Hi Denise,
The Limbrel was prescribed (and it is a prescription) by my spinal pain management doctor. It comes in 250mg and 500mg and if you want to know more about its mechanism you can read about it on Limbrel.com.
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Anyway, she had me to try samples she had first and I took the 500mg. I noticed a difference overnight although it DOES say it can take a few weeks. And it CAN cause GI upset. Lately I have been taking the 250mg once a day although it was prescribed for twice a day. Ugh, just haven't been consistent because I keep forgetting to take it. But it did and does work...for me anyway. Some say they haven't a noticed difference but others have said they were right back to golfing.
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Oh, and I don't know what insurance you have but my own covered it.
The aqua therapy was prescribed also by my PM and my Neurologist both. And yes, I had one on one training until I learned all the exercises. It helps a great deal although you do have to be consistent with it. I was going twice a week sometimes three times a week.
The pillow was a Tempurpedic; I have used the imitation ones over the years and they flatten out in no time. The Tempurpedic and I have had two of them (only because I lost one of them) have lasted for a long time now. I bought mine at Relax the Back but I have seen them in mattress stores or maybe you can get it online. The knee pillow can be found anywhere I think but the last time I saw them was in CVS and in another compounding pharmacy.
And the pain started in my cervical spine. But, according to the NS the arthritis was there for a long time (evidence to that affect); having a hysterectomy (actually the intubation process) they think triggered all the pain. Anyway, you just never know will it crop up next which is why I had total bone scan; not to be confused with bone DENSITY scan. So, yep, it is everywhere. The only place I didn't see it were my hands and arms. I also had a bone density scan last year and that was fine. So, no osteoporosis anywhere...just OA.
The other thing is you can take fish oil. I take Lovaza which is also a prescription. The thing is you could take OTC but you would have to take a LOT to make up for the amount that is in the Lovaza. Just saying though that fish oil can help with inflammation. My thing is that I am just not into taking a ton of supplements simply because I think it can be dangerous or have a potential reaction with my regular medications. But these two were fine and recommended again by PM; the Lovaza by the Cardiologist. Others have a different take on it; but I prefer to go by what is recommended by the docs since they know my history.
I hope this helps a little.