There are supposedly 150 types of arthritis. I've had arthritis all of my life, runs in my family. I have found that fortified milk causes me problems. It isn't the milk, it is the Vit. D that the dairy industry adds to the milk. I am also affected by the deadly nightshade family. For instance, tomatoes cause me an arthritic flare-up within fifteen minutes of eating them. My pain and stiffness reduced significantly when I quit consuming Vit. D fortified milk and the vegetables which contain solinase (deadly nightshade family). I have found oil of mediterranean oregano capsules to be very helpful. The capsules must be cut with olive oil, 50/50 oil of oregano and olive oil. Pure oil of oregano is caustic. The price for this product varies widely. I am not sure if I am allowed to mention a brand name, but there is one which is significantly less expensive. (If anybody wants the brand name, I can send it in a private Email.) Exercise is very important. For me, consistency is the key. I need to keep up a routine. If I get less exercise than usual, I will have pain and stiffness. As one person mentioned, I do agree that refined sugar can increase arthritic symptoms. For some people, spinach causes problems--it doesn't bother me. For other people citrus fruit causes a bad reaction. I have found that I need to eat organic fruits and vegetables. For me, the chemicals used on conventionally grown produce trigger arthritic reaction.

Dry skin, as you probably all know, is dry because it doesn't have enough water in it. The creams and oils work to keep the water from evaporating, but they rub off. The water in skin? It comes from within--it's pulled up from deeper layers. Drink more water--visit the bathroom more, because the kidneys don't care if your skin is dry. On the other hand, take a warm bath with a cup of salt dissolved in it--any old salt, cheapest rock salt you can find--and the salt solution penetrates the dry layers with the water. That water may evaporate when lotions and cream get rubbed off, but the extra salt can't evaporate. It remains in the upper layers of skin. It will pull extra water up from deeper layers by the osmotic gradient. This fixed my 74 year old mom's maddening dry skin that used to keep her awake even, despite lotions or creams. She hated it at first, because her soap wouldn't lather up good, but it brought her complete relief and soft winter skin for the first time in years. It saves her a fair amount of money, too. She still uses a good quality lotion (she happens to use Lubriderm) but the salt baths are what made the difference. I guess it's like a combination approach.

Thanks so much ...I really appreciate your response/ideas ! The flaxseed I get is from COSTCO & contains, according to the label: organic flaxseed oil(Linum usitatissmum)(seed) 1300 mg. omega 3 (alpha linolenic acid) 780 mg omega 6 (linoleic acid) 156 mg. omega 9 (oleic acid) 143 mg. Contains: anchovy,clupea,salmon,& sprat according to the label. I am taking two capsules a day. I am going to try the fish oil capsules now again for a couple of months & see if my LDL & triglyceride levels decrease from when I was on flaxseed. For some reason my doctor had me switch to the flaxseed. Seems every month or so another idea on these comes out & very confusing!

Has anyone tried Hyaluronic eye drops for dry eye syndrome? Seems as if it might help. WebM.D. "Hyaluronic acid is a substance that is naturally present in the human body. It is found in the highest concentrations in fluids in the eyes and joints. The hyaluronic acid that is used as medicine is extracted from rooster combs or made by bacteria in the laboratory. People take hyaluronic acid for various joint disorders, including osteoarthritis. It can be taken by mouth or injected into the affected joint by a healthcare professional. The FDA has approved the use of hyaluronic acid during certain eye surgeries including cataract removal, corneal transplantation, and repair of a detached retina and other eye injuries. It is injected into the eye during the procedure to help replace natural fluids." A link that might be useful: www.webmd.com/vitamins-supplements/ingredientmono-1062-HYALURONIC%20ACID.aspx?activeIngredientId=1062&activeIngredientName=HYALURONIC%20ACID