Help/advice

[sandy8922]

Hello. I was diagnosed with arthritis in my left knee around 5 years ago and then last year with arthritis in a facet joint in my lower back last year. The physiotherapist gave me exercises/stretches to do and I’ve been managing it very well until last weekend. I was almost pain free most of the time. This week I have pain in my neck, shoulders, both sides of my lower back and my thighs. I’ve been continuing with my stretches but the pain is dreadful. The doctor says it’s a flare up of arthritis and my muscles are all in spasm. I can’t take anti inflammatory meds as I have Ménière’s disease and they make the symptoms worse so am on paracetamol, codeine as needed and a very short course of Valium to relax my muscles. I can’t sleep for the pain and am hobbling around the house.

Is this kind of flare up to be expected with arthritis? I am 63 years old but feel 100 today. Any advice would be welcome.

[weathervane]

Hi sandy , sorry you are in such pain . When my back went into a severe spasm nothing was really helping until I tried acupuncture, it really made a difference. I hope you find something that helps and that you feel better soon 🌸

[sandy8922 in reply to weathervane]

Ok thanks

[suzy1959]

I’m no expert but I have OA in knees and hips and I also have PMR- is it possible you could have this ? Just google it and see what you think

[sandy8922 in reply to suzy1959]

Hi there. Thanks for your reply. I’ve googled symptoms but I don’t have any flu like symptoms or weight loss so maybe not but its perhaps worth me bearing it in mind if things change.

[suzy1959 in reply to sandy8922]

I have to say most people do not lose weight before diagnosis, but feeling a bit ill and achey is quite common.

[rab1874]

I feel your pain as I hurt my back 20 years ago and now with RA it’s back with avengence, I exercise regularly but it’s like toothache sometimes

[sandy8922 in reply to rab1874]

👍🏼 thanks

[jmd104]

I have arthritis in both hips and both knees, I also get vertebral fasciitis in all three regions of the spine resulting from surgery and posture changes in previous years. I’m also have hyper mobility and Dyspraxia both of which cause instability in my joints. I have always struggled with how much the pain and stiffness limits my activities meaning I gain weight and become even less active. It’s always felt like a real catch 22. However, recently I decided to try C25k, the beauty of this being that I could work at my own pace. In the three months since I started I haven’t had a bad flare up (the occasional niggles but nothing major) and I’ve managed to cut right down on my pain relief and anti-inflammatory meds. I’ve also lost a little bit of weight and two dress sizes as well has feeling my general fitness and my mood improving. It’s still early days, but I’m finding it really helpful so far.

[Kneesandtoes]

Sorry to hear you are in such pain. I had a flair up with back pain, when we hired a house in France with a swimming pool first week in September. Cold is my biggest enemy and I have to be very careful when sitting out unless it is really warm. I wear a vest and I pay attention to the material in trousers, the thin ones are for hot days only. The thing is, I do not necessarily feel the cold, only the pain.

You could also look into diet. I avoid margarine and oils high in Omega 6.

Exercise helped me with my back.

[sandy8922 in reply to Kneesandtoes]

Thanks 👍🏼

[andyswarbs]

According to the science It's all down to diet. Yes there are genetic predispositions, I probably have that gene. But going whole food plant based via the Paddison Program has done it for me. RA has gone from my body. I started the dietary process back in 2016 and from being in agonising pain and in a wheelchair I now live a normal life. I don't even need medication for RA. Indeed my last MTX tablet was 1st July 2017.

Also I take turmeric & black pepper daily in my porridge. I also do yoga daily to help rebuild my body.

[sandy8922 in reply to andyswarbs]

Thanks