.

Also try beat bags and a tens machine. And warm baths with Eucalyptus Essential.Oil.

Hope you find something that helps..

I can hardly walk after long car journeys but now use the tens machine on my knee and can now walk straight away; I’m obviously not driving.

Thank you for pointing it out about blood thinners DaisyAnneReturns I did not know that.

I’m on a cholesterol lowering diet and have to be very careful with what I cook for myself that my partner can eat as he’s on Abixapan (sp). Now I don’t like ibuprofen but he had a really bad back recently and had to drive home so I suggested that he took ibuprofen for once. On googling it found that he shouldn’t take it. We both take Vit D but I take it with K2 and he can’t. I add flax seed to cakes which he shouldn’t have. No end of things that I take for cholesterol and arthritis that he has to avoid eg turmeric.

It's a good point that it's worth checking with a GP if you have other medical conditions or meds before trying any new treatments, even topical creams. Even natural treatments can have unwanted side effects ts can't they?

TillyTrotter

Thank you for pointing it out about blood thinners DaisyAnneReturns I did not know that.

It's not that you won't be able to use it but I was told I couldn't take Ibuprofen but I can now use the cream as I'm on a lower dose of blood thiners. I still can't take the tablets though so it's best to ask.

DONT take Turmeric if you’re on blood thinners !!!

Yes tried that Capsicum, which my gp prescribed to put on my knees. Oh my goodness it burns like hell. Up in the night washing it off with a soapy flannel, trouble was I forgot that I had washed it off with my flannel then washed under my arms in the morning 😳

MT62

Yes tried that Capsicum, which my gp prescribed to put on my knees. Oh my goodness it burns like hell. Up in the night washing it off with a soapy flannel, trouble was I forgot that I had washed it off with my flannel then washed under my arms in the morning 😳

I did wonder if it might burn.
Did you report back to the GP?

Mine (well, the nurse) just says 'take paracetamol and rub on ibuprofen gel'.

MayBee70

I’m on a cholesterol lowering diet and have to be very careful with what I cook for myself that my partner can eat as he’s on Abixapan (sp). Now I don’t like ibuprofen but he had a really bad back recently and had to drive home so I suggested that he took ibuprofen for once. On googling it found that he shouldn’t take it. We both take Vit D but I take it with K2 and he can’t. I add flax seed to cakes which he shouldn’t have. No end of things that I take for cholesterol and arthritis that he has to avoid eg turmeric.

Well, I didn't know any of that!
DH takes Apixiban and I didn't know he should avoid certain foods, apart from grapefruit which has to be avoided with several medications.

TillyTrotter

Thank you for pointing it out about blood thinners DaisyAnneReturns I did not know that.

Thank you.

www.herbalhealth.org.uk/product/ninja-for-people/
I use this. It really dials down the abominable ache from arthritis. It doesn’t enter the blood stream at all and you can slap on as often as you like.
It comes in regular and supercharged versions.

Ibuleve gel a topical anti-inflammatory painkiller containing ibuprofen. It absorbs directly through the skin to provide targeted relief for muscle aches, backache, sprains, strains, and mild rheumatic or arthritic pain without the stomach upset often caused by oral tablets. 5% or 10% max strength...
CHECK WITH DOCTOR of course.

I had capsian cream in prescription before I had my total hip replacement nearly three years ago. Found it helped. Also like Bieofreeze gel ( don't know if you can get it on prescription, I bought mine online) and it was good too. Tens machine definitely gave relief.
Had a total knee replacement yesterday afternoon so am in hospital and will be staying in for at least one more night as I live alone and I couldn't manage the leg lift exercises with physio this morning. She told me I had good quads though.

I did Allira. It was new out then & told the Gp I didn’t want another tube as I felt like I’d scalded myself.

My grandad used ‘fiery Jack’ for his bad back.
I remember that burning as my brother rubbed some on my cheek as a joke when we were kids

Rhus Tox and Ruta cream. From health food shops or online from Helios.

Hemgranot

www.herbalhealth.org.uk/product/ninja-for-people/
I use this. It really dials down the abominable ache from arthritis. It doesn’t enter the blood stream at all and you can slap on as often as you like.
It comes in regular and supercharged versions.

Sounds interesting 🤔

shysal

I tried Flexiseq after seeing it recommended on GN but found after a while it killed the skin around my knee, and didn't help the pain.
I now use Voltarol Max when my RA flares up, which the GP offered to add to my free repeat medication. It works quite well but not always.

I find that happens with the volterol gel after a while. Skin kind of goes really sensitive.

I find that ibuprofen gel makes my skin really dry and sore.