Pain relieving Gels

angie1973

Hi all,

I wondered if anyone had any tips on the best pain relieving gels there are out there?

I seem to be fairly intolerant to a lot of medications, not sure if it is related to my fibro or my IBS, but if I take anything like paracetemol or ibuprofen or co-codemol, I tend to really suffer for it for a few days or so after with attacks of IBS. I am getting worse with this as my body seems to be rejecting more and more things, especially fried stuff which is off the menu for good now.

I have tried Ibulieve which is not bad, but are there any others out there that are good for pain to rub in. The worst areas I would like some relief are the back of my neck which just grinds constantly, my hands, and knees and would love to just take some of the edge of that.

I would appreciate your advice on which ones, brand or store brands, costs etc

Thank you all!
Ange..

dreamdaisy

The Husband uses Deep Relief Ibuprophen and Levomenthol gel, which I believe he found in Superd**g. I put some on the base of my neck the other night and it was quite effective: strong on the menthol tho! I also have my neck and shoulders regularly massaged by a sports masseur: that is the best treatment of all. She is not some namby-pamby beauty therapist with fluttering girly fingers - this is thumbs and full body-weight stuff - once she's warmed you up that is! I find my neck crunches a great deal - crutch use, I think, so Veronica keeps it all fluid for me. DD

angie1973

I ask hubby to give me a neck rub sometimes, but he's not trained and he gets tired thumbs, but it really, really helps. Trouble is, I can't afford to pay for a trained one to do it, mores the pity!

I was looking at a massage chair but I heard you have to be careful on which you get and if they are even any good.

The gels sounds good, I think I'll see if I can get those. Thank you as always for your excellent advice and support DD.

Ange

dreamdaisy wrote:

The Husband uses Deep Relief Ibuprophen and Levomenthol gel, which I believe he found in Superd**g. I put some on the base of my neck the other night and it was quite effective: strong on the menthol tho! I also have my neck and shoulders regularly massaged by a sports masseur: that is the best treatment of all. She is not some namby-pamby beauty therapist with fluttering girly fingers - this is thumbs and full body-weight stuff - once she's warmed you up that is! I find my neck crunches a great deal - crutch use, I think, so Veronica keeps it all fluid for me. DD

dreamdaisy

Massage chairs are a) expensive and b) not that effective. They lightly work you and with no regard to how you acutally are and what might be hurting. My neck rub from V costs me £10, for about 30 minutes of therapeutic, targetted rubbing. Sometimes it's a little less time, sometimes more. I see her once every two weeks. She has also shown me some good 'exercises to do to help keep my neck mobile. The best one for me is to tand, and raise one arm above my head, elbow slightly bent. Then I gently force the arm behind my head, just a little, and sort-of 'bounce' it: I can feel the pull up my back where the big shoulder muscles are. Repeat two or three times on each side. It really helps. DD

angie1973

Sounds like a good exercise to do. I got give a few from the physio who said I had neck muscles like 'piano strings' they were so tight at the time.

I had to do a funky chicken move bobbing my head forwards and backwards like a chicken, then to one side holding that side arm by my side so it gave a good stretch, then the other side, then slowly back, and slowly chin to chest. Really hurts to do it, but I get a strange kind of relief as well after wards. £10 is not bad! Did you have to go and find someone or was she recommended to you? We have a leisure centre down the road from me, but not sure if they cover massage etc?

Thanks for the tip on the chairs too. I think I'll not spend anything on them if they are not effective. I want deep relief, not a light job!

Thanks babycham on the gel tip too. I'm willing to try anything like that if it gives pain relief without the stomach problems after.

Ange..

dreamdaisy wrote:

Massage chairs are a) expensive and b) not that effective. They lightly work you and with no regard to how you acutally are and what might be hurting. My neck rub from V costs me £10, for about 30 minutes of therapeutic, targetted rubbing. Sometimes it's a little less time, sometimes more. I see her once every two weeks. She has also shown me some good 'exercises to do to help keep my neck mobile. The best one for me is to tand, and raise one arm above my head, elbow slightly bent. Then I gently force the arm behind my head, just a little, and sort-of 'bounce' it: I can feel the pull up my back where the big shoulder muscles are. Repeat two or three times on each side. It really helps. DD

dreamdaisy

I met her at a Neighbourhood Watch meeting! She lives at the bottom of my garden - well not literally, but you know what I mean! Ask around at the sport's centre: they should know of any masseurs, or have a look on-line. I live in Suffolk, it does tend to be a little cheaper for such things around here. I thought arnica was for bruising? Does it do other things too? I'll PM baby! DD

stlucia

I really rate Deep Freeze gel - really odd but at times it is the only thing that works! You can get a tube in the chemist bit of Tescos for not very much and I pretty much live on the stuff. It really fools your nerves into thinking it's cold and not painful, I LOVE it!

angie1973

I wonder if you can get sample packs of these types of gels? It would be great to be able to try before you buy wouldn't it, just in case one doesn't work. I would love something stlucia, it's starting to really get painful with the weather as it is. I know they say there is no proven connection etc, but it definitely makes me feel worse when it's damp and cooler, everything aches and creaks and moans.

I will look for the deep freeze too, I've got a list to go on which is great, so thank you! Can you use that kind of thing on your head too? I get a lot of headaches (tension from the knots in my shoulders and neck)? I have heard of that forehead stuff but wondered if the gel's help headaches.

I'd really just like to cut out taking pills full stop!

You are a star bunch, thanks so much for the replies.
Ange..

stlucia wrote:

I really rate Deep Freeze gel - really odd but at times it is the only thing that works! You can get a tube in the chemist bit of Tescos for not very much and I pretty much live on the stuff. It really fools your nerves into thinking it's cold and not painful, I LOVE it!

stlucia

angie1973 wrote:

I wonder if you can get sample packs of these types of gels? It would be great to be able to try before you buy wouldn't it, just in case one doesn't work. I would love something stlucia, it's starting to really get painful with the weather as it is. I know they say there is no proven connection etc, but it definitely makes me feel worse when it's damp and cooler, everything aches and creaks and moans.

I will look for the deep freeze too, I've got a list to go on which is great, so thank you! Can you use that kind of thing on your head too? I get a lot of headaches (tension from the knots in my shoulders and neck)? I have heard of that forehead stuff but wondered if the gel's help headaches.

I'd really just like to cut out taking pills full stop!

You are a star bunch, thanks so much for the replies.
Ange..

stlucia wrote:

I really rate Deep Freeze gel - really odd but at times it is the only thing that works! You can get a tube in the chemist bit of Tescos for not very much and I pretty much live on the stuff. It really fools your nerves into thinking it's cold and not painful, I LOVE it!

I would imagine you could use the cold gel on your head. It's powerful stuff - I choose the gel over paracetamol and other painkillers!!! I spoke to a pharmacist once who didn't think that the Diclofenac gel did much. I've tried it and found the pills better.

x

lynnhb

stlucia wrote:

angie1973 wrote:

I wonder if you can get sample packs of these types of gels? It would be great to be able to try before you buy wouldn't it, just in case one doesn't work. I would love something stlucia, it's starting to really get painful with the weather as it is. I know they say there is no proven connection etc, but it definitely makes me feel worse when it's damp and cooler, everything aches and creaks and moans.

I will look for the deep freeze too, I've got a list to go on which is great, so thank you! Can you use that kind of thing on your head too? I get a lot of headaches (tension from the knots in my shoulders and neck)? I have heard of that forehead stuff but wondered if the gel's help headaches.

I'd really just like to cut out taking pills full stop!

You are a star bunch, thanks so much for the replies.
Ange..

Hi, I favour Voltarol gel but it is expensive. I should really ask for it on prescrition but I forget to do so. I find the Movelat cream so heavy to rub in - it takes ages & I am already slow getting up & about in the mornings. Voltarol has Diclofenac in whereas some have Ibuprofen. Your pharmacist should be able to advise, but it really is trial & error.
Lynn

angie1973

I've been OK taking diclofenac before, if for short periods orally, and it does work quite well for pain, but any more than day or two and I get bitten back for it, so having it in a gel would be a huge benefit.

I'll certainly give it a go and see if there is a cheaper alternative. I think trying them and seeing what works, how long they last etc will take time, does with me anyway!!

Thanks Lynn!

nanasue

Sorry to hear you're not feeling too good. I have used jointace aromatic gel from Vitabiotics, it has ginger, eucalyptus, clove, citrus,lavender,fennel and menthol with glucosamine and chondroitin, so no actual meds as such, more natural stuff, it's quite pricey, but a liitlle goes a long way and it smells lovely (well I think so), you can get it from Holland and Barrett but it's cheaper if you go online to vitabiotics website, as they sometimes do offers. I also go to see an osteopath about every 2months just to keep my back, neck and shoulders moving, but a good massage therapist would work just as well as long as they're not namby pamby beauty salon ones. Hope this helps xx

angie1973

That does help! Thank you. I think looking into getting some regular massage as you and DD have both mentioned could be a life line too. I can massage my own fingers etc (not as relaxing as someone else doing it though), and use the heat packs etc on my neck, but can't massage it well myself and although hubby will do it if I ask, it's not the same as someone trained.

There is a H&B store in town so I will go and see what their prices are like, if I can use a natural gel that works most of the time with another one as a 'if all else fails' thing, then that would be great without having to actually take anything, as it just really upsets my IBS.

Thank you so much for the advice!!

Ange..

nanasue wrote:

Sorry to hear you're not feeling too good. I have used jointace aromatic gel from Vitabiotics, it has ginger, eucalyptus, clove, citrus,lavender,fennel and menthol with glucosamine and chondroitin, so no actual meds as such, more natural stuff, it's quite pricey, but a liitlle goes a long way and it smells lovely (well I think so), you can get it from Holland and Barrett but it's cheaper if you go online to vitabiotics website, as they sometimes do offers. I also go to see an osteopath about every 2months just to keep my back, neck and shoulders moving, but a good massage therapist would work just as well as long as they're not namby pamby beauty salon ones. Hope this helps xx

dreamdaisy

Victoria Health do a wide range of stuff for all sorts of things: they might be worth a look too when researching. I have no idea what their website is called tho. Certainly investigate the massage option - Veronica came back on Monday and my neck is so comfortable now - I have also been doing the arm-raising exercise. DD

angie1973

I've been doing the exercises too, all be them with a lot of crunching going on, which makes me feel nauseous after a while (the noise rather than the sensation).

Now, if I can just find some nice toned hunky sports masseuse with lovely strong hands to help ease away my pains, then I'll be sorted!! LOL!!

cthornley

I've been using Feldene Gel (Piroxicam) on prescription from my Rhemy , but she tells me you can also get it over the counter but as ii'm on prepayment she was a doll and gave me a prescription.

I like it because its virtually odorless which is rare for an anti inflam gel
Chrissie

speedalong

Hi Angie, I use iboprufen max strength gel occasionally - it does seem to help and as it is mainly absorbed locally it is meant to be easier on the stomach than if you were taking the tablets ... sorry can't say where I read that now.

I have had remedial sports massage and that really helps - but not nearly as cheaply as DD.
I also treat my trigger points and have a book about it that is like a bible and really helps with all things muscular - can give you the info if you are interested.

SPeedy

angie1973

Speedy,

That would be great if you could. I have myofascial pain syndrome as well (just to add to the mix), so I have trigger points in my shoulders too, so anything I can find that helps, would be such a relief.

I'm very good at managing pain most of the time, I don't let it beat me, but then other times, it gives me a reminder that it can overpower me and I need to really fight it! Sure we are all the same at times too.

Thank you for your wonderful advice.
Ange..xx

speedalong wrote:

Hi Angie, I use iboprufen max strength gel occasionally - it does seem to help and as it is mainly absorbed locally it is meant to be easier on the stomach than if you were taking the tablets ... sorry can't say where I read that now.

I have had remedial sports massage and that really helps - but not nearly as cheaply as DD.
I also treat my trigger points and have a book about it that is like a bible and really helps with all things muscular - can give you the info if you are interested.

SPeedy

tonesp

In another Galaxy when I used to play squash I had some muscle trouble I asked the pharmacist (not the girl who weighs the cough sweets) which gel she would recommend She said none of them You might as well use lard.It's the rubbing and massage that soothes not the gel

angie1973

tonesp wrote:

In another Galaxy when I used to play squash I had some muscle trouble I asked the pharmacist (not the girl who weighs the cough sweets) which gel she would recommend She said none of them You might as well use lard.It's the rubbing and massage that soothes not the gel

I think I must need a full time gorgeous man trained in sports massage then. Do you think I could get that funded?

dreamdaisy

I forgot to say that V doesn't launch straight into it! She does warm the area first with gentle movments to start freeing things, then she gradually increases the pressure, all the while asking for feedback from me. She knows things are fine when I nod off. DD

tonesp

angie1973 wrote:

tonesp wrote:

In another Galaxy when I used to play squash I had some muscle trouble I asked the pharmacist (not the girl who weighs the cough sweets) which gel she would recommend She said none of them You might as well use lard.It's the rubbing and massage that soothes not the gel

I think I must need a full time gorgeous man trained in sports massage then. Do you think I could get that funded?

Offer to do it myself but too far to travel from Spain

angie1973

tonesp wrote:

angie1973 wrote:

tonesp wrote:

In another Galaxy when I used to play squash I had some muscle trouble I asked the pharmacist (not the girl who weighs the cough sweets) which gel she would recommend She said none of them You might as well use lard.It's the rubbing and massage that soothes not the gel

I think I must need a full time gorgeous man trained in sports massage then. Do you think I could get that funded?

Offer to do it myself but too far to travel from Spain

Spain is nice and warm right? I've been saying for years, I really must find a nice warm climate to reside in....

speedalong

Hi Angie - the book I refer to like a bible is called,

The Trigger Point Therapy Workbook: Your Self-Treatment for Pain Relief by Clair Davies

I borrowed it off a colleague at work and ended up buying my own copy. I'm not hot on anatomy knowledge - but the diagrams really help and you soon get to locate the trigger points just by touch alone.

Not as much fun as a gorgeous masseur ... but can really help!!

Speedy

philgos

Hi gang, I can assure you all that a good massage does really help I should know my wife is a sports therapy massage and it does me the world of good, hands feet wrists shoulders neck back well anywhere
We live in essex and it cost about £30 for an hour but sometimes you dont need that long all depends.
Havnt found it cheaper round here yet ??

Hope this helps
Phil

hileena111

I find Voltarol gel is good.....your GP will prescribe it under a different name. Thats the diclofenic one.
Arnica gel is good. Deep Freeze is very good you can also get that in a spray....its easier if you need to use it when you are out and not as messy.
Love
Hileena