I'm 35 and I have alot of joint pain. Ankles, knees, wrists, knuckles, and neck mostly. My doctor gives me anti-inflamatory pills (the cure all these days) but I'm wondering what else I might do to help my joints. I know that loosing weight and going easy on the booze is supposed to help, but what else? Thanks,

Dave

Glucosamine chondrotin seems to work for some (some for whom anti-inflammatories are not as effective. . .some say it is a "miracle"). . .you can get it in any health store. . .but of course check with your doctor first.

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I reject your reality and substitute my own!

a little glucosamine

Fish Oil

Has a natural anti-inflammatory component.

Can get it in capsule form. Take at least 3,000mg a day.


I was having trouble with my knee and started taking fish oil on the advice of a physical therapist and a doctor I work with. I really think it cured my knee pain.

I get mine at Wholefood Brand 365 Big bottle(250) for $12 No fishy taste or smell.

Some people think that diet plays a large role in inflammation and the pain that it causes.
[nutrition.about.com]
I'm just putting this out there. I have no personal experience with this and don't have any interest in arguing its merits. I simply think it is something that you can check out if you care to.

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Taking any other meds like Lipitor? Side effects include muscle pain/ weakness/ joint pain. Could also be mild RA or a spinal disc problem that causes referred pain.

If it's constant and severe, you should really keep consulting specialists until you find out what it is. Anti-inflamatory pills are probably not the answer, just something to test with in trying to narrow down the cause.

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JoeM

Foods such as potatoes, tomatoes and eggplant sometimes referred to as “nightshade foods” could be the cause of stiff joints, pain and inflammation."

[www.arthritissupport.com]

jesse

Hi,

My mother has pretty bad arthritus and if she swimms a few laps it goes away (for a while).

The Handbook of Self-Healing, by Meir Sneider ISBN: 0140193316 has some excellent information on Joint Pain. Its out of print but you can get a copy here:
[www.amazon.com]

Are there other symptoms? Joint pain goes hand in hand with Crohns Disease for me - both are auto-immune in nature. Achy joints is the key sign of an impending gut flare up for me.

Me thinks it's time for Dave to visit an MD and talk about the big picture.

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“Live your life, love your life, don’t regret…live, learn and move forward positively.” – CR Johnson
Loving life in Lake Tahoe, CA

Joint pain? You need to get a new dealer then...

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trisho.
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Official Card-Carrying Mother Earthin' Sl*t.

My wife (and a few of her friends) have had some success with glucosamine plus chondroitin. The June 2006 Consumer Reports has an article on this. My wife uses the Kirkland (Costco) brand. Kirkland was cheapest in Consumer Reports, but people always find fantastic deals on the web....

LyleH

Any chance you have access to a pool? Swimming can really help with some of the joint pain you describe. Even treading water for periods of time can help.

Also, your mattress could be making it worse.

glucosamine plus chondroitin supplement

MSM

Flax Seed Oil (everybody should take this daily - the benefits are broad)

Acupuncture

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if you are over weight no pill is going to fix the problem , unless you can take the extra load off the bodies natural capacity of what it can hold you are going to have the pain. i would say go see the doctor and try to see what exactly is causing the pain and attack the problem at the root. i suffer my self so i hope you can find some relief.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 06/20/2006 01:23PM by d0e.

There are a lot of reasons for joint pain. rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, sensitivity to artificial sweeteners (that was my problem, before I quit using all artificial sweeteners), reactions to medication (the statin drugs, in particular) , and overweight may all cause this. Get thee to a physician!

Chondroitin and glucosamine did nothing for me, but my knee pain is slowly improving since I saw a physical therapist and began a series of exercises.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/20/2006 01:47PM by Phy.

Don't forget to get your daily dose of Calcium either.

oh almost forgot when my joints get really bad i will get into the tub and soak in warm water for a hour the water is so hot it almost burns. when i access to a jacuzzi i came out feeling 90% better.

If you have a job that requires you to sit for most of the day, that could be causing some of your problems. It was just about crippling me.

For fish oil pills to work, you need a combined EPA and DHA dose of 3 grams. Not just 3 grams of fish oil, but the active components add up to 3 grams. So shop wisely if you go this route, as cheaper pills that require you to take 10 a day aren't a bargain. The Costco Nature Made Fish Oil capsules that were on sale last week contain 712 mg combined, so I take 4 one day, and 5 the next. The cheaper Kirkland Signature capsules take 10 to get the same dosage. If you store them in the fridge, and take them IN THE MIDDLE of a meal, you usually won't burp the fish smell. There are enteric coated ones, but they cost twice as much. (based on costco pricing)

I am trying to stall a hip replacement as long as possible, and I am on Diclofenac (probably same as you) I also take the fish oil, and Glucosamine/Chondroitan. The nutrients in Flax Seed/Flax Seed oil is the same as in fish oil, plus linoleaic oil. (EPA and DHA from Omega 3 and Omega 6 oils)

Exercise to keep the joints limber and to keep the synovial fluid moving. Bicycle riding and swimming are very low impact to the joints way of getting the exercise for the joints. I have my mountain bike with road tires on my wife's stationary trainer, and try and put in 5 minutes or so 3 times a day, just to keep the hips flexible.

I am seeing my specialist next Monday again, so if you have one question that is really important to you, I can probably ask. Let me know in a PM.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 06/20/2006 03:25PM by Racer X.

exercise, stretching (while warm, never cold). for me, one ibuprofen before basketball is worth three afterward. I reduced diet caffeine pop to 2 a day (from 6 or so), and that helped. I can't quit artificial sweeteners, or I'd get fat(ter) again, which would be far worse. glucosamine/condroitan worked for me (and my dog), but causes stomach probs for me, so I can't do it. my belief is the worst thing you can do is let the pain make you reduce activity. keep moving. everyone I know started having some pain at 35yrs old. kj.