Hi Everyone

[Floridalifestyle3866]

I have osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, spondylithesis, hashimotos thyroid disease among other issues. I have had 3 surgeries in two years and know that with the bad arthritis I expect to have more. Looking to share ideas and support with others on how to manage the related pain.

[Happyrosie]

hallo Floridalifestyle 3866. I see you live in the US - your State is going through some crises we hear on the news!

I have arthritis like you but I’m fortunate that my bones are very strong so I don’t have osteoporosis, nor spondylithesis and my thyroid is fine.

Personally I buy glucosamine with chrondroitin which helps the bones in my foot that are fused. I also take turmeric. My doctor has an additional degree in pain management so he prescribes me morphine-derivative patches. I’ve a feeling these are not permitted in your country. These patches, along with standard painkillers, allow me to live a fairly normal life. The hospital consultant tells me to undertake as much exercise as I can like walking and swimming.

What painkillers do you take?

[Floridalifestyle3866 in reply to Happyrosie]

Thanks so much for sharing. I also take Tumeric and just started taking Glucosamine and Chrondroitin. I had several toes fused in one foot as well and will need to do this in the other foot. Yes. I am afraid those patches may not be available here. I take Meloxican and Gabapentin but those are more for back issues and take Prolia for the Osteoporosis. I will need two hip replacements and now my hands are getting more painful. Looking for other treatments besides over the counter advil and tylenol. Would love to learn about other ideas that we can take in the U.S. We were fine from the storm and are lucky. I appreciate your reaching out and sharing.

[Happyrosie in reply to Floridalifestyle3866]

Personally I’ve tried rubbing stuff into my skin - no effect whatsoever. I have tried magnesium with no effect, but my husband (who has a different form of arthritis) finds it helpful,as do his golf buddies! We both tried rosehip, no effect. We have to accept there’s no cure, and keep active.

[Zindolo]

I had pain in my hip joint and figured it was just an old groin pull injury flaring up now that I'm 61, so it was quite a shock when I discovered it was actually osteoarthritis with bone-on-bone in my right hip and the left hip almost there. I quickly went from a limp to a cane to a walker. I started swimming 25 laps every day and that seems to ease the pain significantly when I'm not trying to walk. They used to ache almost constantly and it would keep me awake at night, but now it's mostly only when I try to walk without the walker. I've avoided going to the orthopedist because I'm sure he'll just tell me I need hip replacement surgery, but I don't want to resort to that until I lose about 100 pounds. I might consider it if that doesn't help. Anyhow, try to swim every day if you possibly can; I should think that wouldn't be too difficult in Florida!

[Floridalifestyle3866 in reply to Zindolo]

Yes..swimming is great for it. And I try to walk a lot or use an elyptical. So sorry to hear you are dealing with the hip OA as well. It is so shocking to get this news when you think you will just heard it is a muscle pull or something that will heal on its own. My doctor continues to recommend I put off the surgery for the hips as long as possible even though i have "severe OA in one hip" and like you the other one is better but still bad so I know I'm in good hands with a good surgeon. Still trying to find better pain killers as it all gets bad at night which impacts sleep. I think I have to talk tylenol PM earlier at dinner to maybe fall asleep quicker. It is nice to have this community to turn to as sometimes I feel so alone dealing with health issues when I have taken good care of myself for years in exercising, not drinking or smoking, following a pretty good nutritional plan, etc. But we all get our share of this stuff to deal with.