Topical pain cream instead of NSAIDS?

I was also going to suggest wax bath machine. I know it can be helpful for hands and feet. I need to buy a new one. I had one and I was telling my friend how much I like it. She asked to borrow it. After a month she refused to give it back to me, telling me I gifted it to her. She was funny like that. We are not friends anymore, for many different reasons.

Have you tried acupuncture? Keith (my BF) is a computer guy and he thought he had carpal tunnel issues, only to find out it was arthritis in his wrists. He gets one acupuncture treatment a month, and since a second visit, over 2 years ago he doesn't complain about the wrists. Before that he would wear a brace to bed, use different pain creams to help the wrists. Not anymore.

I've done acupuncture for other things and found it useful. I'll try that and see how it works.

My hand surgeon recommends using kitchen tools from OXO, which were originally created for people with arthritis. He also says to try and carry items or drive or other activities without using your thumbs as your thumb joints will wear out a lot sooner than your other finger joints. This is especially an issue for women; earlier onset of hand arthritis compared to men.

I use the heated steering wheel in my car year round. I use BioFreeze for pain.

I shout it from the rooftop whenever anyone asks--LIDOCAINE!

I use Aspercream with lidocaine. There is NO aspirin in Aspercream...go figure. Like Julia said, lidocaine all the way! Aspercream has no odor and it doesn't stain clothing. Another poster suggested a hot wax machine. The hot wax is like being in heaven. I hope you are able to try either or both , or any of the products suggested by others. Hand pain is the worst.

Blue cohosh is a fantastic herb, a specific for arthritis in the small joints of the fingers, wrists, toes, etc. Unfortunately, it is contraindicated for us because it can be irritating to the gastric mucosa , etc.

Sorry you are dealing with pain. My DH has developed the same. Currently, he thinks TUMERIC pills are helping.

BioFreeze is my favorite and gives me good pain relief. Hand exercises can help. With my weight loss my knees are so much better but now my hands are painful--especially in the cold weather.

Hello everyone:

As ljbarbara said above, Aspercreme with lidocaine does not contain NSAIDs or salicylates. Salicylates are similar to aspirin and can cause gastrointestinal ulcers.

Some forms of Aspercreme contain trolamine salicylate. This drug is related to aspirin and can cause gastric or duodenal ulcers if it is absorbed through the skin in sufficient amounts.

So, if you use Aspercreme, you may want to read the label with the active ingredients carefully to make sure it doesn't contain trolamine salicylate.

---Joyce