Stiffness
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I just take capsules of turmeric, haven't tried to cook with it yet.0
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I spoke to a gentleman in line at Costco and he was buying Tumeric and Curcumin altogether in one formula and he said it really helps his arthritic knees.1
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Curcumin is a chemical contained within Turmeric.
It can interfere with blood clotting -- in other words, check for med interaction with any
supplement/s.0 -
Here is a google scholar entry on Turmeric (Curcuma longa)
http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10408398.2015.1077195Curcumin is known recently to have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer effects and, thanks to these effects, to have an important role in prevention and treatment of various illnesses ranging notably from cancer to autoimmune, neurological, cardiovascular diseases, and diabetic.
And a second one
http://www.koreascience.or.kr/article/ArticleFullRecord.jsp?cn=SPOOBG_2014_v43n4_612Thus, the findings of the study suggest that turmeric extract is effective against both acute and chronic inflammation.
From The University Arizona College of Medicine:
Turmeric for Inflammation: How Much is Enough?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lxV6jowuJ4
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Interestingly enough for stiffness I have started giving my horse Devil's Claw. Based on a farrier recommendation. It appears to help. Or at least I have noticed that since I started he has been lifting his hind feel more easily. That's the experience the farrier has shared also. They make it for humans as well.
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My right knee has been bothering me for about a week and a half since i stepped in a hole in a client's yard and wrenched it slightly. Didn't think much about it at the time, but it has begun bothering me more and more each day, particularly while driving.
It's a general ache but with localized pain about the size of a quarter on the inside (medial) just about at the top of the shin bone (Tibia). Last couple of days it has been feeling a bit unstable with pops, catches, and a little grinding (gravel on the knee sort of thing).
Call the doc yesterday morning around 10 and was able to get an 11:30 slot that same day due to a cancellation (providence?). Doc says most likely a tear to the medial meniscus but would need an MRI to confirm.
A meniscus tear can't be fixed by surgery as cartilage does not grow back, but they can trim off the rough areas of the tear (like trimming a hangnail) to smooth up the works orthoscopically (microsurgery).
Since I can't be off work during our busy season, I asked about a cortisone shot to put off the whole issue a couple of months. He said that a shot might do that and reluctantly agreed.
Knee is feeling better this morning. I'm to let him know in about 10 days if the pain comes back so he can schedule a MRI.2 -
I am doing PT for my knees now. I may be able to push off replacement for more than the 3 years the surgeon estimated. I must lose weight, obviously, and move as much as possible. I have a decent anti inflammatory and my PT is going very well. But if I sit too long, I do end up feeling like the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz and need oiling up! I try to not sit more than 60 minutes at a go. The fish oil supplement sounds like a good idea.1
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alteredsteve175 wrote: »MostlyWater wrote: »I add turmeric to my smoothies. Powdered.
How much do you add? A teaspoon? A tablespoon?
Thank you.
I add very little but I imagine you could increase it slowly. I don't think it has much taste in my smoothie but when I'd add it to rice, it really made the flavor sing.
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I recommend before throwing every supplement and vitamin in the book (or out of it in some cases) at it, have a good checkup/physical, including a blood test for arthritis (RA).
Mine started with unexplained foot pain in the morning, and morning stiffness is a classic symptom. You can get it much younger than I thought was possible- I thought you didnt get it till like 60 or something, but its actually common in women starting around 30. (I was only 38)
Let a professional rule out any specific type of condition (including thyroid problems as was mentioned) - and dont just go by "*poke* *prod* you seem fine to me", ask for tests to find the cause, bodies dont just get painful and stiff for no reason, and its not just "getting older".
If they cant find any after due diligence (remember there is always be a reason for pain and it isnt some mystical missing ingredient), feel free to throw whatever bottled weeds and vitamins and so forth you like at it, but be aware most of the websites and gurus promoting a lot of them are more interested in emptying your wallet* than admitting the truth about their anecdotal "findings". [*Especially for "detoxes", thats what your liver does for you, and if it isnt working you need emergency help, not a bottle of goop that make you poo. The only thing they empty is your bank account. If your gp thinks you need a detox, Id look for a real doctor.]
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nikkib0103 wrote: »I am doing PT for my knees now. I may be able to push off replacement for more than the 3 years the surgeon estimated. I must lose weight, obviously, and move as much as possible. I have a decent anti inflammatory and my PT is going very well. But if I sit too long, I do end up feeling like the Tin Man in the Wizard of Oz and need oiling up! I try to not sit more than 60 minutes at a go. The fish oil supplement sounds like a good idea.
I did some algae recruiting a few years ago when it was all the rage and supposed to take over as the next biofuel (yeah, right...). Well, anyway, I was talking to a lot of scientists at that time that were REALLY excited about Astaxanthin, which is a Carotenoid (a red algae derivative), way more powerful than beta-carotene, lutein and Zeaxanthin. You hear about it more these days, but I still think it's way underrated. There have been a few studies lately about how much, in conjunction/combination with Fish Oil, how well it works for joint pain, especially back pain. You hear about Krill Oil all the time. All Krill Oil is comprised of is Fish Oil and a tiny bit of Astaxanthin (naturally occurring). It's actually much stronger effect if you take Fish Oil along with a separate Astaxanthin supplement (don't need much, like 4mg a day). I do this every day and don't have many joint pains at all and I train pretty hard.
Here's one study (though sponsored by FlexPro) that studies Astaxanthin, Fish Oil and Hyaluronic Acid. There are a lot more.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5312594/
There's a reason why you're seeing Astaxanthin in so many women's serums. It also reduces oxidative stress.
I also have great luck with Tart Red Cherry Extract and Turmeric.
A lot of the newest research indicates that keeping your fiber up to the RDA also helps tremendously with inflammation. There are certain bacteria in your "microbiome" that only grow/develop when you eat more fiber and polyphenols. One, in particular exciting a lot of scientists currently, is Akkermansia, now thought to be key in controlling inflammation.
Ocean Spray actually sponsored a study that demonstrated cranberries increased the amount of Akkermansia bacteria in your microbiome, so eat your tart cherries and berries!!1 -
I knew the cortisone shot wasn't going to be a cure, but I was expecting it to last more than 10 days. Did the MRI.
Strained and contused MCL, water on the knee, torn medial and lateral meniscus, and (the topper on the cake) signs of degenerative disease... good old arthritis.
Will consult with an orthopedic surgeon soon.
In the meantime, still putting in 8 to 12 miles a day walking client yards.0 -
Hope that the consultation goes well. Sorry to hear all that.1
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So, talked with the ortho... and he is recommending a total knee replacement.
Yeah.3 -
d_thomas02 wrote: »So, talked with the ortho... and he is recommending a total knee replacement.
Yeah.
Some of my friends have had really good results with this, athletically speaking. (I'm still dodging it until current issues get bad enough to give me no alternative, but it's in my future according to ortho.)
Hoping you have an excellent outcome, if you decide to go forward with the surgery!1 -
d_thomas02 wrote: »So, talked with the ortho... and he is recommending a total knee replacement.
Yeah.
Some of my friends have had really good results with this, athletically speaking. (I'm still dodging it until current issues get bad enough to give me no alternative, but it's in my future according to ortho.)
Hoping you have an excellent outcome, if you decide to go forward with the surgery!
Scheduled for week of Thanksgiving.2 -
That sucks. Good luck with the surgery.1
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d_thomas02 wrote: »So, talked with the ortho... and he is recommending a total knee replacement.
Yeah.
I'm sorry to hear that. I was told that I needed one 12 years ago. At that time (with the technology then), I was considered too young because 2nd knee replacements don't typically do well and then they only were expected to last 15 years. Now, they have a 30 year life expectancy, so the technology has really improved over the last decade.
With the arthritis, that was probably their best solution. I was lucky. Though I had a devistating knee injury, up until that time, I had no arthritis the doc said. Now, years later, I'm sure I have terrible knee deterioration as he told me I likely would.
I'm like Ann, I'll just put off as long as possible on it. Currently, it doesn't bother me much but structurally, you can tell it's garbage.
You'll likely feel like a new man!!
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d_thomas02 wrote: »So, talked with the ortho... and he is recommending a total knee replacement.
Yeah.
I think Mike is right that medical tech has improved dramatically in the last few years related to joint replacement. Folks that I know that have had hip and knees done really do feel like new once they get through the recovery process. Good luck!3 -
Two weeks to the day before my total knee replacement operation and just received a copy of a letter my insurance company sent my doctor.
Apparently my insurance isn't going to cover the operation as "there are no radiographic findings of significant degerative joint disease, the joint destruction is mild,... The patient has not tried physical therapy and it is not clear that there is truly disabling pain or functional disability as the patient walks 8 to 12 miles per day at work."
Really? Physical therapy for an arthritic knee? And show some fortitude and perseverance to keep my friend's small business going during his busy season and I'm not showing a truly disabling pain and functional disability?
I'll have to find time to call my doc and see whats going on.
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d_thomas02 wrote: ».... Apparently my insurance isn't going to cover the operation as "there are no radiographic findings of significant degerative joint disease, the joint destruction is mild,...
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Really? Physical therapy for an arthritic
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I'll have to find time to call my doc and see whats going on.
Single payer -- medicare for all! Wouldn't it be great if the USA joined the modern world and provided health care for its citizens?
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d_thomas02 wrote: »Two weeks to the day before my total knee replacement operation and just received a copy of a letter my insurance company sent my doctor.
Apparently my insurance isn't going to cover the operation as "there are no radiographic findings of significant degerative joint disease, the joint destruction is mild,... The patient has not tried physical therapy and it is not clear that there is truly disabling pain or functional disability as the patient walks 8 to 12 miles per day at work."
Really? Physical therapy for an arthritic knee? And show some fortitude and perseverance to keep my friend's small business going during his busy season and I'm not showing a truly disabling pain and functional disability?
I'll have to find time to call my doc and see whats going on.
Yes, this is a thing insurance companies are doing now, sadly. I hope you make progress with an appeals process.
That said, I hope you may sign up for the physical therapy as soon as practical, too. I've actually found it quite helpful for things it has zero ability to repair. Whaa?
Well, I pretty much take a PT referral anytime I can get one. As just one example, I asked for and got one for my torn meniscus, even after my orthopedist said it would do nothing to cure or improve it. I explained that I wanted PT to help me assess and improve my daily movement (especially walking and stairs) so as to put less stress on the knee. In practice, I found it very helpful - better function, reduced pain. The PT folks worked with me on walking and stairs, but also identified some tight areas in my that were limiting the best ways of moving that would protect my knees.
PT is no substitute for a needed surgery, for sure, but may be a helpful thing to improve movement and reduce pain while you go through the often lengthy bureaucratic appeals nonsense involved with getting that surgery scheduled.
BTW: Single payer may not be a panacea. One of my friends had replacement of a profoundly painful hip joint delayed by Medicare until he did PT, which was excruciating for him. Even the PT people agreed with him, and finally "graduated" him early to get things going on a better track. (He's a very knowlegeable, fit, and athletic former coach, had already researched and exhausted PT-type interventions as part of his self-directed training.)
Unfortunately, single payers have rules and restrictions, not to mention bureaucracies, too.0 -
I had to have weeks of PT with a torn tendon in my shoulder before they would order an MRI to find out what the actual damage was. Crazy.0
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Talk to a lady at the doc's office about the insurance letter. She's the one doing the rebuttal letter. We spoke for quite a while about the things that I should be able to do but can't at the moment because of the knee.
She said that this sort of thing from insurance companies this late in the year is not uncommon.
We'll give it a week and see how it goes.1 -
Scumbags. Move to Canada. We have free health care and ganja.2
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Got the news late yesterday. Knee surgery is approved.
yay (I guess).7 -
If everything goes well, you won't regret this. My mother did a total knee replacement 10 years ago and she was delighted with the results. Things have only got better since then.d_thomas02 wrote: »Got the news late yesterday. Knee surgery is approved.
yay (I guess).1 -
Since this thread started, my older brother had a knee replacement. He literally walked the entire hall the day of surgery after recovery (with a walker). He's got a very high pain tolerance, though. Said it's already, two weeks later, feeling much better than it did before.2
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Big day has arrived. Will be checking into the hospital for a new right knee in about 90 minutes.
[crosses fingers]4 -
Best of luck, brother! I hope everything goes perfectly!!1
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Best wishes for everything going great!1
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