I don't know about the oil, but I take tumeric in capsule form twice each day and it is very helpful.

My mother told me that adding turmeric daily really helped her arthritis.

I just started researching the CBD oil for my dog, but for an anxiety issue. But, I do hear that it is also good for arthritis. However, a co-workers DH did not get relief, nor did he see a difference. So, you will hear many things, but there are many products out there to try.

I will start using a product that is made in Colorado for my dog. Hopefully you will get suggestions about the people versions that work.

I starting use Glucosamine after giving it to my elderly Golden Retriever. But, again, all are not equal. My Golden was able to walk long walk until she turn 14 1/2. (She passed away at 15 1/2, a nice long life for this breed) .

We use Nutramax, and I used this people version for my dog. I find a difference when I skip it. I have arthritis in my lower back. You start with three pills. I am down to two.

Proof: Dogs can't lie! While I was visiting my sister, she mentioned how her Golden could no longer walk up the basement flight of stairs. I gave her my Glucosamine and within weeks, this dog was again walking up those steps.

Thanks. I will add turmeric to my list. She lives way out of town, so I am going to take her as many options as possible when we visit for the holidays.

eld, thanks for including the name brand. She mentioned that Glucosamine has helped in the past, but said she couldn't remember which brand worked and which didn't. She also shares her pills with her elderly dog.

In Calgary, there is a place where you can go to get a prescription for CBD oil. You make an appointment, they assess you and determine which oil is best for you and how to administer it. My husband uses both 1:1 plus straight THC for his headaches. Both were prescribed by a doctor. If CBD and pot are legal where you live, find out if you have a "natural" doctor clinic to go talk to.

LEGAL CANNABIS CLINICS IN CALGARY

Two old goats! I got the first bottle as a gift from a friend that knows how I suffer with rheumatoid arthritis. I had never heard of it. But it is fairly well known about in some of the arthritis forums.

I have ordered it from Amazon and I found it at the hardware store too of all places.

https://www.acehardware.com/departments/home-and-decor/health-and-beauty/lotion/9299934

Another thing that I buy that helps me is Arnica. I have a gel and a salve. I buy it at the pharmacy, Walmart, or order it online. There are a lot of arnica products.

I researched it a little bit as a help for my DH and one thing I learned to be aware of is that here in the States, it’s not regulated and every forumla could be different as far as strength and even quality goes. I also read something about avoiding with certain medications (I don’t recall which, I lost interest when I read this).

I realize that the system in Canada is really different from ours, but if her current doctor is not addressing her needs the way you need him to, isn’t there a way she can go to a different doctor to get the referral?

Lukkiirish has a good point: do make sure you see the right doctor because my husband had to wean himself off of his Topriamate before he could even TRY the oil. My daughter in law would like to try it for her anxiety and seizures but can't go off her meds to try it. Mixing with cbd oil is a very bad mix.

After being diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis & Osteoporosis the rheumatoid specialist wanted to start me on Methotrexate immediately, but I deferred, as I wanted to do a little research. Glad I did as I found out it's one of the drugs included in a "Chemotherapy Cocktail". After reading what some of the side effects could be, I decided I didn't want to put any of those chemicals in my body, at least not until it came down to a last resort....maybe! I also have a condition called PXE (pseudo xanthoma elastica) so many of the drugs used to treat the inflammation I cannot use as they cause internal bleeding in my gut. So I have found some relief with essential oils, and "Deep Relief" Ice Cold Pain Relief Gel....and as I have it worse in my hands/finger joints my best help is doing knitting, crochet, braided rugs, etc., which keep my hands busy and exercising.

I understand that there is a doctor shortage in Canada with many people without a doctor. I know that some things work for one and not another person. The only thing I have tried is the glucosamine and it works very well for me. If I try to stop taking it, I am in agony. The glucosamine has not worked for several of my friends. Hope you find something that works for your mom.

Since I tried it and it did nothing I have my reservations on it. I have a feeling it's just today's snake oil and there's a lot of people suddenly on the bandwagon to make a bunch of money off of it. I also think that pot that contains THC (gets you high) is being promoted for health reasons and that it's a bunch of hooey, too. Also it's not regulated and so you don't know what you are getting and how much you should be taking. Now I know I could be wrong and there are a lot of those out there who don't like me saying this but wait until they know how I feel about pot first. I'm not against people who get high from pot, that's not it at all. I personally think it should be legalized, that putting people in jail for it is outrageous, and hey, if a person is in pain or suffering from whatever and getting high helps them cope, then I could care less. But I do think that the promotion of it for health reasons is a big gimmick to convince lawmakers to legalize it so they can use it without worrying about going to jail. Hey, I think people should just be truthful about why they want it legalized. It's because they want to get high and not go to jail for it. And I've smoked pot way back in the day and I've gotten high so they can't say I'm an old curmudgeon who hates stoners. I just think it's being mislabeled as a miracle cure, that's all.

DH has arthritis in his thumb and gets great relief using Plumflower's Solitary Hermit Tea Pills...from Amazon...takes 8 (like little bbs) twice a day. Chinese medicine.

Do online research about curcumin with regard to contraindications. Curcumin is contraindicated for anyone on a blood thinner.

At her age I would not think it appropriate to use a normal suggested dosage. I'd cut the dose in half if she decides to try it.

She might try a low dose of fish oil like Nordic Naturals omega JR. or a Carlson's fish oil for children. Those are two very reliable brands.

Fish oil also thins the blood like Curcumin so would also be contra indicated if she is on a blood thinner.

The US is experiencing a shortage of rheumatologists now, so perhaps there is an equivalent

shortage in Canada.

Some of my friends swear by this ointment - they have several scents and strengths, I think. Not sure if it's available in Canada...

Kush Cream

My daughter gave me some CAD salve. It works very well.

I tried the tincture, also.

Works for me.

CBD

Darned Auto correct

I should have noted above that Krill oil is known to help with athritus. It’s not been diagnosed, but I have what I believe is an auto-immune type pain in my shoulders and hands. Until I started taking the Krill Oil, nothing I tried for pain would help. I take 1000 mg / day and when I stop taking it, my pain flairs up real quick.

Thanks everyone. I will look into these options.

She is in a very small community with limited medical personnel. Because it is a bit remote, they also don't get the best doctors. She has requested a different one, but not sure if it will happen.

I don't think she is on blood thinners, but I will double check.

She does get relief from some of the arthritis OTC meds, but as a former geriatric nurse, knows the havoc they can wreak on your insides, so she is trying to use them sparingly.

Thanks again.

I wonder if it is the OP's mother actually has the type that a rheumatologist can help or osteoarthritis that a rheumatologist can not do anything for. "Arthritis" is a broad group of health problems. While visiting mother it might be advisable to ask to talk to the doctor about why no referral.

I have used Glucosamine/chondroitin/MSM combo for years -- it does help me, although research trials don't ever seem to show a benefit.

I believe that it is useful for osteoarthritis, maybe not for rheumatoid arthritis.

Likewise, if her MD has determined that her arthritis is osteo, not RA, then a rheumatologist will be of no benefit.

Oh, drinking tart cherry juice or eating tart cherries has also helped -- I was quite surprised by this.

I mentioned this before on similar topics -- tomatoes make my arthritis worse. Fresh or processed into sauce, doesn't matter -- if I eat more than a smidge, I notice a worsening. So, spaghetti or pizza with red sauce has become a rare treat for me. I really miss gorging on fresh tomato sandwiches out of the garden.

mafleur and raee, you are probably right about the type of arthritis and why no referral. I'm not sure how she should be treated for osteoarthritis, but he is not doing anything which seems wrong, but maybe there is nothing he can do?

I have osteoarthritis in both my hands and my knees and there isn't much they can do about it. I try to keep those joints active and exercised ( I use a squeeze ball for my hands and walk and do knee bends and some light yoga.....and garden a lot!). But other than that and taking the occasional anti-inflammatory when it gets really bad, there's not a lot else I can do. Or anyone else can do for me. It's not bad enough to warrant cortisone injections. Had those once for tennis elbow and don't care to repeat!I haven't tried any of the creams yet but that may be my next step if it worsens.

I keep thinking that maybe they could write me a prescription for a hot tub......don't think Medicare covers that, tho :-))

My 94 year friend swears it helps her arthritis. She uses CBD oil under her tongue once a day. I gave it a try for 60 days and saw no improvement for me. Another friend uses it for her Parkinson's and it has really helped her tremors.

gardengal, you might not get a hot tub rx, but if you have Silver Sneakers facilities near you, you might be able to get into pool therapy. I have it through my medicare at Kaiser, but I kind of think other medicare insurance provides it, too? I have a saltwater pool near me and I get water therapy classes 3 times a week for free. They are changing the name to something else, SilverFit, maybe?

Thanks for that suggestion, olychick, but the closest facility that offers that is a 30 minute drive away. Call me lazy but what I really would like is a hot tub (or even a jacuzzi) right outside my door that I could slip into at the end of the day...right before bedtime :-) Not gonna happen!!

My niece and nephew are in the process of building an indoor pool that will have a hot tub/spa as part of the facility so I am not so patiently waiting for that to happen (long story - the most complicated and expensive pool project I have ever heard of!!). But even their place is a bit of a haul from me. But free and private!! Can't wait!

Debby, isn't cannabis legal everywhere on Canada??

Although it doesn't get rid of all the pain and inflammation, I've found that old remedy - gin-soaked raisins - does give some relief, at least enough to keep doing it. You soak golden raisins in gin for about 3 days, long enough for them to get all plumped up, then store them in a mason jar in the frig. Eat nine every day. Can't hurt you to try. Like I said, it doesn't get rid of all the misery but I was surprised that the acute pain I was having was relieved after the first couple of days. At least I can pick up a cup of coffee in the morning now without wincing.

Turmeric is a powerful anti-inflammatory, and fermented turmeric, which I buy from Swansons, is even more effective.

Yes, cannabis is legal everywhere here, but b/c it just became legal, many places are having trouble getting and keeping product.

rita, do they taste like gin? I have heard that recipe before. I'll suggest it to my mom, but she's never liked the taste of alcohol, so might not go for it.

Terezosa: Yes and No. If you want to buy from the guy down the road: NO. It's illegal to buy from someones house. If you want to buy from a pot store: yes, but you can only have a certain amount on you at any given time. If you want your drug plan to pay for your pot or oil, you go to a doctor (not your GP, but a special doctor that specializes in it, which is why I gave a link where in Calgary you can get your prescriptions written) and have it filled to get reimbursed from your benefits plan.

My husbands specialist was very quick to say YES when I suggested my husband try oils and smoking pot to relieve his headaches. He said he can't write a prescription for it, so he sent him to one of the clinics here.

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/health/campaigns/cannabis.html?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc_en&utm_content=misc_1&utm_campaign=cannabis-18

A caution on the smoking. While I think the oils are fine if you want to try them you need to remember that smoking or inhaling smoke brings particles into your lungs. In ten/twenty years people will be reading about the lung cancer and other lung problems that smoking caused. If you have a terminal disease other than just life and it helps that is one thing but to me it would be better to try everything before smoking.

I have osteoarthritis in my neck and I have found good relief from topicals. This product, Apothecanna CBD extra strength is really good. I've got both a spray and an oil I rub in. The spray works really fast on my neck.

I've tried tumeric, glucosamine, krill oil, about every product mentioned but don't get good relief from things I have to ingest. I have really, really bad arthritis in my knee and nothing helps that, but the other places I have pain I've found the CBD salves and oil does help with my pain.

DH also swears by something called UC-II (UC2), I get it at Costco, the Kirkland brand called triple action joint health, it contains the UC-II, Boron and Hilauranic Acid. I think a brand name is Osteo BiFlex. We also gave it to our dog and it helped her.

Curcumin is the active ingredient in turmeric. It's worth noting that turmeric/curcumin is most effective when consumed with some black pepper and a little fat of some kind. The easiest thing to do is to get a capsule with black pepper added, and take it with a meal. Most meals contain a little fat. This is the brand I take. It really makes a difference.

Nuvitality Turmeric Curcumin

I just started reading about CBD oil last night, as it's getting a lot of positive comment in the Lyme community.

I just heard about the pepper, now you say fat too. I have been taking turmeric...it would be nice if it works, for me. Many of these things work for some, not for others. I am usually on the NOT side unfortunately.

Golden Milk is delicious! I use almond milk, tumeric, ginger, fresh ground black pepper and a tsp of coconut oil. Golden Milk Recipe

Hmmm, I don't know about my mom, but I am definitely making golden milk.

I took her glucosamine and curcumin and B12. She does take aspirin to thin her blood so she's going to ask her doc before taking it. Unfortunately, the glucosamine I got her doesn't have the MSM in it - I was in a hurry and didn't look closely. Will wait on the CBD oil for a bit until I can do more research.

One of the recipes shows how to make a turmeric paste to keep in the fridge for making golden milk. I think I will try that so that it is easier to make once I go back to work in January. I've been feeling my age in my joints lately. My students are 5 and 6 years old and it never used to bother me kneeling down with them, etc., but lately it is getting harder and harder.