Anyone have arthritis?

[angel fingers]

ive been in pain for quite a long time and i finally went to the doc today. he's told me he thinks i have arthritis in my knees, hips and ankles. i'm going for some tests but have been told its almost certainly that as its affecting so many of my joints.
i'm only 43 and i'm really worried what i'll be like in another 10 years time as its already affecting me so much:irked:
does anyone have any wisdom to share ?

 

[Carole.B]

i have it in one of my fingers and the pain can be unbearable so i really sympathise with you:hug:, but a friend recomended i try green lipped mussel tablets or capsules and after about three weeks my finger stopped being painful, i also rub some green lipped mussel cream in..xx

 

[loubylou]

I have had it since i was 7 yrs old, in all my joints,
but i must either be lucky in that i don't suffer too much or i have a really high pain threshold because i don't take any pain killers or other meds for it,
i have had to have a knee replacement op but that doesn't bother me too much unless i have been kneeling down,
Chelle on here is another sufferer and it sounds like she has more symptoms than me to put up with,
she will be along soon and put us in the picture :hug:

 

[pips]

I have arthritus in my joints...wrists, elbows, hips, knees & ankles.
It seems to affected most of my joints and i take regular meds for it.

If i had to go back to work full time (even any work at all) then the way i am at the moment i know i wouldnt be able to cope.

I have found emu oil can help when used regular on the joints and regular anti inflamitories (sp?)

I was diagnosed in my late 20 around the same times i was diagnosed with fibromyalga, i had a full hysto at 34 which hasnt helped at all with the aches and pains but have to be carefull with HRT as ive had a previous DVT

So all in all im falling to bits at the seams and starting to fray and i can fully sypmathise chick :hug:

 

['chelle]

Sorry to hear about that chuck.

I have psoriatic arthritis which is a type of rheumatiod arthritis. I'm 31 and I've been diagnosed for about 3 years although I started with the symptoms when I was 17. I have arthritis in my feet, knees, hips, base of spine, left wrist, right shoulder, and more worryingly it seems to be starting in my right hand (my nail brush hand!)

There are so many different types of arthritis, although my experience of arthritis is this: Some days you wouldnt know anything was wrong with me unless I told you, other days I can hardly walk or stand. There is absolutely no rhyme or reason behind why you are ok some days but not others, although two things that seem to aggravate it are damp weather and red meat. This week I am having a flare up which seems to be attacking the base of my spine this time. this means it's painful to do pretty much anything at the moment, and I couldnt go into the salon yesterday because of it. The good thing for me is that I'm self employed and I try to organise my appointments around times when I know I wont be well, eg medication days, mornings etc.

Arthritis (my type at least) has other effects that you may not realise. Arthritis is caused by a defect in your immune system which means your immune system attacks your joints. Also, it attacks the soft connective tissue, and other soft tissue such as lungs and eyes. Extreme fatigue is another side effect.

I take a combination of medication which includes painkillers, anti inflammatory tablets, inhalers (for the lung problems), but the main one is called Methotrexate. This drug actually slows down the progression of the disease.

I think the best advice I could give you now is to look on one of the arthritis websites (ARC and NRAC) and get some info, there are advice line numbers on there too. You need to get diagnosed to find out what type of arthritis you have, and dont be afraid to get pushy with the doctors because they can drag their heels.

I cant think of anything else to say at the moment without writing war and peace, but if there is anything else you would like to know, you are welcome to pm me

Best wishes,

 

[UKRed]

i have it in one of my fingers and the pain can be unbearable so i really sympathise with you:hug:, but a friend recomended i try green lipped mussel tablets or capsules and after about three weeks my finger stopped being painful, i also rub some green lipped mussel cream in..xx

Where can I get that cream? and would it affect blood pressure tablets?

My mum has really bad arthritis and she is in a lot of pain but she is also on a cocktail of tablets for high blood pressure and other stuff.

 

[Lynne Baker]

I have osteo arthritis in my right foot. I take slow release Voltarol 75mg twice a day, plus rosehip extract and glucosamine. I have to say that the Voltarol knocks the pain on the head far better than either of the other two, but since an orthopod told me that he can see the difference that taking glucosamine makes on an X Ray I continue to take it in the hope that it will prevent any further deterioration.
I too worry for the future; my husband is 20 years younger than me, and I worry about him having to care for me...

 

[pips]

Sorry to hear about that chuck.

I have psoriatic arthritis which is a type of rheumatiod arthritis. I'm 31 and I've been diagnosed for about 3 years although I started with the symptoms when I was 17. I have arthritis in my feet, knees, hips, base of spine, left wrist, right shoulder, and more worryingly it seems to be starting in my right hand (my nail brush hand!)

There are so many different types of arthritis, although my experience of arthritis is this: Some days you wouldnt know anything was wrong with me unless I told you, other days I can hardly walk or stand. There is absolutely no rhyme or reason behind why you are ok some days but not others, although two things that seem to aggravate it are damp weather and red meat. This week I am having a flare up which seems to be attacking the base of my spine this time. this means it's painful to do pretty much anything at the moment, and I couldnt go into the salon yesterday because of it. The good thing for me is that I'm self employed and I try to organise my appointments around times when I know I wont be well, eg medication days, mornings etc.

Arthritis (my type at least) has other effects that you may not realise. Arthritis is caused by a defect in your immune system which means your immune system attacks your joints. Also, it attacks the soft connective tissue, and other soft tissue such as lungs and eyes. Extreme fatigue is another side effect.

I take a combination of medication which includes painkillers, anti inflammatory tablets, inhalers (for the lung problems), but the main one is called Methotrexate. This drug actually slows down the progression of the disease.

I think the best advice I could give you now is to look on one of the arthritis websites (ARC and NRAC) and get some info, there are advice line numbers on there too. You need to get diagnosed to find out what type of arthritis you have, and dont be afraid to get pushy with the doctors because they can drag their heels.

I cant think of anything else to say at the moment without writing war and peace, but if there is anything else you would like to know, you are welcome to pm me

Best wishes,

Quite interesting to read that part highlighted chck as after i had a swelling of my facial glands (which i might add made me look like a munchkin) i had to go on a IV antibiotic drip as the docs said it was some kind of inferction in my saliva glands.

It actually turned out to be another symptom of my arthritus. It causes dry mouth, dry eyes, dry skin, aching & swelling joints, swollen glands amongs many more symptoms that usualy go untreated and undiagnosed. It also explains alot about my thyroid been underactive.(only my face swells up) and it has a name "Sjogren's syndrome"

About 25-50% of people with rheumatoid arthritis have Sjögren's syndrome and 90% of those affected are women, usually middle-aged and often post-menopausal. So it may be a good idea to ask your doctor about this.

Like chelle, some days you could look at me and im just like any other woman with no health problems, look at me the following day and my ankles are that stiff and painfull i cant walk, my wrists are so swollen i cant grip & drive and basicaly im a bloody wreck.

I have so much sympathy for all arthritus sufferers, its a horrid illness and one no one should have to suffer with :hug:

 

[angel fingers]

thanks to all for their replies.
a lot of it makes a great deal of sense, i am so tired all the time i could fall to sleep standing up and my eyes have deteriorated lately too.

well i need to have some tests next week and see the doc again so i'll update soon.

 

[pips]

Good luck susan, hope you get the answers you are looking for.

Even if its not the news you want at least you will know the problems and maybe get some meds to help :hug:

Im at docs tomorrow for my 6 monthly blood tests :irked: hate them but they have to be done to keep on top of my health issues.

 

[Jah007]

Hi I started getting arthritic pain in my mid 20s used to always mention to my Doc and they put it down to housemaids knee etc.... when I was 35 my hand really swelled up and I went to see a Doc and was lucky enough to have Bupa cover through work. I went to a private hospital and had quiet a few blood tests and was then diagnosed with lupus. When active I get pains in my feet, hands, elbow, kneeand sometimes neck.

 

['chelle]

Yes it's amazing how many effects arthritis can have on you, people usually associate it with creaky joints and old age, which just isnt the case! My husband teaches karate and one of his students has just been diagnosed with arthritis, and she;s only 7 bless her.

One thing though, it's not all gloom and doom by any means. Ok, there will be days when you cant do cartwheels, you may have to make some adjustments around the home, the medication is a pain in the ar*e, BUT the medication slows the progression down considerably, my specialist has told me that the medication will give me approximately an extra 15 years before joint replacements need to be considered. Another thing to consider is this: if you have regular mobility problems, apply for a blue parking badge. I have one, and apart from the obvious benefit of better parking places, it means you can park for free at the hospital, which is a big deal when you have to go regularly.

Are any of you on facebook? There is a new group that has been set up. The members are arthritis sufferers, there's only about half a dozen of us at the moment, but the aim (eventually!) is for us all to get together. Usually you find that artritis groups are full of old dears who want to play bingo and knit, and we want to create a group of people who get together for a drink, a chat, a laugh, something a bit younger end basically.

If you want to join, find me on facebook, I'm Michelle Murray in the Leeds network, my profile pic is me in my wedding dress in a black & white photo.

 

[beautyathome]

I am in the process of finding out as my right side 'shoulder, back, knee and both ankles hurt, can't do much lifting. I don't know if this is because 2 arches of my foot have collapsed and its causing problems. when i walk i ache after a while, i was told when i was 16 that i would get arthritis on my right shoulder so i don't know if this is the problem with my shoulder and the rest of my body is in pain due to my arches. Next tue i will find out. I thought it was just me i am 31 years old and i've been in pain for the last year or so.

 

[pips]

Hey chelle i have a blue badge and its a godsend when im hobbling and need to get some basics from the supermarket or need to park at the doctors, hospital etc.

Dont know about you but when i pull into a disabled space i have old dears and hubbys staring at me with daggers :evil:

I kindly explain that yes i have a disability that restricts my mobility and i have a badge that allows me to park in said bay!

Dont think it helps matters that i have a kitted up boy racer car LMAO

 

[JANEY K]

ive had arthritis in my hands\wrist since i was 35..worst affected are my index and middle fingers and my wrists..it's quite painful if i don't do hand excercises before doing my treatments especially after massage on clients...i releive mine with warm paraffin wax treatments to ease the swelling and stiffness it helps ..im not one for painkillers but since taking half a paracetamol everyday i find the pain becoming less ..they are worse in the winter time...my mum is really bad with oestoarthritis on her left hand after busting & injurying her fingers about 10 yrs ago somedays they just lock and cries with the pain.

 

[MINKUS]

no words of wisdom im sorry:cry:

Other than.....im a great believer in alternative medicine, homeopathy, reflexology, etc etc worth a try hun.

Good luck with the tests:hug::hug::hug::hug:

 

[Lil Linz]

My mum suffers with arthritis in her hands, all the joints on her fingers are permenantly swolen and she struggles to bend them. She does get in quite a lot of pain from it, but refuses to take any prescribed meds at the moment, just glucosamine (sp?) and cod liver oil tablets.

She has said that they do feel better when she has been on holiday because of the warm weather, and when i give her a parafin wax.

 

['chelle]

Hey chelle i have a blue badge and its a godsend when im hobbling and need to get some basics from the supermarket or need to park at the doctors, hospital etc.

Dont know about you but when i pull into a disabled space i have old dears and hubbys staring at me with daggers :evil:

I kindly explain that yes i have a disability that restricts my mobility and i have a badge that allows me to park in said bay!

Dont think it helps matters that i have a kitted up boy racer car LMAO

:lol::lol: I know EXACTLY what you mean!! I have had some really stern glances from the oldies when I park in the disabled places, one old git even felt it his duty to come and give me a lecture about how I should be saving those spaces for people who are "proper" disabled people.
I parked on double yellows with my blue badge the other week and as I was getting out of the car (and due to the struggle it was plainly obvious that I'm limited in mobility), some t*sser in a BMW pulled up besides me and shouted THAT'S DOUBLE YELLOW LINES YOU STUPID B*TCH. To be honest I was short of patience that day so I showed him my disabled badge with one hand, and a middle finger with the other:lol:.

oh, and yes, PARAFFIN WAX!!! How did I forget to tell you about that? It's a godsend frankly. There have been days where a paraffin wax dip has been the only reason I;ve been able to do nails, I can highly recommend it.

 

[angel fingers]

:lol::lol: I know EXACTLY what you mean!! I have had some really stern glances from the oldies when I park in the disabled places, one old git even felt it his duty to come and give me a lecture about how I should be saving those spaces for people who are "proper" disabled people.
I parked on double yellows with my blue badge the other week and as I was getting out of the car (and due to the struggle it was plainly obvious that I'm limited in mobility), some t*sser in a BMW pulled up besides me and shouted THAT'S DOUBLE YELLOW LINES YOU STUPID B*TCH. To be honest I was short of patience that day so I showed him my disabled badge with one hand, and a middle finger with the other:lol:.

oh, and yes, PARAFFIN WAX!!! How did I forget to tell you about that? It's a godsend frankly. There have been days where a paraffin wax dip has been the only reason I;ve been able to do nails, I can highly recommend it.

how am i gonna get my hips knees and ankles in a wax bath ?:lol:

 

[Susie H]

Well I'm in good company then:green: I have an apointment with a rumatologist mid August to see if they can shed light on my problems because I have all the symptoms but nothing shows up on the blood work. My doc mentioned that thing you have Pip and I had a look on google and have to say it sounds like it to me too and I'm 44 and have been letting the doctors palm me of for the last 4 years, but NO MORE!! I have become a royal pain in the a*se:lol:
Good luck Susan, hope you get sorted quicker then me:cry::hug: