New To OA

I was diagnosed with OA last Friday. I am 36 years old.  My doctor think that I have this because one of my legs in almost an inch shorter then the other.  So, I've been putting more pressure on this leg for years.  (and I WAS a jogger)  Well, no more jogging for me. 

I'm wondering a few things.  How do others with OA of the hip do simple things like cut your toenails? polish them? shave that leg?  I find these tasks quite difficult.  Any pointers would be appreciated.  Thanks!

Hi,

Welcome to the site. I have OA in my hands, shoulders and hips. My hip in the past few months has been better and I don't have too much difficulty doing things. Right now I am flaring due to my fibro and having a lot of pain, it just makes my OA hurt more.

MY rheumy did tell me to stay thin, exercise and to stop when I feel any pain. That this was the way,according to him,to help protect my joints. Range of motion exercises are also good. I do them for my hands daily.

Just wanted to welcome you and  tell you Karen keep in touch and keep posting.

Mindy

Hi Blues,

 Welcome! I don't know how much advice to give you as right now I am in a lot of pain. The weather here is Maine has been crazy, first snow and cold, then yesterday..ice and cold and today it is  50's degrees. I find the weather really effects me.

I do range of motion exercises and have learned to stop what I am doing when I have pain. My rheumy advised this ,as not stopping just damages the joint.

I also have been diagnosed with fibro, so I am fighting the fatigue and pain with that. Not really sure where one ends and the other begins. I do take pain medication and also med to sleep as I have a huge problem with insomnia...from the fibro.

Again welcome...hope to hear from you and anything you may do that might help us..

Mindy

Karen~did you not know early in life that you had one leg longer than the other?

I had this problem as a child myself. When I was about 12 I had surgery to correct it. I had a lot of pain in my legs while growing up that the doctors said was just "Growing Pains". Years later I was dx'ed with RA. Through my research I discovered that often RA left untreated in children can lead to growth deformities such as one leg longer than the other. I'm not sure if that was actually my problem as a child....but is sure does seem likely.

I just this week was dx'ed with OA in my spine. I've probable had this for sometime too...but it's just recently been confirmed through x-rays.

Until November last year I was alright. There was some pain in the left knee but I thought and still think that sopme knee problems after 60 is  not s omething to be alarmed about. In Dec I fell down on a staircase and that is when I started going to doctors for consultation.

The doctors have diagnoised the condition as osteo arthritis. I understand that this means the cartilage in my left knee has been degerated and the two bones - the upper one and the lower one - are rubbing with each other, which causesthe pain.

NOw, I first want to understand whether this my disease is curable?Can thecartilage be regenerated?

Secondly, why is there the swelling on the upperside of the knee?

It's my understanding that once it's gone it can not regenerate. I have RA but have recently started thinking more about OA due to my problems with my back. I've studied RA issues for years and everything I know about both conditions indicate you can't turn back the clock on this one.

Someone please correct me if I'm wrong. I sure hope I am.

I don't know about cartilage regeneration and I'm not a medical man either but read what happened to my Mother in law 

I have a torn cartilig and have had it for over a year. I am in constant pain and it is so severe at times I can hardly stand the pain. The doctor told me the only thing that will help is surgery. I have been putting it off in hope to find something that would help me so I don't have to have the surgery.

I have been using Aleve for the inflammation which the doctors told me would help. It helped but not much. I had to take some tests a few weeks back and the test said I had to stop all anti-inflammatory so I did. I didn't realize that the Aleve was causing me to feel so bad until when I stopped it I felt physically better I still had pain in my knee but the Aleve I think was causing my blood pressure to go up.

Since now I didn't want to take another anti-inflammortry I knew I had to do some searching on the Internet for help. I found a site that did reviews of products that had Glucosamine , chodroitin together with Boswellin, Yucca, Omega 3 & 6 Fatty Acids plus other natural ingredients. There was another reason I wanted to try this product because I read a book called "The Anti-Inflammatory Zone" and they said to use Omeg 3 and 6 to help this inflamation problem. So when I saw this product had both of these I knew I had to give it a try.

I never thought in a million years it would work so quickley . It is a miracle. This product is an answer to my prayers. I am only 57 but I felt like 100 some days. I can now go up and down the stairs with out pain. I am stiff which I think is because I have been going down the stairs by putting my bad leg first then bring down my good leg and the muscles are weak. Now I can go up and down the stairs like a normal person.

I can not thank you enough I am telling all my friends how wonderful I feel. They know how much pain I have been in and they are amazed at how wonderful I am feeling. I can not believe it myself. Thank you for being there for us.

Kathy Wedyke
Deckerville, Michigan

[QUOTE=qveronica]

hi johny after how long time of treatment with omega 3 and 6 and glucosamine and chodoitrin do u feel so nice. i have OA on knees i didnt start yet anything cos  i need to wait until i get permission for exam . any advise will be appreciated. please.  i have inflamation my knees i cant walk so long what i have to do? kind regards Veronica

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