I've had osteoarthritis for 30 year, due to years of gymnastics and ballet, exercise has done wonders for me. If I get bad I go to a sports physio. have acupuncture , to reduce pain, so that I can exercise and strengthen my muscles.

I agree with Dr Brent!! I was offered replacement knees and hips in the early 1980's - so glad I refused and went on to physio and muscle development around the affected joints. Physio used pressure points to control pain. Visit my present physio once or twice a year. Sports physios are best I find.

My health is good and young people have said they are surprised how I can run. Shear most of my 60 + sheep - Birthdays are taking their toll! lol ;0) Also, I eat what I like, not many cakes, biscuits or fast food. Was thinking folks!! I eat what I produce at home on my smallholding - wonder what goes into that supermarket food, I can't stand supermarket food!!! Have had lots of xrays on my joints all show osteoarthritis.

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The other thing I wanted to add was before getting out of bed, wriggle your toes and spread them apart done all gently of course. Do this about 10 times in total. This will help your feet and toes be more subtle.

With your hands make sure you massage them, do the wringing in warm water but what I do is to make a fist and then open my hand and do that often. Then do a fist again and spread your fingers as far as possible in a span (spread out) but to do that without making pain. do this often and your feet/toes and fingers will love you. Do this a few times daily as part of your exercise routine or use a very soft ball to squeeze.........gently.

Dont SMOKE! Smoking doesnt help any health problems and adds more to your problems. Take each day as it comes and try to reduce your habit till its right out of the way and your smoking free. You will feel so much better, I am sure and not only that you will taste food much better too.

Every day is a challenge but we all must get off our butts and do something for ourselves but if you just cant walk far then take a look at the local swimming pool and find out if they do gentle exercises to help patients with Arthritis/R/ Arthritis and more. I am sure you will find it very theraputic and you might even lose some weight if that is what you need to do too.

Be Well.

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I had fibro which I researched and I am fine now. I have osteo and just the other day had to visit an RA dr as my blood level tests were 'too high'. It appears that they were 'normal' to nearly everyone. But I do exercise all the time as in walking but swimming is excellent at a pool that teaches you gentle exercise. I also dont eat 'Arthur' producing foods. I dont eat from the nightshade family which is tomato's, potato's and especially capsiciums ie green or red peppers but I never eat yellow bell peppers anyway. I dont eat egg plant either. All these are Arthur producing pain in the body. My key is to drink water all the time and that means boiled or cool water and eliminate junk foods with artificial sugars or reg. sugar as well as soft drinks or what you might call soda's. I only drink one coffee a day which is in the morning and eat good food and fruits.
It is a very debilitating disease which can render you very tired and in pain. By walking each day or doing even lots of arm chair exercises and leg exercises that are given to you by a physiotherapist will help you no end. Flaxseed oil is excellent to add on salads and toss in a few tablespoons of ground Linseeds, Almonds and I forget the other...hmmm its ALA anyway - very high in Omega, 3,6 and 9. 3's are excellent for us.

Reduce your meat intake as well and it will be healthier eating vegetarian. I am nearly that but I dont really hanker for meat anyway and prefer fish when I do eat something like this.

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thanks...
Kabin

Konteyner

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In response to Melanie M's comment - Everything you wrote is EXACTLY what I've been doing! I'm sure you've also cut out sugar from your diet, that's also what I've been doing. I have also added Primrose Oil supplement to my diet. It has Omega-6 which is helps with inflammation and it also helps with my 'hot flashes'.

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I did have arthritis pain in my hands and friend introduced me to "Artheffect" that help me. I meet may peoples who got amazing results using this product. If you want to find out send me an email at wanda_k6@yahoo.com

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Eliminate all caffeine from you diet. Also sugar, tomatoes and nuts can aggravate your arthritis. Make sure you drink enough water which can help[ to lubricate your joints. As others have said, regular exercise is important to strengthen the muscle tissue around your affected joints. That said, make sure your exercises are specifically designed for persons with arthritis otherwise you could do more harm than good to your affected areas.

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I have had osteoarthritis since late teens in knees, hips, hands, feet, neck, back, hips. Exercise is key but don't overdo it! Also do not be overweight or OVERSTRESSED. Too much cortisol in system can make it much worse so stress can make this situation disastrous. Massage, heat OR ice (20 min on, 20 min off) whichever feels better, glucosamine/chondroitin (if it helps, if not it won't hurt you), vegetarian diet with reduction in caffeine, sugar, salt, artificial flavorings & such will help a lot, natural omega 3 fatty acids found in fish oil, flax seed (fresh only!) help and a positive attitude. The pain is the body telling the mind that there is possible danger. It's a primitive brain function. Work through the pain because only regular range of motion exercise and stretching will keep the joints from becoming stiffer. Aquatherapy (water exercise) is often great for people with arthritis because there is no problem of gravity to add to the pain issue if there is weight or impact problems. I wish all of you well. Prayer or meditation and smiling and gratitude of any kind always help, and bless you if you have RA as this is a devastating disease and bless you if you have Osteoarthritis as there is no cure and no stopping it if it gets bad and thanks to the medical practitioners and healers.

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You could contact your local Arthritis Foundation. Here, they run affordable aquatherapy programs at local warm-water pools. You or your doctor may be able to find other aquatherapy programs. It really should be warm water. I was prescribed aquatherapy at a local Y through my doctor, first thing in the morning, and the water was just too cold.

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Kristen M. How about telling us how to brew kombucha properly? It sounds interesting!

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