Natural pain relief

[Windyspinsthewind]

I don't know if this allowed so if not, I won't be offended if admin delete it.

I don't take chemical medicines unless absolutely necessary, much prefering natural solutions. I have had osteoarthritis for years and almost died taking declafenic, it caused an ulcer and I almost went into cardio arrest, thank goodness the tablets have now been banned.

I just thought I would tell people about a facebook page which is very useful and gives such a lot of advice, I have started using their products and they are starting to work, there are many fabulous testimonials. It used cbd oil from the only licenced grower in the uk. cbdbrothers.com/about-us/

The facebook page with all the advice is facebook.com/groups/herbala... You can go on and list all your problems, eg anxiety, fatigue etc and they will advise, they are very helpful, as are the staff at cbd brothers if you ring them, I am now taking their oils on their advice.

The Herbal alternatives group have an offer on where if you buy their balms from them, you can also order a sample.

I have been using their Ninja balm and I have seen the swelling in my knees reduce and they are not as stiff and painful as they were.

I do hope the post is allowed and it helps people. Just to state that I have nothing whatsoever to do with either company, only finding their products useful.

[DorsetLady]

You still have to be careful about herbal remedies especially if you are on prescribed medication..

But this is good for OA provided you still have cartilage - once it’s bone on bone it’s not - and definitely drug free - developed in liaison with versus arthritis

flexiseq.com

[Windyspinsthewind in reply to DorsetLady]

Mine is bone on bone. They advise you to leave a two hour gap between having their products and taking other medicines. I don't have to worry about that as I am now no longer taking any chemical medicines, only natural.

[DorsetLady in reply to Windyspinsthewind]

Okay….glad it helps.

[Happyrosie]

That’s very interesting, Windy. I had a look at earlier posts of yours because I wondered where you live, seeing as diclofenac is prescribed in the UK and you say it’s banned. From memory, did you also say aspirin was banned? It’s extremely useful if taken cautiously for heart issues and in a form where it’s “tummy friendly”.Personally I’d be very wary of cbd things, being widely advertised as curing practically everything such as tinnitus and rheumatism. Which is DOESNT! If you mix your cbd with other medication then do please talk to your pharmacist first. (Not the stuff you rub in but anything you swallow!).

[Windyspinsthewind in reply to Happyrosie]

I am in the UK. Thank you, I must have misunderstood my GP, I thought he said that it been stopped as it has been found to cause heart issues for some people,but looking it up, apparently it has been banned as an over the counter medicine and can only be given if prescribed. I certainly wouldn't want to be taking it. I am now not allowed any NSAID's by my GP because of the risk of starting my stomach bleeding again. I have never said anything about Aspirin being banned, perhaps you have the wrong person? I always have to clear anything I swallow with my GP for the above reason. The company I have mentioned above are licenced growers. They don't supply the stuff that companies like Holland and Barret sell. They are an ethical UK company who lab test their batches with two independent companies to guarantee the quality of their products. They have medical herbalists on their team who have been incredibly helpful in helping me. They are the longest trading CBD company in the UK. They DO NOT say that they can cure things, but they can very much help with the symptoms. If you care to go on the Herbal Alternatives facebook page,you can read lots of testimonials from people who have asked questions and then come back and had amazing results, They are also not the 'fixed' reviews that you often get, but reviews from real people who have genuinely been helped.

[Happyrosie in reply to Windyspinsthewind]

Thanks for responding to me, Windy. I totally agree about NSAIDs and I apologise for mentioning aspirin (must have got muddled!).

There’s no one answer to osteoarthritis as we all know, and I regard this forum as a place where we can safely discuss what’s been good or bad based on our personal experiences.

Saying all this, I’m now going to took up the company you mention and see what it says!

[Windyspinsthewind in reply to Happyrosie]

I hope you do look it up, even if you don't want to try it. It has helped a lot of people. I just wanted to mention another avenue for people asking about pain relief. I know what it is like to have such awful pain constantly so bad it makes you feel sick.

I know what you are saying about claims that are made and there are a lot of companies jumping onto the CBD bandwagon, not all of them selling strong enough products to do anything. What I can say though is, personally, going off topic, I know of a dog belonging to a friend of mine who was diagnosed with lymphoma, he was given three months to live. His owner, my friend, was not going to give up on him. She got him some CBD oil and started giving it to him. In July, it will be four years since his diagnosis and he is still going strong and enjoying life. He has slowed down a lot but that would be expected as he is 13 years old next month.

[Happyrosie in reply to Windyspinsthewind]

If I go to their FB page I’m required to “join” which I don’t want to do - is their website The CBD Brothers? If not, what? Thanks in advance for the info.

[Windyspinsthewind in reply to Happyrosie]

cbdbrothers.com/about-us/ is the website of the people that grow and provide the oils. herbalhealth.org.uk/ is the company that do balms from the CBD oil plus other essential oils.

I do honestly think you would be better to join facebook.com/groups/herbala... though, as this is where you can ask questions, be given advice as to what is the best oils to take for which conditions and can see for yourself so many testimonials. They are a really friendly, helpful group, there is nothing to worry about in joining and if you don't want to stay in it, just leave the group. Another way is to join facebook again under another name to join it. The best way to learn about it is by reading how it has actually helped people and what they have taken to achieve that.

Different oils, made from different types of plants work in different ways. There are two varieties of cannabis plant. Sativa, which is one that gives you more of an energy boost and Indica which is calming, good for anxiety and brilliant for helping sleep, I used to have terrible nights but since taking the silver oil, I now sleep much better. They also do hybrid versions of some of their products which is a combination of the two plants. Both types help pain. If you didn't want to take anything orally, the balms are really good too, I started off with the Ninja balm. It did boost its effects though when I started taking an oil as well.

It doesn't work instantly, you need to build up the dosing slowly to awaken your system. All the advice you could want is on the facebook page if you join. You might not have any interest in taking it and that is fine but if only one person is helped by my mentioning it, then I would be glad.

[Happyrosie]

I meant to say along with my post a moment ago - I would NEVER EVER buy anything advertised unless it was endorsed by the appropriate charity. In the case of cbd oil for tinnitus, for example, the British tinnitus Association says to be cautious.

[Windyspinsthewind in reply to Happyrosie]

I should have also added that my GP prescribed Voltarol (Diclofenac cream), for me instead of the tablets but I don't use it, which is partly because I don't trust it long term and also when I have used it, I didn't find it did anything for me.

[HeronNS in reply to Windyspinsthewind]

I actually had a gut bleed after using voltaren on my knee. Dr said it would not affect my stomach or gut, but reading up on it, yes it can. It is absorbed through the skin and enters your system, doesn't remain in the affected joint. I now use a non-medicated lubricant called Flexiseq and have found it to be very beneficial. As you say you are bone on bone I don't know if it would help. When my knee was at its worst I also was using an inexpensive elastic brace which limited its motion and provided just enough support that I could walk without excruciating pain, and I'm sure this helped with healing. But as far as I know although my OA is quite extensive it has not reached the point of no cartilage.

[Windyspinsthewind in reply to HeronNS]

I was told years ago that I needed two new knees. As far as I am concerned, that is not going to happen as I am severely needle phobic due to an incident when I was around 5 yo. About three years ago, I had got to the point I could hardly walk my legs were so stiff. NHS physios were not helping. I saw an ad for a private muscular skeletal physio. I rang them to ask if there was anything they would be likely to be able to do for me. I was told I would need to go and see them and have an assessment. After the assessment, the physio said that, yes, I had got severe osteoarthritis - I had shown him my x ray report too - but I didn't need new knees for the stiffness and being unable to walk far or stand, the cause of that was that my hamstrings had seized up, as everyone's does as we age. I went for several weeks for treatment and I can honestly say that was the best money I had ever spent on my health. He got me back walking and standing and gave me the knowledge to get myself out of it if it happens again.

[HeronNS in reply to Windyspinsthewind]

Someone in HealthUnlocked recommended a book to me called "Treat your own Knees" by Jim Johnson. I have a very good physiotherapist too. My knees have been developing arthritis for a while, but it was two separate injuries early in the pandemic which had me hobbling around for about a year. I still don't walk as much as I used to, a regular 10,000 step day is way beyond me now. I go by the need for at least 150 minutes of exercise per week, and can easily exceed that without overworking aging limbs. Recovery time when you are in your 70s is, I have found, to my chagrin, a great deal longer than even in one's 60s!

[Windyspinsthewind in reply to HeronNS]

After Diclofenac tablets resulted in my having to be rushed to hospital for an emergency blood transfusion due to stomach bleed, I really didn't want to use the cream, even though my GP said it was safe.

[nicholasberesic Partner]

Here is what the Arthritis Foundation says about CBD for arthritis pain. I hope this helps. arthritis.org/health-wellne...

[DorsetLady in reply to nicholasberesic]

Nicholas,

As this is multinational forum, hope you don’t mind me adding this for completeness - from UK versusarthritis webpage -

Cannabis oil (CBD)

CBD is type of cannabinoid – a natural substance extracted from the cannabis plant and often mixed with an oil (such as coconut or hemp) to create CBD oil. It does not contain the psychoactive compound called tetrahydrocannabidiol (THC) which is associated with the feeling of being ‘high’.

Research in cannabinoids over the years suggests that they can be effective in treating certain types of chronic pain such as pain from nerve injury, but there is currently not enough evidence to support using cannabinoids in reducing musculoskeletal pain. We welcome further research to better understand its impact and are intently following developments internationally.

CBD oil can be legally bought as a food supplement in the UK from heath food shops and some pharmacies. However, CBD products are not licensed as a medicine for use in arthritis by MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Authority) or approved by NICE (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) or the SMC (Scottish Medicines consortium).

We know anecdotally from some people with arthritis, that CBD has reduced their symptoms.

If you’re considering using CBD to manage the pain of your arthritis, it’s important to remember it cannot replace your current medicines, and it may interact with them, so please do not stop/start taking anything without speaking to a healthcare professional.

[Windyspinsthewind in reply to nicholasberesic]

Thank you for this but I think everyone has to find their own way out of their pain/symptoms. I don't live in the USA, I live in the UK. I will only buy from the particular company I believe to be very ethical and are licenced to grow it and who have all their batches independently tested by two laboratories to ensure the quality and strength is consistent.

I found encouragement by reading the testimonials of lots of people who have themselves found relief by using the oils and balms. I took advice directly from the producers about what dosages etc to take for the best results. I know I can ring them anytime if I need further advice. I personally have found it to be helpful to me. In my case, it cannot clash with any other medicines for arthritis because although my GP has prescribed Codeine and various topical creams and gels,I don't take them, I have always preferred more natural remedies. The only prescribed medicine I take, and not all the time, is an iron supplement, which the CBD company says to have a two hour slot in between.

I am fully aware that a lot of the CBD products on the market are questionable on strength and what extras might be in them. I am reassured by the testing done by the company I use, that theirs is a quality product. I am also reassured by the testimonials I have seen that these products work for some people, I would not propose to say that they would work for all as everyone is different.

I could take prescribed products for free but I choose to pay to use what I believe is more helpful to me personally. The same as I found that the NHS physios were not helping me so I chose to go to a private one who got me walking straight and not stiff legged as I had been. When it gets to people who know you well commenting on how much better you are doing, that is proof enough for me to carry on.

I just wanted to put another form of pain relief out there in case it helps someone else.

Depression is something else that arthritis sufferers often get, an Indica CBD oil can help with depression and anxiety even if they didn't find it helped with heir pain.