just a few reflections

nickynysmon08

I know some of the people here are very worried about worsening osteo arthritus and similar things, and thought a few reflections may show how fickle and unpredictable this condition can be. a few weeks ago, when it was cold, my own osteo became very bad, and was like walking on dislocated hip and broken knees, I hope I don't exaggerate.
some of the time especially walking around the shops was really quite unpleasant and I felt like dropping down somewhere to rest. I started taking tramadol which i have gotten used to now. but a few days ago I stopped taking tablets to see how bad it really was.

I went for a walk a couple of days ago, feeling very achy in my hips and knee, but so often it is when we force moderate exercise upon us that after a few miles have been covered, , two I would say, in my experience the pain seemed t go. only afterward do we really appreciate the exercise we have had. I was gardening much of yesterday and today, have done some shopping and the aches and pains have almost completely gone. I do wonder if the cold weather has a significant part to play in this. I assume it will get worse once again but it always seems ti improve at some point later on. so far!!
I was becoming disconsolate being a mere fifty five years old, a mere lad really!! they say exercise can never damage the joints, and I would amplify this greatly. whilst osteo is only one condition I do believe this principle applies to all conditions of arthritus.
I am anxious to see how the summer progresses and if the long walks can be done again. being a painter and photographer as my hobbies, one needs to get out into the country quite often.
I hope those who think their condition to be the end of the world will take heart from this. since it has become warmer, and I have become more mobile how great the world is once more.

best wishes and I hope this is of help to any one,

Nick

tanith

Nick what a lovely positive post.. must admit I too have started pushing myself to walk further the last couple of weeks and started up with my swimming again and feel all the better for it. Do you think its also got something to do with the 'feel good factor' that you get from being outside in the sun and wind?

I hope you continue to progress and know that your post will give people a boost to try your theory of moderate excercise even if it seems difficult and know it will help us in our fight with O/A

frogmorton

Hi Nick
You whippersnapper!!!!
How right you are though. I too beleive the better weather plays a part, if only by making us feel so much more positive. Lots of people have said they feel better when on holiday abroad.
Thanks for that
Toni x

nickynysmon08

I am very glad the response has been so positive. I am very positive, and if the house fell down I would find some joke to make of it. but having constant aches and pains can be very debilitating. it is only when we have the experience and confidence to take a long and even longer term view of our illness or incapacity we are able to view it with, I hope, positive feelings. it is I believe, the fear of what the future years will bring, how we will be in old age. our fear of being unable to cope, but once we have a habit of coping and the fear is taken away , of living with arthritus, we may be more positive toward it. I hope so.

I encourage everyone to look outwards, I have done my fair share of looking inwards, and the only person who gives you any sympathy is yourself. then it may be too late!!!
one further point. could it be that once a certain threshold is passed, say it is too cold, and we are constantly aching, I wonder if the immune response system takes hold. i wonder even in osteo, there is some response from the autoimmune system, which makes the joints more inflamed
there may also be linkage to serotinin levels in the body , bright sunlight, boosts the serotinin in us which makes us feel better and i believe, our pain threshold is lowered so we feel pain far less. as winter is dark mainly, serotinin levels are diminished. Correct me if I am wrong please.

best wishes,
Nick

mylo

Hi Nick

I've also wondered about the effects of exercise. I find that if I do a series of stretching exercise first thing in the morning, I tend to have a better day. It's almost as if my muscles and joints have to be activated before I get moving. But then, when I'm starting to feel better and more active, I forget the exercises, overdo things and start to stiffen and ache again - just one vicious circle! One day I hope I'll learn and exercise routinely.

Let's hope that you're right about the sun and being outdoors, and that 2009 is going to be a wonderful summer!

Jane

woodbon

I find that exercise helps, but I have to build up slowly, if I do too much I put myself back and the pain becomes really bad. When I'm at work I walk about 4 miles in a shift (we measured it!) , that also included heavy moving and handling the elderly, but I couldn't keep it up. I'm better if I go for a walk outside. I think air does you good and although the better weather helps, heat wipes me out! Love Sue

joanlawson

Hi Nick
I agree about the value of exercise, but I have to be careful because if I go too far, there is the problem of getting back! These days I really have to measure the distance before I set off, and think if there is a resting point half way. I think I am a bit too heavy to be carried if I found it impossible to go on :!:
Joan

colinone

Hi Nick
First of all I must applaud your post nothing beats being positive
And like you I would recommend to all to try and get out and about but with a caution. Don’t overdo it take it easy and build up to it.
Now photography I hope you don’t mind I’m going to PM you.
Colin

livinglegend

Just a quick bit of info. to tell the difference between OA and RA:

Osteoarthritis
In osteoarthritis it's sometimes thought to be caused by wear and tear, but that's not entirely true: both joint damage from an injury and the repair that occurs afterwards are factors. The injury that causes the arthritis could have occurred at any time.

Usually, though, osteoarthritis sufferers must keep mobile. A physiotherapist may be able to help with joint movement.

Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (inflammatory arthritis) is an inflammation in the joints that's caused by damage to the immune system. The white blood cells start to produce antibodies and cause inflammation in the joints, which become painful, stiff and swollen.

Treatment for inflammatory arthritis is likely to involve multi-disciplinary teams, including a physiotherapist and occupational therapist, both of whom play an important part in helping you to keep your joints moving.

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Pain/Pages/Jointpain.aspx

Joseph 8)

nickynysmon08

livinglegend wrote:

Just a quick bit of info. to tell the difference between OA and RA:

Osteoarthritis
In osteoarthritis it's sometimes thought to be caused by wear and tear, but that's not entirely true: both joint damage from an injury and the repair that occurs afterwards are factors. The injury that causes the arthritis could have occurred at any time.

Usually, though, osteoarthritis sufferers must keep mobile. A physiotherapist may be able to help with joint movement.

Rheumatoid Arthritis
Rheumatoid arthritis (inflammatory arthritis) is an inflammation in the joints that's caused by damage to the immune system. The white blood cells start to produce antibodies and cause inflammation in the joints, which become painful, stiff and swollen.

Treatment for inflammatory arthritis is likely to involve multi-disciplinary teams, including a physiotherapist and occupational therapist, both of whom play an important part in helping you to keep your joints moving.

http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Pain/Pages/Jointpain.aspx

Joseph 8)

just to say many thanks for the link which I am reading right now,

Nick

jackie1955

Hi Nick,
You sound wonderfully positive and I enjoyed reading your post very much

I've got RA and find I'm better getting up and getting my joints moving, or 'loosening up' as I call it. I think the old adage of 'use it or lose it' applies to anyone with arthritis, but again use caution and don't do too much on a 'good' day!

I think the weather also plays a part in how we feel, physically and mentally. I've noticed the damp seems to get into my bones, so I'm hoping warmer weather will help. But mentally don't you find that everyone seems much pleasanter than on cold, dismal, grey days? Lets all hope for a gorgeous long sunny summer in 2009 8)

Joseph, Thank you for that link, its very informative. I've lost count of the times I've had to explain the difference between osteo and RA to family/friends, and unfortunately most of them think taking some glucosamine is going to 'cure' me :!: Ha, if it were only that simple eh folks

Jackie x