brain-dump for the people who asked me for specifics about the arthritis

[the_siobhan]

So I still have to follow up with my doctor, but it's almost certain that I have the osteoarthritis version. No inflammation, no swelling, not really any impact to range of motion. The only thing on the wikipedia site that doesn't fit is where it says that symptoms don't improve with movement, since mine definitely do.

I had been assuming that the stiffness in my back every morning was solely a result of the old injury but it's gradually gotten worse even as my core muscles have gotten stronger. It literally feels like somebody hammered a steel plate across the back of my pelvis. I have to wake up to roll over in bed because I can't shift my torso at all without engaging arms and legs in lifting me up and changing my position. The first few minutes of every day involve me hobbling to the bathroom hanging onto walls and dressers and bedposts and swearing a blue streak as every joint in my body boots up and comes online. Five minutes after that I'm walking around completely normally and wondering what all the fuss was about.


My back is obviously the worst site but I also get stiffness in my knees, ankles and hips. It doesn't hurt - at least not once I get past that first two minutes of standing up in the morning. I don't have the weather vane effect. I'm just stiff. Certain movements elicit loud grinding or popping noises - I notice that more when I'm doing something like pilates rather than during normal daily movement, but it occasionally it just happens at random.


My chiro already had me taking Glucosamine and Chondroitin. I'm back to exercising. A hot shower directed at my back feels awesome.

What else?

Comments

[kalmn]

it has not yet been proven that drinking doesn't help.

[the_siobhan]

Your ideas are intriguing to me and I wish to subscribe to your newsletter.

[firecat]

If the back problems have increased in tandem with the core muscle strengthening, then it's possible that you have connective tissue irritation/injury and not (just) osteoarthritis.

One thing I really don't like about my middle-aged body is that the connective tissue has gotten very fussy and whenever I try to exercise more or differently, I get tendonitis or some other kind of use injury.

[mr_sharkey]

MSM?

http://www.msmguide.com/

[the_siobhan]

I *think* there is some of that in the glucsamine I'm taking but I'll double check. Thanks for the link.

[the_siobhan]

Hrm. Quite possible. I did a different workout last night and today my knees want to kill me.

[mr_sharkey]

It's really strange that it improves with motion - that sounds so much like a muscular issue. That, and the ankles / knees / hips reminds me of something I went through - years ago, I could barely get out of my car because the pain in my knees was so great, and I was taking, like you, GS&C, etc. Walking made it better, but I was sure my joints were failing. Finally I mentioned it to someone at my martial arts school who happened to do some sort of othopedic work; he made me lie flat on the floor, fiddled with my feet, and pronounced that I had knock-knees. I knew I had flat feet - I guess that screwed with my knees. I got some off-the-shelf orthotic insoles (birkenstock brand - about $30 for a pair) and I've never had knee pain since. Do you think it's worth a try to get some for yourself?

M.