Rheumatoid arthritis - any experience?
- Thread starter kingrollo
- Start date
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fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Could also be general wear and tear - wait for the results before worrying.
I regularly get foot pain/stiffness that comes and goes - affects my walking. Part of that could be down to old back and pelvic injuries. With you being a cyclist, upper back pain can be an issue, especially shoulders. Both mine aren't great having crashed on them many times. One has had surgery but now the other really could do with it, but I know the recovery time is about 18 months to be pain free, so not bothering.
If you've had an active life you aren't getting away without aches and pains. You are at least better able to deal with it.
I regularly get foot pain/stiffness that comes and goes - affects my walking. Part of that could be down to old back and pelvic injuries. With you being a cyclist, upper back pain can be an issue, especially shoulders. Both mine aren't great having crashed on them many times. One has had surgery but now the other really could do with it, but I know the recovery time is about 18 months to be pain free, so not bothering.
If you've had an active life you aren't getting away without aches and pains. You are at least better able to deal with it.
fossyant
Ride It Like You Stole It!
- Location
- South Manchester
Do get Vit D checked. It's often overlooked - I paid for mine after breaking my pelvis. Came in at 17 n/mol, normal range is 50-200 n/mol - very deficient.
I'm outside a lot, but only 'sun expose' arms, legs face - it's not enough even though I'm usually 'tanned' by end of April each year.
Magnesium supplements are also useful.
I'm outside a lot, but only 'sun expose' arms, legs face - it's not enough even though I'm usually 'tanned' by end of April each year.
Magnesium supplements are also useful.
OP
OP
kingrollo
Legendary Member
I'm a cardiac patient - on blood thinners . I'm a bit wary of supplements and drug interactions.
Psamathe
Über Member
You can get home Vitamin D test kits in supermarkets these days. eg https://www.waitrose.com/ecom/produ...Wh_8fK_qB2e4_URUpKiUXPltdEhFPCveVaBiC1AlCewCy
I have no idea as to the reliability. Other similar (eg Iron) tests are lateral flow format (like the home Covid tests), prick a finger, drop of blood and results in 5'ish mins - but not done Vit D test. I assume it must give some indication. Maybe do two a week or two apart?
That said, check what blood tests your GP is doing as they might be including Vitamin D anyway.
All uphill
Still rolling along
- Location
- Somerset
Since turning 60 (I'm now 70) I have had a variety of aches and pains like most people. So far, with the help of paracetamol, GP and physio, I've managed to mitigate all of them and maintain an active life.
Up till now I've worked with plantar fascitis, solved with better shoes; osteoarthritis mitigated with paracetamol; neck pain, solved by regular exercises, and chest pains, which I'm currently working through with a cardiologist.
I imagine this is normal/better than normal for someone of my age, and I consider myself fortunate.
Best wishes finding ways to work with the effects of aging.
Up till now I've worked with plantar fascitis, solved with better shoes; osteoarthritis mitigated with paracetamol; neck pain, solved by regular exercises, and chest pains, which I'm currently working through with a cardiologist.
I imagine this is normal/better than normal for someone of my age, and I consider myself fortunate.
Best wishes finding ways to work with the effects of aging.
OP
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kingrollo
Legendary Member
No not swelling. I've suffered with lower back pain for years. Earlier this year I was taken to a+E in excruciating pain and loss of feeling in my legs.
I've been working with a physio since and got this pain down to a niggle .
But the foot and upper back pain are new ones with no obvious cause.
OP
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kingrollo
Legendary Member
Naproxen was my pain relief of choice. But since my HA these are strictly off limits.
The docs test, though you do not really need to test if over 50, body production decreasing as you age.
Also, suncream usage in summer blocks much D production too,
Taking at safe levels I have never heard of any D tablet health problems.
Headlines on D benefits are now getting OTT yet it certainly seems the most important one to supplement.
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kingrollo
Legendary Member
It can cause problems with calcium channel blockers that I am on.
When I was in agony with my back earlier in the year - I did lots of research on herbal pain killers - they were nearly always not recommended for cardiac patients.
Did you find any that actually provided any efficiency other Cannabis derivatives. From the research of course.
midlandsgrimpeur
Senior Member
As others have said, until you have a diagnosis try not to fear the worst (easier said than done I know). My Dad had it and I know a couple of other people with it. You do generally see it in the hands and small joints first and there is often quite noticeable swelling and stiffness (Dad had the old 'sausage' fingers).
I think most people go down the steroid route at the early stages to reduce symptoms but if it does go down the RA route I am sure a rheumatologist would go through everything in depth, but hopefully it won't come to that.
I think most people go down the steroid route at the early stages to reduce symptoms but if it does go down the RA route I am sure a rheumatologist would go through everything in depth, but hopefully it won't come to that.
Only higher doses it says and apparantly the blockers can also lower D levels making maintaining D levels even more important.
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