Nacktschnecken omlet Cube

[jess1merlin]

Hi

 

I have recently started getting arthritis in my hands and have seen on the internet that acv mixed with honey is supposed to help. Has anyone heard of this or better still ever tried it? I was wondering if it would be ok to use the acv that I buy for the chooks as I usually have plenty and buy it 5 litres at a time.

I am already taking cod liver oil and don't really want to have to start taking pain killers if I can help it.

[chelsea]

Not heard of ACV helping but I can add that glucosamine is working wonders for my dog with arthritis

[Chickendoodle]

I haven't heard of it in connection with arthritis but I believe a small dose is very good for you generally

 

I wouldn't use the chooks stuff though as that is pretty unrefined. You can get a bottle of good ACV in decent supermarket or health food stores.

[xScrunchee]

I have heard people say that it does help arthritis and I have also heard people say that it makes no difference so it's a bit of a try it and see what happens situation I think.

I would buy a good quality bottle though rather than using the chooks one.

 

Have you considered trying Aloe vera??

You could rub the gel into the painful joints and maybe buy some aloe vera juice to take too.

Might be worth googling Aloe Vera for arthritis and see what comes up

[docsquid]

You don't say what type of arthritis you have in your hands, but I am assuming it is osteo-arthritis.

 

The only "alternative" treatment that is effective in osteo-arthritis is glucosamine - and it is very effective. Unfortunately this has a high incidence of side-effects (mainly upset stomach and bloating) and many people can't tolerate it. It is worth trying it to see if you can tolerate it because it is as good at relieving pain and maintaining function as conventionaly anti-inflammatories (which some people also can't tolerate). It is quite expensive, and not available on prescription.

 

Aloe vera and arnica are useful for bruising but not arthritis. There is no reason to suppose that ACV will have any effect but it won't do any harm to try, as it is basically just vinegar.

[xScrunchee]

Apple cider vinegar as well as distilled vinegar can actually be very beneficial for a variety of ailments/conditions.

 

Also, aloe vera is excellent for burns and bruising but has many other uses too.

I have read about it being used for constipation, arthritis, cysts, boils, acne, diabetes, eczema, psoriasis, and so many other things.

My personal opinion is that it doesn't hurt to try these things rather than filling ourselves with chemicals

[Scary Mary]

I find the Arthritis Research Council a good reference point for medication and supplements.

 

The place to look is http://WWW.arc.org.uk/arthinfo

 

There is a downloadable document (its quite big) detailing all sorts of supplements etc - (its the one labeled complementary and alternative meds)

 

I have had oesteo arthritis in my hands for over 10 years, and I never though I would say this, but you do get used to the discomfort and don't reall notice it - but I always make sure I take ibuprofen after gardening or sewing or anything that is likely to stir things up and cause major problems.

 

I also use THERMOSKIN compression gloves during and after gardening, the first pair on this page in the following link are very comforting to wear, and I have found worth the money - but I am further down the line than you are.

 

http://www.thermoskin.co.uk/wrists.html

 

Don't forget it is very important not to stop doing things and to keep using your joints as much as ever.

 

Hope you can find something that helps

 

 

Mary

[The Dogmother]

I agree with docsquid; I have early arthritis in my thumbs (both hyper-mobile) and find that glucosamine with omega oils helps no end, they hardly bother me at all if I remember to take it. It also seems to help with aches from other breaks.

 

I haven't heard of ACV helping it, but it's a popular suppplement that seems to benefit people in a lot of ways, just be sure to buy the live version with the (mother threads) in it rather than the pasteurised version from the supermarket.

[docsquid]

Do remember that both regular medications AND alternatives are chemicals - there is nothing special about chemicals that come from plants as opposed to those that come from other sources such as mineral oil (which of course, came from plants). Many regular medications come from plants.

 

I agree, it doesn't hurt to try supplements provided you don't spend a lot of money on them, and don't neglect to take regular medical treatments at the same time. A lot of things are used for a lot of conditions but it doesn't mean that they are effective (that includes alternative treatments and regular medication!). There are many alternative treatments that have been shown to be effective by properly designed clinical trials, and it is these that you can be resonably confident will help.

 

However I what I have quoted is evidence that is proven by proper randomised controlled trials of treatment in which anecdote and bias have been eliminated from the methods used. Most things that are used as alternative treatments work as well as placebo (inactive medication such as a sugar pill) - which actually works quite well, hence the anecdotal reports that they help. Unfortunately a lot of practitioners exploit this to extract large quantities of money for treatments that are not effective - drug companies are not immune to this tendency, but alternative practitioners are very good at it too. Just beware - there are lot of people willing to part you from your money without providing anything in return.

 

Glucosamine works better than placebo, as do anti-inflammatory medications. It is a good thing to try provided you can tolerate it. Omega oils are probably ineffective, but they are good for other things such as heart health, so it is worth taking those too.

 

The suggestion to keep the joints moving and to wear the thermal gloves is very good.

[jess1merlin]

Thanks for all your replies. I have been out and got some glucosamine so will start taking that today and see how I get on. I have been taking ibuprofen when at work as my hands do become painful when writing, but I'm not keen to take it too often so hopefully the glucosamine will help.

Not sure about the acv and honey but might give it a try if all else fails.

[Charlottechicken]

I have no personal knowledge of arthritis so wonder if I can ask a question here.

 

A colleague at work has osteo and rheumatoid arthritis and takes Tramadol, 200mg I think, and morphine sometimes too. Is it worth suggesting this to her, if only to get her off some of the pain relief which affects her mental ability? She also sits in a draught all day (open window and two fans, one on face and one on feet) to ease the inflammation to her joints but I suspect this is causing more problems than it solves.