Arthritic anecdotes please

apple_muncher

I am starting with a few twinges of arthritis in my hands and feet. It's not rheumatoid, more 'wear and tear'.

I was wondering if anybody could share their anecdotes of what triggers their arthritic aches and pains, what they avoid doing or eating, what works for them to ease it.

Many thanks in advance.

teddysmum

Mine involves herniated discs one of which is believed to touch my spinal cord. This results in myoclonus (involuntary spasm), which is aggravated by a slight drop in temperature and has, on occasion, caused me to throw things, including knives, crockery, tv remote (just missed a dog) and food (dogs love that).

apple_muncher

Yikes teddysmum, you must dread the arrival of winter!

pogofish

Mine started in the 6-8 months following a bad virus six years ago and the medics seem pretty certain it was that as there is no family history of this type of arthritis and that is unusual, so an autoimmune reaction to a virus or some other infection is the next most probable trigger apparently.


Cold and damp do make things considerably worse, even after three operations and getting a bit drunk is a thing of the past as hangovers took-on a structural dimension - So it was time to fully embrace clean living!

Miró

I have just started with arthritis in my thumb joints. It seemed to be triggered, (don't laugh!!), when I started playing PokemonGo!!! I got a bit addicted when it first came out and played incessantly for a couple of weeks. My doc thinks it was the upward flicking with the thumbs that exacerbated an existing slight problem. Am using an ibuprofen gel but it doesn't really help much

DigForVictory

One Aunt knocked all wheat out of her diet & found movement improved no end. Makes her dashed tricky to sort a packed lunch for, but otherwise well worth it.

Another family member cultivates her nettle patch - and uses a daily stinging around the knuckles to manage the pain. The offspring regard her as a little odd, but then she does encourage them to p!ss on the patch to aid nettle growth Despite The Risks .

Heat bags are a reliable source of consolation, of not relief. We made a batch in Scouts & they sold almost as quickly as the chocolate biscuits, so the Christmas Fair will be including more work on the Creative challenge, Hobbies activity etc. Interestingly one Scout has suggested we should use them for the Community Impact staged activity badge - I think his Gran so appreciated hers, that he reckons Lots More would be a good idea.

Jackieboy

I have osteo arthritis in my knees and have found a combination of fish oil supplements ant turmeric capsules have helped immensely, to the extent that I've been able to delay the Synvisc injections that I had booked.

imho

http://www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis-information/hints-and-tips/complementary-therapies-and-supplements/complemetary-medicines/turmeric.aspx

If you do make this buy East End Turneric that's sold in Tesco as it has Curcumin in it which usually gets taken out to put into Turmeric tablets.
It's cost about 48p

OldMotherTucker

I love this:

http://www.vitabiotics.com/shop/jointace/gel?gclid=CNyM7Zjf6c8CFcSVGwod1BUEMg


I massage my hands with this - it's helps to relieve pain and stiffness. The smell and the warmth does give you a nice lift as well! It's fine to use alongside anti-inflammatories.

helcat26

It is the knees for me!
What I have found helps-
1. Exercise to keep the thigh muscles strong like leg lifts, donkey kicks etc as otherwise my knees get unsupported and the ability to straighten the leg reduces
2. Glucosamine sulphate supplements with chondroitin (without the chondroitin were useless)
3. Rubbing on a mix of sweet basil, and black pepper essential oil in an Almond oil carrier- warms and soothes, I found this out by accident as I put on a Decleor anti cellulite treatment and it helped so I looked up what was in it and made my own.
What does not help
1. Cold
2. Jumping or impact
3. Steps

badmemory

I have found large temp change or damp change to be a problem. Either steady rain or sunshine is fine, it is just when the weather changes significantly. Unless you have done it you can have no idea what a mess a thrown trifle can make.

I also find things made worse by anything that causes bloating. Bought bread, I seem to be alright with homemade. Some bought battered foods. What has been said on here just shows how different we all react to things. I guess it is just a case of try them all & see what works for you. I do know that unless I rap my finger joints (only 3 so far thankfully) mine are now alright. I started taking 2 additional vitamins some time ago & one of them (no idea which) stopped me waking up with the joints aching.

My back and the throwing things seem to have stopped since I started physio on my neck. I actually went for my upper back & didn't know there was anything wrong with my neck - turns out that one side only had 50% of the movement it should. It seems that not realising restricted movement is quite normal as it creeps up on you and you make gradual adjustments without really thinking about it. Just need to get my lower back sorted and I'll be fitter than I was when I was 17. (I've lived for over 50 years with what doctors have been calling sciatica - it isn't!)