Canadian Post from a June '07 thread in this group, it gives good general
advice & info.

@@@@ @@@
It helps first to know what kind of arthritis is.  If it is
inflammatory arthritis it needs to be in the care of a rheumatologist and
will most likely need a special type of med that will stop the inflammatory
process - this is called a dmard.  Examples of inflammatory arthritis are
psoriatic, rheumatoid, and in some cases osteoarthritis as well as many
others.  If it is osteoarthritis and the damage is age or injury related
then anti-inflammatories sometimes help but studies have shown that
glucosomine or glucosomine/chondroitin combinations can make the difference.
The fish oil is not a bad thing to add to diet - it does seem to make a
difference to a lot of people but may not reverse any damage.  Exercise,
weight loss if  needed and checking out any physiological needs such as
gait, leg length etc can help immensely too.  Exercise should be tailored to
individual - ie: swimming if weight bearing is a problem, walking is good in
most cases but watch for good shoes changed regularly, and if needed use a
cane
or walking stick or even a walker.  The idea is to build up the upper
muscles that support the hips and knees.  The weight loss will make an
incredible difference on the hips if this is a problem.  Even 5 - 10
lbs can decrease the pain.

The above are suggestions aimed at everyone but an personal diagnosis from a
doctor
will help decide the treatment. This is important and you should ideally see
a rheumatologist if you haven't already.   Don't dismiss a good occupational
therapist and physio therapist when you have that diagnosis.  They can help
with ongoing ideas to make the pain less and help reduce any further damage.

Part of the problem with osteo is the medication is sort of a trial and
error with medication.  You
are testing NSAID (non steroid anti inflammatory drugs) and each one works
differently on each person.  In Canada they start with naproxen because it
is covered under our formulary and is inexpensive - unless they start you
first on an over the counter med such as ibrofofen or aspirin.  They can
cause stomach problems so do watch for upset and black stool (which means
hussle your butt to the doctor).  For some people these meds work fine.  For
others they don't.  Each NSAID works differently for each person.  Celebrex,
vioxx worked wonders for some people and protected their stomachs at the
same time but problems occured and the doctors have cut back on the celebrex
and vioxx is off the market.  Wouldn't surprise me to see it go back on
eventually.

If your osteo is mild and not bone on bone the doctor probably can't offer
you anything exciting - however if it isn't bone on bone and is still bad in
the knees they will sometimes do injections of steroids or sometimes a
synthetic med the name of which my brain can't bring forward right now.
Unfortunately for the hips the steroid injection is the only injection that
sometimes brings a bit of relief.

The best thing though is to keep the weight off, use good management such as
reachers if necessary, raised toilet seat (the best thing in my opinion ever
invented for hip pain), grab rails, higher chairs or cushioned chairs,
maintain strength in your upper large muscle groups (such as quads, arm
strength which helps to levered you up.

Another good site with occupational ideas for hips and knees is the Canadian
Arthritis Society and I am including the link for ideas (check out some of
the other ideas on fatique and fighting pain.)
http://www.arthritis.ca/tips%20for%20living/daily%20activities/protecting%20your%20joints/default.asp?s=1
An occupational therapist was also the best absolute best for giving me
ideas on gardening with arthritis, how to travel with arthritis, proper
mechanics on lifting and protecting hips and knees etc.  We have a group
here that regularly does seminars free on these topics.  Couldn't do without
those seminars.  Also check out the best book that again I couldn't do
without called the "Arthritis Helpbook".

hopefully some more of these ideas help.  Unfortunately the doctors don't
always give out the information on osteo that we would like.  Even on RA I
had to go to the Arthritis Society for a great deal of my help.  The doctors
though have been a godsend working on my med situation and monitoring for
side effects etc. on my condition (difficult to treat RA).

hang around and welcome - lots of ideas around here.  Many have had hip
problems and haven't needed replacements.  Many have had hip replacements
eventually and have had great relief.  If there is a particular thing that
you have trouble doing ask - you can probably find a tool, gadget, or a
different way of doing things and someone else has the answer.

Welcome,
Kelly (mid June 2007)

Kelly's post are always good and right on the money.  But why do you keep 
reposting them?
Gwen

********************************************************************************
I would rather live my life as if there is a God and die to find out there 
isn't, than live my life as if there isn't and die to find out there is.


"Trimble Bracegirdle"  wrote in message 
news:48656d0f$1_1@mk-nntp-2.news.uk.tiscali.com...
Canadian Post from a June '07 thread in this group, it gives good general
advice & info.

@@@@ @@@
It helps first to know what kind of arthritis is.  If it is
inflammatory arthritis it needs to be in the care of a rheumatologist and
will most likely need a special type of med that will stop the inflammatory
process - this is called a dmard.  Examples of inflammatory arthritis are
psoriatic, rheumatoid, and in some cases osteoarthritis as well as many
others.  If it is osteoarthritis and the damage is age or injury related
then anti-inflammatories sometimes help but studies have shown that
glucosomine or glucosomine/chondroitin combinations can make the difference.
The fish oil is not a bad thing to add to diet - it does seem to make a
difference to a lot of people but may not reverse any damage.  Exercise,
weight loss if  needed and checking out any physiological needs such as
gait, leg length etc can help immensely too.  Exercise should be tailored to
individual - ie: swimming if weight bearing is a problem, walking is good in
most cases but watch for good shoes changed regularly, and if needed use a
cane
or walking stick or even a walker.  The idea is to build up the upper
muscles that support the hips and knees.  The weight loss will make an
incredible difference on the hips if this is a problem.  Even 5 - 10
lbs can decrease the pain.

The above are suggestions aimed at everyone but an personal diagnosis from a
doctor
will help decide the treatment. This is important and you should ideally see
a rheumatologist if you haven't already.   Don't dismiss a good occupational
therapist and physio therapist when you have that diagnosis.  They can help
with ongoing ideas to make the pain less and help reduce any further damage.

Part of the problem with osteo is the medication is sort of a trial and
error with medication.  You
are testing NSAID (non steroid anti inflammatory drugs) and each one works
differently on each person.  In Canada they start with naproxen because it
is covered under our formulary and is inexpensive - unless they start you
first on an over the counter med such as ibrofofen or aspirin.  They can
cause stomach problems so do watch for upset and black stool (which means
hussle your butt to the doctor).  For some people these meds work fine.  For
others they don't.  Each NSAID works differently for each person.  Celebrex,
vioxx worked wonders for some people and protected their stomachs at the
same time but problems occured and the doctors have cut back on the celebrex
and vioxx is off the market.  Wouldn't surprise me to see it go back on
eventually.

If your osteo is mild and not bone on bone the doctor probably can't offer
you anything exciting - however if it isn't bone on bone and is still bad in
the knees they will sometimes do injections of steroids or sometimes a
synthetic med the name of which my brain can't bring forward right now.
Unfortunately for the hips the steroid injection is the only injection that
sometimes brings a bit of relief.

The best thing though is to keep the weight off, use good management such as
reachers if necessary, raised toilet seat (the best thing in my opinion ever
invented for hip pain), grab rails, higher chairs or cushioned chairs,
maintain strength in your upper large muscle groups (such as quads, arm
strength which helps to levered you up.

Another good site with occupational ideas for hips and knees is the Canadian
Arthritis Society and I am including the link for ideas (check out some of
the other ideas on fatique and fighting pain.)
http://www.arthritis.ca/tips%20for%20living/daily%20activities/protecting%20your%20joints/default.asp?s=1
An occupational therapist was also the best absolute best for giving me
ideas on gardening with arthritis, how to travel with arthritis, proper
mechanics on lifting and protecting hips and knees etc.  We have a group
here that regularly does seminars free on these topics.  Couldn't do without
those seminars.  Also check out the best book that again I couldn't do
without called the "Arthritis Helpbook".

hopefully some more of these ideas help.  Unfortunately the doctors don't
always give out the information on osteo that we would like.  Even on RA I
had to go to the Arthritis Society for a great deal of my help.  The doctors
though have been a godsend working on my med situation and monitoring for
side effects etc. on my condition (difficult to treat RA).

hang around and welcome - lots of ideas around here.  Many have had hip
problems and haven't needed replacements.  Many have had hip replacements
eventually and have had great relief.  If there is a particular thing that
you have trouble doing ask - you can probably find a tool, gadget, or a
different way of doing things and someone else has the answer.

Welcome,
Kelly (mid June 2007)

wrote:

> Kelly's post are always good and right on the money.  But why do you keep
> reposting them?
> Gwen
> 
I don't think that you can read sensible and pertinent advice too often.
It's a bit like some Newsgroups post the Charter and FAQ once a month. 
Any newcomer here will read it and benefit accordingly.

Peter

-- 
He spoke with a certain what-is-it in his voice, and I 
could see that, if not actually disgruntled, he was far
from being gruntled.
P.G. Wodehouse 1881 -1975

After I sent the post, I realized I was on the UK group.  Sorry!
Gwen

-- 
********************************************************************************
I would rather live my life as if there is a God and die to find out there 
isn't, than live my life as if there isn't and die to find out there is.
"Peter James"  wrote in message 
news:1ij8rd1.1vw44lcqnkowtN%pfjames2000@googlemail.com...
 wrote:

> Kelly's post are always good and right on the money.  But why do you keep
> reposting them?
> Gwen
>
I don't think that you can read sensible and pertinent advice too often.
It's a bit like some Newsgroups post the Charter and FAQ once a month.
Any newcomer here will read it and benefit accordingly.

Peter

-- 
He spoke with a certain what-is-it in his voice, and I
could see that, if not actually disgruntled, he was far
from being gruntled.
P.G. Wodehouse 1881 -1975