Arthritis Pain Avoidance
Osteoarthritis is a condition that affects almost everyone at some point in their adult life. It is a condition that can rob folks of their golden years. Pain and stiffness interferes with normal activity and once the spiral of inactivity starts the more difficult it is to regain previous capabilities.
What can you do to remain active and comfortable during your adult life? I think the key is to keep moving. Perform some sort of exercise on a regular basis in order to keep your range of motion.
Gentle stretching can be very beneficial. Just be sure to warm muscles before stretching so you don’t tear or sprain them.
Watch your diet and avoid extremes in weight. Being overweight can add its own host of problems that aggravate arthritis. Have you exercised in water? Aqua therapy can be really beneficial for keeping muscles limber. Gentle stretches in a tub or shower may also help - at least a little.
Taking vitamin supplements may be helpful. As we age, we might find a decrease in appetite-taking vitamin supplements will ensure we get the nutrients we need.
These are a couple ways to cope with arthritis. Perhaps you suffer arthritis yourself. I would love to hear about ways you have found to control your pain. Leave a comment or stop by my Pain Management board here on WebMD.
Related Topics: Exercising with Arthritis, WebMD Video: Fixing Your Framework
Technorati Tags: arthritis, exercise, fitness, aging
What can you do to remain active and comfortable during your adult life? I think the key is to keep moving. Perform some sort of exercise on a regular basis in order to keep your range of motion.
Gentle stretching can be very beneficial. Just be sure to warm muscles before stretching so you don’t tear or sprain them.
Watch your diet and avoid extremes in weight. Being overweight can add its own host of problems that aggravate arthritis. Have you exercised in water? Aqua therapy can be really beneficial for keeping muscles limber. Gentle stretches in a tub or shower may also help - at least a little.
Taking vitamin supplements may be helpful. As we age, we might find a decrease in appetite-taking vitamin supplements will ensure we get the nutrients we need.
These are a couple ways to cope with arthritis. Perhaps you suffer arthritis yourself. I would love to hear about ways you have found to control your pain. Leave a comment or stop by my Pain Management board here on WebMD.
Related Topics: Exercising with Arthritis, WebMD Video: Fixing Your Framework
Technorati Tags: arthritis, exercise, fitness, aging
55 Comments:
People can take this however they want to but both my daughterinlaw and i have discovered Cayanne pepper in tablet form. It got me off of most pain medication and also helped with the stiffness of arthritis. I do not know how or why but whatever works works and i would like anyone to try it. It is worth a try. I can be reached at richjean@nethere.com
In 1978 my Interist annonced, "Mr. B, you have advanced arthritis in your neck, ADVANCED arthritis!" The next day I was asked to fill in on a neighbors bowling team. I called my doctor - that was back when you could do that - and asked him if I should bowl. His answer, "Mr B, its your neck!". We won the league that night and I have ignored the pain ever since.
I know this is going to be a hard one for everyone,but try to avoid stressful situations! For litterly years I was unable to bend to tie my shoes and 3 weeks after leaving a bad stressful relationship I was able to tie them again.I had constant back pain and I know longer have that everyday! Also like they say keep moving all you can!I could right a book on this subject! I have had JRA since I was 13 months old,so sometimes I feel like I am almost an exspert at this! Have a great day!
Susan
Go Susan, I will see how my sister does on the cayanne pepper and let everyone know. Jean
I would also suggest the YMCA's Aquatic Wellness exercise program. My husband is disabled with arthritis and this class has been helpful to him. I take it with him and enjoy it, too.
I also tried cayanne pepper supplements. My stomach and intestines suffered as well as a burning GERD condition. If you have any problems in this area, I would suggest you start very slowly with cayanne.
I find that MSM, tumeric and magnesium help so much that I am able to continue working even though my arthritis has destroyed the fingers on my right hand. I also believe consuming as much capsaicum in the form of cayanne, jalepanos, or some other type of hot peppers helps too. I eat several daily and with everything else, am able to feel alright.
Omega 3 in the form of fish oil (Nordic Naturals is one of the best and doesn't leave a fishy taste in your throat) helps lubricate and prevent inflammation of the joints. Take a minimum of 4 grams/day to see if that helps you.
MSM and turmeric are wonderful natural anti-inflammatories; however, I had to take large doses of those to notice a major difference (several grams a day).
I am a Personal Fitness Trainer, near 60 in age, and my personal experience has proven that performing my Program consisting of Yoga, Pilates, and Muscle-Lengthening; followed by a Circit Training routine has kept me fit and overridden my previous arthritis limitations. I supplement this with a good amount of bicycle riding. Speaking of supplementing, as far as my diet reccomendation, I have a whey protein shake in the morning before my workout, and a 4::1 ratio Carb to Protein mix during my workout. Postworkout(within 20 minutes)as a recovery measure I consume a 5::1 supplement. I feel great, but one must make this their lifestyle. It is rewarding, and one should consume 5 smaller meals a day, while watching total caloric intake. That's all there is to it! Tom Watson PFT, NPTI
I was wondering if anyone else has arthritis in their heel. I woke up one morning to my heel hurting so bad I couldn't walk on it. Three weeks later it still hurts.
Joyce, When my husband had pain in
his heel it turned out to be gout.
You may want to get that checked out.
I have found fish oil, capsaicum and tumeric to be helpful. I also use shark cartilage.As with all supliments be sure to get real shark as there are many that are not. If it does not smell of fish it is likely not. I am also on an anti fungal regimin. I brought this up due to the last comment about possible gout.Doctors will not tell you this but gout is caused by uric acid which is a product of fungus.not rocket science , just if it looks like smells like and taste like an apple it usually is
i have fibromyalgia and have terrific pain all the time. i take msm and bromelain after breakfast and then one of each after dinner. it really helps to control the pain in my body.
My rheumatologist switched me from Vicodin to LYRICA for severe pain from RA and fibromyalgia and it's been a miracle. LYRICA is an anti-seisure medication now being used for other pain. Of course, I take it along with meds to treat RA, which did not reduce pain much on their on.
My doctor also prescribed Lyrica for chronic back pain, in addition to the already prescribed Oxycodone and Roxicodone. The first two days, I thought I was a cured, blessed, prayer answered person. Then, it just went right back to the awful pain. I kept taking it anyway, for about a month, and my vision got bad. Be CAREFUL with Lyrica. I'm afraid it can really hurt your eyesight, and no telling what else. It's so new; I think it'll be the next one on TV, if you've taken the drug Lyrica......call 1 800 bad drug. Just my opinion, though.
Be careful with the Lyrica. I believe it harms your eyesight. It did mine, but it got okay after I was off of it for about a month. Also, for me, it only helped with the pain for two days, and then just quit helping at all. But those two days were great.
To the woman who said she has arthritis in her heel. She might instead have what I had. When my heel got sore and there was no obvious surface damage or anything noticably different to the eye, I went to the doctor. He found I had an inflammation inside my foot, because my cartilege had pulled away from the bone and an infection somehow settled in the space between the cartilege and bone. A shot of antibiotics in the infected area cleared it right up.
But it felt like it was going to explode before I went to the doctor. I felt sharp intense pain and crippling inability to walk easily. So I hope she has something so simple as this rather than arthur.
I take Bromelain every day. It works every bit as good as Celebrex--which I stopped taking when it made the news.
I have read that bing cherries and cherry juice helps relieve the stiffness and inflamation of arthritis. I read that if a person eats about a 1/2 lb. a day they will feel improvement; also a glass of 100% cherry juice every day will help. I am taking 1,000 mg of(Glucosamine Sulfate, 1000 MG of Vitamin C a day, 200 micrograms of Seleninum twice a day, 400 IU of Vitamin E twice a day. You can buy all of the above at Wal-Mart. I read about this prescription for arthritis in book from Prevention "New Choices in Natural Healing". Mabye you could find this book in a library, I don't know. This has helped my wrist's and ankle's tremedously but still I have some nasty pain in the ball of my left foot. I am wondering if this pain maybe an infection because of cartilidge pulling away from the bone.
Anyway the Glucoscosamine Sulfate is very important because it rebuilds cartlidge. I also take 2 Omega 3 Fish oil capsules 1200 mg. I would let my pyhsician know though before takeing the above.
I was diagnosed with Osteoarthritis and Fibromyalgia in 1995. Also, I was diagnosed with plantar fasciitis, left foot. Medications ranged from Predisone to over-the-counter medicine like aspirin, Tylenol and Glucosamine. I took high doses of vitamins as well. On one doctor’s advice I spent a thousand dollars for a firm mattress. Nothing worked. After a few years I gave up on all medications and vitamins. They did nothing but waste my money and mess with my stomach. Presently, I have good and bad days. I exercise and stretch. An orthodic helps with the plantar fasciitis.
I saved money over the last 7 or 8 years by not purchasing all those expensive pills that didn’t work, that is, didn’t work for me.
As an aside: Mentally, I get my consolation through prayer and offer my sufferings up for others and myself so that we’ll have a better life – in heaven.
Toj
Ive been in joint for three months now.I went to a specialist all my tests came back neg on everything.She put me on a low dose of steroids which really helps my pain along with vitamins. I have been on the steriods for close to month now,i dont want to be on them for ever.I do feel great on them though.I feel my joint pain could be from stress,for ive had some major stressful times these pass four months.Ive also have had a lot of yeast infections.I was tested for every thing also nothing wrong in that area also.I give up...
I have my patients take glucosamine sulfate, Boswellic acids and fish oil supplements. I get good results-as good as the Celebrex/Vioxx/Bextra. It also helps with the rheumatoid patients. The glucosamine works on the cox II path, boswellic acids on the 5-lipoxygenase path and the fish oils help with platelet aggregation (cox I path-aspirin) since Celebrex/Vioxx/Bextra patient's cannot take aspirin and all NSAIDs are not stomach friendly. The fish oils are also anti-inflammatory as well.
JUST WANTED TO SHARE WITH PEOPLE SOMETHING THAT MAY BE OF GREAT HELP. MY RHEUMATOLOGIST PRESCRIBED A DRUG CALLED ETODOLAC 500MG(2 PILLS EVERY 24 HOURS) AND IT HAS HELPED WITH MY ARTHRITIS--IT EVEN COMES IN A GENERIC.
WITHOUT IT I GET VERY STIFF IN THE MORNINGS AND FEEL BAD ALL DAY. THIS HAS BEEN A MIRACLE DRUG FOR ME! IT IS AN ANTI INFLAMMATORY NON STERIODAL COX 2 INHIBITOR.
I am suffering from chronic lower back pain and I have found out that it could be osteoarthritis or spinal stenosis. I read a blog on the Web MD site that mentioned stressful situations and how one person, when removed from them experienced more relief from her back pain. I agree with this type of therapy as it allows for the body to begin to relax thereby allowing the muscles to not be so tense and wound up. I am in a very stressful relationship right and I attribute the ongoing pain and issues to the stress related in this relationship.
I have had a pain in my wrist for the past few days . I can really feel it when I bend my wrist a pretty strong pain . Never had it before . Anyone have an idea what this is . I am a 54 year old male .
for the last 2 months, I wake up with pain in all of my fingers but only in 2 of the 3 joints. My fingers are stiff and won't bend when I wake up. Then after a few minutes of trying to move them they start moving and the pain goes away. They are a little sore throughout the day but I really dread going to sleep at night because of the pain and stiffness that wakes me up. I can't even pull the covers over me it is that bad and painful. Anyone else out there have this problem?? If so WHAT IS IT?
My wife who is 54 years is having joint pain in her wrist and fingers. At first there was no swelling of the joint and now she is having swelling in her fingers. It moves from one hand to the other and is creating a lot of pain. It has also moved to her knees but it appears it is one then the other. Anyone ever heard of this type of pain moving from one hand to the other or from one knee to the other. Also happens in her ankels.
Trying to figure out what might be going on or what dease we might be dealing with.
I have osteoarthritis and have soreness to the touch in areas not near the joints, upper arm, thigh, ribs, could this be arthritis or something else. I was prescribed amitriptiline for pain but it makes me sleepy so I am going to try some natural pain remedies I have seen on your blog.
This post has been removed by the author.
This post has been removed by the author.
To Anonym: Also happens in her ankels.
Trying to figure out what might be going on or what dease we might be dealing with.
~~~
I had the same! and finelly getting it seen. I had X-RAys, the horrific pain in my fingers, hand and wrist and inner arm and upper arm is caused ( for me anyway) pinched nerve in my neck. My Dr. explained, the pain and hotness and swelling in my fingers and hands is the inflammation. I am also on Naprosen 500 2X.s a day! My Opinion, don't help much. I use ice on the swollen areas ( which for me starts around 2:00P. and into the evening, and I wake with terrible pain, wanting ice and my meds. I hope this helps! I found I have a pinched nerve in my lower neck that causes Arthritis and I am to have a MRI and then therapy soon. I used to use Aleves for years for joint issues, also in my knees. ( I was known as the Aleve Queen, not funny, I heard recently it too much or mixture of other med.s and It can eat away at your kidneys. I finelly had it seen. I am ONLY 47yrs. young in 2wks.
Good LUCk! and Keep us Posted Ok... Hang in... Ice does help, ice packets, or veg. pkgs. etc. and I will be using a hand brace ( I saw at C.V.S.) to help lessen the swollen, and stay away from Cold outdoor time... It's more achier! Thinking of you both! SHE Keep In Touch! Please, hope this helps in some way.P.s. It hurts to brush my hair/teeth and cook Etc. Also, Capizcen does Work... topically.. Use alittle not alot,and be sure to wait a full 10 mints. It takes awhile to feel it, if not and too much ( I know I used it on my ankle and arm pain and knees ( I found I have a spur causing my pain) and OMG, it was excrusiatingly painful)! It also hurts terribly to type and drive. Don't give up. A pinched nerve with clamp and run the length of the nerve downward. OH, I went to an Orthepidic, and it was good - Xrays in the same day, at HIS office and then we talked of what all he saw. Atleast I have an answer now. Not in the unKNown Zone! YOu won't be either soon!
Happy Easter Weekend,Stay Positive! God Speed and God Bless!
Jennifer-
I have this too and was hoping someone would know what it is. My left ring finger won't move most mornings for about 10 minutes. I also have fibromyalgia and thought maybe it was related. Anyone??
cindy and jennifer
The last three weeks, I wake up every morning and experience the same problem where it hurts to move and bend the fingers. I pain is intense as I try to move them.
It is strange because it's all the finger and both hands. I would love to know if anyone has any comments.
Sad but good to hear others going through the same pain. I have pain that started in my right heel. I had this years ago, but it only hurt in the mornings. Now it hurts all day long and the pain is in my heel and arch. Pain is sometimes unbearable. I am overweight and I know this doesn't help, but people who are not overweight deal with this too. My daughter has to help me to the bathroom when I wake up in the morning. I too will be 47 in a month.
I am unable to bend ( or to close) my right hand......and thre is severe pain in the pads of all of my fingers except ,y thumb and little finger.....as a result I cannot pick things up and non use has atrophied my right arm....Dr is perplexed> any comments out tere???
I have adult onset Still's disease (similar to RA and Lupus) which is very rare. I have been fighting with it for three years now everthing from joint pain to high fevers. Sometimes the joint pain is so bad I could not walk. Over the last month I have been drinking at least two cups of hot green tea and eating bing cherries and have never felt better. I also am taking all natural supplments betacol, cataplex and renafood. Those supplements are to cleanse my system and next month I am switching to repair supplements. I simply went to a chiropractor who did some simple test on me and told me what supplements that I need to be on. I would suggest for some of you that are on all of those medications to give this a shot. I don't think it will work for everybody but I think it would be worth trying it out instead of taking all of those other prescribed meds that could be doing more damage than good.
I am taking 1200mg vitamin D daily with multivitamins and calcium supplements. My Vitamin was low on blood values so now I am taking 50,000 IU once weekly. Can you tell me the value of 50,000 IU translated to mg? Thank you.
Pat
Some time ago, someone recommended that I take honey (1 Tbls a day) to alleviate the pain. I ignored this until the osteoarthiritis in my neck and the bursitis in my shoulder were so bad I could not sleep. I finally figured I had little to lose and began eating honey each day. Within a couple of weeks the pain diminished significantly. After a month it is all but gone. I have no idea how or why this works, but it did for me.
I have recently been diagnosed with Osteoarthritis in the right hip. I have increased my exercise rate x2 and this has been a great benefit. The pain has definitely subsided (say from 60% to 15%) . I class my condition as moderate. I have no weight problems and enjoy good health and have always been very fit. Over the last 18 months I have been taking Glucosamine tablets and have been taking two per day. Even though it is difficult to gauge if there has been any benefit from taking Glucosamine I have just been introduced to 'Shark Cartilage capsules. Has anyone made this change and if so seen any further benefit?
TO ALL WHO HAVE HEEL PAIN, IT IS ALMOST CERTAIN YOU HAVE PLANTAR FASCIATIS. USUALLY WORSE UPON ARISING IN THE MORNING. NOT ARTHRITIS OR ETC.. LOOK IT UP.
People that complain of sharp soreness under the heel, probably have plantar fasciitis which is caused by the tendons trying to pull away from the heel bone. A shot of cotizone directly into the sore spot may help dramatically. If overweight, you have to drop some pounds or it will return. Lyrica may help but can cause osteoporosis unless supplemented by high doses of Vit D (new test results just released). Orthotics such as a stiff plastic heel cup and arch support in one, may help. Been told not to go orthodontic shoes until you try the heelcup that you can buy from a shoe store that specializes. Ones made in Germany for about $35 and is just an insert for your existing shoes. $35 is not much if it helps and if you go to real fitted doctor prescibed shoes, these will cost 10 times that much and once you get them, you have to always use them.
Jennifer and Cindy,
Did either of you learn what was going on with your hands? I have the same problem.
Roxanne
I had terrific results with Vioxx. Tried several others after it was recalled and still have problems almost every day. Taking 2 Celebrex a day and 2-4 tramadol to try and relieve the pain. Not really doing the job but better than nothing. Not sure if I should take over the counters along with the Rx's.
Fingers that won't move in the morning might be what they refer to as "trigger" finger. My mother-in-law had the problem and her options were physical therapy exercises or surgery.
I wake up with clenched hands in the morning and have to "pop" them open. Been going on for two weeks. Anyone else going throught this?
When I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis 12 years ago my first symptoms were the contracted fingers first thing in the morning. RA affects the joints bilaterally, usually, but not always, at the same time. My doctor said this information helped him choose the proper testing and provide a quick diagnosis.
hi, i am a 33 year old guy who fell and broke his collarbone where it meets my left shoulder when i was 23. it was a very painful injury, but it did heal, although i still have a bump there. years went by and nothing, no pain no problems. last year, i started to develop some discomfort in my neck where it meets my shoulders, almost like the sensation of not being able to crack your neck but close. it really started to bother me and the pain felt like someone was stabbing me in the back with a knife just to the right of my shoulderblade. i could feel dicomfort and tingling in my tricep as well. i consulted my chiropractor, and with about a month of work with him, it eventually went away. now, it's a year later and the middle of winter, and it has come back, and stronger than before, it feels like. the pain is unreal, it is difficult to lay down or move, especially from laying down. sleeping last night was a nightmare. the pain made me cry in agony. i went to see my chiropractor again this morning and he started some work on me again and said that its most likely a pinched nerve root that is spasming or inflamed and that i should heal up soon. i'm just worried because i'm still a fairly young man but i realize that when i was younger i was very rough on my body(sports, 12 years of everyday street skateboarding). could this be arthritis already??? anybody with a similar situation or any kind of advice for me on how to prevent this from coming back again or what i can do to help ease this extremely intense pain that i am in , would be greatly appreciated. remember, it's times like these that make you realize that each day healthy and pain free is a gift...
Hi,
Everyone, I just want to pray for everyone in the name of JESUS. I pray for healing for everyone who is in pain. Father God you are the healer you are all the medicine we will ever need.. I pray that these people will be healed and for all who believe this when they read it will be healed in your name!!!AMEN.
I'm going to try the honey! I also beleive in the power of prayer and thank you for the prayer! I've had severe pain and stiffness in my right side of my neck. I don't like taking meds and I'm one who takes 4000 IU twice a day. It took away the pain in my stomach and I first saw this Dr. on christain tv show how large doses of vit D was used in a sample of cancer cells and it ate up these cancer cells, so I thought why not try it for my stomach. What a wonderful thing to rid my pain. I still have to have surgery to correct my twisted stomach and remove a very lg. tumor I've had for years, but I fell much better abd I don't get sick when I eat anymore. JEB
Hey Steve H-
I know the pain you're talking about-it happens to me in the exact same spot, and sometimes it can go up into your neck. It's like a muscle spasm or knot. Try to isolate the exact spot, then have someone take their thumb and apply hard constant pressure just to that spot for a minute or two- this usually helps to "dissolve" or relax the knot. Of course, take anti-inflammatory meds like motrin. Try heat or ice to the area- I prefer heat.I also have my husband crack my upper back by lying stomache down on the floor and he applies firm direct downward pressure to my upper back to crack it.I have fibromyalgia . arthritis, stenosis,etc,etc, and I don't remember what it's like to have a pain-free day. Hope this helps. Good luck and God Bless.
I am 22 years old and have had severe pain that started in my heels and then moved to my back and swelling in my fingers, ankle, and knee. I also have psoriasis and have been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis at 22. My rheumatologist has started me on prednisone to relieve the pain, but wants me to start an injection medicine (methotrexate or enbrel). I don't want to be on medication the rest of my life and have also seen a chiroprater who has put me on a number of supplements (fish oil, endocrine, adrenals, liver, tumeric). I don't know what else to do and am about to get off the prednisone. I want to try naturally to fight this, but don't know what else to try.
Dear Anonymous taking betacol nd catalex, how much do you take, do you just take it for arthritis symptoms and is there any danger in taking these. More info please - thanks so much.
to jamie:
my husband has psoriatic arthritis like you do. he has been taking a very small dosage of methaltrexate (spel) in pill form, and finds that taking the pill and tanning (via tanning booth in the winter, or outside in the summer) keep the psoriasis cleared up. and when his skin is clear, the arthritis clears up as well.
Hello,
To those of you who have soreness in the balls of your feet and in your heels...Years ago when I used to have a sales job at a department store that required me to stand and be on my feet all the time, I began feeling the pain and soreness in those areas of my feet, so I went to a foot doctor...I was diagnosed having Plantar fasciatis, and the doctor told me to do stretching excercises everytime I can...he told me that when I was riding up on the escalator, to step at the the edge of the step on the balls of my feet, and stretch my heel downward, alternating from my right foot to my left, each time I rode on the escalator.
Also when I was standing at the counter by the cash register, to place my hands on the counter, and alternating my legs, to extend my right leg and foot back, while keeping my left leg close to the counter, and stretching my right heel down flat, hold it down for awhile...like 20-30 seconds, and then switch legs, and do the same stretch with my left leg. I began doing these stretches when I could, and it went away! You can do these type of stretches pretty much anywhere. While brushing your teeth, while in the kitchen, while doing laundry, wherever! It works!
I have EXACTLY the same symptoms (11:08) wrote about. In the morning I awaken to finger which are stiff, sore and difficult to straighten. The two longest fingers on each hand are the worst and the left one pops out of joint when I try to flex that finger. I don't see any redness but maybe some swelling. This started about 3 weeks ago. Has anyone come up with a diagnosis? Thanks for your help. Lois
I'm 22 years old and suffered a sprained wrist in an accident about 2 years ago. The wrist now is sensitive to cold, especially A/C and often has a dull ache to it. Is this signs of arthritis? My mother has it and suggested that's what it is, but I'm curious to know if it could be. I try to keep active since reading this article will try to stretch it more often, however is there any suggestions for stretching the wrist?
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