"Arthritis Message Board, Part 3"
Due to the overwhelming number of messages this page has been split
Also check out Part 1 and Part 2
Message Board, Part 3
FROM:Michael Marks
Dear Eddie:
I am a strong believer in links of more than the computer kind. Three things happened in a row on seeing your page, one; the name is
just so great you have to have a look, I was feeling pretty desperate at that minute in a lot more pain than usual. So I ran up Osteo in the
hope that someone must know something about this rotten thing. So under the Osteo listing as I said I saw a name I liked. Two: I see the
obvious help with the ague. Three: I see you're a musician (I am working in the studio as I am writing). Four: I am smoking a joint as I see the
comments of one of your obviously enlightened visitors with regard to cannabis, without that particular aid this last year I was getting
pretty near to wanting out.
I got in an awful mess with the use of propriety pain killers, there are times that I still have to use them for the sake of
sanity but I dislike taking them intensely. Cannabis for me has proven much the lesser of two evils and yet my own conflict with using that drug
has been terrible. I think much of it for me is based in some kind of permanent guilt state visited upon us in the Catholic boys homes we grew up
in. Prior to my own condition becoming bad I had been in recovery for Twenty Years with various programmes, completely drug and drink free.
In hindsight I think I turned into something of a prig. I have known for many years for instance that alcohol of any kind for me is a zero option...besides the lunacy that comes with that lifestyle anyone who wants to find trouble of the worst kind is gonna start mixing arthritis with a liquor bottle particularly whilst you still have mobility. I think in my own mind and as a defence mechanism I associated all other substances with the
state alcohol once had me in. It was therefore a considered gamble in my own case the first joint of a few years back but I dont think I have to
tell anyone who has been receiving various "medical" concoctions for any length of time the horrible side effects that can come from such use.
In the particular week that I re-entered the smoker's world I had been offered small doses morphine from my pain centre, frankly that scared the
pants off me. I had been a heavy user as well for a number of years and I knew some of the road ahead so I declined the offer and at that point
decided for myself how much I really had to loose (I'm fairly deep in the kaka anyway). For me and I speak only for myself and from only my experience it turned out to be
something of a lifesaver. It does not stop the pain, nothing stops the pain, what it does do for me is removes enough of the pain focus and replace it usually with a guitar and a heavy work schedule so I can get on for the most part with what I want to do. Sometimes I get
licked as we all do and have to take to the bed or the chair, but I am still here and doing, the chair is smack dab in front of the computer so when the wave is ridden out I can go back to work. I was like a zombie there for a good three years and frankly there's nothing for me in
that time I want to go back to, those medications for me have to be treated with a lot of respect. Osteo Arthritis is a great teacher for me...for
checking the ego (and I started life with a whopper). I don't much care for the teacher sometimes, most times in fact, but there's no denying that I am forced to learn, best way to learn is to be there I guess. I still have my hands and wrists though they are getting clumsy, my last album made Irish CD of the month in Dublin. I'm out to make this my best yet and I will keep pumping them out until I have fixed up my family with an income. I'm
gonna go now Eddie2Dogs, thanks for giving me somewhere to spout off some, I'm gonna keep your page here and come back, first off I am
gonna go and have a listen to your music. Take Good Care.
Mickey
REPLY:Oy Mickael.
Glad to read your letter at a time when I am myself at wit's end. That we all must cope is a given, but how is an age-old question. Some of us get on with life, coping as best we can, while others have thoughts of suicide as a final answer.
Let me not belittle this last option, as it is the ultimate in hoping for some relief, if not from the general state of affairs, than just that of getting rid of pain, whether physical or psychological.
I agree that our disease conditions are great teachers and taskmasters, demanding from us some intelligent action. Without this intelligence one cannot hope to deal effectively with what life deals us.
One goal we must all have, irregardless of how we cope, is to stay as active as possible, and reading that you use your music to this advantage is ally #1. The other ally of course is our brain, which in this day and age, with all we have at our disposal, cannot help but be enlightened.
That traditional pain meds have played a major role in how we cope is no understatement, but to allow new methods to be used as an adjunct has many times been belittled by the establishment. First, if it is illegal it must be bad. Second, if it is illegal than those who cross the 'line' are criminals. And here is the problem...we in Canada are permitted Federal dispensation in the use of canabis for extreme medical conditions, to control pain, to induce appetite, to control nausea, and to control the psychological impact of the disease itself. This is common for terminal conditions (cancer etc) and also for arthritis.
Here in British Columbia we have The Compassion Club - Canada's largest medical marijuana buyers' club duly set up under the BC Societies Act, based in Vancouver.
I wrote them an email about a week ago with a reply somewhat late (it took 6 days) but at least it arrived. I wrote to them as a client, not as a reviewer of their service, as a cancer victim and severe arthritis client. So if anyone else decides to click on the link and write them I would be interested to hear how long one must wait for an answer. It is my understanding of netiquette that emails/guestbooks should be answered in a timely manner. One large problem is their guestbook, which looks more like a sign-up petition/discussion board for hard core dopers. I am really quite disappointed that this society does not protect itself a bit more vigorously (at least to appear to operate within their mandate of medical intervention.
Now because of my situation if I so decided I would have to approach a street dealer to get my legal 30 grams permissible under the medical exemption, which would in turn leave me open to be busted.
We in Canada are not the only people who have allowances for this type of medicine. But it is a hard topic to discuss (in the same vein as euthenasia is hard to discuss). It is a personal choice one makes with one's doctor (if the doc is enlightened enough to even contemplate the question).
So in the meantime we must make do, and do it as well as possible. Hopefully this reply will enlighten others to learn of different attitudes and methods in health care, and also that the police forces will stop trying to intercept our legal medicine (once they intercept the mail it comes in it then becomes an illegal substance again and cannot be forwarded to the recipient) which seems to be happening at this moment in Canada. When someone here gets an exemption they are entered on the police computer system so that they are known and therefore left alone. But more problematic is that they then know whose mail to intercept, who's door to knock on. And in this again makes us vulnerable to stress and interference. They (RCMP) actually knocked on a woman's door, hospital bed and medical aids in full view from the front door with a seized mailpacket containing her legal canabis (they did not arrest her)...at the same time telling her they could not give it back to her because in their possession it becomes an illegal substance and therefore it would become a criminal act..it would make them dealers. (my personal rant against our own renowned RCMP, some of whom I know as personal friends and show their sympathies). Of course the police forces are openly against this exempt status and are probably trying to make their statement by picking on the ill and dying.
Thanks for allowing me this one rant...Take care Michael, and good luck with your new album, I would be interested when it is completed. Now I feel I must go and lie down for three months.... wel to rusten.
Eddie and his Snooper Dogs (Minnie and Mikey)
ps.....further discussion of this type of coping will be transferred to the chronicity.org board.
FROM:Ean Douglas
Hi fellow battlers:
Has anyone suffered inflammatory spinal arthritis after having a sound wave lithotripsy to crush kidney stones? I was ultra-fit until 5 years ago and had this treatment for a kidney stone.
Since then, despite assiduously exercising, trying anti-inflammatories, and all manner
of of natural medications I am having to retire from teaching on disability superannuation at age 55.
I am still active but have to moderate my life style substantially as I pay a premium in pain for everything i do.
regards,
Ean Douglas
Melbourne,Australia.
REPLY:Hi Ean.
Sorry to take so long to reply to you.....been ill meself
I have personally not heard or experienced this phenom. But who knows what will upset the auto-immune system.
So with that I will leave it to others to click on your email and perhaps get back to you with the answer you're looking for.
In the meantime, take care...Ed
FROM:Carl
Sir:
A childhood injury and later osteoarthritis (I am 66) have greatly reduced
my level of activity due to periodic swelling of my left knee. After
orthroscopic surgery 10 years ago and a return to a reaonably active life,
I have recently been beset by cyclic swelling (1 to 3 weeks between bouts)
of the knee in spite of COX-2 anti-inflammatories. The doctors think
it is too early for a knee replacement.
I have recently read via the
NIH.gov site that "researchers in the U.S. are studying growth factors or
other natural chemical messengers. These potential medicines may be able to
stimulate cartilage growth or repair."
In this line, I saw somewhere that the FDA has approved a method of
extracting material from the cartilage and promoting its growth in a
culture and re-injecting it.
I live in France and have found that treatments and medicines originating
in the States take a while to get approval for use in this counry but it
does arrive and, in preparation, would like to have any information as to
where to follow up on the above treatments. As a temporary measure,
comments on methods to eliminate or reduce the tendency for arthritic knees
with bad cartilage to periodically swell would be very appreciated.
Thanks for any help.
Carl Isakson
REPLY:Hello Carl.
Sorry to take a couple of days to reply to you.....
Your age may have something to do with your situation, but I've heard of
this on fellows at 30 years of age as well, after sports injuries.
Osteo is common as we get older, so I won't dwell on it.
As far as your knee, swelling, heat, inflamation and pain is
problematic....this is NOT due to your age. It is due to your immune
system going on the attack.
The only thing at this time is to get the inflamation under control. If
this must take the 'heavy guns' route then so be it. I am not of the
opinion that anything other than a prescription strength anti-inflamatory is
helpful until the inflamation is under control. By attacking the
inflamation one also gets rid of the pain, the heat, the swelling,
discomfort. But of course to keep as active as possible is the key, even
if it hurts, one must keep one's range of motion in the joints affected.
The treatment you refer to is approved for study purposes, and the
active partners are patients who are 'guinea pigs'. But we all sincerely
hope that this will point to an effective treatment, but it is not the
catch-all. One must consider that the immune system (controlled by our
'gene-set' we are born with, or which is affected throughout our lives
by environmental and reactive influences leaves us all with the
question...'What next?'.
None of us knows how this treatment will effect different people.
At this time it may be advantageous to contact your local/national
government medical agencies to see if they can also partake in this
experiment.
We in Canada have the same problem, sometimes we are first in a study of
a treatment, most times we are not and are not able to access
anything until our government is pushed into action by us citizens. So
act up to your government, that is my only suggestion at this point.
Hope your problem gets better, and please become an activist in your
country regarding this problem. Arthritis is probably the most common
health condition on this planet, with the least amount of support, and common in all corners of the globe.
Yours,
Ed Ladeur
FROM:Pat
Hi, I have been searching all over the net trying to find a link between
perimenopause and RA symptoms.
About 6 weeks ago I started having regular hot flashes along with all the
other pre menopausal symptoms...then about a week later I started with
stiffness in my hands...fingers really, then it moved to other joints in my
hands, then ankles, then both my knees in front, then behind my knees, now
it has spread to the point that I am awakened during the night because of
the pain in my shoulders or elsewhere. Its all over now.
I am 42 years old
and am told I can't start the hormone replacement therapy for menopause
for another 2 months (because I had to quit smoking first, which I have done).
My symptoms for arthritis seem to match up with the RA...Does anyone know of
any connection between menopause and arthritis? Do you know if I start the
hormone therapy if the pain will go away...also the cracking at the joints
is pretty constant now, the pain goes on all day and night. Aleve doesn't
help at all. None of the others do either.
HELP?
Pat
REPLY:Hi Pat. Your situation does not appear unique.
The probs with menopause is the hormone level differences, which will
affect some people with arthritis type conditions.At this age it is quite normal to become somewhat 'arthritic', and as you may realize, hormonal changes also affect the metabolism of your immune system.
If there is any inflamation involved...ie: heat swelling associated to
the soreness then I would suggest you speak with your MD about an
anti-inflamatory to help you get to the point of hormone replacement. It
is usually recommended by most rheumatologists that bringing the
inflamation under control will in its turn manage the pain and swelling
and all the other discomforts.
Just to go home with over the counter aspirin or that ilk will not touch
the arthritis which seems to be developing in your case. Understand this
is just an option for you to discuss with your doctor. Men also go thru
this situation...no human is immune to hormonal upsets/deficiencies.
But you do need to get onto the hormone replacements asap. This is also
for the health of your skeletal density which you must try to maintain.
Make sure you stay as active as possible, as weight bearing activities
will slow the problem of osteo-porosis considerably.
I will post this up asap...and hope you get some ideas from others. You
are certainly not alone.
Take care of yourself.
Ed
FROM:Paula
I have a Canadian nurse friend who visits Hemet, CA in the winter and
she is concerned about my symptoms--and at least three medical doctors don't
know what they're all about either. June, my nurse friend, knew someone who
had some of the symptoms and they were an unusual arthritis. Please tell me
who you would suggest I see/visit/contact. My symptoms: (which vary)
An area about the size of a nickel to a quarter on my hands (and rarely
on my wrist area) will begin to hurt/burn and then swell and spread. It
appears to fill with fluid, spreads over the entire hand and often up my
wrist--never quite up to my elbow. It would seem to almost have a
fever!
It can last from a full day to three days (sometimes, but rarely, longer),
then the "fluid" seems to disappear. I've tried to recall if I have hit
my hand or arm, but don't recall--doesn't seem like it though. This
happens very often; in fact, I feel very lucky if I am free of this severe hurt
for more than a day or two.
When I hurt for long periods of time I break out in hives (which
were giant hives that were uncontrolled in days before prednisone). PLEASE HELP ME!
Thank you,
Paula Dotseth
Hemet, CA
REPLY: Hi Paula, sorry to take so long but had family emerg of my own...
Re your question, who to visit for positive diag...see a specialist in Arthritis, a rheumatologist.
You should be able to contact the arthritis foundation near your area in the USA and get some names, nearest places etc. Sometimes as in the case in Canada, the Arthritis Society has its own clinics and specialists as well.
Altho I am not permitted to give any diagnosis, I can of course give you options as to the treatment or what to look for.
First calm yourself, and contact the Foundation for all the hardcopy help you can, most of this is for free by just a request.
Next I would look for the ASMP in your area, the workshops which teach self-management, it will give you a feeling of control, let's face it, knowledge bring a sense of control by itself.
As far as an 'unusual' form of arthritis, that may well be. As we age we are also prone to develop perhaps two or more types of arthritis which seem to make a clear diagnosis difficult, and in a lot of cases diagnosis is a matter of eliminating the types which aren't.
Several ideas of types come to mind, but I am ill-equiped to give you my thoughts in that matter. The specialist should be the one to do this type of work. And by all means, if it takes a referral from your general practitioner then ask for one, after all, you want some control, and you want to be an active member of the treatment as well.
It does speak clearly tho that prednisone is acting on the inflamation, and doing its job, hence you can be sure that it is a form of inflamation, but will in turn be activated by your immune system of course, as inflamatory arthritis is an auto-immune condition.
What I can do is list you on our bulleting board for others to speak with you, give you some ideas. But please do not fall for cures...most of these are for sale, and will only empty your wallet.
Hope this points you in the right direction.
Yours,Ed
FROM:Susan
I have two questions that I would like to ask:
1. Does anyone know of a rheumatologist who himself/herself also
suffers from the disease? I live in southern New Hampshire and would be
interested in finding a doctor in the New England area.
2. Would there be any relief from the symptoms of arthritis by moving
to a warmer climate, i.e. Florida or Arizona?
Thank you for your time.
REPLY: Hi Susan...I am sure that even some rheumatologists have different forms of arthritis, it would be rather strange if they were all immune. As for moving to a warmer climate..not necessarily full of relief. I have heard tell of moving to a drier climate, but warmer or colder really wouldn't make much difference. I live in an area which is quite dry, which to me is much more manage-able than living in Vancouver or on the west coast of BC. It is too wet and I hurt whenever I visit my people there. It gets down to 40 below in the winter for a week or two at a time which really is no bother...it seems to be the dampness and the constantly changing pressure in the climate which seems to bother more..I am sure that New England would be about the same being on a coastal influence...Arizona sounds nice tho...
Anyone able to give Susan some input please click on her email....thanks
FROM:Ladybug
Hello, I am a 30 year old white female. In July of 1998, I had an "episode" where my whole body from my eyelids to my toes became extremely swollen. My feet felt so tight it was hard to walk. After 3 days of this, my husband and my mother talked me into going to the e.r. They ran test
for lupus, ra, and gout. All the test came back negative. I've since had swelling here and there, sometimes painful, and sometimes not. I have been and am currently being treated for clinical depression. Most doctors I've seen says the "episode" was probably related to stress. I did not feel this was so.
In July of 1999, my husband and I finally got health insurance, so I began going to specialist. I went to a D.O. who directed me to an orthepedic specialist. He then did surgery on my right wrist for a ganglion cyst and said I had bursitis in my shoulder and gave me a cortisone injection in my right shoulder while I was "under" during the surgery. I also complained to him about severe knee pain and joint pain in fingers and general soreness in neck, shoulders and back. The surgeon told me after surgery that he removed about a 2" cyst which had grown through the tendons and muscles and he found evidence of change, indicating arthritis. He said it would not suprise him if in 5-10 years I had a positive R.A. result. The M.R.I. I had on my knee showed unusual wear for my age, but there was nothing he
could do for it. He said, as did my D.O., to take over-the-counter pain reliefs, such as Naproxem Sodium and Ibuprofen. I've been living on Naproxium Sodium since last July (about 3 or 4 every 4 hours) w/ some relief, but not total.
I decided to go back to work full time. I got a job w/a local school district in the cafeteria. The job requires 8 solid hours of standing, cooking, serving, sweeping and mopping. I do not mind the job, but it seems to wear on my body very badly. After 3 weeks of working, I had another episode where my ankle became swollen (so much so, I could not stand on it or wear a shoe) and my ankle was painful. In September, my husband and I moved back to my hometown, so I returned to my doctor of 17 years. I explained the events leading up to the present, and he said he wanted to run a sed. rate. This time , the sed. rate returned elevated. This led him to run further test for lupus, r.a. and gout. These tests, however, came back fine. My doctor said he believes I have "POLYMYALGIA RHEUMATICA." I have all the symptoms for this syndrome, and I am especially tired.
My concern is that in all the information I've found thus far, this occurs in people 50 and older.I also do not have weight loss, in fact, the opposite, I gained 50 pounds last July of 1998 when this happened. The doctors then said it was from my birth
control shot-depoprovera. The weight is still on and I've changed my eating habits and exercise when I feel up to it. It is hard when I hurt all
over. I 've been afraid to talk to my family etc. because I don't want to seem as if i'm complaining always. Another concern is the amount of rest
I now need. I've always been one to need at least 8 hours at night and usually 1-2 hour nap during the day. Now, I go to sleep at 8p.m. and
sleep until 10 or 11 a.m. the next day. Even after all the sleep, I am totally exhausted. This worries me. I woke up this morning at 10:45 a.m. and
my neck, shoulders and arms and knee are killing me. It is now 1:45 and I still hurt. I was wondering if there were any others out there with this
syndrome and were there any other suggestions and any other younger adults afflicted w/ this? Any input whatsoever would be greatly appreciated.
Since I've never posted to a message board before, I do not know how this works. Does someone email me back at my address, or do they post their ideas, etc. to here and I need to search to find it? Thank you so very, very much.
Melissa Prowell
REPLY: Hi Melissa...First, you send me the post to upload. I've tried the direct post boards but too much in the way of SPAM (unrelated or commercials articles) were being posted.
Now for your post...as I said to the post above..do the same to start with..phone your nearest arthritis support group, etc.
If I may direct you to my write-up here on the site with PMR...Click here you may if you already haven't done so, get some more info. With PMR there is a factor of Chronic Fatigue which can affect your episodes, which come and go (flare-ups). As you must be aware, PMR is a syndrome (a collection of symptoms) and not directly symptomatic on its own. Your physician will look at how these symptoms tie together to come up with a diagnosis.
As with a lot of other types of arthritis (over 120) there is no absolute age limit, or degree of inflamation, or even how any one person will react to treatment. Each treatment is individual and must be tailored to your metabolism and how your immune system reacts. Please save your money on get well quick schemes or whatever comes in the mail about arthritis cures...there just aren't any. But one thing which does help is to get rid of stress as much as possible, and to keep active as much as possible. Keep your mind busy, and here is where a lot of folks get involved in the support system, and as needing to lean on one is needed by you right now, others may lean on you later as you gain insight on the situation.
Anyone who can give Melissa a hand here please email her. (I do not get a copy of what you discuss between yourselves.
The best of luck to you and I do think your doctor has hit the nail on the head.
Ed
FROM:Anita
Hi, from the time I've spent visiting your site this morning, I have realized that I know very little about arthritis. I could use some direction to help
me find out where I should be looking for information, and what I should be doing in regard to my treatment.
About a year and a half ago, I had arthroscopic "decompression" surgery on my shoulder. This was after a few years of dealing with pain from
tendonitis, from repeated injuries, on and off. The pain finally became so severe and frequent, I opted for the surgery. It did help me a lot.
Although I have continued to have some problems with muscle spasms in the area of my shoulder even after the surgery, the intense
"stabbing" pain was gone. Until about a month ago, that is.
The severe pain, both then and now seems to be centered in my collar bone, and closely related to muscle spasms (I'm not sure if the pain
causes the spasms or vice versa). Ice or heat applied to the muscles behind my shoulder blade often helps to relieve the pain in my collar bone,
as well as the discomfort in the muscles. Reclining seems to help as well.
I was referred back to the orthopedic surgeon I had seen before. X-rays revealed no abnormalities in the shoulder joint, but the doctor was
concerned about the tenderness in the collar bone, and ordered a bone scan. When I asked for more info on bone scans, I was told it would be
looking for areas where the cells are multiplying, or where there is new growth. The bone scan showed an obvious "spot" on the clavicle. It
was clear enough for me to see on the computer screen from several feet away when I sat up after the scan. Further x-rays didn't show any
problem with the bone, though, and the doctor told me I have arthritis. I am curious as to why arthritis, which I understand to be a degenerative
disease, would result in new growth.
My first reaction was that there is no way this could be arthritis. I've had some arthritis for years, and it doesn't feel or act anything like this
pain. But, now I see that it may be a very different form of the disease. The orthopedic doctor didn't do any further tests to determine what
type of arthritis this was. When I responded that this pain was very different and much more severe, he seemed to doubt my word, and asked if
anything else was wrong in my life, because I looked depressed. I explained that I have been very distressed by this pain! It is interfering with
my life in many ways, as the pain becomes so intense that I can't do or even think about anything beyond stopping the pain when it flares up
(which has been several times daily in the past week or so).
I insisted that I needed something to try to help the pain. He offered a cortisone shot, and I agreed to that. I had three cortisone shots over the
years for my tendonitis, and one of the three helped tremendously, so I figured it is worth a try. He also prescribed a med called Celebrex, and
had me schedule a follow up appointment a month from now.
I would like to learn more about what this may be, and would like to see a doctor who will take my pain seriously, and aggressively look for
ways to help me. I am not inclined to return to this doctor who didn't seem to believe what I said. Where should I start?
Anita REPLY: Hi Anita...here are some pointers...
Yes, you can have growth...because the bone cells are constantly being
replaced (replacement growth) when one has arthritis they can grow
abnormally, or less than normal ie: older women and men, due to hormonal changes, will develop a lesser
bone density, ie brittle bones. This can be corrected thru hormone
therapy and the bones will replenish their density. Of course, what
urges the bones to get stronger is the weight they must cary, and to a
certain point they will become stronger. Now you know why we all urge
activeness, ie walking about, putting the weight on your frame but in an
intelligent manner of course.
So just as skin is constantly being replaced it is the same with your
frame. With arthritis however the bones will grow misshapen, or may
develop spurs (bony outgrowths aroung the joints usually hampering range
of motion).
One of the problems here is that if they place which is deteriorating or
growing abnormally has a major nerve running by or thru it then the pain
becomes one of 'nerve' pain, not the usual stiff and achey pain of
arthritis. Also take into account that regen or degen in or near the
spinal column will often manifest pain/discomfort elsewhere, sometimes
it appears totally unrelated.
I had a cervical rebuild, which actually fixed the extreme pain I used
to have in my arms and shoulders. It came to the point of not knowing I
had a left arm, as the nerve coming thru the vertebrae was severely
pinched, which gave me pain not in my neck, but in my shoulder and arm.Hi Anita...here are some pointers...
I would suggest that you see your own family doctor, and perhaps to
him/her about an mri or any other test which could point to a nerve
being involved.
Take heart, I am sure it is not in your head. This seems to be the norm
by some health profs who are at a loss for ideas. In this day and age
there is no reason why someone would become so disabled by arthritis, we
have come after all out of the dark ages since the 50's.
Cortisone may help, it is a steroid...and as a hormone...get the
drift...look also to some immune response due to hormonal changes.
After awhile they will hit on the problem, but this type of diagnoses
usually goes by the route of elimination of other conditions which
appear to be the cause but aren't. Patience does help, but in the
meantime do not neglect the aches and pains. They are telling you
something.
I hope this has pointed you in a direction you hadn't thought of. After
all, you must become an equal part of your treatment, do not expect the
doctors to be all-knowing.
Regards and best wishes.
Ed
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FROM:Frosty
Dear Eddie,
Could you enlighten me about use of Tylenol or aspirin to help lessen
the pain of stiff joints. Is there a danger of giving these pills to a
doggie?
I promised a friend that I would do some research on the subject, she
has a yellow lab who has become old before her time and wants to help
her loosen up without the expense of Rimadyl, she has recently lost her
husband to the dreaded cancer and needs to keep active with her beloved
Abby.
Any information you could give would be appreciated.
Thanks in advance, Frosty
REPLY: Hi Phyllis (Frosty)...
Sorry to hear of your friend and her loss. I know how it
feels as I am myself on the verge of cancer confirmation......
Yes, all mammals can take advantage of most medications we humans take.
It is well known that dogs/cats do respond well to anti-inflamatories in
the 'asa' class. Tylenol does not seem to be as effective for
inflamation as aspirin, but is better for the stomach.
Animals, like humans, are dosed according to weight and size.
Example...if a person of 200 lbs can take 3 tablets of aspirin every 4
hours than a dog of 50 lbs can take one quarter of that dose. Please
also keep in mind that a dogs metabolism is higher and will get rid of
the drug faster.
It is much safer for a pet to see a veterenary who has expertise in this....but if you're like me, poor, living out in the backcountry, you must take it upon yourself to hop in with some help. Even a phone call to a vet may give you the right lead. Personally I always give my Mikey and Minnie 'children's' formulated meds as
these are lower dosages (closer to the size/weight of a lab). Just
follow directions of these children's meds. Always do a weight assessment, and never dose an animal if he's ill with something else. These animals also suffer from other apparent human diseases such as liver/heart/kidney ailments and may not be able to utilize these meds.
So my first reaction to a problem with a pet.....see a vet....if unable then you must use your own logic of course, no one wants to see an animal suffer.
Now for a huge caveat: when it comes to pain and inflamation all of what I said is true...but it is not true when it comes to antihistamines or cough meds
or some other health problems.
Hope this has given you some options to think about...start small and
work up to where the dosages fit the state of affairs. You may say a
good improvement in the lab, but all the same, arthritis cannot
be reversed, so no miracles.
Regards and my best to doggie.
Eddie and the Snoopers (Mikey and Minnie 2Dogs)
FROM:Gerard
I suffer with arthritis as a result of a car crash. The crash occured 12
years ago. I had an ankle fusion operation last year and it has helped
greatly with the pain. I have a question regarding the consuption of
oranges and its effect on arthritis. Is it true that ascorbic acid,
common to all fruits, aggravates arthritis?
Thank you,
Gerry
REPLY: Hi Gerald...sorry for being late in my reply.....
Absolutely NOT.....it is on this wise...
SOME people complain of reactions by eating oranges, or
tomatoes. Some people just are upset by acids....some of us by alkaline
type foods........it is extremely individual. Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) is extremely important to our diet and cutting it out can lead to some very detrimental effects.
Of the over 120 types of arthritis only logic will tell you that
different foods affect differently people in a different way.
Studies have been done by arthritis societies and foundations in the
countries that have put money towards research...and here is the upshot.
There is NO arthritis diet which suits more than a FEW people. We are
very individual as far as how our immune systems react to drugs, foods,
drinks, environmental stimuli, viri, bacteria, ad nauseum.
The thing to do here is that you need to keep a daily record for a month
(at least). Arthritis is so individual in its manifestation that no two
people are alike. Identical twins will even react totally on an
individual basis to all this, no matter how alike their genes.
So keep a journal, and one day eat oranges, without any other 'extra
foods' such as another fruit, and yes, tomato = fruit.
Then the next two days see what your reaction is. If nothing happens
then put a check beside it, meaning of course it APPEARS to be ok.
Then on to tomatoes, etc. Go for the same with nuts, some highly acidic
or alkaline vegies...You know what I am getting at.
Arthritis (all of the types really) are related to immune problems, and hence
figure entirely on our personal physical response.
So please, do not look for the magic bullet, such as a diet, or a drug,
or a cure.....there is absolutely no such thing, and if you have to pay
out of pocket for some inside information or some treatment DO NOT GIVE
IN. These are all scams.....if you want to be safe regarding any of this
info please contact any arthritis foundation office or society, most of
them now have toll-free numbers and some are on the Web.
Sorry I could not give you the definitive answer, there just isn't any.
I will post your question and my reply to the arthritis board. But
please be aware that there are 'dupers' out there who surf these places
hoping to make some money. My experience over the past 5 years at my
site is that I've been able to point people in the right direction, and
hopefully saved them their life savings.....
Yours, Ed
FROM:Marc Lecoq
Hello,
My grandma says she takes 9 yellow raisons soaked in gin a day and has
no pain in her fingers anymore has anyone else heard of this? she is 92
years old and us to be a nurse and says this works the best for you ?
what do you guys think?
Thank You, Marc Lecoq
Lecoq Machine Works Inc.
REPLY: Know of it well, and it seems to work for some. If the gin isn't
overdone I would say go for it. However, there are some of us who are
not permitted or do not use alcohol.
Why does it work for some? As stated many time here on the boards, all people with arthritis react differently to treatment, even between
identical twins. So if others get some relief...why not...
Regards, Ed
Dear Ed:
My brother rated your site so highly, as both you and he seem to share basic
philsophies about treatment--he abhors "magical cures" and "quack remedies".
My brother is sometimes stubborn--of course, I'm biased but in recent
years he's been actively treating his disease through sports and NSAIDS. We
say he's stubborn because for the first three years, he refused to even take
Tylenol, leading to some rough spells for all us. Fortunately, he has always
been an athlete and has persevered with his interests despite his stiffening
back, helping himself both physically and mentally. He has also opened up
about the condition and started discussing it more with the family, enabling
us to understand better what he is going through and how we can best support
him. One of things that impressed me most about your website was the open
feeling of support--of a network where someone could go to realize that he
was not alone. Well, thank you very much, your website is a wonderful creation, and
best wishes always,
Lisa
REPLY...As is quite common amongst us GUYS we stay in the closet longer than the fairer gender. Probably that "Tim Allen" guy-thing. However when we start to discuss these things openly it always (even now) surprises me how quickly we come to understand ourselves and actually get on with life. Stay optomistic whatever happens and stay in touch.
FROM: D O, Alberta.ca
Just a quick note to say thanks for putting together the info on your
page. As a person with arthritis, I have found that the more information
you can gather on the disease, it's possible treatments and how others
cope with their symptoms is the most beneficial way to continue to live
life to the fullest. Expecting our doctors to know all the latest info
on the disease and leaving our health care to someone else totally is
irresponsible. As patients, we must do our own research and bring the
info to our doctors. This gives them the chance to evaluate new ideas on
our behalf and make adjustments to our treatment programs that are safe
and condusive to our lifestyles.
I will definitely be recommending your page to my team of doctors as I
feel it will help provide them with info all on one site that is both
useful in developing treatment plans and will give them a better
understanding of the patient's perspective.
Also, it's nice to find a site with so many different and interesting
items on it - I have really enjoyed my time here and am bookmarking your
page so I can come back and check out the things I missed!
Thanks again. It was nice to find a Canadian site with Canadian info
presented in an interesting and intelligent manner!
Excellent site. D.O.
Alberta
REPLY: GeeWhiz, You're making me blush...
Recent Medical Update:
a mini eddie-torial..The Canadian government has recently introduced the concept of medically prescribed pot (marijuana) for those of us who have arthritis and for some other illnesses (ie glaucoma and cancer). Personally I am glad that we are stepping out of the dark ages. Although I am not a user it is available to me, but my heart will not take the treatment (I have checked into it). I am sure that soon they will be able to take the hallucinogen out of the THC, so the stigma of using it will vanish. To those who have objections to this I have this to say...
Be reasonable, be moderate, and above all be tolerant.
We are in no position to deny someone else some relief. If we keep insisting on controlling everyone else's life then we are nothing more than meddlers, we become judgmental and intolerant. God knows we have enough problems handling our own lives without walking over others. I know we all mean well, but if God didn't want us to use what he has given us he would have commanded us to not 'eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil and not to partake of the marijuana herb. We need to stop taking responsibility for everyone else's action and start being perfect in our own homes.
(end of mini-eddietorial)
FROM:Peggy Sue
A friend of mine has had severe rheumatoid arthritis for almost 10 years.
She had a bad reaction to methotrexate so had to go off of it. She also
decided to go off of prednisone because of its side effects. She is now on
Arava, and doesn't see too much of an improvement.
She heard from a friend about a drug dispensed only in Mexico called Naproxem which she is
considering trying. She plans to travel there to see a doctor who will
prescribe it for her.
Does anyone know about this drug? REPLY: Hi PeggySue
As someone with rheumatoid, I must say that I agree, the side effects of
Pred and Methotrex are awful, but not as bad really as the disease itself unless of course there is a sensitivity or allergy to the meds themselves. One must remember that going off those meds willy-nilly and letting the arthritis do its dirty work will actually do much more damage to the joints, perhaps to the point of not being able to undo that damage..this is the actual
danger of any inflamatory arthritis. There are other meds in the DMARD's or NSAID's catagories without totally quitting...the danger is that one may feel sorry later on when looking back
at what might have been. Please go easy on the remedies which claim
fantastic results...the caveat...'if it sounds too good to be true it
probably is' comes to mind, and it is as truthful as I can get.
I will of course not stop anyone from 'experimenting'. After all, we are all free in that way aren't we?
As far as the 'Mexican' solution...the same caveat, but I do wish your friend the best, no matter what. I just cannot judge the situation without looking like a fool.
Take care, and I will try to do some non-judgemental research for you, but give me a little while...I will post it here.
Take care of each other, you are important to each other.
Eddie
FROM:Brian
Hi, I'm looking for people with Reiters to talk to and share
information. I'm 36 and have been suffering with the disease for nearly 2 years.
I've tried several medications and have yet to find anything to significantly improve
my condition. I'm most concerned with what the long term effects of Reiters
and all the drugs I've been taking will have on my body in years to come.
Any info and/or websites for me to visit to learn more would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Brian
REPLY: Hi Brian...Phone your nearest arthritis support group, usually find them in the ads section of your newspaper, or in coming events section when or if the group meets. They will have all the info you need, also your nearest arthritis foundation or society, most will have a 1800 toll free number. Anyone who can help Brian out please click on his email addy and send him the straight!
FROM:Martha
I have a 14 yr old son with ankylosing spondylitis - just diagnosed.
I wonder if you've heard of prolotherapy. I'd like to find some folks who
have had it who can tell me a little about it.
The solutions injected seem to vary from practitioner to practitioner. It
seems that some practitoners do better with the pain control than others.
Prolotherapy has been around for about 30 years. I'm normally skeptical of
alternative cures, but I understand the politics of health care in the US,
and believe some of the natural therapies have an unreasonably hard time
getting a foothold.
What do you know about the No Starch Diet and long term antibiotic therapy?
Thank you for your help. Mike is a very sweet 14 yr old and we would do anything to help him.
REPLY: Hi Martha...I do not have personal knowledge of Prolotherapy...but then
I'm of the old school...but I have AS as your son...diagnosed during my puberty years...
If there is no harm done, and you do not mind spending the money then I
see no reason not to follow this path. With this type of inflamatory
condition anything which agressively treats the inflamation is of
extreme value...but I do not personally care about experimental
practices which do nothing much to control the inflamation, as that is
what in the end does the damage...Of course..it is over-active-immune
system driven, and anyway to control the immune system would also be of
good value. Take heart...we are close to understanding the condition and perhaps
even better controls.
Give your son my best..tell him chin up and to hang in, he is in much
better position than I was at his age...at least we have people over the
Web who really do care. Hopefully someone will contact you with a better knowledge base by clicking on your email addy...
Regards and keep well from Eddie, and dog smooches from Minnie and Mikey 2Dogs
FROM:Marcy
My sister's doctor told her she has a pinched nerve in her back. Her arm is mostly numb, and now she has a small rash on it and
her fingers are swelling. Does anybody know anything about this? If so, PLEASE let me know. Thanks.
REPLY: Hi Marcy...This is not an uncommon occurrence.
The spaces which allow the nerves to exit from the spinal column can sometimes become so restricted to interfere with the sending of messages up and down the nerve fibers. The most probable problem area would in all likelyhood be in the cervical region (neck) altho the pain may be transferred to other apparent areas. Case in point, for myself about 9 years ago I had the same symptoms, and was at times unaware that I even had arms, having lost all consciousness of them. My family physician saw the problem and referred me to a neurosurgeon who then did the old spinal tap and mri scan and found the problem in no time. It was then a matter of removing the offending pieces of bone (neck) and rebuilding them with bovine parts. The first thing I noticed when I woke up is that I had full consciousness of my hands and arms, and that the extreme pain was gone. It was then a matter of recuperation before I returned back to work. I cannot tell you anything about the rash other than the obvious which may be due to fiddling and rubbing/scratching to try to get some feeling back, which is a useless thing to try to accomplish.
The options for your sister would be to consider going to a specialist in nerves (neuro---) and letting him/her have a go and I am sure that the problem altho serious to your sister would in all likelyhood be a small procedure for the surgeon. Any thoughts of 'therapy' before this problem is fixed is money down the drain. I hope this has brought an option to the fore which might have been missed by your general family doctor. Mind you, some or our readers here may have other ideas on this, but beware of anyone writing you asking you for money in return for information...this is not permitted thru this website.
Take care of yourself and you sister. Eddie
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