Hello to all of my long time friends & the many, many Newbies!!!!
Lots has been going on in my life the past year, so I've had to focus on those happenings and sadly, take a break from everyone here!!!!
My health has been so-so and it seems that now I have developed severe arthritis in my neck.
I have been suffering with this for months, non-stop, except for when I lie down. My PCP had me get an xray which showed no abnormalties, just lots of arthritis, so she put me on Zanaflex & Vicodin for a few weeks to see if it helped. Nope! Next step was physical therapy. Nope! Now, my physical therapist is going to assess me again Wednesday and then fax my PCP....
Since NSAID's are supposedly a no-no, what are your suggestions or what do you sufferers take for your arthritis????? I don't know whether to scream or cry or pull my hair out because this has been going on waaaaay toooooo long. It's like a slow torture!!!!!
Any suggestions or advice will be GREATLY appreciated!
Love & Miss You
Dee~~~~~~
Hoping Some Chime In Here Because I'm Tiring Of The Pain!!!!
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Hoping Some Chime In Here Because I'm Tiring Of The Pain!!!!
"What the heart gives away is never gone ... It is kept in the hearts of others."
Hi Dee,
I'm so sorry to hear that you're having such a serious problem with arthritis, because I have experienced what you are going through, and there is no question - it's a debilitating condition. As you may recall, back when I was reacting, my neck was often so stiff and sore that I couldn't even lie comfortably in one position - I had to keep shifting positions, which of course made sleep a pretty tough project. I was fortunate, thought, that if I took 2 maximum strength Tylenol capsules, at the prescribed intervals, they would suppress the pain to where it was no longer a significant problem. That problem went away, finally, after I achieved remission, and my gut healed, and it hasn't returned, since.
I wonder if it might be possible that you have a food sensitivity that you might be unaware of, or one that isn't being adequately addressed. IMO, arthritis is virtually always due to dietary issues. With food intolerances, Entocort can suppress GI symptoms, but it may not be sufficient to prevent peptides from being circulated to the joints, which results in arthritis.
I hope you can resolve this, because we truly miss you, too.
Love,
Tex
I'm so sorry to hear that you're having such a serious problem with arthritis, because I have experienced what you are going through, and there is no question - it's a debilitating condition. As you may recall, back when I was reacting, my neck was often so stiff and sore that I couldn't even lie comfortably in one position - I had to keep shifting positions, which of course made sleep a pretty tough project. I was fortunate, thought, that if I took 2 maximum strength Tylenol capsules, at the prescribed intervals, they would suppress the pain to where it was no longer a significant problem. That problem went away, finally, after I achieved remission, and my gut healed, and it hasn't returned, since.
I wonder if it might be possible that you have a food sensitivity that you might be unaware of, or one that isn't being adequately addressed. IMO, arthritis is virtually always due to dietary issues. With food intolerances, Entocort can suppress GI symptoms, but it may not be sufficient to prevent peptides from being circulated to the joints, which results in arthritis.
I hope you can resolve this, because we truly miss you, too.
Love,
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
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Coach Polly
- Little Blue Penguin
- Posts: 44
- Joined: Tue Feb 15, 2011 11:02 pm
Hey Dee,
I've had neck pain on and off also but it's never been diagnosed as arthritis. I get alot of relief from sleeping on one of those special neck pillows. I don't know how to describe it exactly but it's made of memory foam and has a "roll" that fits in the crook of your neck. I have found that I can't be without out it for more than a couple of nights without having neck pain (mostly tilting my head back hurts). I've had a few of them and I'm pretty sure the one I'm using right now came from Wal-Mart!
I've had neck pain on and off also but it's never been diagnosed as arthritis. I get alot of relief from sleeping on one of those special neck pillows. I don't know how to describe it exactly but it's made of memory foam and has a "roll" that fits in the crook of your neck. I have found that I can't be without out it for more than a couple of nights without having neck pain (mostly tilting my head back hurts). I've had a few of them and I'm pretty sure the one I'm using right now came from Wal-Mart!
"Worrying is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do but doesn't get you anywhere."
Coach Polly
Coach Polly
Hi Dee,
As a retired massage therapist, I always find the best thing for necks is a treatment called Bowen Therapy. Have never been really happy with any other treatment modality on that area.
Bowen is extremely gentle, which matters so much with necks as heavy PT or massage can be painful. It also is good for 'getting in' to release deeper muscles. Bowen is basically a very simple movement of rolling over the muscles or tendons, done in specific places on the body. It causes tight muscles to unwind and relax. It has flow on effects so a treatment keeps having impacts for up to 10 days (or more sometimes).
I appreciate that this will not make the arthritis go away, but something like this will free up all the tight muscles in your back, chest, head, jaw and neck and this normally provides a lot of relief. I know you will hate me saying it, but ongoing appropriate stretching also helps.
Bowen therapy is harder to find in the US than here, but there a number of directories of practioners:
http://bowendirectory.com/
http://www.bowenworkacademyusa.com/find-practitioners
There can be quite a difference in practioner skill levels, and a very skilled person is clearly better. However, even just the basic Bowen Upper and Lower body series with the TMJ moves thrown in will do wonders for you. A less skilled person will never cause harm, just have less powerful healing results. A good person can do magic - like my FIL who got up after his first session, then made the therapist laugh because he just kept sitting down and standing back up again about four times - amazed he could suddenly do so without pain. And then insisting that 'she didn't do anything ' - it really is gentle.
For those folk talking about pelvic floor issues in another thread, this is also worth looking at for that. Relax all the muscles through the abdomen and get them functioning better and suddenly the stresses on your pelvic floor can change and your problems improve.
Lyn
As a retired massage therapist, I always find the best thing for necks is a treatment called Bowen Therapy. Have never been really happy with any other treatment modality on that area.
Bowen is extremely gentle, which matters so much with necks as heavy PT or massage can be painful. It also is good for 'getting in' to release deeper muscles. Bowen is basically a very simple movement of rolling over the muscles or tendons, done in specific places on the body. It causes tight muscles to unwind and relax. It has flow on effects so a treatment keeps having impacts for up to 10 days (or more sometimes).
I appreciate that this will not make the arthritis go away, but something like this will free up all the tight muscles in your back, chest, head, jaw and neck and this normally provides a lot of relief. I know you will hate me saying it, but ongoing appropriate stretching also helps.
Bowen therapy is harder to find in the US than here, but there a number of directories of practioners:
http://bowendirectory.com/
http://www.bowenworkacademyusa.com/find-practitioners
There can be quite a difference in practioner skill levels, and a very skilled person is clearly better. However, even just the basic Bowen Upper and Lower body series with the TMJ moves thrown in will do wonders for you. A less skilled person will never cause harm, just have less powerful healing results. A good person can do magic - like my FIL who got up after his first session, then made the therapist laugh because he just kept sitting down and standing back up again about four times - amazed he could suddenly do so without pain. And then insisting that 'she didn't do anything ' - it really is gentle.
For those folk talking about pelvic floor issues in another thread, this is also worth looking at for that. Relax all the muscles through the abdomen and get them functioning better and suddenly the stresses on your pelvic floor can change and your problems improve.
Lyn
Dear Dee
So sorry to hear of your arthritis problems. Hope you get some relief. I have no idea if alternative treatments like acupuncture can help. Perhaps some of the experts on this will chime in.
Thinking of you, best wishes, ant
So sorry to hear of your arthritis problems. Hope you get some relief. I have no idea if alternative treatments like acupuncture can help. Perhaps some of the experts on this will chime in.
Thinking of you, best wishes, ant
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"Softly, softly catchee monkey".....
"Softly, softly catchee monkey".....
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MaggieRedwings
- King Penguin
- Posts: 3865
- Joined: Tue May 31, 2005 3:16 am
- Location: SE Pennsylvania
Dee,
I have missed you so and just knew that you had to be dealing with your own issues - not knowing that they were so painful. I cannot give you a lot of advise here but do not that acupuncture did help diminish the pain for a friend of mine you had severe arthritis. You are in my prayers and miss you so.
Love, Maggie
I have missed you so and just knew that you had to be dealing with your own issues - not knowing that they were so painful. I cannot give you a lot of advise here but do not that acupuncture did help diminish the pain for a friend of mine you had severe arthritis. You are in my prayers and miss you so.
Love, Maggie
Maggie Scarpone
___________________
Resident Birder - I live to bird and enjoy life!
___________________
Resident Birder - I live to bird and enjoy life!
Hello Dee,
I am so sorry that you're having so much pain. I used to have a lot of neck pain which caused severe headaches. I found this wonderful chiropractor who has helped so much. What she does sounds so much like what Lyn is talking about - Bowen Therapy. I think I would really look into that. My chiropractor is more like a physical therapist.
Hope you feel better.
Nancy
I am so sorry that you're having so much pain. I used to have a lot of neck pain which caused severe headaches. I found this wonderful chiropractor who has helped so much. What she does sounds so much like what Lyn is talking about - Bowen Therapy. I think I would really look into that. My chiropractor is more like a physical therapist.
Hope you feel better.
Nancy
Dee,
Hi old buddy! You have certainly been missed around here; your Kitchen remains extremely popular and helpful to all of us.
I can't really add much to all of the great suggestions you have already received. Just wanted to say hi and let you know I am thinking of you and hoping for a quick resolution of the pain. Chronic pain is the pits. Hang in there, dear.
Love and a gentle
Polly
Hi old buddy! You have certainly been missed around here; your Kitchen remains extremely popular and helpful to all of us.
I can't really add much to all of the great suggestions you have already received. Just wanted to say hi and let you know I am thinking of you and hoping for a quick resolution of the pain. Chronic pain is the pits. Hang in there, dear.
Love and a gentle
Polly
Blessed are they who can laugh at themselves, for they shall never cease to be amused.
Dee,
Here is something unconventional but I find that it does help with my nerve type pain in my pelvic, etc. Valium. It is a muscle relaxant as you know. When I take it, I get equal relied to Vicodin in my pelvic area. I also find that the arthritis in my hands, feet, and lower back is less bothersome, probably because the Valium relaxes me. I have experiencem with the Opiates, Tramadol, and other like mess, but it is Valium that I carry with me and use judisciously.
I hope you find the relief you so deserve.
Regards,
Rich
Here is something unconventional but I find that it does help with my nerve type pain in my pelvic, etc. Valium. It is a muscle relaxant as you know. When I take it, I get equal relied to Vicodin in my pelvic area. I also find that the arthritis in my hands, feet, and lower back is less bothersome, probably because the Valium relaxes me. I have experiencem with the Opiates, Tramadol, and other like mess, but it is Valium that I carry with me and use judisciously.
I hope you find the relief you so deserve.
Regards,
Rich
"It's not what I believe. It's what I can prove." - A Few Good Men
Hi Dee-
I suffer from arthritis and chronic pain in several parts of my body, but my right shoulder is the worst. I have an impingement which causes horrible pain all over the right side of my body. I take tramadol, and a drug called baclofen, that is used to treat muscle spasms. Unlike other muscle relaxants, it does not carry a risk of dependency, and really seems to help when everything goes into "lock down".
I also go to a massage therapist when I do something that hurts my shoulder again. Being on a strict diet has helped tremendously with other joint pain, but since this is something that came from a severe car wreck and is basically "unfixable", I just have to do what I can.
Hope this helps,
Mags
I suffer from arthritis and chronic pain in several parts of my body, but my right shoulder is the worst. I have an impingement which causes horrible pain all over the right side of my body. I take tramadol, and a drug called baclofen, that is used to treat muscle spasms. Unlike other muscle relaxants, it does not carry a risk of dependency, and really seems to help when everything goes into "lock down".
I also go to a massage therapist when I do something that hurts my shoulder again. Being on a strict diet has helped tremendously with other joint pain, but since this is something that came from a severe car wreck and is basically "unfixable", I just have to do what I can.
Hope this helps,
Mags
But Rich - did you notice the remarks that Lyn made about Bowen Therapy, in regard to pelvic floor issues?
Tex
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Thank You to all for your kind words & advice. 
The Bowen Therapy has me really intrigued and I did some research on it today. I will also mention it to my physical therapist tomorrow. There is one group, that is about 10 minutes away from me that specializes in the Bowen and will give me a free consultation. Lyn, would you by chance know the estimated cost of this, and how often, and if it is prescribed by my PCP as being a medically massage, if insurance covers it?
I'm trying to stay away from meds if I can... Take enough already!!!
Anyone that knows me, knows that I don't like anything that puts a cramp in my style.
This has, as Tex puts it, "Has knocked my socks off"!
Don't hesitate to give me more info and I will keep all updated..
Love & Miss You Too!!!!
Dee~~~~
The Bowen Therapy has me really intrigued and I did some research on it today. I will also mention it to my physical therapist tomorrow. There is one group, that is about 10 minutes away from me that specializes in the Bowen and will give me a free consultation. Lyn, would you by chance know the estimated cost of this, and how often, and if it is prescribed by my PCP as being a medically massage, if insurance covers it?
I'm trying to stay away from meds if I can... Take enough already!!!
Anyone that knows me, knows that I don't like anything that puts a cramp in my style.
This has, as Tex puts it, "Has knocked my socks off"!
Don't hesitate to give me more info and I will keep all updated..
Love & Miss You Too!!!!
Dee~~~~
"What the heart gives away is never gone ... It is kept in the hearts of others."