| Author |
Comment |
JanJan2
Registered User
Posts: 210
(8/1/01 11:36:49 am)
Reply
|
Arthritis?
For the past couple months, my 51-year-old fingers have been
feeling iincreasingly stiff and sore. I'm afraid it may be the onset
of arthritis. It's painful to make a fist, or to apply pressure to
the sides of some of my knuckles (more so with the left hand). So
far it hasn't had any negative impact on my cello playing, which, of
course, is how I want to keep it. My job(s) entail lots of keyboard
work.
I don't really want to run to my doctor just because
of a few aches, and will probably see if it abates over the next few
months. Just wondering if anybody here suffers from arthritis in
their hands. What's the usual course of treatment? And most
importantly, can you still play pain-free?
Any help greatly
appreciated.
Janet |
Bobbie
Registered User
Posts: 560
(8/1/01 12:01:19 pm)
Reply
|
Re:
Arthritis?
Luckily I don't have a problem with my hands but I'd recommend
trying glucosamine or a glucosamine-chondroitin combination. It's
one of the few supplements that I think really does something. I
have pretty much given up anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen
since I've been using it. Email me if you want details on how much,
how often, etc.
You should see a doctor, too, since there are
other kinds of arthritis and you want to make sure it isn't a more
serious kind than osteoarthritis.
|
ekifri
Registered User
Posts: 212
(8/1/01 3:13:08 pm)
Reply
|
Re:
Arthritis?
Yes, I'll second the Glucaosamine- Chondroitin supplement.
It
can be bought without prescription pretty much anywhere that sells
vitamins...
It's been used for race horses and dogs for
years.
Ikt actually works to restore the betwen joint
tissues.
I've seen it pay off very well in both animals and
people, but it takes 2-3 months before you'll notice the
improvements.
|
DoDahlberg
Moderator
Posts: 131
(8/2/01 5:11:35 am)
Reply
|
yes, have
it
Three years ago I was diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis. I took
the heavy duty anti-inflammatory meds and got really sick. I didn't
have a rhuematologist who was interested in working with me on this
so I told him I was going to stop taking the drugs and go to the
suppliments mentioned here. His parting words were: you might be in
remission and you'll wind up taking those drugs sooner or later.
There are over 100 different types of arthritis so it's
important you find out what you are dealing with. Glu-Chon works
fairly well for osteo arthritis but I don't know if it's doing me
any good. I took the reccomended dosage for a long time, now I take
one a day just on principal. I take an Aleve every day, too. If I
have a flare I take another Aleve at dinner.
What I have
found helps is this, and remember this is for me: I get lots of
sleep, I get lots of exercise - resistance to strengthen muscles
around the joints and I rollerblade (aerobic without the pounding),
I drink a lot of water. I haven't had a bad time since last summer
although last summer was very difficult for me.
As for your
hands, I have trouble with my hands swelling more in the summer,
feeling stiff.
I think it's important to get an accurate
diagnosis, though. Finding someone who will work with you on
treatment will be the challenge. You might not have arthritis at
all.
Dorie | |
Internet Cello
Society Forums
Email This To a Friend
Topic Commands (Moderator
only)