I lost a lot of weight and, to do so, I changed from regular soda (drank very little of it) to diet soda (mostly diet Coke – drinking almost every day – sometimes two glasses a day). I had no back pain, knee pain, back popping sounds before I lost weight. I though I would be healthier (lost about 50 lbs) but now I am in so much pain – espcially on the left side of my back – area of my ribs. I can even seem to "push" the rib cage forward and it pops and feels better for a while. I also feel better standing up than sitting, or laying down.

Someone has suggested I could have an allergy that is causing severe arthritis (I am over 50 yrs old).

Any help at all would be appreciated – I have gone to more than one doctor and they can’t seem to find anything difinitive. I have done physical therapy and continue to walk as often as possible.

Thanks for any help – I am living with it – but I sure would like to spend a few days pain free. Any ideas?

I have a messed up knee from running (possibly tendonitis or patellofemoral pain syndrome), and decided to try this Lakota-brand joint therapy. Apparently it’s supposed to numb the area and give temporary pain relief. (Kind of like a Rub A535 formula). It seemed like it was working alright, but now I’m up in the middle of the night with this extreme burning sensation on both of my knees! It absolutely kills and feels like they’re on FIRE. I tried washing the stuff off, but I think it’s seeped in so far that I’m just going to have to wait it out. Has anyone else had a similar problem? Am I using this stuff right, or do I have an allergy to the product? (I’m not allergic to anything, though!)