I'm about try Stem Cell rejuvenation for my arthritis. For those who are considering such, I thought documenting my journey may give some others some Hope - if it works, and some additional things to consider if it doesn't work. However, I intend on giving some background on my attempts to manage arthritis up to now.
I was either 14 or 15 years old when I was first was told I had arthritis. My chiropractor said the discomfort in my back was due to arthritis and he could see some curvature in the spine. Regular chiropractic treatments have helped alleviate the pain and stiffness frequently throughout the years.
So I have had arthritis for 44 years. Luckily, my arthritis has never been debilitating. Even during my most extreme periods of pain and stiffness, I have been able to work and do almost everything I needed too. However, during the past few years kneeling, playing with the grandchildren, and walking or climbing has become too difficult.
"Osteoarthritis (OA) is a type of joint disease that results from breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone.[5] The most common symptoms are joint pain and stiffness. Initially, symptoms may occur only following exercise, but over time may become constant. Other symptoms may include joint swelling, decreased range of motion, and when the back is affected weakness or numbness of the arms and legs."Wikipedia .
When I was 16 or 17 years old my doctor prescribed Voltarin. I took this for perhaps 4 or 5 years. It never felt like it made a difference, but given I was hurting, it seemed I should continue taking it. I was also diagnosed as having chronic pyelonenephritis. as a young child. I frequently was in the hospital and regularly took sulpha drugs often being prescribed 6 months as a time. The Voltarin and Sulpha drugs seemed to create other problems. I began to have stomach problems, digestive problems, heart problems, etc. I then was told I had a stomach ulcer and was given an additional prescription for that. The amount of pills I was taking per day overwhelmed me. Just looking at the pills regularly brought me to tears. The year I turned 20 I had my second child. I felt exhausted daily. I had two small children and a marriage that was failing. I could make it though the work day, but as soon as I got home and began to relax the pain and exhaustion took over. My marriage ended when I was 22.
When I was 24 or 25 yrs old I developed shingles and was given a topical ointment. A coworker suggested a vitamin regime. I went to the library to read up on it and decided to give it a try. A week later I returned to the doctor and he said he must have misdiagnosed the shingles as it would not have gone away so quickly. I felt it was the vitamin regime that made the difference. I decided then to throw away any medicine that I did not feel was truly benefiting me.
Exercise is important to manage arthritis. It is hard to find the balance between enough and too much Unfortunately, I have a job working for the government, that is primarily sitting or driving.
Throughout the years I have gone to the gym sporadically. A month or two, 6 months once and over a year on one occasion. Most of the time the exercise helped. I truly felt better but really did not like going to the gym. I couldn't use the treadmill or the bicycles as that inflamed my joints. However that wasn't the prime reason I didn't continue the gym - I really didn't enjoy it.
I did enjoy yoga and went daily regularly for years but many of the standing poses were held too long. Occasionally i would put my shoes on, take them off, put on, take off, on , off. After a particular long session , 2.5 hours, my feet hurt for many days after even though my back felt better than it had in years. I quit structured yoga. Occasionally I still use some of the stretches.
I was either 14 or 15 years old when I was first was told I had arthritis. My chiropractor said the discomfort in my back was due to arthritis and he could see some curvature in the spine. Regular chiropractic treatments have helped alleviate the pain and stiffness frequently throughout the years.
So I have had arthritis for 44 years. Luckily, my arthritis has never been debilitating. Even during my most extreme periods of pain and stiffness, I have been able to work and do almost everything I needed too. However, during the past few years kneeling, playing with the grandchildren, and walking or climbing has become too difficult.
"Osteoarthritis (OA) is a type of joint disease that results from breakdown of joint cartilage and underlying bone.[5] The most common symptoms are joint pain and stiffness. Initially, symptoms may occur only following exercise, but over time may become constant. Other symptoms may include joint swelling, decreased range of motion, and when the back is affected weakness or numbness of the arms and legs."Wikipedia .
When I was 16 or 17 years old my doctor prescribed Voltarin. I took this for perhaps 4 or 5 years. It never felt like it made a difference, but given I was hurting, it seemed I should continue taking it. I was also diagnosed as having chronic pyelonenephritis. as a young child. I frequently was in the hospital and regularly took sulpha drugs often being prescribed 6 months as a time. The Voltarin and Sulpha drugs seemed to create other problems. I began to have stomach problems, digestive problems, heart problems, etc. I then was told I had a stomach ulcer and was given an additional prescription for that. The amount of pills I was taking per day overwhelmed me. Just looking at the pills regularly brought me to tears. The year I turned 20 I had my second child. I felt exhausted daily. I had two small children and a marriage that was failing. I could make it though the work day, but as soon as I got home and began to relax the pain and exhaustion took over. My marriage ended when I was 22.
When I was 24 or 25 yrs old I developed shingles and was given a topical ointment. A coworker suggested a vitamin regime. I went to the library to read up on it and decided to give it a try. A week later I returned to the doctor and he said he must have misdiagnosed the shingles as it would not have gone away so quickly. I felt it was the vitamin regime that made the difference. I decided then to throw away any medicine that I did not feel was truly benefiting me.
Osteoarthritis is a chronic (long-term) disease. There is no cure, but treatments are available to manage symptoms. Long-term management of the disease will include several factors:
- Managing symptoms, such as pain, stiffness and swelling
- Improving joint mobility and flexibility
- Maintaining a healthy weight
- Getting enough of exercise
Arthristis.org
Exercise is important to manage arthritis. It is hard to find the balance between enough and too much Unfortunately, I have a job working for the government, that is primarily sitting or driving.
Throughout the years I have gone to the gym sporadically. A month or two, 6 months once and over a year on one occasion. Most of the time the exercise helped. I truly felt better but really did not like going to the gym. I couldn't use the treadmill or the bicycles as that inflamed my joints. However that wasn't the prime reason I didn't continue the gym - I really didn't enjoy it.
I did enjoy yoga and went daily regularly for years but many of the standing poses were held too long. Occasionally i would put my shoes on, take them off, put on, take off, on , off. After a particular long session , 2.5 hours, my feet hurt for many days after even though my back felt better than it had in years. I quit structured yoga. Occasionally I still use some of the stretches.
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