1. < Chronic Pain

Osteoarthritis

Posted by sandy148 @sandy148, Dec 26, 2024

I have osteoarthritis everywhere. As long as I keep moving, I am good but if I sit in a chair anytime at all, it hurts to get up. I cannot take motrin or advil because I have asthma. Anyone had any success with any particular medication. Steroid shots won't do it.

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sandy148 | @sandy148 | Dec 28, 2024
In reply to @sueinmn "I cannot use NSAID's either, so have to rely on other strategies. I have learned to..." + (show)
@sueinmn

I cannot use NSAID's either, so have to rely on other strategies.
I have learned to differentiate OA joint pain from other pain, and treat it separately.
First, movement - sitting stiffens everything. Even at the keyboard today I am wriggling, stretching, jumping up and down every few minutes to do a small task.
Second - stretching - before I get out of bed, I do 5-10 minutes of gentle stretches - knees to chest, neck rotations, spine stretches by moving knees from one side of body to the other, hand and finger stretches.
Third - topical ointments - I find none of the work all the time, so I have an arsenal. Voltaren Gel, Arnica Gel (Bruise Relief), Bio-Freeze, and an anti-inflammatory essential oil roll-on.
Fourth heat & compression - On bad days, I wear compression gloves on my hands. I have a variety of microwaveable flax seed warmers. I usually fall asleep with one behind my neck or spine, which hurt by bedtime.
Finally exercise - whether in the form of yoga, walking, vigorous housework, or aerobic exercise in a pool - I try to do at least 5 times a week. And right now I do 30 minutes of PT every day for a repaired shoulder. Doesn't leave a lot of time to sit still.

None of these is fun when I hurt, like today when it is chilly, gray and damp. But if I skip a few days, I feel even worse. A new-to-me doc just told me I have been living with this for 41 years now - I just know it feels like forever. Every year, it hits a new body part or two.

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I hear you on the part about movement and I totally agree. But I am now to the point where I am stiff even when I get up from the recumbent bike to move to another part of the gym. So irritating. I am 78 and move like I am 178. That is why I have to find something I can take for this because Tylenol isn't doing it.

REPLY
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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Dec 28, 2024
In reply to @sandy148 "I hear you on the part about movement and I totally agree. But I am now..." + (show)
@sandy148

I hear you on the part about movement and I totally agree. But I am now to the point where I am stiff even when I get up from the recumbent bike to move to another part of the gym. So irritating. I am 78 and move like I am 178. That is why I have to find something I can take for this because Tylenol isn't doing it.

Jump to this post

Can you book a session with a trainer to get some help on warmups and stretches to do before exercising? Or do you just go the the gym and start peddling without warming all your muscles up first? (In the winter, I used to step into the sauna at the gym and loosen up there - the heat helped my muscles relax.)
Also, does your gym have a pool you can use? I find pool exercises a lot easier on my joints.

REPLY
catartist | @catartist | Dec 28, 2024
In reply to @covidstinks2023 "sandy148, Bless you. I can't take NSAIDS either and I use Tylenol and Voltaren Gel (over..." + (show)
@covidstinks2023

sandy148, Bless you. I can't take NSAIDS either and I use Tylenol and Voltaren Gel (over the counter) for arthritis. I soak in Epsom salt and then us the Voltaren Gel and a heat pack in the most painful spots. A hot shower helps as well.

Ask your doctor about this before you try it. Even though Voltaren Gel is an NSAID, you do not absorb much of it and I have never had a problem with it.

Praying for you. New Year's Blessings to you.....

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Hi all fellow sufferers. I too have RA and osteoarthritis and muscle atrophy that makes walking so hard now. I am a ‘young’ 78 ( or was!) - take only Tylenol ( as little as possible tho’) , and Volteran cream which is a blessing. But don’t over use OR lie on heat when it’s on skin. I also take Cymbalta (30mg) and it
takes edge off of pain maybe but definitely helps mood. We have to stay positive and it’s a challenge!
I do PT twice week for atrophy, daily ‘out of bed’ exercises to get moving, try to walk with walker 30 min when warm enough ( only 1/3 mile- slow! lol). But yes I am in mostly constant pain. Happy New Year all!

REPLY
sandy148 | @sandy148 | Dec 29, 2024

I hear you. At least you are trying to move. I am keeping a list of everything that has been recommended and the next time I see my doctor I am handing her the list. She offered to send me to pain management but I declined because I would have to check in every 4 months. That sounded unappealing.

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asc | @asc | Dec 29, 2024
In reply to @asc "Since menopause I have been taking 750 mg calcium citrate per day (my ophthalmologist thinks it’s..." + (show)
@asc

Since menopause I have been taking 750 mg calcium citrate per day (my ophthalmologist thinks it’s a good dosage though my PCP back then advised to 1,200 mg); but you also get calcium from food like spinach, & taking over dosage of supplements may not good for your body. To handle pain, I use Voltaren (which helps area like joint pain close to your skin (per package instructions). I also try to use my other hand to handle stuff like opening cans of food. I also go to the gym at least 4 times per week doing yoga or classes for senior (Silversneakers, etc.); on go on treadmills or bike, whatever makes me feel good, and not hurting. I used to walk 2-3 times per week outside with friends too (take fresh air & get vitamin D on sunny days) with sunscreen particularly on my face protected by cream with SPF30 or above.

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Correction: my orthopedic surgeon (not ophalmologist) who did a shot on my wrist long ago commented on dosage of calcium supplement (750 mg). I was twice detected as having osteopenia (not osteoporosis, thank God!)

REPLY
bimshire | @bimshire | Jan 2 3:49pm
In reply to @sueinmn "I cannot use NSAID's either, so have to rely on other strategies. I have learned to..." + (show)
@sueinmn

I cannot use NSAID's either, so have to rely on other strategies.
I have learned to differentiate OA joint pain from other pain, and treat it separately.
First, movement - sitting stiffens everything. Even at the keyboard today I am wriggling, stretching, jumping up and down every few minutes to do a small task.
Second - stretching - before I get out of bed, I do 5-10 minutes of gentle stretches - knees to chest, neck rotations, spine stretches by moving knees from one side of body to the other, hand and finger stretches.
Third - topical ointments - I find none of the work all the time, so I have an arsenal. Voltaren Gel, Arnica Gel (Bruise Relief), Bio-Freeze, and an anti-inflammatory essential oil roll-on.
Fourth heat & compression - On bad days, I wear compression gloves on my hands. I have a variety of microwaveable flax seed warmers. I usually fall asleep with one behind my neck or spine, which hurt by bedtime.
Finally exercise - whether in the form of yoga, walking, vigorous housework, or aerobic exercise in a pool - I try to do at least 5 times a week. And right now I do 30 minutes of PT every day for a repaired shoulder. Doesn't leave a lot of time to sit still.

None of these is fun when I hurt, like today when it is chilly, gray and damp. But if I skip a few days, I feel even worse. A new-to-me doc just told me I have been living with this for 41 years now - I just know it feels like forever. Every year, it hits a new body part or two.

Jump to this post

I am so sorry for what you’re experiencing but I can relate. I never knew there were so many parts of the body that can be affected by OA. I’m learning everyday. Repeating what you said “every year it hits a new body part, or two.” We’ll continue to cheer each other on and hope for concrete cures.

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