Thread: The dreaded arthritis

Sorry to hear about the arthritis, and can't help with any info. Hope you can find something for it soon.

You will probably find some useful info at www.arthritisaustralia.com.au

pjt, with BobL I am sorry you have such bad pain at, really, such an young age!
I must be very fortunate because I have only a painful twinge in a thumb and some fingers, now and then. A short spray of 'Pain Away' brings relief quickly.
I do hope you find something to help you, mate.

I share your pain.

However, I find that when ever I get a 'good' stinging of bees (I am a hobbyist beekeeper), the pain dissipates for 6 months or so.

I watched an interesting 2 part series on the ABC Catalyst show. The doco is called "Gut Reaction". I think you might get some benefit from watch both parts. I have similar issues and will be taking heed of what they have to say about diet and the effects on various system in the body. Something as simple as taking a daily shot of balsamic vinegar and increasing the fibre in your diet can have dramatic effects on inflammation in the body.

If you have the iView app just look it up or view it on-line at http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/4067184.htm

Steve

Thanks everyone for the kind thoughts, it's now migrated to both knees,

Originally Posted by cava

I share your pain.

However, I find that when ever I get a 'good' stinging of bees (I am a hobbyist beekeeper), the pain dissipates for 6 months or so.

I wonder if that is something to do with your immune system now has a real invader (the bee stings) to deal with rather than attacking you

Originally Posted by maggs

I watched an interesting 2 part series on the ABC Catalyst show. The doco is called "Gut Reaction". I think you might get some benefit from watch both parts. I have similar issues and will be taking heed of what they have to say about diet and the effects on various system in the body. Something as simple as taking a daily shot of balsamic vinegar and increasing the fibre in your diet can have dramatic effects on inflammation in the body.

If you have the iView app just look it up or view it on-line at http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/4067184.htm

Steve

Yes I did watch this, it's another thing that Dr. Carole talks about, the gut flora and how it can have a big impact on health.



Pete

Sorry to hear its not good.

This is the first year a while my knee's have been sore ache at times.

Things I have found have taken away the swelling of my hands and knee's.

Green lipped NZ muscles available at Woolies had to give them up as they were soaked in herbed brine it worked tho at the time 90's

Fish oil still on them 5 a day

penadol Ostio 1 a day

I dress warm in winter even to wearing a woolen legging which covers the knees not this year tho.

Oh Manuka Honey another product of NZ

Edited to add. I stopped all forms of alcohol even if its fruit cake soaked fruit it flares up.

"Just wondering what others experience has been and how they deal with this sort of thing"


I have been seeing a specialist for close to 20 years and apart from short periods the RA has always been under control. There are many good medications available and I believe it would be unusual for a specialist not to be able to control it for you.

I was thinking of asking the GP about seeing a specialist and maybe a dietitian, I'd rather try a diet based approach rather than medications if I can, I have started taking fish oil tabs and a drink of apple cider vinegar, I do like a bit of vinegar sprinkled on things but the ACV is a different thing all together, tried it quite strong to start with, now only a capful in a big glass of water and drink it all at once, it is better with a bit of REAL honey in it

The RA itself for me seems to move about, it had moved to both knees, right first then left, right knee feels like it is getting better and left is still hard to bend but it to does seem to be getting better, tonight I have been getting stabbing pain in my left ankle on an indeterminate no. of shuffles (steps) so I never know when that is gonna happen, I am being positive about it, I'm sure it will get better, I keep thinking fish oil, omega3, enzymes, co-enzymes, viterals and minimums, ACV ,fish oil,..................

I am thinking that there could be a genetic consideration in the mix as well, Dad had issues and all my siblings seem to have arthritis issues, my two older sisters have, one is tackling it with diet by going the full on vegan thing, a younger sis has had both hips replaced, I have never been a drinker or smoker and always preferred a good diet as opposed to a take away crap processed food diet, I wonder if it might have struck earlier , anyway, that's enough of my trials and tribulations.



Pete

Pjt, as I understand it untreated RA can do significant damage to joints that cannot be corrected except by replacement so it may be a good idea to see a specialist to at least understand your options.

Pete arthritis isn't an old persons thing it showed up in me at age 6 in my hands juvenile arthritis I think it was called. Wifes cousins boy now a young man has suffered whats known as JDM (don't ask what it stand for). I do also believe diet plays a big part.

With me, if I am doing physical stuff movement is OK with some minor restrictions (Slow to kneel down and very slow to rise) but I find after lunch I don't pick up my feet and tend to want to trip. Pain wise, just a twinge now and again (from anywhere) but my finger joints are getting larger and gives me some pain if cold. Doc says the joints have RA beginning and are displaying Heberden's Nodes. He says nothing can be done but fish oil tabs are beneficial. My hands look like my Dads when he was in his 80s. A mate (2 years younger), was a mechanic, now retired is very stiff indeed. His brother and sister have had hip replacements and he has to take Ostio Ease and drinks a minimum of 2ltrs a day or he will get cramps while trying to sleep in bed.
I do get Planta Tacitus in my left foot but it goes away for a while and then comes back for a visit to remind me I'm getting old.

I expected my hands to be the first thing to give me grief but touchwood all good so far, I have what I know think are those Heberden nodes, they were just strange lumps on my index fingers, my index fingers also have a twist in the last two phalanges, plus huge thumbs that look like big toes, if anyone asks me what happened to my thumbs, I say I was born without thumbs so they transplanted big toes on to replace them, then I go on about thalidamide, yeh really, but my hands are good.

Little bit more flexability with the knees today, bit less of the robot like shuffle




Pete

Shuffled off to the doc last Wed. then first thing Thurs morn off to the Vampires for a blood letting
Lots of abreviations on the list to test for should know in a week or two when results come back.
Managed to get about Ok today, left ankle gave me grief a few times, tomorrow will be better




Pete