anyone here with Rhematoid or oseto arthritis?

doceo · August 2018

I've had a rough year. I had back surgery on l5 s1 for an extruding disc for which I was in pain almost 6 months. I know I have osteo in my back. I'm still not released from the doctor for that surgery, and I woke up this week with my 2 index fingers in pain and hard to bend. My right index is more painful than my left index.

It sounds like RA (sister has it) BUT I haven't been officially diagnosed. I'll set that up this week.

My hubby and I are in the process of considering a move from a northern PA to southern coastal GA (almost in FL). Now I'm worried that the coast may not be good for arthritis...humidity and all that.

Can anyone tell me if anything about weather and arthritis? Is the cold or humidity worse?

kardsharp · August 2018

I have arthritis and I find the cold the worst. For me, the humidity helps.

ceiswyn · August 2018

I have osteoarthritis, and WARM GOOD. COLD BAD.

I’ve never noticed that humidity makes any difference whatsoever, and I’m kind of curious as to how it could?

SarahLascelles1 · August 2018

I have osteo in one shoulder - getting it cold is bad, warm is good.

doceo · August 2018

thanks, everyone. So a move to GA may be a good move. How do you all survive the cold? You all live in, what I assume, is cold weather areas?

ceiswyn · August 2018

I live in the UK, so I can expect a certain amount of cold in the winter. Mostly, I survive it by keepng the problem joint (my ankle) warm. I knit, so I made myself toeless socks that I can wear just on that one ankle. Microwaveable wheat bags are the best. And anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen will help prevent the damage getting worse.

CarvedTones · August 2018

Same same - warm helps cold hurts. The humidity just makes smaller changes in the temperature have a bigger effect and bigger changes have a profound effect. 40 in FL is worse that 20 in CO. I also have a bulging disc at L5S1 and another at L4L5. 90% of diagnosed bulging/herniated discs are at those two locations. I have only had a lumbar MRI (the only accurate way to diagnose disc problems) and may have a couple of others. I also have spinal stenosis at L4L5, osteo and some squaring off. I have systemic osteo that may be rooted in something more rheumatic as I get bilateral symmetric flares. I tend to get them in the cold weather; very rarely in the warm weather.

Sabine_Stroehm · August 2018

I have osteo. Warm is good, storms, for me, are not. Like @CarvedTones I get symmetric symptoms, but all blood tests have been negative for RA.

doceo · August 2018

Looks like I need to seriously consider this move to GA. I need to check out storms and humidity there. I've never moved from my little town (little!) so this is stressful! I need to call a dr today and see about a RA test. My younger sister has it...poor soul put on 100 lbs from steroids and she is still in pain.

wyattjenniferl97 · August 2018

I have both. Dry heat is great for my joints. Dry cold takes a couple of days to adjust to and is fine afterwards. Wet heat is not fun. I lurk inside when the humidity is high. Wet cold is very bad.

Angiefit4life · August 2018

I have AS and on humira. I try to do my best to walk. Walking helps a lot. Yes cold weather makes it worse but honest try to move when you can!

Ironlady70 · August 2018

Change in diet will give relief to RA. It is an autoimmune disease that rests well to the Autoimmune Paleo Profile way of eating. Once the initial eliminations happens, reintroduction of foods will help identify triggers for flares although it is trial and error as to which foods. Wish you all the best

Spliner1969 · August 2018

I'd have to agree with everyone, cold = bad for the most part, wet cold is worse for me. I have had an L4/L5 lamenectomy for a bulging disc which cut off my sciatic nerves about 15 years ago, I also had surgery on my right knee about 10 years ago, as well as multiple bone breaks, etc. over the years. I also have degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis (more or less arthritis of the spine), and arthritis (not sure which kind) in my knees. Some mornings waking up is worse than others but there are a few things that have helped me.

1) Losing weight. Keeping it off. On my 3rd year of maintenance, and I no longer wake up in pain in the middle of the night.
2) Osteo BiFlex (Glucosamine MSM), Generic versions are ok too. I take this daily, it helps.
3) Fish Oil, also taken daily.
4) Regular exercise. I walk, run, and do bodyweight training, plus free weights several times a week.
5) Yoga. Doesn't burn a lot of calories but the stretches really help. I do them both on days I work out and on days I don't.
6) Staying hydrated. I drink near a gallon of water a day.

Combine all those things and I do fairly well with it all. I live in the mid-united states, so not too far north and not too far south. Stays pretty hot here and winters are fairly dry most of the time, but have their moments (Ice mostly). On cold, rainy days is when I hurt the most, in any season. So yea, somewhere hot and dry would be best, but a lot can be done right where you are with a combination of those things above.

elsie6hickman · August 2018

I have fibro as well as osteoarthritis in my knees and lower back. Warm is fine for me, but humidity irritates my fibro, as do approaching storms (change in barometric pressure). Cold doesn't really bother me, but it is all relative, because I live in Central Alabama - what is considered "cold" here is considered mild in other places. I have found that since I changed my diet and started exercising, I feel much better. I still have to get cortisone shots in my knees and back at least twice a year, but I haven't had a serious fibro flare since I started eating better and lost some weight.

shelbydodgeguy · August 2018

I've got RA, it's particularly bad in my hands. I've also got widespread autoimmune related pain & inflammation plus a back injury from my youth that never healed properly. Add to that a defect in one leg from birth that caused withered muscles and pain. Heat helps, I've got electric blankets and heating pads year round.

I'm incredibly sedentary, even as a child I was never been able to run; even standing or walking any sort distance causes the leg pain to spike to unbearable levels. Diet changes have helped with the inflammation - apparently my body doesn't like any carbs from things like pasta, breads, fruits, potatoes, etc. I'm actually able to type without being in agony for the first time in ages.

I've found dry heat to be the best. A number of years ago I spent some time in West Texas and New Mexico and I felt pretty decent there. I'm currently in the central FL area and it's not too bad but the humidity is killer and the rainy season is long. The winters are mild which is nice.

As others have said stay hydrated. I've also found that hot tubs/spas and massage therapy every so often help me.

BigGuy47 · August 2018

I have PA. I live in Texas in a humid region. Cold weather causes the PA to worsen. Other than a bad hair day I've never had any issues related to the humidity.

doceo · August 2018

Spliner1969 wrote: »

I'd have to agree with everyone, cold = bad for the most part, wet cold is worse for me. I have had an L4/L5 lamenectomy for a bulging disc which cut off my sciatic nerves about 15 years ago, I also had surgery on my right knee about 10 years ago, as well as multiple bone breaks, etc. over the years. I also have degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis (more or less arthritis of the spine), and arthritis (not sure which kind) in my knees. Some mornings waking up is worse than others but there are a few things that have helped me.

1) Losing weight. Keeping it off. On my 3rd year of maintenance, and I no longer wake up in pain in the middle of the night.
2) Osteo BiFlex (Glucosamine MSM), Generic versions are ok too. I take this daily, it helps.
3) Fish Oil, also taken daily.
4) Regular exercise. I walk, run, and do bodyweight training, plus free weights several times a week.
5) Yoga. Doesn't burn a lot of calories but the stretches really help. I do them both on days I work out and on days I don't.
6) Staying hydrated. I drink near a gallon of water a day.

Combine all those things and I do fairly well with it all. I live in the mid-united states, so not too far north and not too far south. Stays pretty hot here and winters are fairly dry most of the time, but have their moments (Ice mostly). On cold, rainy days is when I hurt the most, in any season. So yea, somewhere hot and dry would be best, but a lot can be done right where you are with a combination of those things above.

Spliner 1969
Thanks for such detail. I retired 2 years ago and decided to focus on me. I hired a personal trainer and I lost 15 lbs and wanted to lose 5 more. According to my trainer, anymore and it would be too much; I was excited to be tone and fit ... then I had issues with my back and couldn't work out anymore. I'm still unable to lift more than 5lbs, bend, or twist for 2 more mos. sigh.

I do take fish oil, but was told to go off it prior to my surgery until my return check-up; I hope it kicks back in quickly! I'll have to get osteo biflex.

doceo · August 2018

shelbydodgeguy wrote: »

I've got RA, it's particularly bad in my hands. I've also got widespread autoimmune related pain & inflammation plus a back injury from my youth that never healed properly. Add to that a defect in one leg from birth that caused withered muscles and pain. Heat helps, I've got electric blankets and heating pads year round.

I'm incredibly sedentary, even as a child I was never been able to run; even standing or walking any sort distance causes the leg pain to spike to unbearable levels. Diet changes have helped with the inflammation - apparently my body doesn't like any carbs from things like pasta, breads, fruits, potatoes, etc. I'm actually able to type without being in agony for the first time in ages.

I've found dry heat to be the best. A number of years ago I spent some time in West Texas and New Mexico and I felt pretty decent there. I'm currently in the central FL area and it's not too bad but the humidity is killer and the rainy season is long. The winters are mild which is nice.

As others have said stay hydrated. I've also found that hot tubs/spas and massage therapy every so often help me.

I seriously have to change my diet to less fried foods and more antinflammatory foods.

I'm looking for a cookbook that uses easy to find ingredients; too many have items I would never find locally.

doceo · August 2018

BigGuy47 wrote: »

I have PA. I live in Texas in a humid region. Cold weather causes the PA to worsen. Other than a bad hair day I've never had any issues related to the humidity.

What is PA? I know what RA is.
Feeling a little stupid, but willing to learn.

manderson27 · August 2018

I was diagnosed with OA 2 years ago and recently having a bad flare up it seems I wake up every day with a different joint in pain. It is in my fingers at the moment. We have just had a change in weather and it is a lot cooler now so I think that is what kicked it off.

I take Co-Codamol for the pain and Ibuprofen for the inflammation this combo sees me through the bad days.

I used to lift heavy things up and down but had to quit when the OA kicked in. I gained a lot of weight in the following year but am shifting that again now. Hoping to get back to lifting soon.

I would love to live somewhere warm all year but I am in the UK so rain and chilly is our default.

GaleHawkins · August 2018

Angiefit4life wrote: »

I have AS and on humira. I try to do my best to walk. Walking helps a lot. Yes cold weather makes it worse but honest try to move when you can!

Walking is good. 45 years ago I was told I had AS (Ankylosing Spondylitis) and it has fused most of my joints and took out my hips to the point I had both replaced Aug 1991.

With mobility becoming very hard and my health crashing and the pain was over the top the doctors wanted me to start on Enbrel injections in 90 days or Nov 2014 at the age of 63. I felt there had to be non Rx solution for my pain plus a pharmacist that I have known for like 50 years said to avoid Enbrel type meds.

Oct 2014 on a hunch I cut out all foods containing added sugar and any form of any grain. The first two weeks of withdrawal like symptoms was hellish but at the end of 30 days my pain level was down from years of levels in the 7-8 range to 2-3 so I passed on Rx meds. Now nearly 4 years later of eating this way my pain level stays under 1 most all of the time and years of damage is improving slightly.

Now at 67 my health and range of motion is better than decades ago in my case.

What drove me to act on my hunch was our kids were 16 and watching my health fail wondering it this was their future.

Later I learned about LCHF and realized that was what I was doing before knew it had a name. Not sure if what I did applies to another human or not and I do not tell others how to eat even in my household.

While my pain is now well managed by the way I eat and move a big drop in barometric makes want to not even to move because I feel like I must weigh a ton. Cold is not so bad anymore because I stay much warmer eating LCHF high calorie diet. I gave up on trying to lose weight after 40 years of yo-yoing weight with 100+% regains after every weight loss yet the first year of eating LCHF I did lose 50 pounds and have been at 195 +/- 5 pounds for the past 3 years without thought.

Yes I got lucky to find out what was triggering my autoimmune disease(s) in a general way even if I as 63 with a lot of damage. I read research daily on this subject and expect to do so for the rest of my life.

Not sure what may work for you or others if anything but just keep reading and walking as much as you can. I was down to using the powered carts at WalMart and now I can walk for miles at a time. I was at a tradeshow in WI before I changed my way of eating in 2014 then back a year later and had my 17 year old daughter with me. He said it was good to see us and that he had met my father the year before and asked about his health. When I told him it was me that he met the year before he was blown away that I was walking well and managing my own luggage on the escalator.

Keep moving and reading on living with autoimmune diseases. Sometimes it is the bottom of page 10 in a Google search before I hit pay dirt.

Best of success and keep in mind others will never grasp what we are experiencing. We will hear a lot of 'advice' that makes us want to say, "Just Drop Dead" but negativity is not positive for our health issues.

anyone here with Rhematoid or oseto arthritis?

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