I have been seeing a collection of health practitioners for some backaches, neckaches and a right foot ache......been telling myself for a while the achiness when getting up from bed and from being seated for periods was just my born in the 50s age showing but have been told it is spine curvature with hip twisted , a misplaced atlas vertebra and now today, the podiatrist said the achy top bones (tarsals) on my foot are arthritic (place of an 18 month old ouch from an inverted ankle when my sandal strap broke)

anyway, foot doc wants me to take Mobic for 3 weeks and so I would value any insights, info etc on both the zone of the arthritis and the med.
Wearing closed shoes hasnt been comfy for some time so I have been wearing flat sandals (easy here in florida!) but doc has suggested a different sandal with more support......any tips there?

I am already taking glucosamine-chondroitin-msm and my multi vit/mineral etc...and I guess I am going to start arnica rubs and epsom salts footbaths.

here to learn please, as apart from knowing a little about rheumatoid arthritis for my MIL, I know overall not much about it so all input valued ....

thanks

Cheri

Aww Chemar,
I've been suffering from similar complaints for some time now.

Rheumatoid Arthritis is not good. Are they giving you anything for the disease besides anti-inflammatories? Something for the disease process. I take Humira and methotrexate. It is important that you see a Rheumatologist.

As for shoes, I wear the Naot brand. Expensive but worth it. A pair lasts me forever. They have styles you can buy that let you replace the insole with arthotics. And they also have styles that have replaceable intersoles. My podiatrists says they are good shoes.

Good luck.

Billye

OTC that contain anti-inflammatory (methyl salicylate) you can put right on
your foot.

Salonpas --- Read the label in the store, to make sure they are the right ones.
Some are only with menthol---and those are not as good.

They work wonders, for localized pain like in a foot. I use them all the time,
and buy them in bulk at Costco.

One box locally should cost you around 3-4 dollars, for 40 patches.

Do not get BenGay--they are not the same.
RiteAid carries them--you will want the small ones.

http://salonpas.us/
http://salonpas.us/salonpas.php
the one I recommend is the first picture on the left showing products on that website. I'd be lost without them.

We went over the Mobic issue on the Medications forum.

RiteAid typically carries them. They are often not prominently displayed however.

Once I had a huge swelling on my Achilles tendon, which hurt like the devil.
I went to my podiatrist and they said--- Motrin. Well, that wasn't much help.
Then I found some samples when Salonpas just came over here to US and
took some from work. Using one patch a day for 7 days completely shrank the swelling and it went away... I had that agony for months with no relief! So I am a big fan of them, and everyone I recommend them to loves them.

You must give it a try. Once you open the pouche, keep the unused ones in a airtight ziploc baggie to keep fresh. I use them on fingers and toes too.
You can stack them on your back for larger areas.

mrsD

I cant tell you how much those patches are helping. thank you so much for the link as it helped me find where to get them locally.

aaaaahhhhh relief!

Now I just need to find the right shoes.............

The Salonpas are just the best thing since sliced bread IMO.

People don't know about them, even drugstore personel don't know about them!
Because there are no TV commercials as yet.

We see BenGay all the time...and those patches are MUCH LESS effective.
It is the methyl salicylate ones that work the best.

If you have a Costco membership you can get about 120 patches (instead of 40) for about $6.50.
That is how I get them now. (I give them away you know, at work, neighbors etc all the time usually 6 at a time. )

I have two on my right knee right now as I type... since it got a little touchy yesterday.

I am glad you are feeling better. That chronic pain is a total bummer!

Hi Chemar,
I am so sorry that you are having to go through this. I suffer from RSD, Dystonia and arthritis in my left leg and I am only 12 years old
Do you see a physiotherapist? if so maybe you could ask them if they can recommend a shoe for you to wear, I can't wear a shoe on my leg because of the swelling and hypersenstivity I have as a result of RSD
Some physiotherapists make shoes to fit your foot, which may help you.
I am currently taking these medications:
Ibuprofen 500mg daily to treat the swelling
Tramadol 150mg daily to treat pain from RSD, Dystonia, and Arthritis
Lyrica 225mg daily to treat the severe neuropathic pain I have as a result of RSD and Dystonia

I have also been on, Paracetamol, Baclofen, Morphine, Amitriptyline and many other tablets. I am sick of taking tablets and them not working, it makes me wonder what they are doing to my body.

Take care
Love
Alison
_x_

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I am not a drug seeker, I am a pain relief seeker

thanks Ali, tho I know this pain is nothing like you have with the RSD I really do hope they find a cure or at least a way to lessen the symptoms without just the painpills. I know those can be really hard on your whole system.

these Salonpas pads are really impressing me, as it isnt just a case of relieving the pain and stiffness but I can see how the swelling has subsided and walking is a lot easier now, even without a pad on the area.
when I overdo things (like when we were walking the neighborhood and woods out back searching for Shadow) then I just attach a pad or two for a couple of days and for a day or two, and feel the "ahhhhhhhh!"

I am also taking the supplements so I am sure they are working along with the local effect of the methyl salicylate in the pads.

Cheri

Since the Dr just said "arthritis" you need further clairification before knowing if its rheumatoid arthritis or another kind.
Your MIL does not have the same genetic makeup you have and there are many types of arthritis.
Diff types are treated by diff methods.
So I agree you need to see a Dr and get that clairification.