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I can recommend two products that really work after trying many on the market that didn't. Liv Relief for arthritis, it's the blue tube, the small size is $18.00 Canadian, the large size is $30.00. AF35 maximum strength, it's only $10.00. I use both of these, they do work, I suffer from arthritis and have terrible pain in my joints, I put on these creams and within minutes I have relief. I hope this will help.
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I'm so sorry your poor mother, and you, have to deal with such a challenge. I also have chronic sciatic pain that is overall not relieved by even pain shots. My dr contacted a pharmacy which formulated a prescription cream similar to something called Voltaren (you can Google it) and she also recommended CBD oil which you can order from Amazon without a prescription. I just ordered this so can't give you any direct input yet but I will try and remember to do so after I start using it next week. Sending hugs to you and your mom, and I truly hope there is something that will give her at least some measure of relief. Oh, and a torn rotator is miserable - had that, and the surgery and rehab to repair it, as well. That is not for the faint of heart.
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In terms of over the counter medications, I found that Aspercreme with lidocaine works well. There was also a study performed with nursing home residents suffering with arthritic pain. They used arthritis strength Tylenol and gave it as a scheduled dose (every 8 hours). Can your mother tolerate any of the muscle relaxants such as felexeril or tizanadine? Lidocaine patches are also available with a prescription. Tramadol is a prescription pain reliever and some pain management physicians are using gabapentin or neurontin. Perhaps if she is able to be transported outside the home, a consult with a pain management specialist would be beneficial. Hope she finds some relief.
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Dora1956 Sep 2019
Hello, just a question. What is it about the gabapentin or neurontin that has Dr’s pushing that stuff? What is it really for??
My Mom was on Gaba but we took her off because we (Sis & self) saw Mom going through major changes! Not good changes! She was sleeping ALOT. As it turned out she had a hemorrhagic stroke. We can’t be sure that the GABA had anything to do with it. Again she’d been prescribed & had been taking this for years. I think it may have been for depression.

Thank you.
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I gave my mom cbd topicals I got from the marijuana dispensaries here in California. The creams that were 1:1 meaning cbd:thc seem to work the best. That in conjunction with cbd patches took the edge off her pain. No worries, they won't get your mom "high" . The best brands I found were ones that also included other herbs, such as turmic for inflammation and arnica. Read the labels.
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Aspercream with Lidocaine is a gift. No smell at all and the roller version is not messy.
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I'm saving all of these suggestions for me and my 93 yearold mom. I have an older German neighbor who swears by castor oil. I bought some for my mom and she says it works. Going to buy some for me now, and it costs almost nothing. Here's the rundown: "castor oil has inflammatory properties that can treat joint pain and inflammation. As such, castor oil can be used as a topical treatment for joint pain. Individuals who have rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis will find particular improvement and benefits from using this oil. Of course, anyone struggling with joint pain can try this natural remedy. Topical. BTW you should look up and read some of the other "properties", it sounds like a miracle oil.
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So many answers and options. My husband and I use Blue Emu super strength. Has emu oil in it. There is version called Australian Dream. I recommend both to my clients. One works for some and the other works for others. Some neither works. Australian Dream doesn't work for me, but does for my husband. I started using about a year ago for neck arthritis that developed after a car accident 25 years ago. Also on my hands. husband uses it on hip, low bak and hands. Start by using it 2-3 times a day for a couple of weeks, then gradually can dial it back. We now only need it about 2-3 times a week for maintenance. I get mine in the 12oz size and a jar lasts us about 6 months. Just a very little on affected ares, absorbs in quickly and no greasiness, seems to be water based, no residue. All the best.
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Have you checked out the medical marijuana, they have a topical cream with THC in it and it may work. Depending on the state you live in you may need a medical marijuana card.
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I have been using CBD CREAM (American Shaman), on severe muscle pain 2x a day. It really works, if I skip an application, I can sure tell. This is not marijuana, you can buy it online. Hope this helps.
Pat
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My mother and I find relief from buffered aspirin and gel packs - the kind that can be frozen in the freezer or heated in the microwave. We have several sizes I usually keep in the freezer or fridge. Most go into sleeves to wrap around the knee or elbow; one large sleeve wraps around the body to hold the pack in place around a shoulder or across the back/hip area and I often use a washcloth or small towel to add a layer between the cold pack and Mom's skin. These work particularly well for knees when the pack is wrapped to exert a slight compression. The cold and pressure together can significantly reduce or eliminate the swelling in a bad knee in a couple of hours.

Although Mom cannot take NSAIDs due to stomach issues she often takes one extra strength buffered aspirin in the morning with her breakfast. As long as we can reduce inflammation, pain seems manageable without narcotics.

Recently we started using a walk in tub with heated air bubbles to circulate the water for a 30 minute or so hot/warm (95-100) bath with Epsom salts followed by a complete application of a good lotion and some range of motion exercises. We can do the hands, wrists, elbows, feet and ankle exercises during the bath, others afterwards. So far 3-4 baths a week is reducing inflammation and pain without causing any skin problems. Mom's skin actually seems to have improved a bit and she is complaining a lot less about itching. Although these tubs can be expensive, I was able to find one for just under $2500 (including faucet and handheld shower head) that my family installed for us. The air bubbles circulate the water but since the water from the tub doesn't go thru any pump, there's no extra cleaning requirements like whirlpool tubs. Because there's a heater that warms the air bubbles, the water maintains a constant temperature during the bath.
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Dora1956 Sep 2019
All sounds great but...
The only thing that would be worrisome about so many baths would be UTI’s. My Mom has had 8 straight in a row. Now she’s on antibiotics for 8 months.
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try Dr Sheffield's Arthritis Cream from Dollar Tree
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I confess I am soaking up many of people's suggestions for myself! OTC meds like Tylenol are ineffective. I can take NSAIDS only 2 times a month b/c of cardiac and GI concerns. I like using Arnica, Aspercreme, Biofreeze, CBD salve, Tiger Balm, and so on, but they don't control the pain much. I will try some of the products mentioned by your suggestions. They may do no better, but it will be fun to experiment.
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anonymous902130 Sep 2019
I gave my mom a combination of otc, pharma that the dr prescribed and cannibis patches and topicals. With trial and error we figured out the perfect mix throughout the day to relieve pain. She said she would be at a 3 level vs. 7 with only using otc and pharma drugs. Better than getting hooked on strong pharma opioids IMO . Good luck. Also we found best not to wait for pain to take meds.. good luck. I know everyone is differnt
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Papa Barkley’s 3 parts THC to one part CBD If you are in a state that marijuana is legal. No high just relief.
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anonymous902130 Sep 2019
I liked Mary's medicinal patches 1:1 personally, and cheaper than Barkley , but again depends on person.
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Hi, wonder if you can just explain a few bits from your post - sorry for adding more questions.
What do you mean she lived on aspirin (how many would that be)?
Do you mean truly allergic or intolerant to other drugs - as so many are similar to aspirin I'm trying to get my head round that?
How did she get a torn rotator cuff whilst having physio therapy?
Sorry for the questions.
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I've used arnica gel and pills. Also mixture of fractionated coconut oil lavender and peppermint. Both work pretty well
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Look in to some natural products to help her. A local health food store may be able to help with products for her pain. Also there are some online companies that have great products. My favorite company is Plexus Worldwide. I love their pain management products called Ease (capsules and cream). I use it all the time.
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We use arnicare gel for mom who has RA. Cheapest on Amazon I found. Also give liquid tumeric (Costco is cheapest) and tart cherry juice.
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My mother uses Arinca Gel; it's all natural and provides immediate relief. It's also called Arniflora Arnica and you can find it in cvs, walgreens, riteaid, etc.
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I found that Salonpas work very well for me. You can get either the patches in different sizes as well as a roll on.
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I use the aspercreme lidocaine roll on and spray....it’s not prescription strength but it does give some relief....I’m only 64 but have osteoarthritis very bad....and live in so much pain and it gets worse every day.....but I keep moving, do pool exercises as well....can’t take Rx nsaids, if I do, I’m doubled over in stomach pain and have horrible diarrhea.....but that’s just me.....blessings to all.....hope your mom can find some relief....
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I use BenGay, Icy Hot, Aspercream and for a prescription, Voltaren Gel will work as it numbs. I was given a roll-on "freezer" for pain that came from HomeHealthCare or Home Hospice.

If your mother is 91, she is certainly entitled to HomeHealth and St. Lukes also does Home Hospice. Look into it and ask what they have for pain.
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BetseyP Sep 2019
Icy Hot WITH Lidocaine is much better than plain Icy Hot. I discovered that Icy Hot with Lidocaine works for restless legs as well as pain. Cheap, no Rx.
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For me Zim's Max Freeze Pro works better than BioFreeze, comes in roll on, gel or spray.

I also use Topricin My Fibro Cream, it is a lotion you can use on face, no odor. Check out the Topricin website as they have a variety of pain creams etc.

Mom can't take most pain meds but found Tylenol helped a lot during a spell with acute back pain from degenerative disk.
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I have arthritis in my hands and knees. I also have plantar fasciitis. For the arthritis, I use Voltaren 1% gel that is prescribed by doctor. For plantar fasciitis, I have a compounded pharmacy preparation that includes Neurotin, Lidocaine, and a few other medications that my podiatrist prescribed.

Some folks do well with the OTC preparations with capascin (hot peppers) that increase circulation to the area. Those irritate my skin too much.

Heat helps loosen the joints as well. My hubby likes a hot shower in the morning for his back arthritis.

Cold helps with pain after exercise. I have used a cold solid rubber ball that I keep in the freezer to "roll on" sore points.

Also, physical therapists remind me that "motion is lubricant". I find my stiffness is worst in the morning, but moving helps "loosen" it up. Try gently moving all her joints in all directions in the mornings (called passive range of motion, Your mom should move all her joints in all directions throughout the day (called active range of motion which also works her muscles). You can also ask a doctor to write prescription for physical therapy to learn exercises that she can do that will help strengthen muscles and protect her joints.
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Bigsister7 Sep 2019
I am a retired PT and agree with most of your statement. Range of motion exercises would help the 91 yr old person in question but I'm not confident she could do much strengthening or joint protection at this point.
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Voltarin is a prescription pain reliever cream. She can't take meloxicam? It's a tiny prescription pill that is an anti-inflammatory arthritis pain reliever. It works for my mom better than Tylenol arthritis. Her doctor can prescribe a cream but if it doesn't work, tell him, toss it & keep trying until one does work. Good luck!
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Grandma1954 Sep 2019
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Lidocaine 5% works, but costs about $1000/mo! In Canada it is over the counter for about $15/tube, so may be worth a trip to Canada to buy it, or perhaps go on line to order it. My husband is Canadian, so I've been able to supply myself w/ osteoarthritis and my mom.
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Cathy11 Sep 2019
Pitiful people in the “Greatest Counrty “ must go elsewhere for prescriptions or over the counter medication! Both Canada and Mexico deal with it daily?
Happy to hear we help, that is what we all want?
Help one another?
we are all together in age?
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My Dad found Blue Emu spray to be a great help. The emu oil helps the body absorb the actual pain reliever. His relief was almost instantaneous when spray was applied. He was 101 when he passed and had gone through several years without Celebrex after he suffered a major GI bleed after years of use.
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Bio Freeze works for me when I have a sore back or knee.
I have not had much luck with Aspricream but that's just me.
Lidocaine worked well for a few friends of mine. If you need stronger than the over the counter one that is 5% but you can get higher you have to "look out side the box" for the higher % . Go to the section of the store that sells condoms and there is a product that will desensitize.....The lidocaine in those products is almost 10%.

By the way when you say she "seems in constant pain" what are the indications? At some point some people will complain about pain even if there is little pain. If she is active and doing day to day activities I would not worry much. If she stops those activities that would be a concern. Pay attention to facial cues. Grimace, furrowed brow are two indications.
Would she be a candidate for something like a cortisone injection that might help? Then again you do not want to cause more pain by trying to alleviate some.
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Aspircream -- but do ***NOT*** use capsicum because it can burn very delicate elderly tissues.

Aspircream works very well. So do lidocaine patches you can get those over the counter or by prescription.
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sometimer Sep 2019
Aspercreme also comes with lidocaine and is very effective on anything that hurts or itches excessively.
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I have severe pain from Fibromyalgia and the best thing I have found is Biofreeze. It comes in cream, roll-on and spray. I get it online from $8 - $10 per tube. Also comes in pump bottle which is the most cost effective. I use maybe twice per day bu sometimes four times per day. Usually get at least 50 percent relief. Good luck.
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Baby aspirin is probably not strong enough for the pain. If she can take antiacid with a higher dose of aspirin it should help better. Otherwise a 5% lidocaine prescription patch . You can get it at a drug discount if your insurance does not cover it.
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