I'm single and sole caregiver for mom who is 91 and lives with me now. She had a stroke in 2016, moved from cane to walker, was recovering well, but was injured during therapy in 2017 causing a torn rotary cuff, ganglion cyst on shoulder that cannot be removed, and additional issues and fears developed. Since the stroke, she's on Plevix and baby aspirin. She is truly allergic to almost everything and cannot take pain meds so only lives on aspirin for pain. Recently, her arthritis pain, muscle pain have taken it's toll and she seems in constant pain. For her age, she's active and we have moved around more than most on drives, shopping, trips, but this past 3 or 4 weeks, arthritis is fierce. Thanks, Marc
Nothing stopped the pain. I too have had very bad reaction to many drugs, even aspirin so I do not use these. Didn't stop the pain either. It is often not just bone pain from osteoarthritis. It can also be nerve and/or muscle pain. I have used the blue emu for some short term relief but I would need it head to foot all day. For fibromyalgia the best thing I have found is the Quest device. Battery operated (rechargeable) attached to the skin with electrode strips and I sometimes wear it 24 hours a day. Does not work for every kind of pain but no side effects. I bought mine at Target. Also sold in drug stores & can get in online. It is $250 but you can return it for a refund if it doesn't work for you. I wish I had this years ago. It sends an electrical signal up the nerve in your leg to your brain which triggers serotonin. Chronic pain is torture and makes it hard to sleep which increases the pain. I often wear it while sleeping as well as in the daytime.
Probably more effective, however, would be oral magnesium, but there are many different forms of oral magnesium, some of which can cause gastrointestinal stress. You'd have to plan to try them all until you find one that doesn't. You'd also need to determine what a sufficient dose is for Mom.
The easiest method for getting magnesium into the body and targeting it directly to problem areas (e.g., painful joints and muscles) is topical (transdermal) magnesium. There are lotions, oils, sprays and creams.
THE expert on everything magnesium is Dr. Carolyn Dean, MD, ND, She literally wrote the book: The Magnesium Miracle. Her Website is https://drcarolyndean.com/. She creates and sells her own products here: https://www.rnareset.com/ (Note: I have no personal or financial relationship with Dr. Dean other than as a satisfied purchaser of some of her magnesium products.)
Here are a couple of Dr. Dean's blog articles about topical magnesium and arthritis.
https://drcarolyndean.com/2011/08/magnesium-arthritis/
https://drcarolyndean.com/2015/07/magnesium-knee-arthritis/
Dr. Dean makes her own transdermal (topical) magnesium lotion: https://www.rnareset.com/collections/frontpage/products/remag-lotion?variant=51240324179
Dr Dean has also recommended the magnesium products of a company (formerly) called LL's Magnetic Clay, which now operates as Enviromedica (https://www.enviromedica.com) and markets its topical magnesium products as the Ancient Minerals line: https://www.ancient-minerals.com/
Is your Mom truly allergic to the pain relievers themselves or the inactive ingredients? I am allergic to corn, which is a binder in many pills in the form of starch. I have several medications "compounded" without any corn. Generally, they can only compound generic meds. My compounding pharmacy will mail prescriptions, so even if one is not near you, you can still get a compounded prescription delivered. I have had Tylenol compounded in the past.
I also support looking into CBD creams (a marijuana product with no THC to cause the high - so legal in more states). Personally, it did not work for me consistently. If medical marijuana is available in your state, perhaps an edible version would be easiest.
My "go to" topical ointment is Bio Freeze.
As you can see from this thread, there are lots of things to try. It takes perseverance to keep looking for the best solution, which most likely will be a combination of treatments. Good luck.
Gallixa is available here: https://www.gallixa.com
My husband has now tried it, and it appears he is hooked on it too, for his arthritis pain. They both have said it's the only cream that actually helps the pain.
It is not inexpensive (about $37 for a 4 ounce jar) but it is well worth it to me.
I hope this helps your mother or she finds something to relieve the pain.