New to forum - hi

Chris01

Hi, 51 year old jerk here, suffering from knee OA. I am looking for some info and advice/suggestion for leading active (???) life with OA.
1. Exercise tips. I know the typical answer is what suits your body, but still would love to know experiences of fellow mates.
2. How many of you believe on arthritis diet? I am talking about osteoarthritis and not RA, which I know have some effect with diet changes.
3. I am reading lot about supplements online like glucosamine, would love to hear from someone who has tried it and gained some benefit.
Looking forward to get good listeners here to share my pain (story for another day!!!) and help others by contributing with my experience and knowledge in this journey.
Thank you friends.
Chris.

theresak

Hello and welcome.

Sorry I can`t really advise on OA as I have RA, which is a different beast. I`m sure one of the OA people will post before long.

stickywicket

Hi there, Chris, and welcome I have a lasagne to make so, if you'll forgive me, I'll be brief. OK, in order:

1. 'What suits your body'? Nah, my RA + OA body would much prefer to lie in bed all day but, if I'd adopted that approach I'd probably be dead by now I guess it all depends on how badly you are affected in how many joints. As virtually all mine are, I have to exercise daily – quads being the mainstay of my leg muscles but, for those whose other joints allow, swimming and cycling are the usually recommended options. “diverting patients with weight-related osteoarthritis away from the surgeon’s table – and onto bicycles.” (This comes in a report emphasising the need to lower obesity for the sake of knees http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/NewsRoom/Latestnewsstories/obesity-risk-for-arthritis )

2. So dietary changes can be good for RA? I wish! A healthy diet is good for anyone. That apart, I don't believe any one thing makes much of a difference to any of us.

3. There is some evidence that cod liver oil is good for OA. The NHS stopped prescribing glucosamine owing to lack of results. Of course you will read a lot about supplements online as they are big business. Where we see and experience a painful, incurable disease the snake oil salespeople see only cash :roll: (Arthritis doth make cynics of us all :oops: )

My advice – keep your weight down, eat healthily, exercise, laugh as much as possible and take paindullers when all else fails. Otherwise it becomes all too easy to become obsessed with stuff that makes marginal, if any, differences.

Here's what Arthritis Care says http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/PublicationsandResources/Selfmanagement/Healthylifestyle Good luck

mig

Hi Chris,Just wanted to welcome you,I have RA so not much help to you. Mig

dreamdaisy

Hello, it's nice to meet you but I am sorry you have had to find us. I live with two kinds of arthritis (the joint damage from my auto-immune has led to OA in a number of very useful joints) but so what? As far as I am concerned the damage is there and cannot be undone in any way, shape or form.

We are all different in how we are affected by that useless umbrella phrase 'arthritis' - for some auto-immuners being vegetarian has helped to ease some aspects, others in either camp omit dairy - but all I know is this: acidic foods and frosty weather exacerbates my OA (at least I can control the former) but the heat and humidity of an English 'summer' stimulates my PsA despite the best efforts of my immuno-suppressant drugs.

I am only eighteen years in and have a good few more to go. Whoopee. I support Sticky in averring that eating a balanced and
good diet will be beneficial, as will be doing what we can exercise-wise (and that may have to be rethought because our exercise may not fit the modern criteria). Unluckily for me the male Spouse has arrived home, and despite many joints screaming 'NOOOOOOOOOO!' I have to dish up.
DD

Chris01

Hello friends, thanks for taking time out to read my post and for wonderful replies. I will surely consider swimming; I do love it but just becomes lazy fellow sometimes. SW and DD, I wonder how you have managed so many years with these disease monsters and I simply have a high regard for you and look forward many such advice and suggestions in future.
I have read few good stories about cod liver oil as that of glucosamine. But I know a friend who’s been taking it for years. I will soon let you know his feedback. I think I should consider them with the fact that they are good for my heart health too 8) !!! Fortunately I am still in healthy weight range, and active except flares.
I must mention, it’s been wonderful posting here and making friends, I will be more regular in coming days. My fellow RA sufferers – thanks for welcome, though you could not give any advice, I believe we still are part of the same disease family, that makes understanding lot better among each other .
Chris.

dreamdaisy

I wonder why you ask how do we manage? :? We manage because we have to, end of. The experiences of life don't stop because one has a form of arthritis, they carry on regardless but we increasingly have to balance what we do, and for how long, with the payback which may result. Of course life must be far easier without either form of the disease but, as I don't have that option, it's a case of getting on with things as best I can. I could choose to give in but, having not had good health since birth, I know no other way of living. For those who have had that experience it must be far harder to cope. DD

barbara12

Hello Chris and a warm welcome from me..
Its hard to advise on diet and supplements because we are all so different, my OH takes Glucosamine , and says it works wounder, but didnt do anything for me..I have made a food diary and the day that are bad I check it. the only thing to come up at the min is citrus fruits and sugar..this is over a year..so it worth keeping one...and of course we have to keep moving..so light exercise every day..

stickywicket

Chris01 wrote:

SW and DD, I wonder how you have managed so many years with these disease monsters

Lack of alternatives Plus family, friends and much laughter together

Sonia50

Hi Chris .. well from one newbie to another, hello and welcome. I have recently been diagnosed with OA in my hands, neck and ankle. Its a minefield of feelings isn't it. Like you, I had loads of questions and one of the best things I have done is join the forums on here. Everyone has been so welcoming and helpful.... lots of support and advice, stories and thoughts... acceptance is a big deal for me. I have always been a 'doer' so learning to 'respect' my OA is still foreign, but a day at a time I'm getting there. wishing you well too.