I am glad the patches are working for you well.

I really like them, and they are a local solution rather than global (taking by mouth). Sometimes there is redness of skin, from them. I've had a couple of reactions, which are puzzling. One spot on my back for example, gets all red and itchy. But I have no problems with knees, feet, hands, or even neck areas. Why that one spot ???

Use them for at least a week in a row..to see it the swelling goes down.
(it might stay down or not depending on how severe things are).

For larger joints/knees hips, spine, arthritis may need SAMe in the future.
SAMe is the best alternative solution...it actually helps rebuild lost cartilage.
But this is expensive, and lengthy. I've been doing SAMe since 1999. It is the only thing keeping me mobile, IMO.

Salonpas don't advertise on TV...that is why people don't know about them.
I think they are very helpful and versatile. And they spare you from side effects from drugs. (just make sure you read label carefully..and get the right version with the methyl salicylate. The plain menthol ones don't heal, only do minor relief that is not lasting.)

The IcyHot and BenGay ones only have menthol in them. No salicylate for healing. Also do not use patches with HEAT or heating pads.

I've been taking Mobic for 4 days, and it sure seems to be doing me a lot of good.
Early days, I know,but at the moment I am completely pain free, with only 1 painkiller in the morning for my back. Have moved some soil in the wheel barrow, and will grout a mosaic tomorrow to really put it to the test.
Kill or cure!

Hi Cheri,

My rheumy once gave me mobic but it really did not work as good as the cellebrex. I am off the cellebrex thought now. Now only take it if I ge bad symptoms from my periods from those nasty prostaglandgins.

MrsD....would Cheri benefit from that presciption neutraceutical Limbrel for arthritis? I saw an srticle in docs office this past week. I asked her about it since it said it also worked on endometriosis. She thought it was a good alternative.

thanks Shelley

so far the salonpas and supplemental white willow bark, turmeric/curcumin and MSM/ glucosamine stuff seem to be helping and I can even walk without limping anymore

It is basically the same mechanism as EFA metabolism. So why pay all that money when Fish oil does the same thing?

I consider it valuable as an introductory product targeting doctors, so that the sales force is educating them about inflammation, which the drug companies do NOT do typically.

For Peter's sake, I am not surprised he is seeing results. Mobic IS potent, but it does not have in the LONG term good safety issues. So Peter, you will have to consider the benefit vs risk ratio of this drug compared to your pain levels.

There is neither protection nor advantage to Mobic and the prevention of heart attacks and GI bleeds.

If your insurance pays for Limbrel, then go for it. It does not have any harm potential that I can see. But if your insurance won't cover it (Medicare or Medicaid), then plain old fish oil is an affordable alternative.

I continue to boogey along with SAMe... I credit this with keeping me mobile and in minimal pain.

Thanks MrsD.

Can you take the Limbrel if you are also taking the Lovaza fish oil?

I don't see why not. Limbrel is just antioxidants. Not a drug.

You might want to consider flax oil, instead or in addition.

I do not think you'd need high dose fish oil either.

People with bleeding tendencies, or some other unusual problem like that, or
use of blood thinners, etc would be a concern however.

Over suppression of AA (arachidonic acid) may be harmful over the long term, but I don't think
one can do this with foods or supplements. Some AA is important to membrane integrity etc.
Too much AA is harmful. AA is a Cox-2 cytokine.
Also prostacyclin is Cox-2, and this is what Vioxx and other Cox-2 suppress as well as other NSAIDs.
But drugs are far more potent in this regard than natural substances. That is why Vioxx was so damaging.

Some Cox-2 cytokines are important for healing, as well. That is why long tern use of NSAIDs undo the body, while
suppressing pain. But Limbrel is a food basically, and so is fish oil. I wouldn't think you'd need 3 Lovaza a day
with Limbrel. You could see results with lower doses of each.