I'm 36 years old with osteoarthritis in both knees, I'm looking for alternative treatments to using pain relief? Can anyone help?

[graciebelle]

Hi I'm wondering if anyone can help me with alternatives to pain relief? 

I am 36 years old and suffer with osteoarthritis in my knees, i have had numerous operations on both knees including a trial involving using my own stem cells to regrow cartilage in my left knee, micro fracture surgery etc. 

I am under a leading professor at a specialist orthopaedic hospital where they are trying everything they can to help re build my knees, however due to my age i am too young to have them replaced. Frustratingly this is what i need and i know it would help me so much. I wear knee braces on my knees, use crutches to get about, and take so many painkillers each day just to ease the pain. It the burning inside the joints which i find most difficult to deal with.

Has anyone tried alternative treatments to ease the pain? And have they helped? I would be grateful for any suggestions to try and help and some days the pain is unbearable, 

Thank you 

[andyswarbs]

I have osteoarthritis in both knees - awaiting operation and was in a state where it would take me 20 mins to go to the toilet at night. 

It is early days but I feel I have my chronic arthritis under control at last.  To do this I changed my diet significantly.  Whereas I was a vegetarian I am now a vegan, and also have cut out the nightshades eg tomatoes and potatoes.  

Not an easy diet to do but the positive effect has been amazing.  I now have no inflammation and the pain is diminishing.  I can go to the toilet in just one minute.

Whether the benefits will continue who knows.  I am documenting my journey in a blog at foodandarthritis.blogspot.c...

[Hidden in reply to andyswarbs]

My friend is a vegan also and while it take time to prepare food, etc., she said she never felt better starting this healthy lifestyle.

[graciebelle]

Hi Andy

Thank you for your advice, I will try changing my diet and see if that helps with the pain relief.I will follow your blog and see how you are getting on, its nice to know that I'm not alone with OA, sometimes I think I am going mad and its just me that can't handle the pain when it flares up, 

Many thanks again, 

Sarah

[FrankV]

There is a natural supplement if you want to try .I used to take it when i had arthritis on my fingers .Now after a few months i dont pain anymore and can do all the movements .It's called sesameal ,it comes from Thailand .I can send u more info if u are interested .My email is, [e-mail] ,also my skype is ,voyagercy .

[Roo62]

Hi Sarah.  I've been vegetarian for the last 30 years but vegan for past year and am overhauling my diet again using the 'How not to Die' book by Dr Michael Greger - I'm definitely feeling better these days. You can look at his website which has lots of useful information re diet and inflammation etc : nutritionfacts.org.  I've just started using concentrated Cherry juice and rosehip tea to help reduce pain and inflammation in my knees.  Only been using for just over a week but have felt a definite reduction in pain and I have more range of movement as well. Other people recommend turmeric or apple cider vinegar.  Hope you find something that works for you!

Ruth