I did some research on this board and also on the internet regarding the use of cherry juice/cherries and decided to try it instead of using Aleve or Ibuprofen for the pain & inflammation. The results are amazing. I started 4 weeks ago drinking 8 oz of juice a day or eating 15-20 cherries a day. I have only had to use Aleve or Ibuprofen a couple of times and I had been using it everyday. It took about 2 weeks for the benefit to be shown (I guess to build up in my system) and I was using medication during that period of time. I am thrilled, given the recent revelations regarding the everyday use of these medications. I would much rather use a natural product such as fruit if it can control symptoms. Of course, I will still use the medicines if need be. I urge everyone to at least give cherries a try.

does this cherry juice work for all kinds of arthritis? What is the best kind of juice to drink?

Sorry I haven't answered your questions sooner. I sometimes don't check in here for a week or so. Anyway, I just buy cherry juice in my local grocery store in the non-refrigerated juice section. It has to be pure tart cherry juice. No extra ingredients. It costs about $4.50 for 48 oz. jug. One jug doesn't last quite a week, if you drink 8 oz a day. Although I did dilute it with about 2 oz of water because I thought it was a little strong.

But lately I've been buying the tart cherries in a can in the baking goods section where pie stuff is. Again, tart cherries packed in water. No syrup, sugar, etc. It costs about $2.20 for a 15 oz can. I eat 20 cherries a day. 2 cans last for a week.

I have seen a marked improvement in my neck pain & stiffness. I maybe take Advil or Aleve once a week now instead of daily. To me it's definitely worth it considering the controversy now surrounding continual use of pain meds. Plus you're getting a serving of those all-important fruits.

I have Rheumatoid Arthritis and the cherry additions never helped me and I tried it for 2 months. All I did was gain weight :) I have heard of others with RA who this has helped though. I suppose it depends on the person. Glad it is working for you hatcher! Wish I could find something natural that would alleviate even some of the pain.

Shandi

i can believe that cherries work. i read in men's health that cherries help with tooth ache pain. i pretty sure that cherries were what helped with tooth aches. it was a long time ago.

It was discovered years ago that eating cherries helped people that had Gout. It made no difference what type -- just eat 8 daily. It reduces uric acid!!

I have cervical arthritis along with disc and cord problems in my neck. I read the message board and thought that the cherries are worth a try. After 2 weeks of eating the cherries I noticed a difference. It felt like someone oiled my neck joints. Up to this point my neck had nearly 0 mobility now my range of motion is much better, I can actually turn my head! I still get some aches and pains but it helps being able to move my neck. I don't know if the cherries did this, but what the heck, cherries sure can't hurt you! Thank you so much for the post :)

Glad to hear that you've had a positive response to the cherries also. I still eat mine daily and am still relatively pain-free, considering how much in pain I was in last year at this time. I still take Advil occasionally, maybe once a week. Keep the cherries flowing!