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This is my first time posting. I have had severe joint pain since 8/2007. Went to regular doctor at that time and she ran labs: positive ANA, negative for rheumatoid factor, elevated sed rate. After referral to rheumatologist 9/2007 several weeks later(during this time I quit my job and flare was over) and additional labs everything declared normal. We all blamed it on my physical job. I am back to a non-physical job since 9/2007, but had no insurance until 1/2009. Have had the same joint problems this whole time and been self medicating with OTC NSAIDS. Goes through periods or cycles where it will seem better and then worse again. January my insurance kicked in and family doctor tried Relafen, then raised the dosage (1500mg daily)- still not effective. Doctor says just osteoartritis. I then asked for a referral to rheumatologist again and after visit w/ rheumo today am very depressed as rheumo basically said it is OA and there is nothing to be done for me and said I did not need any further labs. After prompting from me several times she finally wrote a script for a different NSAID. I am very overweight and 42. When the arthritis initilly began I was actually 40 lbs lighter than I am now and that is when this all started. I know I must lose weight and get more exercise; however I am struggling right now to just deal with this pain to get through my day! Some days it is excruciating just walking to the bathroom. Pain is almost constant in both feet and knees and thoracic back. Sometimes both hips and hands. Appears to be affecting my hands more and more. What I want to know is - is this it then?? I have to live or try to live in this pain with no other alternative?? Should I seek a second opinion or just suck it up?
It's always good to get 2nd and 3rd opinions. I'm the same age as you and we are both young for this disease. I'm not overweight however, I have gained 35 pounds from my normal weight (I was an athlete/runner and very active) because of the side effects of medication. Trama from overduing excersing (to reduce the weight!) as well as my running activites are likely the cause. I'm about to get Sinvisc injections which is replicates what our bodies produce as lubrication between joints. Has your doctor recommended this? It is used as a pre-knee replacement. Partial and full.
I'm trying acupuncture which has helped but not a cure at this point. Salonpas hot pads REALLY help. That is a pleasant surprise.
I stopped the Naproxen because it is terrible on the stomach. The pads work better. Lidoderm patches apparently work but they are prescription.
I still take pain killers when its super bad.
Athritis was discover when I was having surgery to fix a meniscus tear. We believe that the sypmtoms of pain were likely from arthritis. Unfortunately, MRI's doing necessarily pick up arthritis.
That said, Smith & Nephew has a partial and full knee replacement created for women. Go to their website. They list surgeons. if you don't have a friend that an give you an experienced recommendation, try this for a 2nd opinion. I was really impressed with their product as they last for 30 years. NO I DON'T WORK FOR THEM. JUST RESEARCHED IT. Also, you might want to go to the Hospital for Special Surgery and see if they have doctors in your area or maybe give you a recommendations.
I do PT and go to the gym. Diligence on strengthening exercises are important. It's all about the quads.
Also, KEY: NUTRITION for weight loss. You can change you diet to lose weight. You can search for osteoarthritis diets online. Check out what foods cause inflammation and what foods decrease it. Try teas such as ginger teas.
I hope this helps. I'm at the beginning of the journey. I still have to improve my mental attitude.
I hope this helps.
The article is very informative, however, my son has more "complex" situation. He crushed his ankle (in the growth area) in a dirt bike accident when he was 12 years old. He is now 43 and in constant pain. He is a recovering drug addict (90 days now!) and is indigent living in a mission. He keeps breaking that same ankle (several times over his life) and his leg is currently in an air cast pending treatment. He saw a specialist and they gave him 3 options: One was to saw thru the arthritic ankle and pretty much attach his foot to his leg (leaving him with a permament club foot). Second option to cut his leg off and provide him with a prothesis (OMG!). Third option is to have an operation that would require him to wear a halo on his lieg for 1 to 2 years. The 3rd option sounds more lof a long term fix to me. He said a doctor was coming to Louisiana in October and would do the operation. What is your opinion on these options? Thanks
Within 3 months knobs on my hands especially on the Heberden nodes have become prominant and extremely painful. I'm currently taking Mobic 15mg, however does not seem to be reducing the swelling.
My sister has a severe wheat allergy and I was wondering if I may have a wheat allergy as well. I read that with a wheat allergy, osteoarthritis can pop up rather quick and can be a result of the allergy itself.
Additionally, I take prescription prilosec on a daily basis for acid reflux.
Any suggestions or comments would be greatly appreciated.
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