Arthritis

I was diagnosed today with severe arthritis at 22 years old. (Terrible I know). I have elevated inflammatory markers and etc. I was started on a new medicine called indomethican. For the severe pain, I’ve found it hard to keep active. Anyone have any experience or tips on how to keep active or what kind of exercises to do or avoid?
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Replies

  • texasredreb
    texasredreb Posts: 541 Member
    I have moderate arthritis in my knees. Fortunately for me, it doesn't hurt but my ability to fully use my knee is compromised. I don't have any advice for you, but I commiserate. Take care.
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 34,226 Member
    Honestly, what works is going to vary with which parts of your body are most affected. Yoga/stretching and water exercise of various types seem to be common on-ramps to more activity. Locally, some of the adult education programs and YMCA have special arthritis programs: General exercise classes, pool classes (they actually heat the pool to a higher temperature for some of these), tai chi for arthritis are some I know of.
  • rickiimarieee
    rickiimarieee Posts: 2,212 Member
    kimny72 wrote: »
    Did the same doctor who gave you phentermine a couple of weeks ago when you delivered your newborn also give you this diagnosis and prescription?

    No ma’am I see a specialist, a rheumatologist.
  • rickiimarieee
    rickiimarieee Posts: 2,212 Member
    kimny72 wrote: »
    Also, from the drug write-up on WebMD:

    "This drug passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding."

    https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-8880-5186/indomethacin-oral/indomethacin-oral/details

    My rheumatologist and the pharmacist both said it was okay to breastfeed on this medicine.
  • rickiimarieee
    rickiimarieee Posts: 2,212 Member
    Vune wrote: »
    I can't take medications for my arthritis due to a kidney transplant, so I've been doing physical therapy. Getting specific exercises to target muscles that will improve the stability of the joints might help in the long run, but it's rough in the short run. I'm only doing hands and feet to start, but I'm going to seek out a physiatrist to work on the whole body.
    I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis when I was 30 years old. I was put on all kinds of medications. I did pills, injections and IV infusions. The absolute best thing I've found so far is a clean eating diet. I avoid beef and pork most of the time because red meat has high inflammatory markers. I still ache with bio-metric pressure changes (drastic temperature swings in either direction) and after doing hard yard work etc. I work out faithfully even when I have the RA flu and don't feel like it. I know it stinks to get a diagnosis like this so young but I am still trucking onward now 9 years later. The important thing is to stay active because a stationary lifestyle adds insult to injury. I know it's hard but keep moving. Try to avoid eating a lot of sugary junk. Especially things with lots of caffeine as it dehydrates your joints and robs bones of calcium. I attached the clean list I eat from. It's been a life changer for me. Best wishes! i9aizmztb5h8.jpg
    Thank you both for the advice! I try to stay active with two little ones but often find myself in crippling pain, especially in my back. I have issues with my kidneys as well, they are swollen and my urologist puts kidney stents in me every two weeks, my last one came out after labor so I’ve been waiting for a new appointment to schedule a new one. Wondering if the medicine will have any effect or not be allowed with my kidney issues.
    Also I’m not much of a meat eater to begin with so that won’t be an issue. Thank you for the list!
  • FL_Hiker
    FL_Hiker Posts: 919 Member
    edited March 2019
    Dang, I don’t have it quite that bad but I’m also young (25 years old here). Its given me a bit of trouble so far in my knees and hips. I’ve learned to just take one day at a time... if I wake up and feel stiff and sore I go a lot slower and give myself time. I also take a lot of hot baths, they just really seem to help soothe my pain. I also got a big fluffy feather top to go on my mattress and I’ve noticed I’ve been waking up feeling less stiff in the mornings and it seems like it’s helping me get a better nights sleep. I also pick exercises that benefit my joints when I can, I’m obsessed with running so lately I’ve been doing a lot of soft dirt trails. Much nicer on the joints than pavement. And if I get really painful I’ll hit the pool instead. I won’t lie I also take a lot of over the counter anti inflammatories and glucosamine (although no studies actually suggest it helps). None of this is real medical advice lol but it makes a big difference to me. Hope you find some solutions soon!
  • rickiimarieee
    rickiimarieee Posts: 2,212 Member
    FL_Hiker wrote: »
    Dang, I don’t have it quite that bad but I’m also young (25 years old here). Its given me a bit of trouble so far in my knees and hips. I’ve learned to just take one day at a time... if I wake up and feel stiff and sore I go a lot slower and give myself time. I also take a lot of hot baths, they just really seem to help soothe my pain. I also got a big fluffy feather top to go on my mattress and I’ve noticed I’ve been waking up feeling less stiff in the mornings and it seems like it’s helping me get a better nights sleep. I also pick exercises that benefit my joints when I can, I’m obsessed with running so lately I’ve been doing a lot of soft dirt trails. Much nicer on the joints than pavement. And if I get really painful I’ll hit the pool instead. I won’t lie I also take a lot of over the counter anti inflammatories and glucosamine (although no studies actually suggest it helps). None of this is real medical advice lol but it makes a big difference to me. Hope you find some solutions soon!

    Thank you! I take alot of hot baths as well. I haven’t slept in an actual bed in months. I’ve succumbed to a recliner. I can’t lay flat in a bed without intense pain. If I manage to sleep flat I wake up in intense pain so recliner is my best option. I definitely can’t go for a run.
  • snowflake954
    snowflake954 Posts: 8,399 Member
    I've had OA for a long time and it get progressively worse with age--I'm 64. Advice that I can give is to keep moving. As another poster said it's strange but the more you move the better it gets. Everyone has to find their own way on this trying this or that and fitting it into your lifestyle. For me: swimming, acquagym, stretching at least 3 x a week early mornings, light yoga, mixed light strength training at the gym, squats and planking, walking as much as possible, and using supplements. You'll sleep better if you move more. The right mattress is crucial. I couldn't sleep on my side for years, I can now. I was very unstable going down stairs, now I can skip down them. If I have pain in a certain location, I try to gently move and exercise that part. It's been a long journey but certain thing are much better. Study your pain and then try to find ways to improve. Good luck. Thinking of you.
  • rickiimarieee
    rickiimarieee Posts: 2,212 Member
    I've had OA for a long time and it get progressively worse with age--I'm 64. Advice that I can give is to keep moving. As another poster said it's strange but the more you move the better it gets. Everyone has to find their own way on this trying this or that and fitting it into your lifestyle. For me: swimming, acquagym, stretching at least 3 x a week early mornings, light yoga, mixed light strength training at the gym, squats and planking, walking as much as possible, and using supplements. You'll sleep better if you move more. The right mattress is crucial. I couldn't sleep on my side for years, I can now. I was very unstable going down stairs, now I can skip down them. If I have pain in a certain location, I try to gently move and exercise that part. It's been a long journey but certain thing are much better. Study your pain and then try to find ways to improve. Good luck. Thinking of you.

    Thank you for such crucial advice!
  • tmpecus78
    tmpecus78 Posts: 1,206 Member
    I had a S1/L5 (lower back) spinal fusion back in 2006. My surgeon mentioned I was developing early stages of arthritis in both my lower back and hips. It has bothered me more and more each year, but like some of the others have mentioned, you need to stay active. I have found that leaner I am the better I feel. Also, I try to keep inflammation down with the foods I choose to eat. When I eat foods with a lot of sugar and wheat I notice a lot of stiffness/pain the following days. This was one of the reasons I tend to eat LCHF/Keto.
  • sammidelvecchio
    sammidelvecchio Posts: 791 Member
    It's a tough life out here! I was diagnosed with OA and degenerative disk disease @ 23 (i'm 31 now). THere are good days, and bad months. It took me several tries to find a medicine that made me able to get through the day. I have it in my knees, hips, feet, back, neck, fingers, shoulders. And some days, it wins. Pool workouts have been a life saver for me. I also try to stretch before I get up for the day. Wherever I sleep (couch sometimes, bed sometimes) I do some stretching before putting my feet to the ground. The only advice I can give is to just keep moving. Whether you need a cane, walking sticks, someone holding your hand, keep moving. Otherwise, you will get used to being immobile and not learn how to work through the pain. A lot of people won't understand what you're going through, and make you feel like a baby or dramatic, but know there are people out here who do understand. I know how hard it is some days to do ANYTHING. Showers, cooking, even just resting seem unbearable. Keep trying out medications until you get one that works, keep moving, eat a low inflammatory-food diet (21 day meal plan is great) and try to stay as upbeat as possible. And be honest with your family on your bad days.

    I have also seen a therapist for pain management and take hot yoga once a week. Best of luck in your journey!
  • rickiimarieee
    rickiimarieee Posts: 2,212 Member
    tmpecus78 wrote: »
    I had a S1/L5 (lower back) spinal fusion back in 2006. My surgeon mentioned I was developing early stages of arthritis in both my lower back and hips. It has bothered me more and more each year, but like some of the others have mentioned, you need to stay active. I have found that leaner I am the better I feel. Also, I try to keep inflammation down with the foods I choose to eat. When I eat foods with a lot of sugar and wheat I notice a lot of stiffness/pain the following days. This was one of the reasons I tend to eat LCHF/Keto.
    Ooh that’d be hard for me to cut back on wheat. I’m a huge fan of carbs :|
  • rickiimarieee
    rickiimarieee Posts: 2,212 Member
    It's a tough life out here! I was diagnosed with OA and degenerative disk disease @ 23 (i'm 31 now). THere are good days, and bad months. It took me several tries to find a medicine that made me able to get through the day. I have it in my knees, hips, feet, back, neck, fingers, shoulders. And some days, it wins. Pool workouts have been a life saver for me. I also try to stretch before I get up for the day. Wherever I sleep (couch sometimes, bed sometimes) I do some stretching before putting my feet to the ground. The only advice I can give is to just keep moving. Whether you need a cane, walking sticks, someone holding your hand, keep moving. Otherwise, you will get used to being immobile and not learn how to work through the pain. A lot of people won't understand what you're going through, and make you feel like a baby or dramatic, but know there are people out here who do understand. I know how hard it is some days to do ANYTHING. Showers, cooking, even just resting seem unbearable. Keep trying out medications until you get one that works, keep moving, eat a low inflammatory-food diet (21 day meal plan is great) and try to stay as upbeat as possible. And be honest with your family on your bad days.

    I have also seen a therapist for pain management and take hot yoga once a week. Best of luck in your journey!

    Thank you! I gotta stay active because of my kids but I found I was much more active like two years ago. I do have a lot of bad days. You perfectly explained what I’m feeling most days!
  • rickiimarieee
    rickiimarieee Posts: 2,212 Member
    Much more active without pain two years ago*
  • watts6151
    watts6151 Posts: 905 Member
    I’m got OA in both of my SI joints
    Luckily I’ve managed to get a prescription
    For HGH which is making a huge difference
    To the pain and overall stiffness
  • Chieflrg
    Chieflrg Posts: 9,097 Member
    What were you dx'd with exactly?

  • emmoen
    emmoen Posts: 218 Member
    I too was diagnosised with severe OA at a young age. Now at 32, probably in the best shape of my life.... still working on it but doing much better than when I was first diagnosised. Mine was due to previous knee injuries but honestly I found the more active I am the better my knees feel. I would just start out slowly and take it day by day. I unfortunately am pretty dependent upon NSAIDs to help fight any inflammation but as long as I manage any swelling I have less pain. You can do it... it will try some time to find out what works best for you but just keep you children in mind and you will succeed!
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    I have arthritis that hit in my 30s. I've been able to delay joint replacement a number of years with dietary controls. For me, who was prediabetic and a celiac, anti inflammatory foods are very low carb to no carb foods. Increasing my carbs results is a much higher pain level.

    My dirt hasn't fixed the problem, but it seems to gave slowed it and reduced symptoms. Noticeably. Ymmv.
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    Walk walk walk. Swimming or water aerobics. Biking or spin class. Find anything you enjoy and do it. Keep doing it. The only thing worse than arthritis pain is the added pain of gaining weight due to inactivity and discouragement. Weight and inactivity will only make the arthritis pain worse. Voice of experience here.
  • Hilogirl2018
    Hilogirl2018 Posts: 687 Member
    Sugar makes my joint pain much worse, so limiting it helps. Dark chocolate seems to be fine. Doing PT in a heated therapy pool is helpful, and 2 hours a week of pool exercise can be plenty when you're in a flare and don't feel up to much! I love heating pads but ice packs on my joints often help the most, and I keep some in a cooler in the car to ice while driving.

    Good luck, and as another poster said, study your pain. Learn what works for for you.
  • ruqayyahsmum
    ruqayyahsmum Posts: 1,513 Member
    Please check with a specialist pharmacist to be sure the medication is safe

    I can't remember the American site for this but here in England we have a lady called Wendy on the drugs in breast milk service.who will double check information

    My specialist suggested I follow a vegetarian diet, I also cut down on carbs

    So far the best help I've had was seeing biomechanics. They asked me to straighten my arms and straight off realised I have hyper mobility syndrome.
    They made me special inserts for my shoes to stop my ankles tipping over to the floor, it's helped alot with my knees, hips and lower back

    I use compression gloves on my hands to help keep my fingers straight, they curl in, get stuck and lose grip otherwise

    Physio has also been useful for helping with exercises to build up muscle to support my joints, my muscles are pathetically weak which in turn let's my joints move way to far
  • rickiimarieee
    rickiimarieee Posts: 2,212 Member
    lorrpb wrote: »
    Walk walk walk. Swimming or water aerobics. Biking or spin class. Find anything you enjoy and do it. Keep doing it. The only thing worse than arthritis pain is the added pain of gaining weight due to inactivity and discouragement. Weight and inactivity will only make the arthritis pain worse. Voice of experience here.

    I definitely won’t stop what I’m doing to lose weight and everything so gaining weight isn’t an option for me! Thank you for the advice!
  • rickiimarieee
    rickiimarieee Posts: 2,212 Member
    Please check with a specialist pharmacist to be sure the medication is safe

    I can't remember the American site for this but here in England we have a lady called Wendy on the drugs in breast milk service.who will double check information

    My specialist suggested I follow a vegetarian diet, I also cut down on carbs

    So far the best help I've had was seeing biomechanics. They asked me to straighten my arms and straight off realised I have hyper mobility syndrome.
    They made me special inserts for my shoes to stop my ankles tipping over to the floor, it's helped alot with my knees, hips and lower back

    I use compression gloves on my hands to help keep my fingers straight, they curl in, get stuck and lose grip otherwise

    Physio has also been useful for helping with exercises to build up muscle to support my joints, my muscles are pathetically weak which in turn let's my joints move way to far

    My doctor and pharmacist said it was okay so not sure who else to ask about it!
  • fishgutzy
    fishgutzy Posts: 2,807 Member
    My wife has an autoimmune form of arthritis. Spondyloarthritis. Attacks the soft tissue in her joints.
    Once the right medication was found and she was able to move better she went back to deep water aerobics classes and learned to swim too. At age 60 no less.
    This helps build strength and endurance in the muscles supporting her joints.
    2 years ago she could not walk a mile.
    Yesterday she walked a 7 mile trail. She still had some discomfort after but she did it.
  • ruqayyahsmum
    ruqayyahsmum Posts: 1,513 Member
    Please check with a specialist pharmacist to be sure the medication is safe

    I can't remember the American site for this but here in England we have a lady called Wendy on the drugs in breast milk service.who will double check information

    My specialist suggested I follow a vegetarian diet, I also cut down on carbs

    So far the best help I've had was seeing biomechanics. They asked me to straighten my arms and straight off realised I have hyper mobility syndrome.
    They made me special inserts for my shoes to stop my ankles tipping over to the floor, it's helped alot with my knees, hips and lower back

    I use compression gloves on my hands to help keep my fingers straight, they curl in, get stuck and lose grip otherwise

    Physio has also been useful for helping with exercises to build up muscle to support my joints, my muscles are pathetically weak which in turn let's my joints move way to far

    My doctor and pharmacist said it was okay so not sure who else to ask about it!

    A pharmacist trained in lactation. There is a service in america called lactmed who you can contact to check

    Many doctors and most pharmacists don't receive much training on breastfeeding
  • rickiimarieee
    rickiimarieee Posts: 2,212 Member
    Please check with a specialist pharmacist to be sure the medication is safe

    I can't remember the American site for this but here in England we have a lady called Wendy on the drugs in breast milk service.who will double check information

    My specialist suggested I follow a vegetarian diet, I also cut down on carbs

    So far the best help I've had was seeing biomechanics. They asked me to straighten my arms and straight off realised I have hyper mobility syndrome.
    They made me special inserts for my shoes to stop my ankles tipping over to the floor, it's helped alot with my knees, hips and lower back

    I use compression gloves on my hands to help keep my fingers straight, they curl in, get stuck and lose grip otherwise

    Physio has also been useful for helping with exercises to build up muscle to support my joints, my muscles are pathetically weak which in turn let's my joints move way to far

    My doctor and pharmacist said it was okay so not sure who else to ask about it!

    A pharmacist trained in lactation. There is a service in america called lactmed who you can contact to check

    Many doctors and most pharmacists don't receive much training on breastfeeding

    Thank you!!