Anyone else battling Arthritis?

[Lawn Sale]

I am curious as to what you do or take for it: medicines, homeopathic, etc. I've gotten away this far in life (I was born with it and I'm 37) with only having to take Tylenol, but that's starting to lose its effectiveness, and Ibuprofin has absolutely no effect whatsoever. I did a mild hike today, only 8-9 miles and part of it in crampons, and I'm feeling it in my joints now. My pack weighed 25 pounds or so and I didn't travel too fast, completing the hike in about 4.5 hours.

So I am wondering if anyone else that hikes has Arthritis and what you do for it. Most of the time I don't even notice I have it, but there are times, like now, that I get reminded harshly. I'd rather not get on some prescription medication, unless it's going to make that much of a difference, but I don't know if I'm there yet, never having taken any.

It's funny, I workout at the gym with no problem, but some hikes have been getting harder to recover from. Any information I can get would be great, and while I know not everyone is a doctor, a lot of people have the same issue and can shed some light in areas that might be of some benefit.

Thanks in advance for any insight.

 

[Gris]

Try Alleve/Naproxyn...

 

[mediclimber]

I use large doses of Avil, 800 MG, or Perscription Ultram. The Ultram works the best and doesn't dope me up. I also use Champin Joint SUpport Formula and it seems to help. It's a glucosymine (sp?) product with some other goddies. I not only have arthritis, but as a paramedic jumping in and out of ambulances I pound my kness, hips, and lower back to death every day I'm working. My knees make this really nasty grating and grinding noise now and I don't feel like getting anymore surgeries or replacements at 47. Might not have much of a choice in the matter pretty soon. Hopefully I'll still be able to hike if not climb anymore.

 

[audrey]

If it's rheumatoid arthritis, you need to confer with your doctor. For the almost inevitable osteoarthritis or just wearing away due to genes or overuse, I found that glucosamine/chondroitin helped my knees and hands tremendously, though after 3 years of use its effects have diminished somewhat. Ibuprofen is our painkiller of choice.

My doctor was initially skeptical about the glucosamine, but when I told her this year that it doesn't seem to be working as well anymore, she recommended I keep using it - more and more studies are being done that show that it seems to preserve joint action.

My husband Pat had a hip replacement 2 years ago due to osteoarthritis - that really did the trick!

 

[Chip]

I have some form of osteoarthritis in my feet that vioxx used to take care of right away.
After that was gone, nothing worked, so I had to "take a look in the mirror".
It's been said here before, but proper stretching and exercise, like a little something twice a day, is what saved me. I picked up a book called "Pain Free" by Pete Egoscue, and (while it's nothing new) I like the format and the stretching exercises it lays out. It starts at your feet and works up, layering additional stretches. Now I'm glad the vioxx is gone as it was allowing me to ignore the problem.

 

[kerry13]

I found that glucosamine/chondroitin helped my knees and hands tremendously, though after 3 years of use its effects have diminished somewhat. Ibuprofen is our painkiller of choice.

After decades of running I found that my joints had suffered and my doc said it was arthritis. I used the ibuprofen for years and it got me through the hikes but the residual discomfort was there for several days after. I started using the glucosamine/chondroitin last spring and have had good results. Many studies indicated that g/c use will actually regenerate new cartilage. It takes couple months of use to begin to see results, so don't expect it overnight. I still take one ibuprofen 200 mg ibuprofen about an hour before I start hiking and usually another about half way through the hike. I take 2- g/c, 500mg/400mg each morning with my breakfast. I hardly ever need an ibu any more after hiking and there is just about no post hike discomfort.

 

[jade]

listening to a doctor on NPR the other day....he suggested fish oil as a daily supplement to reduce swelling, thus the pain of arthristis......anyone have experience with this? I am just now beginning to feel the effects of arthritis in my shoulders.....knock on wood it hasn't effected my knees as of yet...
...Jade

 

[SherpaKroto]

I've been battling this for the past few years, and at this point it is seriously cutting into my hiking. The cartilage in my right knee is in sad shape, much of it due to the effects of osteoarthritis in my knee. I have noticed in the past year that it has gotten much worse, a finding validated by comparing X-rays from the past year. I just had my second cortisone shot (it helps, but is only short term solution)

Glucosomine and Chondroitin do help, but it won't be the cure all. I use an OA unloader brace by Generation II called the Extreme. It takes the pressure off the inside of my knee, and keeps the knee in the proper position. It is a custom fit knee brace that was covered 80% by my medical insurance. I am firmly convinced that without it, my hiking would have stopped a year ago.

Good luck! My recommendation is see a physician ASAP. Push to see an Orthopedic surgeon that you trust, and follow their advice. I was able to find a surgeon in Wakefield who understands what drives people like me, and took me seriously.

 

[Puck]

listening to a doctor on NPR the other day....he suggested fish oil as a daily supplement to reduce swelling, thus the pain of arthristis......anyone have experience with this? I am just now beginning to feel the effects of arthritis in my shoulders.....knock on wood it hasn't effected my knees as of yet...
...Jade

Yes by all means take the fish oil! My wife just completed a meta anaysis on this very subject as an assignment for Public Health and Epidemiology.

PM me if you are serious about using homeopathy for your problem.

Craig

 

[charlos]

i have been taking celadrin for the last month(contains fish oils) and its seems to help where others havent. i also am taking a glucosamine, chondroiten,msm mix. supposedly they all compliment each other.

things ive taken in the past with no results, ibuprophin, aurthrotec 75, aleve, indocin.

acupuncture helps but treatment was expensive.
i really recommend the celadrin though it makes for some nasty fish tasting belches sometimes

happy healthy holidays folks

 

[mudhook51]

Fish oil, glucosimine, and never stop moving. If you can't get out, exercise inside. Once you stop, you're done.

 

[Dugan]

Diagnosed with rheumatoid as an adult, also have some osteoarthritis.

I find Cosamin (glucosamine/chondroitin sulfate made by Nutramax) and Cosequin (their dog version of same) to be extremely helpful. Both are considered a nutritional supplement and therefore do not require a prescription. You should be aware that, according to my uncle who is a pharmacist, that not all glucosamine/chondroitin supplements are created equal. He says that the sources and chemical make up can vary. If one brand doesn't help or causes undesireable side effects, try another; however, the supplement doesn't help everyone. This type of supplement is typically more effective for rheumatoid arthritis.

I use either acetominophen or ibuprofen for pain management. Glucosamine/chondroitin differs from either of these in that it is intended to treat the cause, rather than the symptom.

I agree that exercise is very important. If your symptoms go beyond the occasional easily managed ache, I'd recommend seeing a physical therapist who could recommend exercises to specifically target your trouble areas

 

[weatherman]

My wife has rheumatoid arthritis and has gone from 10 mile hikes with me a few years ago to less than 2 now, not of her own choice ... grrr... trying some new meds now with the help of a new specialist which hopefully will help. Nothing has helped so far and she's tried a lot! Not lookng for advice at this point though. I want to buy her new XC skis for her birthday but not sure how much longer it'll take before she's better.

 

[coldfeet]

Hope u feel better, go figure, I get into this "hobby" 1 1/2 years ago, spent big $ because I started hiking in winter. Then 4-5 months later (june) I was diagnosed with osteo in my left knee (probably both)...My limit is probably 7-10 miles in a day but I pushed myself about a month ago and did about 20 in 2 days, I hobbled for the next 2 weeks in real pain...Dr. told me to take aleve, think I'll check out the fish oil...also wonder about the weather and how it effects the body.. Dr. also said I should lose 20-30 lbs...I wish it were that easy, having difficult time at weight watchers..feel better everyone..

 

[daxs]

Glucosamine sulfate is supposedly better absorbed that other types of glucosamine. You should avoid glucsamine products that contain magnesium as you may get greater than what is required in a day. You also need to be carefull with glucosamine if you have diabetes; its thought that the glucosamine can raise both you blood pressure and you glucose levels.

 

[Lawn Sale]

My greatest appreciation to all who have responded. I do intend on seeing a doctor about it, and I saw a great doctor who repaired the tendon in my right arm, so perhaps I'll get another referral. He earned a significant amount of my respect as I'm able to ice climb again.

I have heard of the fish oil, and my dad takes it as part of his triple bypass surgery. My mom had her knees replaced a few years ago, and while she is able to walk around normally, she said she does have problems "feeling" the ground, and now uses hiking poles to compensate for the instability. She took some high-strength stuff for her arthritis, and I'm not sure of what it was, I just know I don't want to start taking it.

I'll also look into the glucosamine, it sounds like it has promise.

 

[Shewolf]

37 years old and two bad knees

Lawn Sale,

I'm 37 years old too and was prescribed to take Celebrex by my doc. My Dad just had another knee replacement surgery at 65 yrs old. I'm not far behind him, however surgery is not an option for me due to my age and activity level. I'm a proponent of glucosamine/chondrotin along with Fish Oil (with a coating that keeps you from burping up that nasty fish taste). I also take ibuprofen as needed, but in a larger dosage than per directions on the bottle. I try to keep it to 600-800mg. I take Advil both before running/hiking and after a hike.

I have also gone back to weight training to strengthen the ole quads and hamstrings. You'd be amazed how much that will aid with decreasing pain during a hike.(doesn't elliminate it, but definitely helps decrease) The orthopedist, being a marathon runner himself understands and doesn't advise me to cut back on activity b/c he knows it's useless.