Vitamins/supplements for arthritis

charbot19

I'm new to the Versus Arthritis community.I've already posted a couple of messages.Having now had 3 joint replacements for osteo arthritis,I'd describe myself as generally arthritic-ie arthritis in both hands (including some deformity of right forefinger),basal thumb pain and general aches and pains.Fortunately ,it doesn't impinge too much on my life at present.Apart from the usual advice about healthy diet,activity etc I'm just wondering does Versus Arthritis recommend any vitamins /supplements to help reduce/ward off worsening symptoms.I'm 66,retired and in good health otherwise-not on any medication currently!Any views on Turmeric,for example?....Many thanks

noddingtonpete

Hi @charbot19 have a look through the following

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/complementary-and-alternative-treatments/types-of-complementary-treatments/diet-and-nutritional-supplements/

helpline_team

Hi Chatbot19,

Thank you for joining and posting on our on-line community.

We are sorry to hear that you have been experiencing a lot of pain recently but pleased that you are not letting it impact your life too much.

There are a lot of different vitamins and supplements that are available to buy but because we are all different what can work for one person may not work for another and can be expensive trying to find the right one. Versus arthritis have carried out several trials on different complementary treatments in which have been scored 1 – 5 for effectiveness. 

Turmeric is often used for osteoarthritis (OA) studies have shown that turmeric has anti-inflammatory properties and has an effectiveness score of 2/5. 

Alternatively, you could speak to your doctor and ask about Capsaicin cream to see if that could help, which is recommended for osteoarthritis and has been given a score of 5/5 for effectiveness for this condition, it is only available on prescription from your GP. When applied in the form of a cream it is thought to provide pain relief by temporarily changing the way our body process pain which works mainly by reducing Substance P, a pain transmitter in your nerves. If you were to get the cream, it would need to be applied 4 times a day and allowed to build up into the system for at least 2 weeks, it can be used for pain in several joints and on the hands.

Thank you Noddingtonpete for attaching the link to Diet and nutritional supplements.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/hand-and-wrist-pain/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/complementary-and-alternative-treatments/types-of-complementary-treatments/capsaicin/

Best wishes

Chris

Helpline Advisor