Arthritis Diagnosis - HELP!

**daughter of pearl** · 03-13-2010, 10:57 AM

So I thought that I injured my knee about two months ago, but it turns out to be arthritis, which runs rampant through my family.

My doctor, who is very wise, said that the tipping point with arthritis is regular exercise: you do it, it gets better, you don't do it, it gets worse! I have seen evidence of this in my father, who did not exercise and now really regrets it because he is so debilitated.

To be honest, I am not a big fan of exercise, gyms, etc. The doctor said I should swim or ride a bike. Local pool schedules (and the thought of wearing a bathing suit!) make it difficult to get swimming into my schedule, so I am planning to get a stationary bike (craigslist!).

The trick for me is actually being disciplined enough to use it.

Wish me luck!

**Contrary Housewife** · 03-13-2010, 12:18 PM

Regular walking should help you too. The key is to keep active in general, keep the muscles strong, and your joint will naturally lubricate itself. Do not overdo it, strain and inflammation will only make the arthritis worse.

**frugalfoster** · 03-13-2010, 02:01 PM

I was diagnosed with arthritis about 5 years ago.... I took Celebrex for about 6 months and decided that I was too young to be on a drug that strong at such an early age....I was about 46-47. So I went off it....now I get regular exercise...try and stay away from sugar (for some reason that seems to make it worse) and I haven't taken a pill for it since. Yes it still hurts occasionally, but I find that if I move around alot in the morning...it goes away... So get that exercise!!!

**frugalfranny** · 03-13-2010, 02:44 PM

Good luck to you.........

You didn't say what type of arth.???

Glucosamine may help and pay attention to what you have eaten when you feel worse. This will help too.

I have identified a few foods that I KNOW will make me feel worse. Some I skip.........others not.

IE: I love tomatoes but they kill me----so I take cranberry tabs. all summer so I can eat them. I REFUSE to give them up. This may work for you.........depending on the type of arth.

**daughter of pearl** · 03-13-2010, 06:46 PM

It's osteo.

So you can eat tomatoes as long as you take cranberry tabs? My dad has toruble with tomatoes as well. Also grapefruit.

Learning a lot...mostly, the serious need for self-discipline in my life!

I think my doctor doesn't want me using walking as a means of exercise until the current strain/inflammation is better.

And now I'm off to take some Advil and do some squats (what the heck is a "squat"?)

**Mom23boys** · 03-14-2010, 05:46 PM

I feel your pain. I was recently diagnosed with arthritis in my lower back and hip. I was told to exercise too! I guess sitting here playing on the computer is not helping. My dr. gave me some oral streoids to take for one week to help remove the inflammation and then I am on my own.

**frugalfranny** · 03-15-2010, 01:17 AM

Originally Posted by daughter of pearl

It's osteo.

So you can eat tomatoes as long as you take cranberry tabs? My dad has toruble with tomatoes as well. Also grapefruit.

The cranberry tabs help.....and keep me moving after I have eaten tomatoes. My sister can eat grapefruit but can't eat strawberries. Tomatoes bother me worse than strawberries.

You just have to go with trial and error.......

Yeah....pay close attention to what you eat.......maybe even write it down for a month or so......and how you feel a few hours later or if you have it in the evening, how you feel the next day.

If I am REALLY HURTING on one day the first thing I will think about is what I ate the day before!!!

Definitely try the glucosamine and some cranberry tabs.

**daughter of pearl** · 03-15-2010, 01:39 AM

I also heard that turmeric capsules are a great anti-inflammatory and aid blood flow to joints.

In good frugal news, my dad is giving me his stationary bike...it's about 100 years old and very heavy, but it's free, so I am happy.

I am setting it up in front of the tv...

The stationary bike is like, soooo the new couch!

**pita1213** · 03-16-2010, 08:34 PM

Good luck with the arthritis. I have fibromyalgia and the treatment tends to be similar to arthritis. You'll have good days and bad days, but hopefully more of the good days.
I have found that taking care of my overall health helps with the FMS. It sounds like you are off to a good start with handling your new dx. keep it up!

**CandoLady** · 03-19-2010, 05:42 PM

Originally Posted by daughter of pearl

To be honest, I am not a big fan of exercise, gyms, etc. The doctor said I should swim or ride a bike. Local pool schedules (and the thought of wearing a bathing suit!) make it difficult to get swimming into my schedule, so I am planning to get a stationary bike (craigslist!).

Look up Fight Arthritis Pain for a funny PSA about adults trying to stay active.

It's part of a marketing campaign we're doing at work for the Arthritis Foundation and the Ad Council. I think it's very cute and it will give you an impression of how simple keeping active can be after laughing a bit at the people in the vid of course

Osteoarthritis is the #1 debilitating disease in the U.S. so you have a lot of company, and if everyone is told what your doctor told you, we might have a lot less people suffering with the symptoms.