How do you cope with Stiffness?

Posted by bevrust @bevrust, Dec 21, 2021

I can only walk or clean house for about 20 to 30 minutes and then I start getting stiff. Maybe it’s imflamation, I don’t know the reason. I have gained so much weight because I can’t even go for a walk. Does anyone have this problem and how do you cope with it.

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Autoimmune Diseases Support Group.

Sounds super similar. Mine started this way and got to the point of MS symptoms and muscle tremors, too weak to navigate stairs. Pushing/sliding myself out of bed each morning. Puffy hands from walking 20mins +. Pocks in my legs and urine retention. Could gain 10lbs water weight in a day.
I discovered AIP diet and a Sarah Ballantyne cook book and never looked back!! Had some help from Gabapentin to get started but soon weined off!

REPLY
@dsiemarie

Sounds super similar. Mine started this way and got to the point of MS symptoms and muscle tremors, too weak to navigate stairs. Pushing/sliding myself out of bed each morning. Puffy hands from walking 20mins +. Pocks in my legs and urine retention. Could gain 10lbs water weight in a day.
I discovered AIP diet and a Sarah Ballantyne cook book and never looked back!! Had some help from Gabapentin to get started but soon weined off!

Jump to this post

@dsiemarie sounds like you are just doing fine with the stiffness! Did you ever get an exact diagnosis? May i ask what the AIP diet is so that everyone who reads this will know and can look it up? Thanks

REPLY
@jeff1950

I have found supplementing with the B-3 vitamin variant nicotinamide riboside (aka: Niagen) has given me complete relief from stiffness. It took me almost 2 months to notice the benefits while taking 300 mg per day. I was 67 when I started taking it, and am now 71. Currently I take a bit more than 1000 mg per day. Previously, I was stiff in the mornings and after sitting too long. That is no longer the case. It makes me feel younger in that way. Friends who take it report the same thing. See AboutNAD.com. Also search "nicotinamide riboside" at clinicaltrials.gov. There is a great deal more about it elsewhere on-line. It is very anti-inflammatory, and has other benefits.

Jump to this post

@jeff1950 I was interested in reading about your use of Niagen to help with stiffness. I found this research article that was very positive about its use. I couldn’t quite tell if it was okayed for continuous use or just occasional use. Did your doctor have any advice on it’s use?
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7352172/
Have you noticed any negative side effects?

REPLY

Stiffness is also a result of not moving around enough; resting does not help. A daily walk helps generally, and if you cannot do that, try water exercise. For specific joints and education, get a referral to PT. I do my stretches when I cannot move, drink plenty of water, take magnesium and other electrolytes and am generally ok. AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) diet, Terri Wahls, are suggested. For me, going non-processed, low sugar, avoid potatoes and tomatoes, moderate whole wheat, and dairy has been helpful. Use good oils, like olive, rather than canola, etc. I had a lot of work to do to get glutes, hamstrings and other muscles back to working for me. It can be done!

REPLY
@marye2

Stiffness is also a result of not moving around enough; resting does not help. A daily walk helps generally, and if you cannot do that, try water exercise. For specific joints and education, get a referral to PT. I do my stretches when I cannot move, drink plenty of water, take magnesium and other electrolytes and am generally ok. AIP (Autoimmune Protocol) diet, Terri Wahls, are suggested. For me, going non-processed, low sugar, avoid potatoes and tomatoes, moderate whole wheat, and dairy has been helpful. Use good oils, like olive, rather than canola, etc. I had a lot of work to do to get glutes, hamstrings and other muscles back to working for me. It can be done!

Jump to this post

You Nailed It!

REPLY
@becsbuddy

@dsiemarie sounds like you are just doing fine with the stiffness! Did you ever get an exact diagnosis? May i ask what the AIP diet is so that everyone who reads this will know and can look it up? Thanks

Jump to this post

I would be interested in the diet, too.

REPLY
@dsiemarie

Sounds super similar. Mine started this way and got to the point of MS symptoms and muscle tremors, too weak to navigate stairs. Pushing/sliding myself out of bed each morning. Puffy hands from walking 20mins +. Pocks in my legs and urine retention. Could gain 10lbs water weight in a day.
I discovered AIP diet and a Sarah Ballantyne cook book and never looked back!! Had some help from Gabapentin to get started but soon weined off!

Jump to this post

What is the AIP diet?

REPLY
@labby

What is the AIP diet?

Jump to this post

@labby I reread @marye2 ’s post and she says AID means the Autoimmune Diet as presented by Terry Wahls.
https://www.webmd.com/diet/autoimmune-protocol-diet
I don’t really know much about it so cant say one way or the other. Try googling Terry Wahls diet and see what you can find. Do you think you would try the diet?

REPLY
@labby

I would be interested in the diet, too.

Jump to this post

AIP is the acronym for Auto Immune Protocol.

I have never gotten a diagnosis… still get the off flare up if I ingest too much gluten, dairy, beans including chocolate or coffee, and potatoes.

REPLY
@becsbuddy

@labby I reread @marye2 ’s post and she says AID means the Autoimmune Diet as presented by Terry Wahls.
https://www.webmd.com/diet/autoimmune-protocol-diet
I don’t really know much about it so cant say one way or the other. Try googling Terry Wahls diet and see what you can find. Do you think you would try the diet?

Jump to this post

Sarah Ballantyne has some of the most excellent cookbooks with recipes that helped me create the best faire I’ve ever tasted in my life! Made restaurant food blasé. And I began noticing improvements within days. In 2 months I felt like a whole new person with energy and vitality again. 2 yrs later, I am needing to refocus but atleast I know exactly what foods cause me pain.
This diet is a reduction process and you take time to heal your gut then slowly try reintroductions of one food at a time. It isn’t meant to be a lifestyle but is meant to improve your lifestyle & knowledge of inflammatory foods.

REPLY
Please sign in or register to post a reply.