topic Re: Arthritis or??? in Wellness

Arthritis or???

bargainsgirl — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 01:58:44 GMT

I, like so many seniors, have arthritis. Where it seems to bother me most is my legs and feet. They get so achey by late afternoon. And very stiff when I sit for awhile. I am beginning to think it is stemming from my back ( I do see a chiro on a regular basis). I try not to take meds but I probably average 3-4 Advil per week. That little bit does help. I do exercise and and am fairly active so it is not a quesion of being idle or overweight. Thinking I should have some tests to see what my back looks like these days....

Re: Arthritis or???

SandySparkles — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 02:17:51 GMT

Bless your heart!❤ I am REALLY sorry you are feeling SO much discomfort!😔I will not offer suggestions because you are doing the right thing by taking control of your bone health! Seeing your doctor for labwork is a TERRIFIC idea!!!😊 I am hoping you will get a great treatment plan that is doable for you, and are feeling as pain FREE as possible very soon!!!🥰🤞🤞

~~~All we need is LOVE💖

Re: Arthritis or???

colleena — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 02:32:52 GMT

@bargainsgirl Sorry you are going through this but sounds like you are doing the right things.

I have similar symptoms to yours but as the day goes on my lower legs/feet also become numb. Along with what your doing I have discovered Yoga for Healing which is offered through our Y & originally came up with to help people with Parkinson's. It is just a very easy to do yoga class but when I'm done I feel/move some better.

Re: Arthritis or???

Tinkrbl44 — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 02:41:38 GMT

@bargainsgirl wrote:
I, like so many seniors, have arthritis. Where it seems to bother me most is my legs and feet. They get so achey by late afternoon. And very stiff when I sit for awhile. I am beginning to think it is stemming from my back ( I do see a chiro on a regular basis). I try not to take meds but I probably average 3-4 Advil per week. That little bit does help. I do exercise and and am fairly active so it is not a quesion of being idle or overweight. Thinking I should have some tests to see what my back looks like these days....

@bargainsgirl

I have both osteo- and rheumatoid arthritis and have a lot of experience with just about everything in the way or meds, treatments and other whatnot.

See a Rheumatologist and get baseline blood work, x-rays and whatever else they recommend.

Not only do you want a doc monitoring your current state, but also watching how quickly these problems are progressing, and becoming worse. These are not just the ordinary aches and pains.

Some of your problems may be hereditary, others just what is developing in your body. There may be recommendations made (including dietary) to slow down the progression of the disease. Yes, arthritis is a disease.

Seriously, take the time and get an accurate status report on everything. The information you get now may affect your future quality of life.

Re: Arthritis or???

chrystaltree — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 04:13:23 GMT

You should see a doctor to find out what is causing the pain. Could be arthritis considering your age but it be anyone of many things or a combination of things. I'm mid 60s and I've had neck pain for two years. I can't take Advil and Tylenol doesn't do much. PT didn't help. My PCP said I have arthritis in my neck. Then a few months ago, I developed pain and severe stiffness in my right shoulder. I assumed arthritis in my shoulder. Saw an orthopedic doc this Monday. They did spine, neck, shoulder X-rays. I do have arthritis in my neck. Not severe, no instability. Just what he expected for someone my age. Heat/ice/Tylenol and do the exercises my PT gave me. I have "frozen shoulder" syndrome, not arthritis in my shoulder. Apparently it resolves itself over time, a very long time. She said 2 to 3 years usually! I can use ice or heat and take Tylenol. I asked for a steroid injection for the pain and she said the medical literature was in doubt regarding on effectiveness for my condition but it wouldn't do any harm. She did the injection and two days later, the pain is greatly relieved. I still can't lift my arm but I'm happy with the pain relief. So I'm figuring out ways to adjust to this arm situation. Can't do anything that requires liftingy arm up. Of course it's one of those "age related" things. I get steroid injections in my right knee every four months and now we'll add the shoulder to that. I'm just thankful that they work for me. They don't work for everyone.

Re: Arthritis or???

AuntMame — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 06:49:20 GMT

@chrystaltree wrote:
You should see a doctor to find out what is causing the pain. Could be arthritis considering your age but it be anyone of many things or a combination of things. I'm mid 60s and I've had neck pain for two years. I can't take Advil and Tylenol doesn't do much. PT didn't help. My PCP said I have arthritis in my neck. Then a few months ago, I developed pain and severe stiffness in my right shoulder. I assumed arthritis in my shoulder. Saw an orthopedic doc this Monday. They did spine, neck, shoulder X-rays. I do have arthritis in my neck. Not severe, no instability. Just what he expected for someone my age. Heat/ice/Tylenol and do the exercises my PT gave me. I have "frozen shoulder" syndrome, not arthritis in my shoulder. Apparently it resolves itself over time, a very long time. She said 2 to 3 years usually! I can use ice or heat and take Tylenol. I asked for a steroid injection for the pain and she said the medical literature was in doubt regarding on effectiveness for my condition but it wouldn't do any harm. She did the injection and two days later, the pain is greatly relieved. I still can't lift my arm but I'm happy with the pain relief. So I'm figuring out ways to adjust to this arm situation. Can't do anything that requires liftingy arm up. Of course it's one of those "age related" things. I get steroid injections in my right knee every four months and now we'll add the shoulder to that. I'm just thankful that they work for me. They don't work for everyone.

@chrystaltree A question from a medical wimp here. Do the injections hurt? I remember my mom had an injection for shoulder bursitis and...yow! It sure hurt her.

Re: Arthritis or???

Krimpette — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 12:56:35 GMT

I have to see my podiatrist periodically to get a cortisone injection in various parts of my right foot. (They can only do one injection per appointment (per medicare).). I'm currently goiing for a series of gel injections in my knees. I don't find any of these injections to be painful. But in all cases, provide relief for some peirod time. Just a way of life.

(i had my ortho doc do an x-ray of my foot to see if there's anything he sees that can be that the podiatrist might not be seeing. He agreed with her diagnoses and to continue with her doing the foot injections.

Re: Arthritis or???

chrystaltree — Fri, 12 Apr 2024 18:12:01 GMT

@AuntMame

I did feel the pressure because it went into the joint but it was not particularly painful because it was over pretty quickly. I get them for my knee and that doesn't hurt at all. Just a sting.

Re: Arthritis or???

ECBG — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 15:15:16 GMT

See your medical doctor so you can get some real meds and be treated.

Chiropractors just stretch you out. I'm sorry I ever went to one.

Re: Arthritis or???

Pink123 — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 22:44:53 GMT

I agree @ECBG - never went to one because I don't want to hear a crack from a quack, lol. But seriously BF goes to one for his back, I think he thought only one time would get rid of it with playing tennis, etc. Nope, pure cash at 100.00 bucks a pop. He's been going every week for months. no results. Maybe when one is young?

'I'm quiet about it now but laugh inside. lol.

Re: Arthritis or???

2sisters — Thu, 18 Apr 2024 23:38:14 GMT

I agree with everything @Tinkrbl44 said. I would have your doctor refer you to a rheumatologist. I would hold off on seeing a chiro until you did without a proper diagnosis they can do more harm. I've been seeing a RA doctor for almost three years and it's taken a few different tries as far as medicine and treatment for me. And there are still days I want to crawl in a hole. Lol

I too agree arthritis is a disease.

Re: Arthritis or???

Tinkrbl44 — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 02:10:23 GMT

@2sisters wrote:
I agree with everything @Tinkrbl44 said. I would have your doctor refer you to a rheumatologist. I would hold off on seeing a chiro until you did without a proper diagnosis they can do more harm. I've been seeing a RA doctor for almost three years and it's taken a few different tries as far as medicine and treatment for me. And there are still days I want to crawl in a hole. Lol
I too agree arthritis is a disease.

@2sisters @bargainsgirl

I think some see arthritis as an annoying affliction, rather than a degenerative disease.

One other thing I want to add to my previous comments ... some people get cortisone shots, as needed. I was going through a tough time with back pain and ended up getting a spinal epidural. Long story short, I ended up getting about 5 epidurals in approximately three years. Funny thing is ... each subsequent epidural had a cumulative effect. For a few years after that, I had almost no pain at all.

Anyone struggling with rheumatoid arthritis ... don't downplay the importance of getting treatment.

It will affect the quality of your life for the rest of your life, regardless of how much longer you live.

Okay, I'm done, I'll get off my soap box now ... lol.