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Osteoarthritis flares?

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Posted 8/5/2009 1:51 PM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

about 2 months ago, my shoulders started hurting alot. Then my finger joints, then my jaw starting clicking and locking up, and now I have really painful metatarsalgia (pain in the ball of my foot) and pain in my toes. I saw a hand doc and he took xrays and I have degenerative arthritis in them.
My olecranon bursa in one elbow ruptured during this time too.
My feet are so painful I can hardly get much done. I need to make an appointment with my old podiatrist, but he moved about an hour and a half from here, so I'm putting it off for awhile.
Sheesh!! Its like my entire body is breaking down. Would this be considered a fibro flare, or is there also an osteoarthritis flare too?????
I keep putting off seeing the various docs because many times, these "flares" eventually go away and I don't want to spend thousands of dollars for them to tell me "there's nothing wrong".
Anyone else out there have osteoarthritis and if so, does it tend to flare up too............or is this just considered an FMS flare??
It just seems like someone pulled the plug on me! It seems that it has to be systemic since its so widespread.
Thanks for your ideas.
Posted 8/5/2009 3:01 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Cathy,

I also have osteoarthritis along with fibromyalgia. Osteoarthritis can flare causing joint
pain, muscle weakness and fatigue.

My fibro pain is differant. It is a deep burning, and aching, resulting with muscle weaknes
and fatigue and is usually widespread.

Have you had blood work done to eliminate the possibility of a connective tissue disease?

Hope you get some pain relief and answers.

Robin
Posted 8/5/2009 3:45 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Robin,
Yes, I've had alot of that other bloodwork and its been negative. I think my last set was drawn a year ago. I'm 59 and I don't think that stuff starts later in life, does it? I swear my hormones are still giving me troubles. I was doing really well for several months. Then a couple weeks ago I got some ovary pain (which I get about 1-2 times a year), and things seem to go downhill after that. Hopefully it will ease up again.
I just feel that my body is wearing out way too fast! I know to a younger person 59 seems old, but these days its really not!
I guess I should be happy I've made it this far, instead of whining! But everything seems to have gotten worse at once. I wish my body parts would take turns! haha
Thanks for your reply Robin.
Posted 8/5/2009 4:39 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Cathy,

I also have osteoarthritis and have had it since I was 21, (I'm now 55), and yes flare ups happen alot for me.   My knees, neck and back are the worst. 

What works for me when I get an arthritis flare up is  cold packs if there is swelling and then I use moist heat.  I try to take a hot bath (when I can get into the tub) and that also helps alot.  Even though it is real painful, I find if I try to move just a little it helps and I don't get so stiff. 

I hope you find some relief and the pain quiets down some.

 

Hang in there.

 

American Woman

Posted 8/5/2009 6:07 PM (GMT 0)
Cathy, I am 57 and my rheumy thinks I possibly have Mixed Connective Tissue Disease,
a combination of Lupus, Arthritis and Scleroderma. It is possible to have a CTD at our
age.

American Woman gave you some good advive about alieviating arthritis pain. Soaking
in a hot tub helps my fibro and arthritis.

Robin
Posted 9/7/2009 12:45 PM (GMT 0)
OK - I finally joined a "group." I have a flareup of osteoarthritis that has been going on for about 6 weeks now. Had hip replacement in late April - which by the way was very successful, however, since then I have had major flareups in other joints. I think it must be a result of the trauma, drugs, stress from surgery. Also had a son's wedding - alot of stress and standing for a couple days. So with that said, right now most of my joints ache. I have had blood work that hasn't shown anything else, although I have had drug induced lupus quite a few years ago. I am trying various things - knee brace on the worse knee, certo/grape juice, stationary bike instead of walking. I was taking ibuprofen consistently, but didn't really see much difference. Do you all think it is just going to take time to get some relief? - I think in the future I will need knee replacements, but want to put that off as long as possible. I just need encouragement. I too feel like my body has betrayed me. Thanks for listening.
Posted 9/7/2009 2:07 PM (GMT 0)
Hi
I Have Fibro , Cf, osteoarthritis, ( feet, hands, Knees, neck, back, and believe it a place in my ribs ) Degenerative Disc disease in my neck , Adhesions. Migraines. IBS , GERD

I know with me.. if I get even one small thing besides the Fibro and everything else. ... say like a sinuses infection, cold, dental work . anything extra . it seems to throw me into a big flare. and is almost to much to take ...

sounds like you have been through a lot. I'm so sorry , I agree to keep moving ... its so hard , but really does help.
I totally understand how you could think your body has betrayed you ..,. I'm there too..

but keep trying and Don't give in.. take care of your self. extra rest and lots of hot hot showers ..

keep us posted.    every body is very supportive on this site. ..
Take care...
Posted 9/7/2009 2:58 PM (GMT 0)
This is like trying to figure out which came first the chicken or the egg Cathy. confused   I'm also 59 yrs young and I swear the day I turned 50 the body started falling apart. I have arthritis in my hands, back and neck, those are the only places that have been x-rayed for it. My right hand gives me the most problems. I do think a fibro flare makes the arthritis pain kick in more too. I was up and down scrubbing around the toilet the other day and set it all off, even my right knee which I don't have much problems with since we moved here with no stairs to climb. I haven't had my knees x-rayed so I don't know if it is just wear and tear or arthritis.

 

I use lidoderm patches on my hands, neck and back for the arthritis cause it is close to the skin. I cut them in two for my hands and it is the only thing that works for it. I have a cabinet full of different creams and rubs that do nothing. For those that don't know what lidoderm patches are they are 4x6 sheets with lidocaine in them and you can use them for 12 hrs on and 12 hrs off to numb the area. For whatever reason my doc will only let me use one at a time, you need a rx for them.

 

Hi Hyi and welcome to the family. You went through a lot in a short time so it's no wonder your body was rebelling. Fibro or arthritis doesn't like to be disturbed or they get very upset.

 

If you haven't read the fibro 101 thread, first on the first page, it contains lots of great info.

 

Glad you joined us.

 

luv and hugs

Marlee

 

 

Posted 9/7/2009 7:30 PM (GMT 0)
Sometimes, for me, my fibro gets worse just by having to rev up my activity. This summer, my college-aged son came home for the summer. I love him to death, but it does add alot more work for me.
And one thing I've noticed that makes me mad is, if I get really sad for some reason (like a pet dies or something else really upsets me), it REALLY affects my entire body. Even though it doesn't directly affect my body parts, the emotional stress affects my body parts! I hate that.
Even when I think I'm handling some emotional issue, it still affects my whole body.

Hi HYI, When I had knee surgery (torn meniscus and arthritis), I was in horrible shape for a couple months after that. I had a ridiculously painful reaction to it. Fortunately, my knee surgeon knew all about fibromyalgia, and actually brought that up as the reason I wasn't progressing like everyone else usually does.
He also said that he knew people who had knee problems and it would trigger their fibro all over their bodies. Give it more time HYI, and I think you'll feel better! Hang in there!
Posted 9/8/2009 10:17 AM (GMT 0)
Thanks for all your responses. Has anyone successfully tried home remedies for osteoarthritis relief? - Anyone tried and believe in Glucosomine with Chondroitin? - Can you have reactions to it? - I don't like taking ibuprofen every day - long term. Just wondering what you all do for your aches besides heat and cold. And how do you know when to do heat and when to do cold? I like my ortho surgeon, but don't discuss home remedies with him and don't plan to go to a rheumy - I went ot one years ago - bad experience. You have to have all high blood test elevations and if not, then not taken seriously, which is finally ok with me. I can figure out how to manage this. So far, my knee band has helped and I rub joints with bio freeze which temporarily feels good. Take vitamin D, trying certo/grape juice and ride stationary bike. Some days are better than others as you all know.
Posted 9/8/2009 7:39 PM (GMT 0)
HYI........I've heard that tart cherry juice is supposed to be good for joints. Its too strong for my stomach. You can get a big bottle of the concentrated stuff at the grocery store.
I've taken Glucosomine and Chondroitin, but it gave me sooooo much gas, and didn't seem to help. But I think you should try it. I've heard often though that you have to take it for 2 months to start seeing an effect.
Cut back on your sugar/carbs/salt. I lost just a few pounds awhile back and I was amazed at how much better my body felt (joints especially). Unfortunately, I've started to put the weight back on.........a life-long struggle of mine).
Supposedly ice is good for recent injuries or sites of inflammation. Heat feels good on our muscles.
I'm very sensitive to meds and can't take NSAIDS, but do take Tylenol. Be careful with the NSAIDS as they can really wreck your GI track.
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