Arthritis UK or Research poll.

[Calceolaria]

I can't remember which of the websites I was reading, either Arthritis Care, Research or UK but there was a section on complementary treatments. A pill of arthritis sufferers had brought capsaicin ointment out at number one for effectiveness against pain. At number two came a supplement called SAM-e, which also came out better regarding improved flexibilty. I am now taking SAM-e which is safely available via Amazon and I can report a definite improvement but you have to take for a month. I am almost at the month. Of course it is expensive if you have to take forever. Read up on it.

I might also ask gp if I can have another go at prescription-strength capsaicin, which I found tremendously effective but it aggravated my skin, despite using E45 first, as recommended.

[Bananas5]

Hello Calceolaria

Very interested in your findings.

I think it is SAM-e which has the same properties as Pexion - given to my dog for Idiopathic Epilepsy.

As you know Gabapentin and sister pregabalin are epilepsy drugs.

David was en route to see his GP and gone armed with your information. See what GP says. She is looking for something extra to help post hip op.

Thanks agaib

Pat x

[Calceolaria in reply to Bananas5]

Hi Pat. My understanding is that SAM-e is an amino acid, is naturally produced in the body and has no side effects but doesn't mix well with some anti depressants and I think, some antibiotics. It was originally developed for depression and it's pain relieving qualities found by accident.

[Bananas5 in reply to Calceolaria]

David asked GP and she said it is not on general prescription in Scotland only through a neurologist. Yes you can buy it over the counter but strength is only 0.025 whereas scriptt is 0.25. You would need a bucketful to get up to strenth..

Back to drawing board.

Pat x

[Calceolaria in reply to Bananas5]

Also, it's available on prescription in some European countries ( but not UK ) and has been for 20 years! Perhaps David can get a scrip?

[Calceolaria]

Its 200mg online and you take 600mg per day for arthritis pain, although you can take up to 1200mg per day.