Thank you!

[winnieann]

This isn't really a question, but I wanted to thank you guys for writing back.  I'm hoping to hear from more of you.  I am taking your suggestions and getting some Biofreeze, which I researched on Amazon.com, and a lot people say that it really helps.  Some say that "Sombra" also helps - even more than Biofreeze.  So I ordered some of both.  I'll let you know how that turns out.  Do any of you take prescription drugs for pain?  I've tried a couple and have had some reactions - itching and stomach upset.  And I can't take things while I have my granddaughter anyway - only at night.  And, I can relate about the hot flashes!!  It's like my internal temp. gauge is stuck on HIGH!  Some days, I think that this is just the tip of the iceberg - that things will only get worse as years go by.  Arthritis is big in my family.  My great-grandmother had RA, but the others all had back, hip, knee pain.  This is where I am at right now.  There are some days when my whole body feels like a throbbing toothache!  Those are the days that I need Tylenol Arthritis along with my Celebrex, plus heat rubs.  I'm glad I found this forum so that I can see what others do for this.  Also, if I write to you on a "down" day - please excuse me if I sound like I'm whining.  Thanks, Linda

[txsilver]

I am so glad you find the forum helpful, gives me a warm fuzzy feeling :)  I have not tried Sombra but am anxious to hear what you think.  I have purchased biofreeze from amazon, too.  I love not having to go out to shop when I hurt and biofreeze is not sold everywhere.
I do take pain pills, Darvocet is one I can handle as long as I take Prilosec 30 minutes before hand and eat something when I take it.  Hydrocodone is too rough on me - makes me ill.  I also use muscle relaxers since my muscles tighten to stabilize my aching joints.  I try not to take them during the day, just at night and that does seem to help.
I hope you will write to us when you are down, when you are up, when you have a success and any other time you just want to say hi.  We are here for each other all the time.  Please count us among your online buddies!

[Dnmh]

Linda, you are very welcome!
This forum is here for advice/suggestions, as well as whining! We all need to "complain" from time to time, and who better than among friends who've "been there"?
I myself don't take prescription pain remedies, unless I REALLY need them - maybe once every few months - and I know someone else will be around to help with my grand-daughter.
Tylenol - any formula - has never done anything for me. I use Ibuprophen. It's an anti-inflammatory. My mom will take 2 ibuprophens and one tylenol together. Tylenol doesn't do anything for inflammation but offers pain relief, pain relief doesn't do much if there is a lot of inflammation. It is safe - pediatricians suggest the "advil/tylenol flip-flop" for keeping fevers down in children, and I have used it on mine on several occasions.

The advil/tylenol flip-flop is when you would take advil, then a few hours later, take tylenol, and then advil, then tylenol - all overlapping doses. this keeps a steady does of them in your system, without the risk of overdosing on either.