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Hi Bill,

You  may not remember me but I remember you. I have both osteo and rheumatoid arthritis. Aside from prescription meds and biologics, the best thing I have found is an OTC cream called Topricin. It is an anti-inflammatory cream that works wonders and even takes the place of things like Aleve, etc. Much easier on you because it doesn’t go through the body systemically. I hope it works for you! 

Good luck with it, Bill. Let me know if it helps you. Don’t get it confused with the Topricin for feet!

Take care,

Trudy Royster

P.S. if it doesn’t work I have one more Chinese cream I can tell you about. The Topricin will be the easiest to start with!

HI All, Barbara Casper here.

In March, 2015 I tore the meniscus of my left knee. Unable to walk, used wheelchair but worst of all I was on a cruise ship in the middle of the ocean not far from Fiji!  Doctor on the ship gave me a steroid shot and I was good to go in about three days. Then in July, 2015, the right knee went but this time on a land trip in Latvia! Wheelchair again. Thought that was the last of my traveling days.

Finally decided to visit an orthopedic doctor to find out that the meniscus had healed and all the current pain was osteoarthritis. First thought - the pain was not going away. Second thought- I am glad I made it this long without 'arthur' as most of my older relatives called their pain. 

I was then introduced to Hyalgan injections by my orthopedic surgeon, Dr.  Ron Gardner, Fort Myers, FL. The shots are also known as 'chicken juice' as it is a pain management solution made from the combs of roosters. You are allowed a chuckle here - everyone does!  It is a series of five shots done approximately one week apart.  After about the second or third week the pain subsides and it lasts for about 6 months or so. I have now had 4 rounds in my left knee and three in my right knee. It seems either Medicare or Tricare for Life (my husband is ex-Air Force) pays for this therapy. The downside is you cannot get the left and right knees done on the same day, ugh. So that is 10 trips to the doctor's office but well worth it in my opinion.

Another brand, Synvisc-One, claims they can do the same with just one shot every six months. Dr. Gardner claims that by having the 5 shots the injection can be place in multiple areas in the knee so that you get maximum relief. I had a girlfriend who used Synvisc-One for about 2 years prior to her knee replacement and it did seem to help her for awhile. I have chosen the Hyalgan as I have had good results.

Naturally, when there is no pain I go off to walk/run, kayak, garden, shop all day, etc.  Maybe even do a few things folks our age should avoid. Bottom line is my Hyalgan has 'worn off' faster than in the past. I am due to start the next round of injections next week but in the meantime, Dr. Gardner's physician's assistant (Liz) gave me a prescription for Voltaren Gel 100mg, 1%, (diclafenac sodium topical gel).  Liz spent over 6 years on Hyalgan before having a knee replacement.  When I asked if she could give me a sample to see if the gel would work for me, she said "I will give you mine as I do not need it anymore". Well, I am into my second tube of this stuff. You do have to be dedicated to slathering it on a couple of times a day but you can feel the relief in a short time.

Sorry for the long commentary but you can see it has been a journey that so far is working out for me.  Good luck to y'all.