I’m awaiting an appointment with a clinic my doctor has referred me but I’ve been told because of the pandemic it could be about 25 weeks wait. My hands wrists and shoulders are getting quite painful and I’m just wondering if it’s worth getting a magnetic bracelet which I’ve seen advertised are they worth buying? At the moment I’m using voltarol but it’s not helping much.
Thanks
My personal view is that they are a waste of money.
You might be better off with wheat pillows that you heat in microwave for your shoulders, and a wax bath for you hands, here...
thh.nhs.uk/documents/_Patie...
Has your GP offered a stronger anti-inflammatory to tide you over?
I also say they are a waste of time too
I didn’t get any benefit from one so I suggest you don’t waste your money. I agree there are more useful and helpful products as helixhelix suggests. You could also buy a Theramitt. I’ve got one and find it helps.
Thank you yes I saw those might try them x
Also have a look at compression gloves ... they help me
Don’t you think if they worked in any way at all someone medically qualified would be saying so?Buy yourself a pretty bracelet instead & enjoy wearing it.
I find anything that makes you smile & feel happy helps with R.A.
Going to go against the grain here. Is there any evidence they work? No, none at all, only a variety of anecdotal accounts, including the usual rampant testimonies from diehard naturopaths. I researched them a couple of years prior to getting my diagnosis because I was in so much pain and have a form of arthritis that is generally more difficult to diagnose, so had been really struggling as a result of being undiagnosed and untreated for years. The conclusion I came to was that there was no evidence it would do anything, but I had nothing to lose, so bought one that also looked really good (from Willis Judd, although most of theirs are very masculine looking - fine for a bloke like me, but not always what women want) with the view that if it did nothing - and I had no expectations it would - I still had a cool looking bracelet out of it. I don’t go round telling everyone they work, or enthusing about them, but I have certainly found I get a noticeable effect. Placebo? Could well be, but I don’t care - I genuinely feel it’s helping, and it’s not doing me any harm or costing me money or anything, so it’s all good. My personal view is that if you go into trying one with that knowledge and understanding, and you’re not choosing between buying groceries or paying essential bills and a bracelet due to your financial circumstances being dire, then it’s worth a go. The one I have was about £25, and if I’d seen it as a ‘normal’ bracelet, I’d have really liked it 🤷♂️
As per another reply, with my hands, I also go in for compression gloves: they get a slightly mixed review from patients, but unlike the bracelets, they are recommended by a number of trained professionals for arthritis, including occupational therapists, and I would actually swear by them myself.
Thank you
I got one with 6 magnets and after 2 weeks I can’t say it hasnt made any difference at all. I’ve found if it’s your hands compression gloves are great.
Not a fan I admit but if you feel it might make a difference then perhaps it will. Can I ask if you were able to see your GP & if so did he/she prescribe pain relief & an NSAID for you? If not then I would suggest you do ask, I feel that would be of better help than magnets. Or, if you have meds, & depending on what, which strength Voltarol gel are you using?
Thanks I haven’t spoken to my GP but I think I will ring them as I think the pain will get worse. I didn’t know there were different strengths of voltarol I just got mine from the supermarket i will look into that thank you x
No point trying to manage pain on your own when you have prescription options so do make an appointment with your GP, or ask his advice over the phone.
I use Voltarol 2.32%, (ok'd by my Rheumy), in fact only ordered more a couple of days ago. This is the cheapest I’ve found smile.amazon.co.uk/gp/produ... so you're aware general advice is not to use Voltarol gel if you're also taking an NSAID, even over the counter ones like ibuprofen (& aspirin), as the diclofenac (the gel's active ingredient) goes into your bloodstream, you're effectively double dosing NSAIDs.
Many years ago I took part in a trial of magnetic bracelets. It was quite clear that I didn't have the placebo bracelet (as mine was magnetic in irritating ways) but it didn't have any beneficial effects for me either. When the results came out, both placebo and magnetic bracelets showed some improvement for the first few weeks and then gradually diminished in the same way, so it was concluded that it was just a placebo effect.
newly diagnosed and week two of methotrexate 
Is it the cold weather?
Bleeding after Methotrexate injection 
Raised Liver Enzymes 
