A little while ago I saw an ad for Osteo Bi-Flex and wondered if it really did anything. I've read several studies on the efficacy and the results are honestly all over the map. It has helped in some studies (often patients with knee pain) but shown little to no effect in other studies. So I decided that I needed to order some and try it for myself. I have 60 capsules so I will take one a day and see if there is any difference in a couple months. I don't take any other supplements or vitamins, but decided that a multi-vitamin couldn't hurt. It was hard to find one that didn't have 300% of some vitamins because that's just too much, but this one is a bit more realistic.
I'll admit that I'm a bit skeptical, but I also did some reading about the placebo effect. Dr. Ted J. Kaptchuk, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and director of the Harvard-wide Program in Placebo Studies and the Therapeutic Encounter (PiPS) at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, has been studying placebos for more than 20 years. He says, "People can still get a placebo response, even though they know they are on a placebo. You don’t need deception or concealment for many conditions to get a significant and meaningful placebo effect, especially in conditions that are defined by self-observation symptoms like pain."
That sounds promising to me and I'm giving it a try.
Hoping this works for you! I've had more back pain and some leg pain (lifting and carrying Iris). My yin yoga seems to be helping, but I recently bought the topical Advil cream. That works fast for me!
ReplyDeleteI have had the "wandering miseries" for several years, mostly shoulder and neck pain, but also hip pain. I took oral diclofenac for several years, and then when it became obvious that I couldn't continue, I moved on to prescription strength diclofenac gel. It works pretty well for me, certainly with the joints that are closer to the skin surface. I think it is wise to try everything until you find something that works, and who cares if it involves a placebo effect. Injections have not been particularly helpful for me. Yin yoga helped me with a lot of my miseries as well, especially when I took classes in a hot room. I hope you find something that brings you relief, Bonny. Chronic pain is very wearing, mentally and physically.
ReplyDeleteRelief from pain is relief from pain . . . whether it comes from a placebo or a blockbuster drug. I hope this Osteo Bi-Flex works its magic for your hip bursitis. (I'm interested in what you think, because I'm always interested in joint health for my own weary joints . . . )
ReplyDeleteI am nodding along with Kym... relief from pain is relief from pain. I hope the Osteo Bi-Flex works (and I am likewise curious about its efficacy... so I hope you will keep us updated!)
ReplyDeleteGood luck, Bonny. From experience I know that chronic pain is no fun (two knee replacements, recent RA dx...etc) I'm wondering if you've looked into anti inflammatory diets? Making gradual changes over several months has made a world of difference for me.
ReplyDeletePS check out information on the diet at the Arthritis Foundation website
ReplyDeleteI hope it works well. Pain is horrible and it's all I can think about when it is persistent.
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