Because I really don’t like taking any drugs, a friend gave me cooling Castiva to rub on the knee. I tried it and the pain disappeared a short while later. After only one treatment the pain was gone. I don’t know if all topical salves work in the same manner, but I had to share my experience with you so others might be helped.

DEAR READER:
While all products don’t work for all people, I’m glad you had favorable results with Castiva. Many of my readers have tried it and found it be beneficial. Like you, many of them also did not like taking medication.

Be sure to see your physician for testing if the pain returns or worsens.

DEAR READER:
This is one product I’ve never heard of, but I will pass it along for what it is worth.

Other aids for pain include Castiva in a warming or cooling form that contains capsaicin and is a topical ointment for arthritis relief, topical castor oil, Hawthorne berry, omega 3 oil, and purple grape juice and pectin. Thank you for your tip.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Dr. Gott’s Compelling Home Remedies”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped, number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

I’m a 65-year-old woman. Last August my right knee began hurting and I could not bend it. I don’t remember injuring it. After an X-ray that was negative, my doctor gave my knee a cortisone shot and I followed up with physical therapy for eight sessions. That helped until I wrenched my right foot while going down a step. My knee also twisted with the action. It was first believed there was a hairline fracture of the 5th metatarsal and my foot was in an air cast for eight weeks but it turned out the injury was to the tendons and soft tissue, not bone, confirmed by an MRI. After nine visits to the physical therapist for my foot I was “almost” better and I started resuming my daily activities. That’s when my knee started the same problems all over again. To make matters worse, the back of my neck and shoulder tops are tight and hurt and I’ve had some numbness in my left little finger and lips.

My doctor just wrote out prescriptions which I had to discontinue due to the side effects, since I’m very sensitive to medications. So, I am using a hot pack on my neck, doing some stretching exercises from physical therapy for my foot and knee, followed by ice packs. I’m still a mess. There has been no improvement and I’m tired of hurting and having this weird numbness. What else can I do? Please no more doctors or pills.

DEAR READER:
My initial reaction was to consider that the knee pain originated from a form of arthritis, a breakdown of cartilage that causes pain and stiffness of a knee, elbow, shoulder and other joints. Any movement can trigger pain and you certainly didn’t do yourself any good when you wrenched your foot on the steps.

Consider your body to resemble a well oiled machine. All parts work well when nothing is wrong. When malfunction causes that machine to falter, the entire system reacts, muscles such as the ones in your shoulders and neck tense and tighten. You put additional strain on parts of your body that aren’t accustomed to malfunctioning and those parts react with pain, tingling and numbness. This might also reflect a pinched nerve.

I suggest initially that you visit your doctor (or find a new one who will not push pills at you) to discuss a plan of action. Work together to formulate your own plan since no one knows your body better. You’ve had physical therapy and know the drill.

You might consider a topical ointment such as Castiva for relief of symptoms from arthritis and muscle strain. Another option is to substitute your hot pack for an old towel that you wet, wring out and dot with lavender oil. Place the towel in your microwave for a minute. Remove it and wrap it around your neck. Those tight muscles will loosen and relax you as you inhale the aroma (this is essentially an inexpensive version of aromatherapy). Your shoulders will feel better, the tightness should improve and the tingling might disappear.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Managing Chronic Pain”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped, number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

She currently gets a cortisone shot in her hip as often as she is allowed to, but the pain returns before she qualifies for another shot.

What creams or ointments without side effects do you recommend that can be used topically for bursitis, arthritis and inoperable pain?

My friend lives alone, eats heartily, and is up-to date on current affairs. Thank you for your input.

DEAR READER:
To begin with, Castiva is a topical pain-relief lotion used for the pain of arthritis. It is NOT to be taken internally, rather it should be rubbed onto painful joints. The product comes in two forms, warming and cooling. The warming lotion contains capsaicin, an ingredient found in chili peppers that works by blocking pain signals from nerves, while reducing inflammation. The cooling lotion contains menthol and cools as it is applied. Both contain natural castor oil, a product that has been used for over 4,000 years because of its healing properties.

Some people find relief from pain by using purple grape juice and pectin, a substance used in preparing jams and jellies. Simply pour eight ounces of 100% juice into a glass. Add one to two tablespoons of liquid pectin and stir. Drink two to three times daily. The remedy is reported to substantially reduce the pain of arthritis.

While I’ve been told pectin is in short supply unless it is jelly making season, I learned it can be purchased in bulk from Kauffman’s, 3096 Old Philadelphia Pike, Bird In Hand, PA l7505. This source was passed on to me by a reader, so I am making it available to you.

You might also have your friend visit your local pharmacy to determine what over-the-counters are available for relief of joint pain. In fact, enlist the services of the pharmacist who is a great resource. You might be glad you did.

To give you related information, I am sending you a copy of my Health Report “Understanding Osteoarthritis”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped, number 10 envelope and $2 to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title.

DEAR READER:
Thank you for sharing your experience. There are numerous endorsements for arthritis, including grape juice and pectin, anti-inflammatories, over-the-counter Castiva, and prescription drugs. Plain castor oil is simple and effective. If it works, stick with it.

I have not seen anyone mention this but I want to tell those who might be “put off” by this treatment because they think it will be oily and messy; it isn’t. I rub it on my hands at night, put on some soft gloves and go to bed. In the morning, my hands are not the least bit oily — just baby soft and smooth.

Now for the most important part of this letter.

Recently I was diagnosed with gout. I had a bad episode a couple of years ago but didn’t know what it was. When I had another episode, my doctor diagnosed it. I have learned to watch for the first signs of an attack (pain and discomfort in my big toe). It happened again recently so I tried rubbing castor oil on it. Instantly — and I do mean instantly — the pain disappeared. I put on a sock and went to bed. I didn’t have any pain all night. About an hour after I woke up the pain came back, so I put on more castor oil. Again, instant relief.

My podiatrist told me that gout is a form of arthritis so perhaps this is why the castor oil did such a good job. In fact, it worked better on my gout than on my arthritic hands! It might not work if the gout gets really bad before it is put on. I don’t know since I was diligent about putting it on as soon as the pain came back. I think the trick may be to catch it as soon as possible. I hope this helps some of your readers as much as it has helped me!

DEAR READER:
Thank you for writing to share your experiences. I had not heard of castor oil relieving the pain of an acute gout attack. So far the most popular method has been cherries. For this who experience gout, I recommend eating a handful (10-12) cherries (dried, fresh, frozen or canned) each day. This should prevent an attack. Another option is to eat 15-20 cherries each day once an attack has started. This should reduce the severity and duration allowing for more normal daily activity. Some readers have had success by drinking cherry juice rather than eating the fruit. I am glad to say that now there are several options (including prescription medication) to treat or prevent acute gout.

Folks, let me know about your experiences using castor oil for gout.

To give you related information, I am sending your copies of my Health Report “Compelling Home Remedies” and “About Gout”. Other readers who would like copies should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 FOR EACH report to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title(s).

I have tried your “Certo with grape juice” remedy for arthritis. Sadly it didn’t work for me. However, in today’s column, a patient wrote in telling you how it helped her IBS. Then it dawned on me that you’re supposed to DRINK the stuff, not rub it on your joints. Which, by the way, is what I was doing and it is very messy!

Just thought you might like to know that you have to “spell it out” for some of us! I am going to try again and I hope to get better results this time. Thanks!

DEAR READER:
Several readers have sent me letters touting the value of Certo and grape juice in helping reduce the discomfort of irritable bowel syndrome. This was certainly news to me. Remember that the combination should be swallowed, not simply rubbed in over a painful joint.

If you want a product that you can rub into the joint, rather than drinking, I recommend using castor oil or Castiva. Castiva is a cream that contains castor oil base and comes in warming and cooling formulas. Castor oil is rubbed onto the affect joint(s) twice a day. The Castiva can be used as often as needed.

Certo is liquid pectin. Brand does not seem to make a difference in effectiveness. It is found in the baking section of many grocery stores. Castor oil can be purchased at most pharmacies. Castiva is available at Wal-Mart, Walgreens, CVS, Rite-Aid, or online at www.CastivaBrands.com.

To give you related information, I am sending you copies of my Health Reports “Understanding Osteoarthritis” and “Dr. Gott’s Compelling Home Remedies”. Other readers who would like a copy should send a self-addressed, stamped number 10 envelope and $2 FOR EACH report to Newsletter, PO Box 167, Wickliffe, OH 44092. Be sure to mention the title(s).