Weather and OA

Hi there guys and gals,

Just throwing in some thoughts about osteoarthritis.

I was originally diagnosed with the onset of OA in my right knee in mid 2015 and had a partial knee replacement in Nov 2015. No problems, its a dream. In Dec 2018 I was diagnosed with OA in the upper neck and the tip of the right shoulder. The neck is more manageable in terms of pain relief by virtue that it is easier to carry out exercises and stretches, yep, even when I am driving, especially long distance.

The shoulder is a total damn nightmare requiring pain relief medication. Now because I have a heart arrythmia and am on Warfarin (Coumadin for you folks in the States) for life I am severely restricted as to pain relief medication and here in Britain I use on prescription from my doctor Co-codomol 30/500.

Bear with me with this - I’m getting there.

Frankly I’m on enough medication with the heart arrythmia and the less I take the better so this has set me thinking about the OA. With my knee, both before and after surgery I can still feel discomfort in the knee BUT only when there is a weather change. I get the message (pain) as much as 36 to 48 hours ahead of the weather front arriving. This phenonema is also true with the shoulder, but much worse actually.

So, here is the rub - I have been noting various features with the shoulder ......... if the humidity is HIGH, 80% up to 98% and the barometric pressure low ( say, below 1005 mB, down to 980 mB) the pain in the shoulder is unbelievable and I need pain relief medication, heaps of it.

Now, if the humidity is LOW, say around 45% to 60% and barometric pressure is high, say - 1015 mB and higher, even up to 1030 mB I simply have NO PAIN from the shoulder at all, just a stiffness.

I have a digital weather station at home with indoor and outdoor sensors which is the source of my data.

I would like to think that if I can do something which copycats/ replicates nature, i.e with levels of humidity and barometric pressure (without selling up and moving to a nice warm and “Dry” climate), then I might have a chance of weaning myself off pain relief medication, or at least consuming the stuff minimally.

So, all you boffins out there in the wider world , anyone got any thoughts on alternative approaches (to these meteorological issues) ‘cos at the moment I’m down to seriously looking at Chinese medicine as a form of treatment. For no other reason than I am desperate.

Thanks for staying with me.

John

[MikeG1944]

High John; You are adding to the evidence that low pressure and high humidity does have an effect on pain with OA; a few years ago the scientific community said it was all in the mind but recent studies have confirmed that there is a correlation between the two. Something that billions of sufferers around the world already knew. At the moment it's 995mB here so expecting a little more pain.

With regard to remedies I would be very wary of going down the Chinese route as a lot of their potions are very strong and equivalent to some of our prescribed medicines here. They could easily interfere with your heart medication. I am on medication for AF and this restricts the medication I am allowed for OA. None of the usual painkillers work on me except NSAIDS; which I am not allowed to have, so at the moment I'm using Dynamint cream and Tiger Balm, both of which help but not a 100% cure. You could give those a try. I do sympathise with your predicament and like you can't really up and move to another part of the world.

Mike.

P.S. heat of the painful area can also have a big effect on pain so a blanket over the shoulder or a few 15 min sessions with an IR heat lamp may also help. I have a 4 layer blanket on my knees which really helps.

[Hidden in reply to MikeG1944]

Hi there Mike,

Thanks for your comments. Very interesting.

My heart arrythmia is in fact AF and specific medication for it is Bisoprolol and Warfarin. However I am also on statins and two meds for blood pressure. The AF is very well controlled by a combination of these meds and diet and lifestyle changes - only one event since April 2015.

I was wary of Chinese medicine and wouldn't go down that route unless absolutely desperate. Just thought I'd try and get peoples comments/opinions. The only pain relief I can take is CoCodomol 30/500 (because of the Warfarin) which here in UK is only available on prescription.

I am already moving now toward heat packs or plasters and am finding this very beneficial however I'll take on board your comments on Dynamint Cream and Tiger Balm. Today down here in Cornwall we have hit 85% humidity and 980 mB barometric pressure. Its been a bloody uncomfortable day. Ouch !!

Again many thanks.

John

PS My GP has offered me steroid injections and whilst I appreciate the benefits would prefer to leave this as a last resort.

[Peggy76 in reply to Hidden]

Hello. I can so identify with all your comments/pains I have chronic kidney disease also heart failure aided by osteoporosis on my rib cage + spine Hips. &knees I’m limited to painkillers only paracetamol &| on a very low dose of oxynorm ,it’s good but not recommended as it is addictive,fortunately I’ve remained on the same dose for the last 6+years. I’ve had steroid injections only limited to 1 every 4 months !! Because of my kidneys ,I have an exercise chair from ((Qvc)) highly recommend it .my rheumatologist suggested Caspian cream to help with my knees ...Ankles . He said his mother found it a great help it’s very hot !! But now can’t get it due to pharmaceutical companies . Have run out until December ,( (you couldn’t make it up )). I found your article &another few very informative .Would appreciate any updates or news you or your fellow Fowler’s have. Once again thank toy .enjoy your weekend . Regards peggy x🌹

[Hidden]

Hello carneuny

That is some very interesting stuff out have written there and I think you might be onto something. I hope it works for you.

I have OA in my neck and feet, my feet don't really bother me much but when my neck flares up its horrendous. I use turmeric and black pepper capsules most days and they help most of the time, but I don't think you can take them if you are using blood thinners.

Another thing I recently discovered and am trying out is tiger balm for neck and shoulders and so far I have been very impressed with it, within minutes of applying the pain is gone and I'm left with a cool soothing feeling. I got I on Amazon. Maybe it might help with your shoulder.

Good luck.

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

Hi Jimmy,

Thanks for that. Must say I have been attracted to Tiger Balm but haven't done anything yet.

I am fortunate that with my Warfarin I have my own testing device and therefore am able to self test and get my own INR and I can do it whenever I like. This means, up to a point, I can take other medication or whatever, and self test for an INR reading within 24 to 36 hours of using something and see what the impact is.

My GP might frown upon this but hey ho !!

John

[Hidden in reply to Hidden]

The Tiger balm has been really good so far, what have you got to lose.

If you are confident and can test yourself then why not have a shot at it.

I'm always trying to find pain relief just like you are, so if you think of any other things please let us all know.

Thank you carneuny.