Hello everyone,
I recently found this site, thank the universe. I have been trying to find out what I had for the past 5-6 years. My erythro is mainly in my hands. Some times if I’m being care less(bad eating habits, no exercise, coffee and alcohol) I get it something awful. Well this last year I had been slacking and doing what I mentioned above. I always find out when the winter ends and I do something really intense with my hands like moving heavy objects when it’s hot. Well a few weeks ago they blew up. The hardest part is when they blow up you want to rub and itch but that just makes it worse and worse.
Well, I had been introduced to a powder called Kratom, it’s from a plant. My wife replaced her ibuprofin with kratom for menstrual pains. A lot of people use it for pain and to get off of heroin addiction. If you look it up online there is a ton of information on it. Well for my EM I have tried about every over the counter med with no result. This year when it flared up I took a teaspoon of Kratom and OH MY GOD. Blissful, the pain completely vanished from my hands and I could rest easily! It almost feels like it helped reduce the swelling as well. But, it could be that I just don’t touch my hands(that sounds funny)when I have taken Kratom.
You can order it online in a lot of places, we have a local kava bar that serves it. I found this forum and had to share because I understand how absolutely frustrating life can be with EM. Can make it into a tea, capsules or just a teaspoon although it is extremely bitter. But god, once it kicks in that taste is nothing to me. I had some today because my finger was blowing up. It soothed the pain and I lay down for a wonderful restful pain free nap. If you have any questions I’m here. I hope this helps others :).