Arthritis is a real NUISANCE!

[Keetje]

Hello Everybody,

Today I decided to take a bit of a walk - big mistake!! I now have one completely seized up knee and both ankles are causing me a lot of difficulty.

I usually get my exercise by using my bike - perhaps I should just stick to that in future. It is a nuisance not being able to walk very well, I am fine around the house and short distances, but if I walk for any longer than about 15 minutes the pain sets in. It can be quite embarrassing too, saying that walking is a problem. I get the feeling that people look at me as though its because of my weight. I once asked a friend who is bigger than me if she had the same problem - she said that walking was not an issue for her. Do I really have to weight until I am light as a feather before I can actually walk?

One of the other things that really gets me is that I cannot wear fashionable shoes - anything other than my flat boots or trainers just leave me crippled for several days afterwards.

All in all, feel like this --->

Keetje

[khesan]

Re: Arthritis is a real NUISANCE!

I hear you Keetje....I am ok just round house but even going round the supermarket..by the time I get to the checkout I am breaking out in a sweat from the pain. Although I am just glad I can at least walk round supermarket now has been 5 yrs of basically being chair bound for me so I except what I can do and every day work to strengthen my muscelss in the hope I can eventually do more. I have bad knees and I really pay for any outings but The joy it gives me far outweighs the pain. I think as the weight comes off the arthritis will improve as well. Just keep trying ....better then not moving at all. I can't use an exercise bike at all my knees are shot and the bending kills me.
Hugs

[Keetje]

Re: Arthritis is a real NUISANCE!

Hi Wendy,

Thanks for posting, nice to feel I am not alone in this! I know the arthritis gives you a lot of problems and it was kind of you to think of me.

I am probably being a bit impatient, I am fortunate in that I am able to use my bike and swim - but oh! wouldn't it be lovely to wear some nice shoes?

I got weighed in at the doctor's surgery the other day and I have now lost 10.5 kilos. I went to the shops today to get my water and was carrying a few bottles out to the bike - I thought wow! this is heavy! - but then realised that I had actually lost more than those bottles weighed.

I agree that getting out and about is far better than staying at home moping - I was just so disappointed today that the knees and ankles haven't got much better. This will not deter me though - I have been rummaging through the wardrobe for my slightly smaller clothes and am now getting into some of them. WONDERFUL!!

Thanks again,

Keetje

[khesan]

Re: Arthritis is a real NUISANCE!

Yep would be lovely to wear heels again lol. I have my god daughters wedding in 6 weeks and they are getting married on beach on magnetic island just off where I live so no shoes thank god! but for the reception I am at a loss to know what to do I used to wear heels and dance all night now I can't wear even the smallest heel as it puts too much pressure on my knees and ankles so I am scratching my head lol maybe some of them ballet type shoes with my long pants dont know but sure I will work something out. My favourite shoes are no shoes lol last thing I put on and first thing I take off. Isn't it great getting into all your smaller clothes. I have so many and every few weeks I drag them all out and get so excited when I find something else I can wear. Even when scales say nothing I find my clothes tell a different story so I happy.

[cookiecate]

Re: Arthritis is a real NUISANCE!

Keetje, You are certainly not alone. I have been on this WOE since April and have lost about 20lbs about the same as you. Walking has deffinitely got easier plus I try and walk just a little each day. I walk on the beach with my dog or just wander around my garden.

I know what you mean about shoes. Don't it just make you feel "Old" I would love some heels or even pretty girlie shoes but no I have flat sandals, trainers and some really ugly things I wear when it rains. I have developed very thick ankles and calves so I rarely wear skirts unless they are long then the sandals don't really show.

I would say keep on walking, riding your bike is great but keep your ankles flex by walking otherwise I think you just sieze up.

[Keetje]

Re: Arthritis is a real NUISANCE!

Hi Cate,

Trainers!! - flat sandals? oh LUXURY!! I have to wear walking boots the whole time.

Suitable in the Lake District maybe....but in London? less so. I look like a tourist.

Fortunately for all those close to me, the knees and ankles are much better today (after application of cold gel and Diclofenac cream). Does anyone use this stuff? it might have a different name in the US or Oz - I find it really helpful.

Interestingly my ankles and calves range between 'moderately shapely' and 'tree trunk' - but like you, its usually trousers and occasionally a long skirt with flattish boots to hide all the strapping on my knees and ankles.

My super doctor is holding fire until I am 12 stone - he says if things are as bad then, he will refer me to an orthopaedic surgeon.

Does your husband sell the glucosamine/chrondratin(sp) mixture?

Keetje

[Keetje]

Re: Arthritis is a real NUISANCE!

Hi Wendy,

The perennial problem of what to wear - been there, got the XXXXL t-shirt!

How about some trousers and a wonderful chiffony, floaty top? perhaps a few sparkles?

I have some great indoor sandals with built in insoles - drop me a pm if you want the URL - they sort of correct how your feet hit the ground and lessen the strain on your knees.

Do you wear patellar supports? I find those are quite good for me, as a preventative rather than a cure.

Keetje

[cookiecate]

Re: Arthritis is a real NUISANCE!

We have all of the gloop mainly for me. I take a little bit of everything. Kelp, Brewers yeast, cod liver oil, flaxseed oil, glucosamine, chondratine, green lipped mussel, Ginseng, Primrose oil. I am a good specimen to try everything.

I am sure losing weight has been the greatest cure for my walking. My legs are like tree trunks all of the time. I think God was having a bad day when he made me. I feel he used bits that were left over and kind of cobbled me together.

[losetocruise]

Re: Arthritis is a real NUISANCE!

cookiekate, Keesan and Keetje,

Is your arthritis osteoarthritis? or Rhumatoid?

I was interessted in the post about the Diclofenac cream. It is not available in the states but apparently can be obtained through internet source. Since it is a cream, can you still use ibuprofen orally when taking it? I can't find much on the interntet about it? Are you under doctor's care with it?

[khesan]

Re: Arthritis is a real NUISANCE!

Hi Ginny...I have osteo. Take fenec to help with pain seems to be best one I have tried so far. I take fish oil as well and use a dencorub gel which seems to help when they are really sore. Other then that I try to keep warm as I noticed that the cooler weather really starts it up. It is a awful thing to have and when it is in your joints as in knees and back it makes live miserable. I would give just about anything to be free from it but as I lose more weight I am feeling a huge difference so that is all the motivation I need to keep going. I will be very interested to see what everyone else takes or uses as here in Australia we don't seem to have as much choice as in the states.
Hugs

[cookiecate]

Re: Arthritis is a real NUISANCE!

I too have osteo Arthur Ritis and take ibuprofen when needed. I have seen the creams advertised on TV but have so far (touch wood) never needed anything else.
I can't see why you shouldn't use the cream plus take the anti inflammatory as Diclofena Cream is just a topical analgesisc which is supposed to help to relieve muscular pain and stiffness which sounds exactly what we are after.

[Keetje]

Re: Arthritis is a real NUISANCE!

Hi Ladies,

The diclofenac cream was given to me by my doctor and I do use it in conjunction with my diclofenac daily dose - so one can assume that it is ok to use with an anti-inflammatory - always best to check with the doc though.

The thing i find totally wonderful is cold gel, it is in a handy tube and it works a treat on my ankles and knees.

Keetje

[losetocruise]

Re: Arthritis is a real NUISANCE!

keetje, what is the brand name of the cold gel? do you know who makes it?

[losetocruise]

Re: Arthritis is a real NUISANCE!

kheesan, actually the stuff you guys have been mentioning is pretty much not available here as far as I can tell. I found an online source but I am reluctant to order something that is "not yet approved". On the other hand the U.S. tests stuff ad nauseum, which is both good for us and hurtful too because sometimes we are deprived of really safe stuff far longer then we should be

[Keetje]

Re: Arthritis is a real NUISANCE!

Hi Ginny,

Here is the link to the site of the manufacturers of Deep Freeze cold gel.

The Deep Freeze Range

I find this stuff very useful for those nights when the joints won't stop twinging and if you rub it in liberally it can have a good anti-inflammatory effect. They also make a spray, which is good if you have a bad back and no willing volunteers to rub in your gel. I am not sure if Deepfreeze is available in the States, but perhaps if you asked at a sports shop they might be able to point you in the direction of something similar.

This product is available in the US

Cryogel - Home

or perhaps you would like to try some arnica cream - you may find that on sale in a drug store or a health shop?

All of these products do not contain pharmaceuticals - so are safe for use with your ibuprofen. I tend to use the cold gel in preference to the diclofenac gel, which I save for real emergencies.

My arthritis is osteoarthritis which is the result of a motor cycle accident some years ago - clues of a misspent youth!

I hope they help.

Keetje