Osteo-arthritis, HELP

D

Denise1952

Well-known Member
I am going to be hitting the "research" today, harder then ever. My sister might kill me if she sees this, but I have to find all I can on how to treat this, damn disease. She has it, and yesterday, I saw her trying to get out of her chair, then when she made it, she could hardly walk or stand erect. She is just 72, and I can't just watch this happen (get worse and worse) without trying all I can to find answers. She said the reason it was so bad yesterday was because she had stood in the kitchen baking 2 pies. She says the standing in one place makes her the worst.

So any helpful info, links, experience with the disease, will be welcome here. I know about gelatin and she is on that, she drinks a tablespoon a day. She can't afford a lot of things that are out there.

denise
 

First I would reccommend a Bone Density Scan which is a painless and inexpensive procedure to determine just how bad her condition is. Secondly --I would encourage her to take calcium and vitamin D supplements.
 
Ok Lon, I believe she has been keeping up on the bone density checks all along. She was diagnose a few years back. I will check with her today on the D and Calcium. I haven't been "riding herd" over her, but may try to if she is open to it. I'm pretty regimented on my nutrition, as well as some helpful things for "this and that" so maybe if I pay a bit more attention I can encourage her. Thank you much, Denise
 

I also have it Denice. I've had it since just before I retired. I can feel for her as it can really be painful. If hers is anything like mine, she will have good and bad days. Rainy, cold weather gets mine going or if I do a lot of lifting, the next day is hell. This is the reason I gave up my part-time job here at the beach.

i do have some pain pills I can take, but would rather not take them unless necessary. Heating pads can help, as well as just plain ole Tylenol. Rest as much as possible and see a doctor if it worsens. It won't go away and I have the X-rays to prove it.
Nasty stuff. Tell her I am thinking about her and wish her well. Pappy
 
Pappy said:
I also have it Denice. I've had it since just before I retired. I can feel for her as it can really be painful. If hers is anything like mine, she will have good and bad days. Rainy, cold weather gets mine going or if I do a lot of lifting, the next day is hell. This is the reason I gave up my part-time job here at the beach.

i do have some pain pills I can take, but would rather not take them unless necessary. Heating pads can help, as well as just plain ole Tylenol. Rest as much as possible and see a doctor if it worsens. It won't go away and I have the X-rays to prove it.
Nasty stuff. Tell her I am thinking about her and wish her well. Pappy
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Thank you Pappy, I will pass-on your well wishes, and info, hugs, Denise
 
I just got off the phone after finding a pool here in the area. Please no comments about pools being sanitary or not, start your own thread on that if you want.

I found out there is a pretty, good deal if we get a 10 day punch card (only 27.50). If she'll go with me, I am going to try and get us both started, it sure won't hurt me, and it may help her. Along with other things like supplements etc. I just hope she'll go. I'll keep you posted;) denise
 
I've got this in both of my ankles and wear cloth ankle braces each day. If I go to the zoo, or someplace where I will be standing and/or walking a lot, I'll have the braces on, but it will be pretty guaranteed that that night I'll be using cold packs and taking Motrin. Sometimes it takes a couple of day to really get rid of the pain.

There are things that are recommended to be done, as in exercise and keep a descent weight/diet. We visited our local YMCA one day at noon and was amazed at how many Seniors were in the nice/warm main (inside) pool doing an exercise class. Problem is, just like with surgery, a membership into the YMCA can be costly. Because of our combined income (my SS and her salary) it would cost us $90 each per month. To high for us...........we use the apt complex pool, when we can.

We had to move from Colorado and then from North Carolina b/c the winter weather affected our bones/muscles. We are both Diabetic II, and that sure doesn't help either.

I sure hope she starts feeling better, but I have my bad and good days as well. I hate pain, so, when that happens, I pull out the Motrin.
 
Unrefined cold pressed virgin coconut oil, turmeric (curcumin) spice, and omega 3 fish oil will all help with the inflammation of arthritis. Beneficial supplements are MSM for inflammation pain, vitamin k2 to help calcium stay in the bones and out of the arteries, magnesium malate and vitamin D3.
 
ClassicRockr said:
I've got this in both of my ankles and wear cloth ankle braces each day. If I go to the zoo, or someplace where I will be standing and/or walking a lot, I'll have the braces on, but it will be pretty guaranteed that that night I'll be using cold packs and taking Motrin. Sometimes it takes a couple of day to really get rid of the pain.

There are things that are recommended to be done, as in exercise and keep a descent weight/diet. We visited our local YMCA one day at noon and was amazed at how many Seniors were in the nice/warm main (inside) pool doing an exercise class. Problem is, just like with surgery, a membership into the YMCA can be costly. Because of our combined income (my SS and her salary) it would cost us $90 each per month. To high for us...........we use the apt complex pool, when we can.

We had to move from Colorado and then from North Carolina b/c the winter weather affected our bones/muscles. We are both Diabetic II, and that sure doesn't help either.

I sure hope she starts feeling better, but I have my bad and good days as well. I hate pain, so, when that happens, I pull out the Motrin.
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I found a public indoor pool in our area, have you checked on that, it could be cheaper, w/senior rates maybe. I there are some stats on rebuilding cartilage that my sis and I are both using. I think it is first of all, what a person is willing to try. I'm not saying I know the gelatin her and I are using (for example) is going to work/help, but nothing I've read tells me it's bad for our body in any way, so trying that.

Cost is frustrating, FDA has so much power (which we've allowed over the years) and so, the cost keeps going higher, I don't know what to say. All we can do is the best we can do to survive.
 
SeaBreeze said:
Unrefined cold pressed virgin coconut oil, turmeric (curcumin) spice, and omega 3 fish oil will all help with the inflammation of arthritis. Beneficial supplements are MSM for inflammation pain, vitamin k2 to help calcium stay in the bones and out of the arteries, magnesium malate and vitamin D3.
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I'm writing these all down, and will look for ways to put them into "recipes". We have excellent coconut oil (cp'sd), turmeric, and I am a fish fool, but my sis isn't. So, she does have some awesome capsules that I gave her as I eat so much fish, I didn't need them, or felt she needed them way more. I will try and get those into her diet. I will see about the D3 and I think we have magnesium. Thank you much SB, denise
 
I take the fish oil twice a day (2000mg total) and use the MSM also.

SeaBreeze said:
Unrefined cold pressed virgin coconut oil, turmeric (curcumin) spice, and omega 3 fish oil will all help with the inflammation of arthritis. Beneficial supplements are MSM for inflammation pain, vitamin k2 to help calcium stay in the bones and out of the arteries, magnesium malate and vitamin D3.
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Like I said, if I stand in one place too long, like your sister did w/the pie making, or if I walk to long, I will end up with pain. Don't think the Fish Oil or MSN helps with the pain, that is what a OTC/Motrin/Tylenol is for. If the pain is pretty constant, it's time for a consultation w/a doctor! Sometimes an older person has to take a pain med for the rest of their life. Don't really want to do that, but it's better than having the pain. Depending on age and bone condition, a doctor could recommend surgery to the affected area.

When I stand and help my wife make potato salad, it's almost a guaranteed thing (again), that I will be using ice packs and taking Motrin. Don't think there's any "easy/fast solution" to this problem..........unfortunately.

nwlady said:
Ok, it's good to know your dosage. My question is, do you feel a noticeable difference after being on this for a time, how long if so?
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There are reports of rebuilding cartilage, so I am looking into those (natural remedies like gelatin, nutritional methods). At this point, and I am in agreement, surgery is not a consideration, although I understand it could become one. My sister is and has been seeing doctors all along. It's just that there are some things I think we could do to help improve her symptoms, make them less dominant. Moving is a biggy, I had her walking but then she slacked and gave up, now I want to see if she'll swim with me. That's all good and fine, but what we eat can, I believe, affect our symptoms.

So yes, worse, case scenario would be eventual surgery, and/or pain medication. Again, right now, she is not willing, and I am glad she wants to try some other things. I'm worried right now as she is still not out of bed. She is usually up no later then 8:30 but I am giving her til 10:30 because if she can get some good rest, that's important. She is up and down some nights and lastnight may have been one of those. Ultimately, it will be her call on whether or not she wants me to start doing the cooking, and taking her swimming or for little walks to begin with/swimming would be best I think, just moving around in the water may help.
 
Glucosamine/Chondroitin can help to rebuild or preserve joint cartilage. Some people swear by bone broth.
 
If it was me I would double to triple the gelatin. If it does not work look for a gluten intolerance because a gluten intolerance stops you from absorbing the nourishment you are eating. This is a very common problem that goes undiagnosed. Mayo clinic said that 1/3 of people have a gluten intolerance and ND doctors say it is even higher. I know personally I was 70 years old before I found I have had it all my life.
 
The OA got so bad in my hips I couldn't get around without a cane, and some days a walker, and I tried all kinds of remedies and alternative medicine. Nothing gave me substantial relief. I finally broke down and went to an orthopedic surgeon, who replaced both my hips. I feel great now, and I can do just about anything I want to do, without pain. My only regret is that I didn't have the surgery long before I did.
 
Most people who have joint replacement usual have to get another because the problem is a deficiency of nutriments the body needs to repair the joints. The bad hip or knee is not the disease but a symptom of the disease treating symptoms do not fix the underlying problem. Harvard Medical said in 2002 that knee and hip replacement we useless.
 
I have PMR. Pretty close to what your sister has. Pain pills are no longer recommended for any type of arthritis conditions. They may take away the pain, but serve no other use. Maybe she should ask her rheumatologist about taking steroids like prednisone. I started on 20 mgs. and am down to 10 mgs. and will probably be going down to 5 mgs. shortly. No one should take this medication as a long term medicine, but for now, it works. Prednisone, along with other steroids, are not meant to be taken long term.

My best to your sister.
 
My sister, as far as I can see, is just letting it happen. She is willing to do the tea, so I can only hope that works. I think some of us can get to a point where we just accept it, and even give up trying to eat right or take care of what's left. Sorry bout the down reply here, but I am horribly discouraged about a lot of things today. I find myself alone, and realize even the best of "friends" can't be there for you always (I did know that, so I'm not just finding out today). Everyone is an individual, and therefor, alone.

Back to the health thing, I hope I never give up trying to have the most quality of life possible, it's too heartbreaking to see especially those you care about, give up:( denise
 
First line of attack... NSAIDs... Next they will try Steroid injections directly into the joint. They may also prescribe physical therapy. If all that fails, they will advise a joint replacement. A total joint replacement involves both sides of the hip (Both the ball and the socket) being replaced by a ceramic material. They usually last about 20 years. But of course, they do not cure the disease..as osteo can affect the other hip or the knees. So down the road another joint replacement may be needed in another joint. However, people report good results following a total joint replacement.
 
People also report success using alternative methods, just something for everyone. Some folks are strictly conventional meds, some are strictly alternatives, I am a little of both, but if there is something alternative to try, that I believe will not harm me, I will try that first. Not knocking what you say Quicksilver, but there are other choices, that may or may not work.

It's a difficult decision, but the main thing we can do for our own choices, is do the research. It isn't has hard today thanks to the internet.
 
Treating DJD with a joint replacement IS curing it... IN THAT JOINT, as it is replacing that degenerated joint. But when you have DJD.. other joints can become impaired. I don't have a huge faith in home remedies.. I've seen too many folks suffering when they don't have to waiting for a cure that doesn't come.
 
QuickSilver said:
Treating DJD with a joint replacement IS curing it... IN THAT JOINT, as it is replacing that degenerated joint. But when you have DJD.. other joints can become impaired. I don't have a huge faith in home remedies.. I've seen too many folks suffering when they don't have to waiting for a cure that doesn't come.
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Like I mentioned, in not so many words, whatever works for you I agree with.
 

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