For Arthritis Sufferers

[FP]

I suffer from arthritis in my spine, hips and knees.  I also get terrible pains in my feet and cramp in my calves whilst in bed at night which affects my sleep.  Is this common with any other arthritis sufferer?.  I am getting the foot problem checked out by a specialist in due course (probably a 15 month wait), but in the meantime would be interested to know if any others suffer this and what helps them.

[smudge]

Have you been to your GP for medication to help ease the symptoms or pains?

[smudge]

I mean apart from waiting for treatment for your foot.

[FP]

Oh yes Smudge.  Have suffered from arthritis since I was in my teens.  The arthritic pain relief drugs don't help much with the pain in my feet and the doctor isn't sure what is causing them, but I can't take any more pain relief than I already do.  I am just wondering if another arthritic sufferer has any ideas of whether it is connected. 

Thanks for your reply.

[keithlbw]

I have had rheumatoid arthritis for some time,I am on anti inflamatory drugs which help considerably, I have also started taking methotrexate recently which seems to be starting to help. A 15 month wait to see a specialist seems a heck of along wait even if you are in the UK.(?).

[FP]

Thanks Keith.  Because my doctor doesn't think the foot pains are anything to do with my arthritis, I have been referred to a podietrist and apparently this is the length of waiting.   I have had xrays on my feet  which don't show anything untoward.  I have also had loads of blood tests which are all fine. It is osteo arthritis that I suffer from.  The pain is not too bad during the day but happens as soon as I relax when I go to bed and actually wakes me on and off every night.

[FP]

I take anti inflammatory drugs for my arthritis, as well as paracetamol for pain relief.

[smudge]

I do hope your appointment comes round soon FP, it sounds very painful. Good luck.

[2big2care]

after playing high level rugby for over twenty years it was no surprise to find my knees were shot, but to have my gp and my local hospital diagnose osteo-athritis was a bit of a shock. like you the pain was so bad it would wake me at night. my gp recommended glucosamine sulphate capsules, available from most health food shops, but not on the national health. they have made such a difference i am now back in the gym training as hard as i was when i was playing. hope this is of some comfort for you! 

[Wisebird]

2big2care.  Thanks a lot.  Coincidentally at the weekend I bought some combined omega 3 fish oil and glucosamine sulphate capsules from Boots and started taking them yesterday.  So hopefully, they will help.  How long did it take for the  glucosamine to start giving relief? 

I am a young at heart 57 year old who loves walking dancing, etc. and I really don't want to give in to arthritis, which I have had since my teens.

[FP]

And yes FP admits to being Wisebird as well in order to preserve sanity on occasions.  Wisebird has now died and gone to birdy heaven!

[MORELLO]

FP - I am a State Registered Podiatrist. If as is suspected, the pain is arising from Osteo-arthritic changes within the architecture of the foot, there is not a great deal myself or fellow Podiatrist can do for you. Hopefully when you receive your appointment you will be given a full biomechanical assessment by a competent practitioner. This will include looking at your gait pattern, and the way your body weight is loaded onto the foot during this pattern. From this can be made an orthotic device which can be placed into your shoe, and which hopefully will ease your symptoms by redistributing the way these loads are applied. Other than that, and the reduction of any surface lesions, ongoing care lies at the door of your GP, and his prescription pad. Hope your appointment comes through soon. Good luck.

[FP]

Thanks so much Morello.  I really appreciate an answer from a professional podiatrist. 

Funnily my feet look really good - straight toes, no lumps or bumps or fallen arches.  I have always walked about with bare feet (indoors) and a physiotherapist tells me that this is probably why I am having problems.  I can't understand this because I would have thought that was a natural way to walk.

Thanks again.

[elleroo]

hi, i just came across your question. ive got arthritis at a young age and it is really stressful. i suffer with cramp quite a lot, something which my doctor denies happens. most of the time it is late at night or first thing in the morning. i also get cramp badly in my toes. its worth considering taking glucosamine, works for some not for others but can take away some horrible arthritis affects.

[FP]

elleroo.  I can empathise with anyone who gets it at a young age.  I can remember my hips aching when I was about 11 but just didn't mention it to anybody - I suppose I thought it was normal!  Thanks for telling me that you get cramp in your legs and feet as well, it makes me more sure that it is the arthritis that is causing it. My doctor doesn't think it is and the xrays didn't show anything. 

Like you late at night and first thing in the morning are the worse times.  I look really stupid coming down stairs sideways!  I  am determined not to let it get me down.  It's such a common condition.  The worse thing that used to happen when I was young was old  people saying 'you shouldn't be getting arthritis at your age', and making a joke about how they were more sprightly than me!

[2big2care]

i cant honestly remember how long it was before the glucosamine sulphate kicked in and started to relieve the pain but it was during the 1st month.

i recall at an early age having 'growing pains' in my left knee.(the knee that is 'dameged) i thought this was strange because my right knee was growing at the same time and that one didn't hurt but the school doctor advised me to forget sport as i would pay for it later in life. needless to say i did not heed his advice and enjoyed life to the full. no way was i going to give up any of my sports.as i said yesterday i'm back as active as i ever was its only age that stops me playing again. so stick at it and good luck 

[FP]

Thanks again 2big2care.  I shall persevere

[sandbach99]

I attend a Primary care trust disscusion group at the last meeting a lady who has arthritis said "dont eat anything with aspartame if you have arthritis"  the health person taking the meeting agreed with this.   My daughter has arthritis and had not been told this.   

On loking it up on the internet I found it is an artificial sweetner used in diet foods.  There is an American site against the use of this stuff and if only 1% is true it is frightening,   not sure of full web address but dorway is involved
.This site lists 92 symptoms said to be associated with this stuff  including joint pain.

My husband had been suffering from various different illnesses most of which were in the 92 symptoms not surprisingly.  He stopped having anything with this stuff in and within a week some symptoms went, but reoccur if he injests this stuff in error.
Ingredients show it as aspartame, aspartine E951.

Its worth a try cutting it out results are  usually very quick  within a week,  warning if your body is addicted to this you will detox for the first few days and feel awful

Let me know if you want further gen on the foods with it in 

[FP]

Hi, thanks Sandbach99.  I don't actually eat any diet foods or many processed foods.  However, I will look carefully at any ingredients and avoid aspartine E951 or aspartame.

Other foods definitely can affect my arthritis.  Red meat is one and red wine, both of which I love.  If I lived on fish and salad I am sure I would be very healthy, but I do love my grub!

I'm really glad I posted this question.  Lots of great help from all of you.  Many thanks.

[sandbach99]

I found aspartame in robinsons orange squash, Schweppes lemonade normal bottle, schweppes peppermint cordial, some ciders, tonic water has saccarine which may be slightly different.  Like you we eat few processed foods so I had to look at everything and others have looked and advised me other products. I think the turkey twizzlers off Jamies school dinners even had it in   Good luck.  
going to a further health meeting tomorrow will try to find out more  

[keenu]

Try some glucosamine.  I take Rudofil and it works like a miracle!  I had pain, and I mean bad pain, for 7-10 years and was starting to think I would be in pain for the rest of my life.  I should sell this stuff.  IT WORKS. 

Stand and be true,

keenu