I been diagnosed with Osteoathritis on my left knee. It is affecting me as I used to be very active and now I have a lot of discomfort doing half of what I used to do.
I heard that certain foods make the condition worse and other foods help it improve. I do not know which though. Please share if you got any tips and personal experience.
Clearly loosing weight will help and I am trying to do this at the moment but it will take a while.
Thanks for reading this
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Haidi
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Will really like to. Thank you for encouragement. I am a bit distracted at the moment by other people’s demands and it leaves me little time to concentrate on myself. I am still counting calories but don’t write them on the system. Some times I keep within my limits others I go over.Liaising with others is bound to be helpful.
Osteoarthritis is an inflammatory condition of the joints. This is often due to chronic inflammation so I'd advise an anti inflammatory diet. If you search the Internet you will find lots of different ones. They are invariably low carb and low in processed food (remember that fruit juice and most flour is processed so that cuts out most bakery products) and many will also cut out foods that cause oxidative stress like refined seed oils. I only use coconut oil and cold pressed olive oil. You could add foods containing antioxidants to your diet, but you should concentrate on not causing the stress in the first place.
Hi ErylThanks for your helpful reply. It seems soon there will be nothing left to enjoy in my life!!! I love my morning bagel and my Weetabix. Still it looks like they will have to go too. I just have to find a way to enjoy low carb foods for now on. I will look out also for foods with antioxidants ( a new one on me ).
I was fine a few months ago but did 5 days solid housework before my birthday and I think that was the start of it.
One way to a more healthy breakfast is porridge oats with blueberries. Oats are low gluten complex carbs which do not cause a sharp insulin spike and blueberries are high in antioxidants. Follow that up with bacon and egg if you're in for a strenuous day.
Thats one step to helping your arthritis, losing weight. Wish I could but my freind says only way to loose weight is put nothing in my mouth(smiles). There are lots of things you can try, one word of advice if its your knees don't delay or you will end up with a worse problem. Exercises can be found on line to improve your muscle strength which can help reduce pain , but take it slowly don't overdo the exercise. painkillers can also reduce the pain so you can exercise, I find personally that things like voltarol gel help , there are lots on the market, so try more than one, massage can help as will ice packs and heat pads. There is no evidence to prove food plays a part in arthritic symptoms however your weight does so do keep up the loss you have started, well done and best wishes for future good health. A good motto is little and often for most arthritic problems to do with osteo arthritis.
Glad you think weight loss will help. I thought someone mentioned it does not improve the condition. I have asked my GP for physio referral about a month ago and still waiting for an appointment. I worry it will be a short zoom meeting but live in hope!! Must check out Y Tube videos too. Also as you mention I have the option to go privately. I definitely want to fight this condition as I am usually very active.
I don’t like taking painkillers and using gels. Luckily so far I feel the pain when I bend my knee eg up and down stairs, putting socks on etc , otherwise not bad.
Very encouraging that you so such improvement yourself.
Hi KatieI posted a reply to your very helpful message a few minutes ago but deleted it by mistake. I don’t like taking painkillers or using the gels as the pain is only present when I bend my knee. I just have an overall feeling of not been well.
Will look into the exercise routines and weight loss you mentioned. Hope not to get with a chronic condition. Thanks again
I had really bad knees and like you mentioned if you lose weight it really does help as you move better . However I found a physio really helped me . She gave me attainable exercises not just ones you find on You Tube but for me . She alsolisted things I could eat which was personal as some foods I didn’t like so I knew I would struggle . Yes -I paid but I felt worth it . I have now not had a holiday for a long time so I justify my spend . I had 3 sessions costing £49 each . I ate better and avoided restaurants so it really cost me very little .
Hello Again , if you try the Arthritis Action site they have lots of tips on your specific arthritic problem. I forgot to mention I am a befreinder, member & volunteer for Arthritis Action. It ebven has weight loss suggestions. Hope this helps.
Just went on UTube to check the site. Very very helpful thank you. Will check them properly tonight. Look forward to it. Great you are a volunteer on the Arthritis site.
Hello Haidi. You will not find better support anywhere than this friendly community. I was struggling with my weight before I joined. I do a weekly weigh in and participate in the Daily Diary. Everyone is so encouraging.
You may have demands on your time but your own health must come first otherwise you won't be in any fit state to help anyone. Good luck on your weight loss journey and best wishes.
Hi Hidden I am very touched by your reply. I know you are right. I tend to always put other people first and then I eat on it!!! Not a healthy state of affairs.
Will try to follow your example with the daily diary and weekly weighing. I think it has been a bit difficult for me moving from the Weight Watchers program to the NHS one. I lost 20 kilos on WW since Jan 2020 but then got stuck for months that is why I decided to change to the NHS program. I am getting a lovely feeling from this program and the friendliness of administration and other members. I hope to do well on it.
Great you lost weight on it yourself. Very encouraging.
I have osteo in my knees, ankles and back, oh and my neck. I have been a nurse or nurse practitioner all my life, so have destroyed my joints. I have also been morbidly obese most of my life, so that contributed greatly.I am able to exercise, I just have to take care. I found that the phyical therapist was helpful with giving me exercises that I could do. If you can, water aerobics or swimming are good for OA-osteoarthritis. I, too, hate taking pills but I don't mind the gels. This is a great place for support, as I am sure you have noticed. I am in the US and I try to check in as much as I can. Good luck, Max.
Hi MaxyThanks for your message. I am sorry you are also experiencing all the problems associated with arthritis. I suppose lifting and caring for patience brought this about.
I do hope the hospital will get in touch soon with an exercise program.
I will also act on your swimming suggestion as I love swimming and if it helps so much the better. I hope the program is helping you with your weight loss.
I am very glad to have discovered it myself and everyone is so friendly and supportive. I need to loose about three stones, I am determined to do it ( before I depart this world!!! ) and all of you are helping.
Osteoarthritis is wear and tear so sadly diet might not make much difference but all the great advice given so far helps with weight loss and health anyway. No harm in trying an anti inflammatory diet and less weight will definitely help those joints too. I’m in a similar position but I have rheumatoid arthritis and OA in my neck, knees and shoulder too. I still play hockey tho! It’s a struggle but I’ve put weight on over the pandemic and need to shift it!! Keep thinking it’s time to retire from hockey as getting too old but it keeps me going 😀. I’m starting a Masters this month so back to uni for me again.. and need to get back on track. I know what I need to do, it’s doing it that’s the problem lol.. getting more involved here will help to motivate. Good luck!
Hi Shorty Good to read your post. It seems that you got it worse than me.
I will follow yours and others advice in the group and avoid foods that aggravate the condition. I am off to the shops to stock up on vegetables and other healthy foods soon.
I am full of admiration that you play hockey. Amazing even if you stop now. I suppose going back to university might help not thinking about food. Wishing you great fun with it.
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