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Question about Osteoarthritis

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Posted 6/18/2009 6:55 AM (GMT 0)
This sounds strange, but my father has Osteoarthritis. I have noticed its becoming increassing harder on him to do things even like walking. Is there anything I can do to help him or help him releave some of the pain? Half the day every day he just lies in bed now. I think he needs to get out, but I dont want to make him worse. Any ideas of what I can do? I just want my dad better.
Posted 6/18/2009 10:29 AM (GMT 0)
How old is your father? With OA, moving is the best thing you can do to help alleviate the pain. Repetitive motions are not good for OA but gentle excersize can be beneficial. It really depends on how bad the OA is too. Where is his OA?
Posted 6/18/2009 1:36 PM (GMT 0)

Hey Smurfy,

Welcome to the Oseto Forum.  I was wondering the same thing as Sherry, how old is your Father ?   I also wonder if he has a bit of depression going on ? Your comment " just lies in bed "  caught my eye.

Exercise usually does not aggravate osteoarthritis when performed at levels that do not cause joint pain. Exercise is helpful in osteoarthritis in several ways. First, it strengthens the muscular support around the joints. It also prevents the joints from "freezing up" and improves and maintains joint mobility. Finally, it helps with weight reduction and promotes endurance. Applying local heat before and cold packs after exercise can help relieve pain and inflammation. Swimming is particularly well suited for patients with osteoarthritis because it allows the person  to exercise with minimal impact stress to the joints. Other popular exercises include walking, stationary cycling, and light weight training.

You also may want to set your Father up with an appointment with a Rheumatologist to receive  medical advise and to help your Father learn more about his condition.  A Rheumatologist can also guide your Father re pain medications.

Take care and I admire you for caring about your Father and looking for ways to help him.  You are truly devoted to him.

Gentle Hugs

Kitt

Posted 6/18/2009 8:27 PM (GMT 0)
Skitt! HUGS haha didnt expect you in this group hehe. Can I say my father is older than dirt? Um hmm hes past the "over the hill" cuz my mom threw the over the hill party within the last oh 5 years. I told my dad to get an oncologist cuz I knew they handle arthritis and OA. Or at least my oncologist does. He isnt listening to me. As a kid, dad used to be up and everything. Early 90s he would go to work, come home change in jammies and go to bed. He would nap til dinner then watch tv. To get family time (as I was still little), I would crawl up on bed with him just watching whatever he did to get some time with him. He tries to do stuff now, but he always looks liike he is going to kill over (sorry, but he really does look that bad). Always been a daddy's girl, as he understands my disabilities and takes the time to explain things. Mom never did that. Heck I remember my dad when he was better--I got sick one time, mom said I was faking it. I stopped talking, eating and drinking. Finally my dad had enough grabbed me--blanket and all and told my mom he didnt care if I was faking it and I was going to the doctor. I had strep and tonsilitis...they gave me a certain ammount of time to get better or surgery. I feel so bad seeing my dad looking like he's going to die any minute. You can tell he is in pain to. He as Osteo and Rheumy Arthris amoungst other illnesses. Its all over, I can tell. I worry about him so much and I obvisiouly love my dad. I want to help him in any way I can.
Posted 6/18/2009 10:26 PM (GMT 0)

Smurfy,

Hey, you are obviously very devoted to your Dad and it is hard to watch someone we love suffer.  Have you talked this over with your Mom?

Does your Dad still work?  If he had an over-the-hill- party that is usually for someone turning 50 years old in my neck of the woods.  So he may be in his mid to late 50s?

Does you Dad have a dx of Cancer?  I cannot remember for sure. 

Keep on talking with us and we will try to help you.

Yes, I am here and I have Osteo.  :-)

Kitt

Posted 6/19/2009 12:00 AM (GMT 0)
My dad has some rare auto immune diseases, rheum and osteao arthritis, diabetes, 2 leaky somethings in the heart, fibermyologia, diabetes, migraines, something wierd that I cant say, heart murmer, glasses, seizures, and more. Cancer, we dont think so but I wouldnt be surprised. You were probably thinking of me kitt, I have a tumor and I just finished chemo and radiation. I think he is late 50s or early 60s. Dad retired this last year. Sorry on sounded dumb founded kitt I just remembered you from other forums :P I never really talked to my mom, she and I are not close. Dad has been the only one to understand me, so yea, I am pretty close. Sometimes I talk him into going out for lunch. Every single time its McDonalds. Uck. He has a Maltese, that alerts us when hes up to no good, seizures and comas so far hehe.
Posted 6/19/2009 1:00 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Smurfy,
I feel the same way about my Dad as you do about yours. We've always been close and it's not a good feeling if something is wrong and he's not up to par. I guess I have to agree with Kitt about setting him up to see a Rheumatologist, someone who specializes in this area. It may not be easy to get your Dad to go but it's
worth a try. Take care and know my thoughts are with
you and your Dad.
Posted 6/19/2009 7:05 PM (GMT 0)
I been telling him to get in with an oncologist. I said oncologist beacuse I know like my oncologist is specialized in rheumotology.
Posted 6/19/2009 7:28 PM (GMT 0)
Smurfy

Hey there, good afternoon.  cool

Oncology is the branch of medicine dealing with tumors (cancer). A medical professional who practices oncology is an oncologist.

A rheumatologist is a medical doctor who specializes in arthritis and related diseases.  Most often, a patient is referred to a rheumatologist by their primary care physician after presenting symptoms of arthritis.

Your Father has many medical issues.  It seems like he may need a specialist in more then one area.

I can understand with his history why he is feeling so down.  You just keep on supporting him and try to get him in to the Doctors office.

Gentle Hugs

Kitt

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