Treatments

GMT
GMT Member Posts: 3
edited 21. May 2025, 11:00 in Coffee Lounge

I am newly diagnosed with arthritis in my shoulder and neck, there seems to be so many creams, gels, supplements etc available I'm thoroughly confused. I look forward to receiving reviews from some of you. Which have you tried 🤔 and how effective were they? Thanks in advance GMT

Tagged:

Comments

  • Naomi33
    Naomi33 Moderator Posts: 554
    edited 19. May 2025, 11:00

    Morning @GMT and welcome to the online community.

    Sorry to hear about your new diagnosis OA in neck and shoulders.

    Creams as you say lots of them out there I was prescribed ibuprofen gel (it takes the edge off) from doctor have you discussed with doctor or consultant???

    best wishes @naomi33

    Need more help? - call our Helpline on 0800 5200 520 Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm


  • Ellen
    Ellen Moderator Posts: 1,966
    edited 20. May 2025, 09:11

    I personally use ibuprofen gel some people with Osteoarthritis swear by capsaicin which is prescription only. Heat can also be comforting many of us use those microwaveable heat pads. If they work for you you can buy disposable heat pads in supermarkets too near the medicine section.

    Best of luck

    Ellen.

  • GMT
    GMT Member Posts: 3

    I have tried Ibuprofen gel but the soothing relief doesn't last long. I have bought Pernaton which seems to be helping. Have seen the muscular skeletal man at my GP practice and he just said I have to live with it. Came out feeling a bit depressed. Seems I'm destined to a life of paracetamol every 4 hours. Has anyone tried Acupuncture or Osteopathy? Don't really want to pay for treatment but can't just live with pain for ever. Sorry if I sound negative but I don't do pain very well.

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,356

    Hi @GMT don't put up with it. We have to keep up pressure on our Drs/physios because for the vast majority of people pain does indeed go away. They are used to fobbing us off (in my opinion) initially because most people will recover given enough time.

    So what can you do? You can try some of the ideas suggested to you for definite, I have a tens machine as well as those and use MSN (aloe) gel too. None of them will work all day unfortunately. It's not like when you have a headache take a tablets and you are cured. Someone told me this early on in and it's true. I have tried acupuncture not sure how effective it was to be honest.

    Your cooling gel also you've bought has to be worth a try for sure.

    You don't say what painkillers you are using hopefully they do help a bit?

    Finally look at your pillows I use a shaped memory foam one which looks like this

    image.png

    it doesn't push your neck up like a normal pillow but in theory aligns the spine as it should be. Not cheap and this must be my 5th or more even.

    If things are intolerable please do keep going back to the Drs they can refer you on for a consultant opinion. Especially if you get any numbness anywhere.

    Take care

    Toni

  • GMT
    GMT Member Posts: 3

    Thanks for your reply. I felt really disappointed yesterday when he said its just something I have to live with. I am not able to do certain things at the moment which is frustrating. I haven't really got pain in my neck most of the time but my shoulder is very painful. He said yesterday that the arthritis is in my neck and not my shoulder. I spoke to a GP on the phone a while ago and he was reluctant to prescribe a strong painkiller due to the possibility of addiction. I can't tolerate Ibuprofen so my only option is Paracetamol. I am only 68 but feel life as I know it is over. I know people have arthritis much younger than that but I can't imagine living with this pain for anything up to 20/25 years or longer.

Categories