Anyone else have Osteo-Arthritis???? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

enchilila · 10-21-2010, 05:57 PM

I was wondering if there were any others who had osteo-arthritis? I have it so bad in my fingers. I've used a keyboard for the past (cough-cough) years.

This has to be the cause of mine. My fingers are like pencils and won't bend very well, especially in the mornings. I don't take medication for this. I'm not even sure there is any "safe" meds out there for OA. My doc wants me to take glucosamine, but I have a hard time swallowing pills. You would think as much as this bothers me each and every waking minute of the day that I would learn to swallow pills.

Just wondering if anyone could tell me what they do for their OA. Thanks.

Patti · 10-21-2010, 07:12 PM

My 25 year old daughter was diagnosed with it about 5 months ago. Hers affects her larger joints. Her knees and elbows. Her rheumatologist has her on a prescription anti inflammatory, folic acid and a strong RA drug. She started out on 3 tablets 1 a week and is now up to 6 with very little relief. Next month they will up her to 7 pills and that is the maximum. After that they will try a different drug. I feel so bad for her to be dealing with this so young. Not to mention the scary side effects these drugs can have. I would like to find a holistic remedy. I hope you can get some relief.

Beamers Mom · 10-21-2010, 07:15 PM

I have RA
As far as I am concerned there are really no safe meds out there.
One rheumatologist had me on methotrexate and it was affecting my liver. My primary care physician wanted me off it, the rheumatologist wouldn't take me off it. I felt like I was part of a tug of war. I changed rheumatologists. The new one said he didn't like my liver count and I should have been taken off the methotrexate earlier.
He put me on Humira injections and a drug called Cellcept (think that is how it is spelled). I was doing fine, until my colon ruptured one evening and I was rushed to the ER. Surgeon wanted to know if I had had an organ transplant. My husband told him I hadn't. Surgeon said that is what Cellcept is usually used for so a transplant isn't "rejected" by the patients immune system although it has been used for RA. He said it was the most dangerous drug I could have been on. My whole immune system was "knocked out" and I couldn't fight infections.
Surgeon didn't think I was going to make it through the night.
I ended up staying a week in intensive care and a couple of weeks in a regular room, whereas normally for a colostomy a hospital stay would have only been about a week.
After that experience I refuse to take any of the RA medications.

A lot of times it is my hands that hurt a lot in the mornings and I cut Lidoderm patches up and put those on my hands. My fingers are also stiff in the mornings, I just have to let them "warm up"

I try and get by with Aleve and when it is really bad I take a Lortab.
But I really don't like taking any medications.
Any RA (or OA) medications are going to affect the immune system.

I have another rheumatologist now who knows my aversion to the medications, so he is basically just monitoring me.

J_is_my_initial · 10-21-2010, 08:41 PM

I have traumatic arthiritis in my ankles and feet. I go Nov 4 to a rheumatologist to be tested for rheumatoid arthritis. Had to tests at primary care NP and the 2nd time she sd something was elevated. I just want to know why I hurt all the time. So sick of hurting. I know part of my problem is osteoporosis (sp) I keep breaking bones in my back which does not help with the pain. I take advil usually or if it gets worse i take something stronger my dr gave me. Best is hydrocodeine cause it does not make me sleepy. My Np can not presribe and i do not want to go back to the ortho.

Beamers Mom · 10-22-2010, 06:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J_is_my_initial

I have traumatic arthiritis in my ankles and feet. I go Nov 4 to a rheumatologist to be tested for rheumatoid arthritis. Had to tests at primary care NP and the 2nd time she sd something was elevated. I just want to know why I hurt all the time. So sick of hurting. I know part of my problem is osteoporosis (sp) I keep breaking bones in my back which does not help with the pain. I take advil usually or if it gets worse i take something stronger my dr gave me. Best is hydrocodeine cause it does not make me sleepy. My Np can not presribe and i do not want to go back to the ortho.

Has your doctor recommended Reclast for the osteoporosis?
It's a once a year infusion. I get one next Friday (had my first one last year).
As for the pain in your back have you tried the Lidoderm patches - available by prescription. They really help me between the injections (I get the injections every 6 months, - 6 in my lower back and a week later 6 in my upper back . And I cut a lidoderm patch up when my arm or hand is hurting from the RA and put it on the painful spot.

J_is_my_initial · 10-22-2010, 08:42 AM

The ortho prescribed Boniva to try and build up my bones, other than that nothing. Even after ins it was 35.00 a pill once a month. I could not afford that.
I had a couple of seizures last yr after taking clarinex and broke t-6. When they did an mri, they found several more previous healed fractures. I thought that explains back pain. I had an xray done last month after chest pain and the cardio sd did you know you have a broke bone. I mentioned t-6 but i thought it had healed. He sd this is more t-8. At least this time I was able to move around which I could not with the other break. I wound up missing 2 months of work. Thank goodness for family leave.
Right now I am just muddling through. I have to change insurance at the first of the year due to dh's work changing the ins plans. I need to see what is covered.

Beamers Mom · 10-22-2010, 11:12 AM

I used to be on Boniva until the doc put me on the Reclast.

See your PM

LDandPasquale · 10-22-2010, 11:45 AM

I have Arthritis is my left knee....i've been in pain since January. The Rheumatologist said it could take up to 3 years to be pain free

I'm on Plaquenil right now. It helps a little but not totally pain free.

I do agree the Liboderm patches work well.

I use those too.

Patti · 10-22-2010, 11:48 AM

My dtr is on the Methotrexate now and I am so worried about the side effects.

gemy · 10-22-2010, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by enchilila

I was wondering if there were any others who had osteo-arthritis? I have it so bad in my fingers. I've used a keyboard for the past (cough-cough) years.

This has to be the cause of mine. My fingers are like pencils and won't bend very well, especially in the mornings. I don't take medication for this. I'm not even sure there is any "safe" meds out there for OA. My doc wants me to take glucosamine, but I have a hard time swallowing pills. You would think as much as this bothers me each and every waking minute of the day that I would learn to swallow pills.

Just wondering if anyone could tell me what they do for their OA. Thanks.

Okay glucosamine and chondrotin should be available in a liquid form; ask your doc for the brand name. If not available to you, crush pills up and put in OJ or water and drink it. This homeopathic remedy does have some evidence of efficacy.

The other thing you can consider is to up your calcium and Vit D to 2000mg a day.

I too have RA which is an inflammatory disease of the joints. Now if your OA is NOT an inflammatory kind, here are some things that might help ease your pain.

a) Hot wax bath - I think many beauty supply stores sell a pretty inexpensive bath - just add parafin wax and dip hands into the hot wax.

b) Hot packs -5 no more than 10 minutes on hands.

c) Massage either you do yourself or go to a therapist

d) After inital morning stiffness has resolved somewhat, get one of those soft balls, and despite discomfort exercise your hands. Squeeze the ball, finger press into the ball. Practice piano scales with your fingers. Finger climb a wall.

Consider overall health, get active as you can, swimming is a low cost yet effective way to keep up cardiovascular health, and give your body a good overall workout. More on the water theme, consider water aerobics, I do that what my joints are in a flare.

Walking is always good

Yoga gentle with a teacher that can modify poses for you as needed.

Contrast bathing with epsom salts ; two bowls of water one very warm with espon salts in it, one cold. Place hands it warm water 2-3 minutes , then dip into cool 1-1.5 minutes.

Beamers Mom · 10-22-2010, 01:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Patti

My dtr is on the Methotrexate now and I am so worried about the side effects.

Just have her make sure they keep an eye on her liver count (think that is what it is).
I had a friend in New York that when his wife died he called me and he said it was sure it was because of the methotrexate - he was an EMT.
When my liver count was up and the rheumatologist kept saying he wasn't worried and my primary care physician was worried I decided it was time to find a new rheumatologist. As I said in my previous post when the new rheumatologist saw my liver count he said he would have taken me off the methotrexate before it got that high.
Of course, he put me on something that was dangerous too (the Cellcept). It is just to the point where I don't trust a lot of medications and so I don't take them.
If I ever get a new prescription for anything at all I google it and research it before I take it. If I have the slightest doubt, then I don't take it.

Reese1 · 10-22-2010, 02:09 PM

I know Costco sells Glucosamine in a liquid form. I take the tablet form of it. I have osteo-arthritis in my knees.

gemy · 10-22-2010, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beamers Mom

Just have her make sure they keep an eye on her liver count (think that is what it is).
I had a friend in New York that when his wife died he called me and he said it was sure it was because of the methotrexate - he was an EMT.
When my liver count was up and the rheumatologist kept saying he wasn't worried and my primary care physician was worried I decided it was time to find a new rheumatologist. As I said in my previous post when the new rheumatologist saw my liver count he said he would have taken me off the methotrexate before it got that high.
Of course, he put me on something that was dangerous too (the Cellcept). It is just to the point where I don't trust a lot of medications and so I don't take them.
If I ever get a new prescription for anything at all I google it and research it before I take it. If I have the slightest doubt, then I don't take it.

When I was on the methotrexate my blood was monitored wkly, plus every 6mths I had to have a visual field acuity eye test.

These drugs collectively known as DMARDS - Disease Modifying Anti rhuematic Drugs, have some serious side effects. But so does the impact of RA and other inflammatory rheumatoid diseases. It is not a pleasant trade off the informed person must make.
There well in the past 10 yrs are a new class of drugs for RA and like diseases, collectively known as Biologics. They are said to be much more effective, and actually stops the disease in it's tracks, and can often repair damage done. But like the DMARDS heavy risks associated with their use. And unlike the DMARDS, aat least here in Canada a very large cost to each dose. Aricept $500 per injection.

And so, the weighing of pros and cons, has to be individualized for each person. The progression of their disease, its virulence, and the lifestyle needs and wishes of the person.

Personally I am in that process of weighing the pros and cons.

Patti · 10-22-2010, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Beamers Mom

Just have her make sure they keep an eye on her liver count (think that is what it is).
I had a friend in New York that when his wife died he called me and he said it was sure it was because of the methotrexate - he was an EMT.
When my liver count was up and the rheumatologist kept saying he wasn't worried and my primary care physician was worried I decided it was time to find a new rheumatologist. As I said in my previous post when the new rheumatologist saw my liver count he said he would have taken me off the methotrexate before it got that high.
Of course, he put me on something that was dangerous too (the Cellcept). It is just to the point where I don't trust a lot of medications and so I don't take them.
If I ever get a new prescription for anything at all I google it and research it before I take it. If I have the slightest doubt, then I don't take it.

She has blood work every 4 weeks. But they have had to increase her dosage every month so I don't think it is working. Also, her doctor told her not to drink alcohol. I know she still does once in awhile and I can't get through to her the risk she is taking. It is a scary disease.

mypreciouspups · 10-22-2010, 03:58 PM

You are not alone.. I have this in my hips, started early 20ish.. had one hip sawn in half and an osteotomy was done since I was too young at 37 for a hip replacement.. It worked well but left me with one leg 2cc short.. which now is much less over the years.. It is needing to be replaced soon..

I had a hip replacement in what my doctor called my better hip almost 9 years ago and hopfully will get the initial one done next summer.. It left me with a lot of back pain but living in pain at such a young age most people do not know as my pain threshold is pretty high.. I have never taken meds for this on daily basis..
When I had my last hip done I had put it off for 5 years and my dr. could not understand how I was walking as he said I had nothing there and it was about as bad as it could get at that time..

I pamper myself now and have a heated mattress cover and lay often on the bed watching tv to keep my bones warm.. it sure does help out..

10-21-2010, 05:57 PM	#1
enchilila Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Central Texas Posts: 9,685	Anyone else have Osteo-Arthritis???? I was wondering if there were any others who had osteo-arthritis? I have it so bad in my fingers. I've used a keyboard for the past (cough-cough) years. This has to be the cause of mine. My fingers are like pencils and won't bend very well, especially in the mornings. I don't take medication for this. I'm not even sure there is any "safe" meds out there for OA. My doc wants me to take glucosamine, but I have a hard time swallowing pills. You would think as much as this bothers me each and every waking minute of the day that I would learn to swallow pills. Just wondering if anyone could tell me what they do for their OA. Thanks. __________________ "Betty Boop" The light of my life & the joy of my living!

10-21-2010, 07:12 PM	#2
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	My 25 year old daughter was diagnosed with it about 5 months ago. Hers affects her larger joints. Her knees and elbows. Her rheumatologist has her on a prescription anti inflammatory, folic acid and a strong RA drug. She started out on 3 tablets 1 a week and is now up to 6 with very little relief. Next month they will up her to 7 pills and that is the maximum. After that they will try a different drug. I feel so bad for her to be dealing with this so young. Not to mention the scary side effects these drugs can have. I would like to find a holistic remedy. I hope you can get some relief. __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

10-21-2010, 07:15 PM	#3
Beamers Mom Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Palm Bay, Fl, USA Posts: 5,957	I have RA As far as I am concerned there are really no safe meds out there. One rheumatologist had me on methotrexate and it was affecting my liver. My primary care physician wanted me off it, the rheumatologist wouldn't take me off it. I felt like I was part of a tug of war. I changed rheumatologists. The new one said he didn't like my liver count and I should have been taken off the methotrexate earlier. He put me on Humira injections and a drug called Cellcept (think that is how it is spelled). I was doing fine, until my colon ruptured one evening and I was rushed to the ER. Surgeon wanted to know if I had had an organ transplant. My husband told him I hadn't. Surgeon said that is what Cellcept is usually used for so a transplant isn't "rejected" by the patients immune system although it has been used for RA. He said it was the most dangerous drug I could have been on. My whole immune system was "knocked out" and I couldn't fight infections. Surgeon didn't think I was going to make it through the night. I ended up staying a week in intensive care and a couple of weeks in a regular room, whereas normally for a colostomy a hospital stay would have only been about a week. After that experience I refuse to take any of the RA medications. A lot of times it is my hands that hurt a lot in the mornings and I cut Lidoderm patches up and put those on my hands. My fingers are also stiff in the mornings, I just have to let them "warm up" I try and get by with Aleve and when it is really bad I take a Lortab. But I really don't like taking any medications. Any RA (or OA) medications are going to affect the immune system. I have another rheumatologist now who knows my aversion to the medications, so he is basically just monitoring me. __________________ Help control the pet population. Have your pet spayed or neutered. - Bob Barker

10-21-2010, 08:41 PM	#4
J_is_my_initial YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Knoxville,Tennessee Posts: 3,073	I have traumatic arthiritis in my ankles and feet. I go Nov 4 to a rheumatologist to be tested for rheumatoid arthritis. Had to tests at primary care NP and the 2nd time she sd something was elevated. I just want to know why I hurt all the time. So sick of hurting. I know part of my problem is osteoporosis (sp) I keep breaking bones in my back which does not help with the pain. I take advil usually or if it gets worse i take something stronger my dr gave me. Best is hydrocodeine cause it does not make me sleepy. My Np can not presribe and i do not want to go back to the ortho. __________________ PAWPRINTS AND DOG HAIR ENHANCE MY PERSONAL STYLE.

10-22-2010, 08:42 AM	#6
J_is_my_initial YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Knoxville,Tennessee Posts: 3,073	The ortho prescribed Boniva to try and build up my bones, other than that nothing. Even after ins it was 35.00 a pill once a month. I could not afford that. I had a couple of seizures last yr after taking clarinex and broke t-6. When they did an mri, they found several more previous healed fractures. I thought that explains back pain. I had an xray done last month after chest pain and the cardio sd did you know you have a broke bone. I mentioned t-6 but i thought it had healed. He sd this is more t-8. At least this time I was able to move around which I could not with the other break. I wound up missing 2 months of work. Thank goodness for family leave. Right now I am just muddling through. I have to change insurance at the first of the year due to dh's work changing the ins plans. I need to see what is covered. __________________ PAWPRINTS AND DOG HAIR ENHANCE MY PERSONAL STYLE.

10-22-2010, 11:12 AM	#7
Beamers Mom Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Palm Bay, Fl, USA Posts: 5,957	I used to be on Boniva until the doc put me on the Reclast. See your PM __________________ Help control the pet population. Have your pet spayed or neutered. - Bob Barker

10-22-2010, 11:45 AM	#8
LDandPasquale YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Massachusetts/Florida Posts: 2,614	I have Arthritis is my left knee....i've been in pain since January. The Rheumatologist said it could take up to 3 years to be pain free I'm on Plaquenil right now. It helps a little but not totally pain free. I do agree the Liboderm patches work well. I use those too. __________________ LD that's me and Pasquale "If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving is definitely not for you!"

10-22-2010, 11:48 AM	#9
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	My dtr is on the Methotrexate now and I am so worried about the side effects. __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

10-22-2010, 02:09 PM	#12
Reese1 Donating YT 5000 Club Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,304	I know Costco sells Glucosamine in a liquid form. I take the tablet form of it. I have osteo-arthritis in my knees. __________________ Crosley Wrigley Camden

10-22-2010, 03:58 PM	#15
mypreciouspups Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Florida/Canada Posts: 5,514	You are not alone.. I have this in my hips, started early 20ish.. had one hip sawn in half and an osteotomy was done since I was too young at 37 for a hip replacement.. It worked well but left me with one leg 2cc short.. which now is much less over the years.. It is needing to be replaced soon.. I had a hip replacement in what my doctor called my better hip almost 9 years ago and hopfully will get the initial one done next summer.. It left me with a lot of back pain but living in pain at such a young age most people do not know as my pain threshold is pretty high.. I have never taken meds for this on daily basis.. When I had my last hip done I had put it off for 5 years and my dr. could not understand how I was walking as he said I had nothing there and it was about as bad as it could get at that time.. I pamper myself now and have a heated mattress cover and lay often on the bed watching tv to keep my bones warm.. it sure does help out..