arthritis at 40

baztex101

Hi,
I've just turned 40 3 weeks ago, and just found out today that I have arthritis in both hips, I haven't run in 4 months, but won't be doing much now. Have run 15 marathons and many long distance triathlons, all of which may have contributed, but not too sure yet, as meeting the specialist next week.
Does anyone know if glucosamine really helps??
Would I be registered as disabled now too??
Thank you,
Baz.

frogmorton

Hi Baz
good to meet you but sorry you are here coz of arthritis
You have done really well all those marathons! WOW!!! There are other people on here who run too ( believe it or not) so you should meet them too.
Good luck with the specialist and I hope to see you on the forums soon
Toni x

elnafinn

Hi Baz

Welcome to the forum. I am sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with the dreaded arthritis. Is it Osteo Arthritis ie wear and tear? My OA was diagnosed in my 40's too but I never did any running. I used to be much more active than I am now so can see where the wear and tear came in, for me. There is no harm in trying gluco. Some swear by it, and gps issue scripts for it now. For me, it did not help - I swallowed them down every day for a long, long time and when I did finally stop, I did not feel any different. That is me though. We are all different.

Hope to see you posting more,

Luv
Elna x

woodbon

Hi, Hello and welcome to the forum!

I have OA in my spine and a few other joints! I'm sorry that you'v had to have this experience, but you must be very fit and well besides that! We are encouraged to keep up as much exercise as we can, as it keeps the joints moving and I know some of the people on here are quite active. Running is a high impact exercise, so I think if I were you I'd check with my doc about keeping it up. He may well say that its up to you and how you feel after doing it, how much pain you get etc.

As for registering disabled, I don't think thats done any more. People who can't do things because of condition are, I think, protected by the Disability Discrimination Law, and if you need help it like special equipment a Occupational Therapist would be refferd to you.

Its early days and I hope that with time you find that things settle and you will learn what you can and can't do through experience, you may be lucky and find it doesn't interfer with your life too much at all! It is hard to take in as we tend to think of arthritis as a disease of the elderly, but that us far from true I'm afraid.

Good luck, love Sue

baztex101

Hi Toni,
Thanks for your note. Maybe there is hope of me running again then?? Anyway I appreciate your message. What about you and arthritis?? How long have you had it?? I'm sorry if it's too nosey, don't reply. Don't really know what to say, as I only found out about mine at 4.30pm today. Well maybe catch you on here again, thanks again
Take care

Baz x.

baztex101

Hi Elna,
Thanks so much for your reply. I think I will give gluco a try for 3 months or so and see what happens. I only had my x-ray last night and got the results today when they phoned me up, so on a bit of a downer at the moment, but I guess it could be worse though. I guess it's only early days, but will have to try and stay away from all the sports I love the most for now.
Thank you for your message,

Kind Regards

Luv Baz x.

baztex101

Hi Sue,
Thank you for all the info. I don't think I will be running for the time being, as I tried a month ago on a treadmill and nearly fell off after 2 minutes; it is high impact, so I think I will need to do non-weight bearing things like swimming, which I do once a week anyway. I ride my bike to work which is 30 miles a week, and doesn't seem to be a problem at the moment.
I guess it must be really bad for you having it in your spine as well as other places; mine doesn't seem so bad after all.
Thank you for your helpful tips will be back on this forum again soon I'm sure, thanks once again

love Baz.

lindalegs

Hi Baz and welcome from me.

I was 27 when I got RA that's 23 years ago :shock: but many on here are much, much younger.

Although you can't run at the moment it doesn't mean to say you won't be able to in the future - arthritis comes in many strains and it's still early days for you yet.

Haven't tried Glucosomine (sp?) myself but have tried all sorts along the way but I've found there are no miracle cures for me - give it a try though it could help you - also mention it to your Consultant they usually like to know.

I did register disabled many years ago - it's not done for you - but you may not have to nowadays.

Take care.

Luv Legs

annebr

Baz,

It is a shock when you are first diagnosed. What type of arthritis do you have?

I am 39 and have OA and FAI of both hips, I was diagnosed two years ago. I managed to get referred to a 'young' hip specialist and have had two ops on my right hip to save the joint and will go through the same for the left.

You will probably have lots of questions, I found it useful to write them down so I could remember to ask the consultant everything I wanted to know.

This forum is also great.

Anne

valval

hi i have oa and take glucomine and chond twice a day and it does seem to help takes months but worth it also take anti inflams and pain killers for when i need them but last couple of weeks been much better fingers crossed

elnafinn

Hi again, Baz

Just wanted to wish you well with your specialist appointment next week. It has obviously been a shock today to hear your diagnosis, very understandable. Between now and next week, I would do a little research either on here, reading the posts or on the internet to find out more and jot down a few thoughts, questions, on paper to take with you when you go for your appointment. Some people prefer to go alone to these appointments, like me! Sometimes it is useful to go along with someone else, because they remember things you may not and also ask questions you may not think to ask. I took my husband to one appointment after my total knee replacement and was pleased that I did.

Weight bearing exercise is not recommended with arthritic knees and hips and after knee/hip operations too. Obviously it is your decision in the end but worth finding out as much as possible about other runners experiences with oa of the limbs/back and reading their blogs which can be found by googling.

I hope you will find the support of the forum helps you, many do and I hope you will let us know how you get on. Ask away with any questions you may have and we shall all do our best to answer them.

Look after yourself,

Luv
Elna x

ps I have no problem with cycling, although I only poodle around my post code area most of the time, or take the bike on holiday :roll: as this is non- weight bearing as is swimming.

collettem

Hi,

I had a thr in March this year at 35, due to dysplasia. It is in the other hip and at the minute have had to give up walking trying to save it. What I have found helps is paradox oil along with the glouscomine etc. I am also starting the bowen technique this week to see if that helps. I found it really hard having to stop walking and it is only now that i am ok with it. It took me a while to adapt to going to the gym and doing the bike and cross trainer and although I have to push myself to go when I get there I am grateful that I can do some form of exercise. I know that is not much of a consolation but having went through one op It was the right choice for me. I am also doing exercises to increase the muscle to try and reduce the pressure on the joint.

Take care

C

mellman01

Hi baztex101 a fellow runner eh!, I use to do a lot of short distance running 3. 4 miles when off shift use to take my old dog Murphy with me, he was a good running mate. My story is this. I have advanced OA In both patella so don’t and can’t run now, I do take glucosamine it does help but it’s no miracle cure, best thing to do is listen to your body, it may take some time to work out what is or isn’t helping, don’t push yourself to get back out running to soon I gave up as it’s just to painful, thing is for me I found my OA has a delay action, what I do in the day I pay for at night, just take your time and you could do what I’ve done and that’s to use my bike instead, I can go for a few miles without to much payback, ask the specialist if it’s ok though, mind you if it isn’t your body will tell you. Oh I’m not sure if anyone else on here has tried it but I use chilli cream and so far so good works quite well for me, you have to use it constantly for at least a week or two, I was highly sceptical about it but it’s been a god send.