Arthritis Medications.

• There are many arthritis-meds available to help with the pain of arthritis. I know because I have tried most of them! Most were of little or no value and many had side effects that really made my symptoms and pain worse. Sure, I followed my doctor’s advice but I also tried some creams and non traditional drugs that were supposed to “cure” my arthritis pain. Nothing does that.

• Look below and see what medications are currently available for your use. Stick with your doctor and make a plan. Have a back-up plan in case what you use does not work. BE PROACTIVE. Since arthritis only gets worse, try to use arthritis-meds that will stop the process.

• Some medications are very expensive and unless you have a great insurance policy that covers drugs a middle class income will not cover the expense. For example, the drug Enbrel will cost you about a thousand a month. Remicade is a new drug that runs about 35K a year. Very prohibitive unless you get help from insurance or the drug company.

• Arthritis drugs have long been considered the "traditional" treatment option. Since individual response to drugs can vary and because potential side effects and adverse reactions are also a factor, finding the most effective combination of arthritis drugs can be a more difficult process than one would expect. Patients should become knowledgeable about the various arthritis drugs so they can make decisions with their doctor.

• Since there are so many medications available you should review, with your doctor, the drugs you are taking and also discuss potential side effects of drug use. For example, I used aspirin for many years and finally developed an ulcer. Are you taking medication for other problems? Be sure to mention this to your doctor as the combination can often times be counter productive.

The most common and least expensive are the NSAIDS

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