I am new here and have questions

[Nellie2]

Post cancer treatment I have been left with a number of health conditions that I am trying to understand. I have been told I have widespread degenerative joint disease from my shoulders to my toes, I have osteoporosis in spine, I have a bulging disc, I have spondylosis in spine, also been told I have arthritis in spine (is this the same as spondylosis ?), been told I have fibromyalgia, my ribs are continually painful (is this the arthritis?) Doctors are so busy that I can’t really get someone to help me break this down. It’s a whole mess of words that amount to a big mess of pain. I have been declared unfit for work. After chemo I am resistant to taking conventional medications so I am looking for natural alternatives. So far I have been looking at ginger and turmeric tea, I add turmeric to food, I try to eat an anti inflammatory diet. I am hoping someone will be able to help me break down all the different diagnoses so I can can come up with a definite way forward to manage them and have some quality of life.

😊😊😊

[Hidden]

Hi nellie2 , sorry to hear about your illnesses I can't answer them all but degenerative changes in spine can lead to cervical myelopathy if it pinches the cord that can lead to disabilities if not treated ,I hope you have a good GP who can help you with your issues .

[Nellie2 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Longsider Thankyou for that info. I have not heard of that and no my GP is not much interested sadly. I will do some research though to see what I can do to help myself.

[Hidden]

So sad to hear of your troubles I cannot help either but wish you well. I have arthritis in my feet ankles back & hands also spondylosis in the spine and some disc problems so have a little idea of how you must be feeling. I cannot tolerate opioids, and because of my other medications cannot take NSAIDS either have a few good days and some dam horrible days. Hope you can find some help

[Nellie2 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Vondel thanks for your message and sympathies to you too. As you say some good days and some terrible days. Have you been like this for a long time? I am researching natural alternatives to pain and inflammation like turmeric and ginger supplements. A friend has suggested I make an appointment with a local herbalist and see if they can help. I am just feeling my way along trying out different things but it can be expensive.

[Emmeline2]

All I can offer is empathy and advice to keep on fighting. Its all too slow I am finding. Really look after yourself. Eat well rest and take the best pain relief. Its complicated so keep strong and try some alternative care such as Reflexology can help heal you !

[Nellie2 in reply to Emmeline2]

Thankyou Emmeline 2 I have been trying reflexology and I am sure it does help. I am really interested in natural remedies and trying to learn about the healing power of plants and herbs. I suppose there’s a limit to everything though and we just have to accept that some things can’t be reversed. I am trying to come to terms with a very changed life and trying to be graceful about it. Not my forte lol 😊

[Winnats]

Hi Nellie2

Sorry to hear of your problems. I hope some of the following might be of some help to you. I've found a couple of excellent books by a Dr Jolie Bookspan (Stretching Smarter, Stretching Healthier and Fix Your Own Pain) - they've actually been more help than physiotherapists in keeping me more able than I'd otherwise be and helping with pain levels (I too am unable to tolerate any painkillers). The Osteoporosis Society also offer very good guidance on safe exercises for osteoporosis folk. I also learnt the Alexander Technique, which has been a great help both physically and mentally, as well as a breathing technique called Buteyko Breathing (I learnt through an online course and book by Patrick McKeown at Buteyko Clinic International). These things have at least helped me feel a bit more in control of things. Good luck and best wishes.

[Nellie2]

Hi Winnats that’s a lot of very useful information Thankyou very much. I will definitely look into all of that. I like what you say about having a bit more control. I just had this panic that I was on a slippery slope to dependency and need to know how to slow down or stop it. I really appreciate everyone’s comments and advice 😊