Hi All
I've been suffering with joint pains (seems to be all over-must have joints that have been dormant for 50-odd years!!!) for almost a year now. Mine is a combination of meno & a bad fall which really knocked me for six.
Can heartily agree about glucosaumine - really helps with knee pains but not so sure about other joints.
Anyway, Dr Chris on This Morning has raved about a product called LITOZIN which is derived from Rosehips (don't confuse it with normal rosehip supplements, Litozin is made from a product within the rosehip). Apparently its been proved to really help with joint pains especially Osteo & Rheum Arthritis & has been on sale in Europe for about 10yrs - we've finally got it in the UK (why are we so far behind all other countries when it comes to getting medical help???)
Its on sale in Boots & Superdrug & is in capsule form but you can break them open & sprinkle contents on food. I've just started taking it but it takes a while for body to absorb & apparently you notice the difference in a few months (DAMN!!).
You take 6 caps a day for 3-5 weeks then a maintenance dose of 4 caps a day - its pretty pricey at £19.99 for 120 caps but if it works then what price pain relief, also as its natural it doesn't interact with other medication - but check with pharmacist etc about this if anyone is going to try it. I'll let you know how good it is (or not!!)
Have also started having private physio for the neck/shoulder pain & immobility - referred to NHS physio but had to wait 7 weeks for first appt (Dec 2006!!) then had another 5 week wait for next & only allowed 3 sessions spread over a month. Needless to say didn't do much good & had to go back to GP to be referred back to physio again - another long wait & again only allowed 3 sessions.
BUT - NHS physio went on hol for 2 of these sessions & a private physio covered - what a difference!! After just 1 session there was a definate improvement (he works on Squaddies & really gets things moving!!), so have gone private with him - this is my 2nd week & I can turn my head with no problems, 70% of pain has disappeared - he's going to start really working on my poor shoulder next week. Apparently this is going to be a big job & be really painful
due in main to the lack of physio from NHS in the first place which has made the joint lock up - I'm now stocking up on Kleenex & will only wear waterproof mascara for the next few visits! Ah Well - no pain, no gain.
Anyone who is suffering with joint pains even though it may be due to meno should take a look at a free booklet from the Arthritis Research Council detailing exercises to keep joints moving - some of them really help. The drawings seem to show elderly people but who cares!! A friend of mine who is in her early thirties with a young child does them as she has a painful knee & they help her.
Must go now as I feel as though I'm writing a novel!!!
Cheers everyone
Sharon A