Joint Pain

Any good over the counter medication for arthritis pain?

I have very bad arthritis pain and my doctor just told me to take advil. It's not doing much for my pain. Anything else better out there? Thanks.

Public Comments

1. Taking otc painkillers, especially in large doses is worse for your body than doctors tell you. Some people say a radical diet will reverse the symptons. I use a glucosamine-chondroitin product called Move Free. Look at a grocery store or drug store.
2. I use the heating pads that are available at the drug store. Thermacare, I think, is the brand name. Just open the packet and enjoy the warmth. They REALLY help me! Also, have you tried Aleve? Sometimes it helps. Advil never works any more for me, either. Good luck!
3. Shark cartilage. You can buy it at the Pharmacy (or on the Internet). My mother uses it and has gotten a considerable amount of relief from using it. Best of luck to you!
4. Have you tried Aleve? I find that I have to rotate OTC medications - take Motrin for a few weeks, switch to Aleve, switch to Advil. They seem to not be as effective with continuous use. I use the extra strength formulas. Also if your pain is constant you need to be taking something on a regular schedule. As my doctor said - you get better relief if you stay ahead of the pain rather than chasing it.
5. I too suffer w/ arthritis pain. For the most part otc drugs do little to nothing for my pain. I didn't have insurance for a long time so I used Tylenol arthritis..didn't do much..finally have insurance and I'm seeing a great Rummy Dr. , you need to find a dr. who specializes in arthritis so they can find out what type of arthritis you have and get you on a good prescription medication for it. I wish you luck! God Bless
6. I'v d same problem. When the pain is intense, no pain killer helps! Last time I tried Celebrex, worked only 10 hrs. after I took it. Dr's advice: exercise! Works for me, after 6 months cud feel the difference. 4 yrs since I started on gym workouts (muscle strengthening) have been 80% pain free. 2 important things: keep weight under control, b sure to keep up with v regular exercise. Meantime, ice/heat treat, take pain killers (and hope they help?) or go to the hosp. for a narco jab, perhaps n this gives almost instant relief. ageing sux!
7. For acute, short term use, try Naproxin Sodium. . . Aleeve. Also, every once in a while, try a couple of plain old aspirins for when you really need to be as pain free as possible. Glucosomine-chrondrotin seems to help many people, especially men. And, it seems to do nothing for others. Recent research couldn't find any difference between glu-chron and placebo in a huge sample group. There are many new medical treatments for arthritis in clinical trials, treatments related to stem cell research that will treat the CAUSES of arthritis, in effect, cure and regenerate healthy tissue. To learn more about getting on a clinical trial, see "clinicaltrials.gov. You did not say what kind of arthritis you have, but check with a chiropractor and then alternative health fields including acupuncture and rolfing. Also, reduce your stress and your arthritis pain will subside. Stress and arthritis are related. Try counseling to find out if you internalize your painful feelings, in effect, eat at yourself. Good luck. And, oh, remember ... use it or lose it. Stay active.