Hi, polyarthritis and winter stiffness

Jov

Hi All,

Thanks for the recent tips on managing winter stiffness. It helps to know its a real 'thing'!

I follow all suggested tips: exercise, heat therapy, wrapping up well but remain constantly stiff and sore these days.

Is there really nothing else we can do but grin and bear it??

I'm a 71-year old retired nurse, based in south east Scotland. 

Im busy in life, run a charity supporting the hospital where I grew up in rural Zambia: https://friendsofchitambo.org.uk/

I'm also primary carer for a severely disabled and chronically ill husband, who is a high level leg amputee. We have a bit of care coming in daily.

So guess I have quite a lot on my plate, but stuff that matters to me and distracts me from my iwn arthritic pain.

I have polyarthritis and had a right knee replacement in April 2023.

I recovered pretty well from the surgery, although the knee remains pretty stiff despite doing all the rehab.

I'm on a list for the other knee but am wondering how much help it will be, given the widespread nature of my arthritis, in knees, hips. spine, shoulder, and hands.

 I'm a believer in good health and hate being like this. I exercise regularly....aquarobics, swimming, yoga, walking. I also believe in the power of positive thinking and meditate regularly.

I also take a range of dietary supplements...turmeric, boswelia, glucosamine/chondroitin...but am currently taking maximum doses of ibuprofen and paracetamol daily. I know I'm not supposed to take ibuprofen longterm but its the only thing that helps.

Even so, I'm getting increasingly anxious as I notice big declines in my physical ability, especially in the yoga class, relative to my peers, and in my walking pace. Also climbing steps. I can't do so without holding on. I feel my body is is giving up.

Excuse this long tirade but glad of any more support and advice on how best to manage the stiffness and pain of polyarthritis. 

Thanks!

Naomi33

Hello @Jov and welcome to the online community.

We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that will be your experience as well.

Sorry to hear you have concerns about your polyarthritis the following links maybe helpful......

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/polyarthritis/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/polyarteritis-nodosa-pan/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/exercises-for-healthy-joints/

Please keep posting and let us know how you are getting on and I am sure others will connect with you soon.

With best wishes

@Naomi33

Jov

Many thanks Naomi, that sounds very helpful and I'll look with intetest. Thanks. 🙏🏻🙏🏻

Jov

Thanks again Naomi. I've had a look at the links you kindly sent.

I was a bit surprised at the first which describes polyarthritis as a juvenile disease?

I understood it to be just where multiple joints are involved?

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/24433-polyarthritis

Your second link got the wind up me until I noticed it was polyARTERITIS, not arthritis. Phew! An easy slip to make but thank goodness I dont have that!

Thanks.