Help! for Osteoarthritis

[khorses51]

Hi, I am looking for people who have similiar problems as I have. I have osteoarthritis in multiple joints. Most of the messages you read on many forums have to do with RA. I am having a very difficult time finding any information on OA involving multiple joints. I am 52, have had lumbar fusion L3-L4-S1 and cervical fusion C3-C7. I have OA in my spine (obviously), both shoulders, both feet, right knee, right hip, and both hands. I am on meds but when I look for info, it appears that all you can do is try to endure and wait for each joint to get so bad that it gets replaced. PLEASE if you have multiple joint OA, write back! Thanks so much.

[lisalailey]

Hi I am too looking for any help, My mum is 59 and is in a bad way her lower spine is not good now on slow release mophine all the time and her left knee is so swollen with OA she has just has a cortizone injection and told the life span of a knee replacement is just 10 years so not a good option. she's had injections into the spine and hip like you the OA seems to be affecting many areas. Its so frustrating that no one seems to have any answers other than to keep giving cortizone injections. My mum has always worked hard and been very independant. To see her in so much pain and resticted in what she can do is so frustrating. If anyone has any info on joint replacements or anything which can help that would be great.

[cindybear]

I also have OA in my spine all levels, L4 and L5 moderate herniation..Hips are bad..Hands got those nodes on them..I pop all the time,,hips , feet, knees..My feet hurt also..I know how you are feeliong..I can not have any asprin products cause of my inoperable brain aneurysm..So they only give me large doses of methadone daily..Which really help alot..It is a really good pain drug..I also take top[amax , it seems to help some with my back, but it is mostly for my head pain..I go to a pain doc monthly,,Hugs, Cindy

[Buttons2]

I've been using a creme called Capzasin HP. It does help. This stuff burns,so I wear gloves to apply it. Also comes in a stick applicator which I'm getting today so I can use it on my hands also.

I take Flexeril (muscle relaxer) for my spine issues,seems any movement cause my back to knot up & hurt. No sure if my arthritis has gone into my spine but I've had back problems my entire life.

Personally I won't use steriods,so I look for options. I have arthritis in my hips,knees,feet & hands. I know people that have had success with changing their diet,just not sure what they did exactly......if anyone does know I'd appreciate a link. I think the idea is to not consume any food from the nightshade plants?

Also,try to avoid stairs as much as possible. I do walk my dogs everyday whether I hurt too much or not (I'm fat enough!!). Keeping weight down is beneficial since it's less strain on the joints.

Some people have less pain & better movement drinking Certo w/grape juice.

Maybe some of this will help someone out there......

[Joint-Pain-Relief]

I developed arthritis in my spine & left hip and over the years, I dont use steroids to treat Osteoarthritis, I always try to remain drug as long as I can. I use to do cold therapy in the form of an ice pack but had to stop because I was suffering from poor circulation. I exercise when I can but if it is too painful I use MyPhield Bio Resonance (http://www.myphield.com) therapy to relieve the pain. These help me alot.

[Aubrae]

Hi, KHorses - I am very sorry you are in so much pain. It gets very frustrating to have osteoarthritis in multiple joint areas, and unfortunately it is not that uncommon, because it is often due to functional wear.

I wish I could tell you that the following will work for you - but everyone is so different and so many of us have more than one thing physically wrong with us. However, I have many of the same things you do - so hope any of this helps - I have moderate to severe osteoarthritis in about the same places as you, I also have spinal myelopathy, and have also had cervical spinal surgery c-4-7, ACDF, and partial corpectomy in 2006. I am also around the same age as you. I also have a leg length discrepancy of about 1-3/8 inch difference. This is now corrected by a lift on one shoe and it has helped a bit with degeneration of my spine. I also have fibromyalgia.

Here's what I recommend. Check into having laproscopic surgery on shoulders and other areas, if necessary to clean up osteophytes- it helps with movement and preventing more nerve impingement and takes a relatively short time to heal (at least much less than spinal surgery). Check and make sure you are taking enough vit D, take calcium, and have your vitamin levels checked. I found out I had osteomalacia (adult rickets) due to a wheat allergy, which prevented me from absorbing vit D/calcium. This of course did a number on my bones. Eat healthfully, keep your weight down as much as possible.

Now here's the really hard part. Try to keep as active as possible. I know it hurts to do certain things, so start out slowly. Even squeezing a rubber ball or flexing your hands while watching the telly will help those hands. If you have burning, use cold compresses - if you have Reynauds - use this sparingly, and ask your doctor about taking NASIDS - burning sometimes means inflammation. A few years ago, everything fell apart for me physically. I have been told with the myelopathy I will need more spinal surgeries eventually. I made up my mind I am going to do everything I can to postpone that for as long as I can and to keep healthy. I do take a low-dose hydrocodone and an occasional muscle relaxant for neck/shoulder spasms, but I am pleased to say I have not had to increase my dose for a few years and in summer I can actually decrease the amount I need to take. I average about 6 miles a day on a recumbent bike - but this took me a long time to get to and you have to do what you can do - the point is that moving will help those joints feel better (also make sure you do not have RA).

I know its hard and what it is like to have chronic pain and days when the pain is unbearable. It's not something family members or friends understand. Again everyone is so different, so I hope there is something here you can use to help. Take care and I hope you get some relief soon.

Aubrae