Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group I found a new spiffy!

Hi all!

I remember posting this in a reply a while back, but just realized I hadn't posted it by itself.

SALONPAS pain relief patches! I've been using them a lot, especially on my hands and feet (WHY do my feet always hurt like the bleepin' bleep when I wake up? I'm really careful not to leave them stretched out all night. ) but also on my back. Basically, anywhere the joint is close to the skin, and I wasn't sure until the other day if they actually killed the pain, or if they just feel good and take my mind off the pain, y'know?

Well, the jury's in - they actually kill pain!

They're little white fabric patches (self-sticky) about 2 inches by 3 inches, they don't smell much (not that I REALLY give a bleep) and they're cheap as cheap! I had my friend line them up along my spine the other night after a day of planting bulbs - and I did all that by hand, I don't have one of those spiffy long-handled bulb-planter thingies yet - and my back was REALLY pissed. I went to bed, got to sleep somehow (after 5 a.m.) and the next morning, I felt WAY better than I should've. (Note: "should've" isn't to be taken literally - I'm not trying to imply that I DESERVE to be in horrible pain the day after a physical activity. "Should've" is used in place of "usually do." Thank you. )

I've also noticed that if I'm having trouble with my hand, after about half an hour with one of the patches on, it's actually easier to write/draw/type.

They contain Menthol, Camphor and Methyl Salicylate (is this aspirin? I think it's aspirin). They come in a little green and white box in the arthritis aisle, near the Therma-Care patches and such (WHY is the arthritis stuff ALWAYS on the BOTTOM shelf??? Whoever stocks Walmart really does NOT know what they're doing!) at Walmart and Walgreens, but they're cheaper at Walmart. About seven cents per patch, and they help for hours.

They're also sculptable! I mean, you can cut them up (I cut them into skinny strips to put on individual fingers). Their stick is quite sticky, too, if you don't reposition the patch once you've got it on. I occasionally use band-aids to help keep them attached to my fingers while I'm writing, especially if I'm nervous and my hands get sweaty (case in point: today's essay test).

I really hope they help someone else! They're the first topical thing I've found that actually helps my hands (and I've asked EVERYBODY).



-Bridget

Hey Bridget,

These sound pretty awesome! Thanks for sharing.

I absolutely love your posts, they're always full of little tidbits that make you feel like you're right there talking to me.

Hope that it helped enough on your essay test and it wasn't so bad. ....this disease and trying to make it through college, man oh man. But hey, we're doing it. And we'll get *two* pats on the back when we graduate for doing it and doing it while dealing with this stuff.

Jess

Hi Bridget
Those patches have the same ingredients as the topical ointments like Bengay and icyhot. They are more convienent than the creams. I noticed you said something about your feet and not letting them "stretched" all night. I found something that is great for me at night . I have problems with my ankles if they are left in a pointed position for more than a couple minutes, pain and fusing. I found these little padded booties that I wear at night that keep my feet in a flexed position so this doesn't happen, they were a real find for me. I have to sleep on my back and I used to use pillows at my feet to keep them from relaxing in a pointed, extended position now these little lifesavers hold the right position and are really comfortable.
Cindy

Thanks for sharing Bridget. Thank I will make a Wal-Mart run and try them on my huge swollen painful thumb. I have always heard of "sticking out like a sore thumb". Now I understand where that came from. )
. Just think how beautiful all of those flowers are going to be. I did the same thing a couple of days ago planting Carolina Jasmine, Moonflowers, Day Lillies, Sunflowers and Hollyhocks. I had so much trouble sleeping and was pretty wiped out yesterday but I am going to be so glad when they are all beautiful. Actually the Jasmine is in full bloom. Last year I couldn't plant a thing so I am making great progress looking back a whole year.

Have a glorious day.

Hugs.
Possi

They sound like something we should all keep in our medicine cabinets. I hope they carry them in our Canadian Walmarts.
Thanks for posting this.
Dan