Arthritis and Joint Conditions

Posted by reecy @reecy, Mar 4, 2012

I am 68 yrs old and have had fibromyalgia since my late twenties. I have learned what works for me and keep it under control 99% of the time. Recently, the pain was so severe that I went to the ER and was eventually diagnosed with degenerative joint disease. My doctor put me on diclofenac and tylenol arthritis. The pain has been excruciating since Fri am and nothing is working. Massage, icy hots, TENS unit, excercise and hot shower and heating pad. I also tried tiger balm. Nothing. I talked to 'Ask a Nurse' and my doctor with no help. Please, any suggestions?

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Hi Reecy,
I'm so sorry about what you are going through...I hope by now it is much better. I just thought I would add what helps me. I've had fibro for about 20 yrs...and sometimes go for months with no flareups...Last Sunday (Apr 15, however, I had the worst attack I have EVER had~! Not fun...but am better. Have NO idea what brought it on, either!
Anyway...this helps me. I eat hardly ANY red meat...I have several friends with arthritis that doctors told to stop eating all red meat...they did and the difference in their pain levels was miraculous.
Whenever I have a slight flare up...which usually hits my R should area on down... I start taking MSM with glucosamine (can't do the chondroitin)...I take 2 or 3 1000 mg caps with one 1000 mg Vit C cap...do this twice a day on an empty stomach... When it doesn't bother me...I skip taking these.
I don't take Rx for the fibro...and NO otc drugs even TOUCH the fibro pain... homeopathics help some...especially Anica Montana and Bryonia Alba... as a quick temp fix.
I hope you are feeling better. Take care.

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Have rheumatoid arthritis in my hands I am using a low dose of paquinal and shots of cortisone.
However I also use a manual wheelchair so it is almost impossible to follow any and all advice to rest and preserve the joints

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@1825

Have rheumatoid arthritis in my hands I am using a low dose of paquinal and shots of cortisone.
However I also use a manual wheelchair so it is almost impossible to follow any and all advice to rest and preserve the joints

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Hi @1825, and welcome to Connect. I'm Alyse, and I'm one of the community moderators here. I found some self management tips for individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/rheumatoid-arthritis/manage/ptc-20197414).

Since you're not able to rest your joints, I would encourage you to speak with your doctor to see if there are other treatment options that may strengthen the joints in your arms and hands. Have you talked to your doctor about that? How has the pain been in your arms and hands lately?

Also, I'm going to move your question into the Bones, Joints & Muscles group.

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@1825

Have rheumatoid arthritis in my hands I am using a low dose of paquinal and shots of cortisone.
However I also use a manual wheelchair so it is almost impossible to follow any and all advice to rest and preserve the joints

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When I saw the rehumatologist at Mayo in Rochester He said that I shouldnt<br />
use any electricity in my hands: no blow your hair, no electric tooth<br />
brush, no electric knife etc... That has helped me a lot and since then I<br />
use my hair short so that I can do it with my hands. Hope it helps you.<br />
Flor<br />

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Thank you for sharing. I really appreciate it<br />
Louise<br />
<br />

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THANK YOU<br />
Louie<br />
<br />

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I use Salonpas...patches and spray. The spray is cold at first then warms up but I wouldn't use it with a heating element. I have problems with showers so I bird bath instead.

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@flor

When I saw the rehumatologist at Mayo in Rochester He said that I shouldnt<br />
use any electricity in my hands: no blow your hair, no electric tooth<br />
brush, no electric knife etc... That has helped me a lot and since then I<br />
use my hair short so that I can do it with my hands. Hope it helps you.<br />
Flor<br />

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can you tell me why that electrical vibration is bad for rheumatoid arthritis in my hands? I've never heard that before.

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