Erosive Osteoarthritis

Hey Joe! Wow, you’re a champ! I will be returning for another lumbar surgery at some point adjacent to the areas where I had my fusion L3, L4, L5. I’m just a mess right now. But I started an exercise routine because I couldn’t think of anything else to do because I’m not quite ready another surgery. With my dogs, torn knee ligaments it slowed my walking down so now I’m on a stationary bicycle in the morning for about 30 minutes to an hour before I mosey him around the block.
Regarding the OA, I had bad inflammatory reactions, especially provoked by exerting myself (which means it’s hard to exercise because it stimulates an inflammatory reaction). I went to a hand surgeon. The best there is after research and there was nothing he could do with all the arthritis my hand and wrist are loaded with. But now I have no pain in my hands when I could control the uric acid levels that come with hyperuricemia. the chart cherry capsules – the ZAZZEE work great the ones in the health food store don’t have the same amount of stuff in it. After being on the allopurinol for a few months, my uric acid levels were normal exactly at normal. When I first had gout 23 years ago, I don’t know if anybody tested my uric acid levels. The only thing they would tell me was that if I continue to have the gout flares, they would have to biopsy my joints. But I learned to control the gout, flares with a joint juice I would make of KNUSDEN brand, black cherry juice a little apple cider vinegar and some lemon juice, and then a bunch of water or white soda, and a proportion of like five to one five parts water to one part of the concoction. I down that and then after a couple hours the gout would be gone, so I never went back to the doctor for it. Over the years I would have more of an inflammatory reaction after I would exert myself and they would just say it was the OA nobody ever tested for gout. I asked my doctor how crazy that was. She really had nothing to say. I’m lucky she gives me whatever test I asked for cause it makes sense and she’s happy. I do the math. I still keep the ZAZZEE. Tar cherry capsules around because I will still flare on the allopurinol when the weather is really bad or I’ve eaten some sugar or farmed fish as I am on the lowest dose of allopurinol.
So how are you liking your new hip? I loved mine after about three months. At five months I could do my first chalk art in the street the first night or two in the hospital are always killers for me but then it’s amazing to see how much pain is gone.. I think you are like me and you are no longer afraid of the surgeries because you see how great it makes your life afterward. I did kind of wonder what happened to you there for a few weeks, but I was pretty distracted myself. I wish you a successful and complete recovery, your buddy Lori!

Thanks so much for your kind words Lori. It sounds like you're doing better, albeit with a lot of frustration on the long road to answers. I'm sorry you're having trouble with your back after fusion surgery.

My right hip is doing great, thanks for asking. I was back on the stationary bike 16 days after surgery! It helps that I have an excellent surgeon (same Dr. who did my knees), excellent hospital and staff, weight loss - I dropped 30 lbs in the last year or so, from 190 to 160. And while I inherited osteoarthritis from my Mom, I also inherited her stamina/endurance and ability to heal very quickly.

How are you doing after the lumbar fusion? My lumbar spine is a disaster area - scoliosis, stenosis, listhesis, degenerative/degenerated discs. My spine surgeon told me all that is keeping me from fusion is my strong core muscles, so I am in the gym everyday. I've had sciatica twice, but not for the last 15 or 16 years. Fusion surgery scares me a bit.....

And it is weird how many people are so afraid of joint replacement. They walk around in incredible pain. And unfortunately, for too many people who do have the surgery, they simply don't follow through on the rehab, or only rely on twice weekly sessions with a therapist. My motto for prehab and rehab is to get obsessed and stay obsessed. Yes it hurts after surgery. But every day feels a little better if you stick with the exercises 3x/day.

Alright my good friend. Take care of yourself!

Joe

This all sounds so painful. I have osteoporosis arthritis just about everywhere in my body but my hands have been the latest part ive added to the list. I have trigger fingers on both hands ; mainly the middle and ring fingers and now the thumbs. I’ve been seeing and orthopedic hand surgeon who wants to open those trigger points in my hands basically by the base of those fingers. I’m a tad worrisome about that surgery since I haven’t heard anything about it previously. I just found out that the other knuckle problems in my hands typically the middle knuckle in my thumbs and fingers do not have any repairs or meds to help them. I do take celebrex once an evening for overall degenerative disc and knee problems.
I’d be interested to hear if anyone has any. 1. Insights on the trigger finger surgery and 2. Help with the degenerative knuckle osteoarthritis. Good luck with your erosive arthritis. Prayers.

I have a lovely man as my GP but I have to do my own research to tell him what I need and want. He sent me for an Xray but I think I need an MRI. Due to the 2 thumb surgeries in the past I thought I had better ask to go back to the same surgeon and get the what I am diagnosing as ganglions looked at. Hand surgeons by the way here in BC,Canada are plastic surgeons,who knew ? So, I daren't ask to see the Rheumatologist yet I think that he thinks I focus on my pain too much so never suggests ANYTHING unless I ask for it.

My pointer, middle and ting fingers are bad. Very stiff on middle and ring fingers and swollen on and off on my middle finger. I hope acupuncture will help your condition. Does the acupuncture hurt a lot?

I'm so sorry for all you are going through. I'm not familiar with your particular disease, so I have no words of wisdom to tell you. But I will pray for you. I know that never hurts, and often helps.