Re: Is it possible to have OA and RA?

February 17, 2006

In a message dated 2/17/2006 1:39:20 PM Central Standard Time,

ksamedifference@... writes:

Yes, I believe it to be so. I'm sorry that you are

hurting. Being so young with a family makes feeling so

old at times very frustrasting and scary. Being on

the depressed side is all too common w/ all this. I

tried to change as many things around the house that I

could to make things easier if that is possible, for

example: I changed the heavy items like dishes,

laundry detergent (got a small container to pour the

bigger container into) (buy in bulk) to lower shelves

not to put strain on my neck or shoulders, don't be

afraid to use the scooters provided at the stores, I

feel silly on my better days but after the time spent

in a store that I would of been walking through - it

really cuts down on pain that I would of caused myself

by being stubborn! I try to stay warm, try to think

positive and I am the most negative person on the

planet. I know it is awlful while resting and it is

like you notice every little thing you need to do to

add to your feelings of hopelessness of getting to it

or getting it done. I notice dust on the ceiling

corners and on and on. Invest, if you are able in a

self-propelled vacuum (they are fabulous) -don't have

one but have tried one! Vacuuming and I don't get

along! How old are your children? If they are old

enough to help in little ways it turns out to big help

in a big way! It teaches them not only responsibility

both self-worth, dignity, and lending a helping hand

to those in need without fear!!!!! That tends to be

rare these days! You may have already tried these

things, I just wanted you to know that there is hope

to help you!!! Things will get better yet again!!! I

suppose that is the only " good " thing to all these

flares is they tend to go away for some at some point!

I call it a reprieve. Hang in there! Take care and

know that we are thinking about you and caring about

you and pulling for you!!!! Take care. KIm

Thank You for your advice Altho i havent tried the scooters at the store,

i'm seriously thinking about it. Went out and bought a knee brace, 20$ but

well worth the money. That seems to help some. No you are not the most

negative person on the planet, i am! lol just kidding. My kids are 7 and 2and a

half. They will help, but not near as often as i'd like. Do you think its

worthmentioning to the doc that i have been depressed, or wait and see if it

gets

better? They say a woman's work is never done... they arent kidding. well i've

gotta go for now my 2 yr old is streking the house again... lol hugs

February 17, 2006

In a message dated 2/17/2006 4:16:22 PM Central Standard Time,

betnden@... writes:

Like you said, there's always someone worse

than me.

Dennis, sorry you are in so much pain. I am glad to hear that you have a

wonderfull wife that is there to help you when you need it. God bless her. Just

been wallowing in self pity, i tend to do that every now and then. Tomorrow

will be better...at least that's what i'm telling myself. lol hugs hope you

all have better days as well.

February 17, 2006

Yes, I believe it to be so. I'm sorry that you are

hurting. Being so young with a family makes feeling so

old at times very frustrasting and scary. Being on

the depressed side is all too common w/ all this. I

tried to change as many things around the house that I

could to make things easier if that is possible, for

example: I changed the heavy items like dishes,

laundry detergent (got a small container to pour the

bigger container into) (buy in bulk) to lower shelves

not to put strain on my neck or shoulders, don't be

afraid to use the scooters provided at the stores, I

feel silly on my better days but after the time spent

in a store that I would of been walking through - it

really cuts down on pain that I would of caused myself

by being stubborn! I try to stay warm, try to think

positive and I am the most negative person on the

planet. I know it is awlful while resting and it is

like you notice every little thing you need to do to

add to your feelings of hopelessness of getting to it

or getting it done. I notice dust on the ceiling

corners and on and on. Invest, if you are able in a

self-propelled vacuum (they are fabulous) -don't have

one but have tried one! Vacuuming and I don't get

along! How old are your children? If they are old

enough to help in little ways it turns out to big help

in a big way! It teaches them not only responsibility

both self-worth, dignity, and lending a helping hand

to those in need without fear!!!!! That tends to be

rare these days! You may have already tried these

things, I just wanted you to know that there is hope

to help you!!! Things will get better yet again!!! I

suppose that is the only " good " thing to all these

flares is they tend to go away for some at some point!

I call it a reprieve. Hang in there! Take care and

know that we are thinking about you and caring about

you and pulling for you!!!! Take care. KIm

--- N2kids@... wrote:

>

> I know i havent really posted in a while... sorry.

> The last week or so my

> right knee has gotten alot worse than my left. Is it

> possible to have both OA

> and RA? Also think a flare may be coming on...

> more stiff and sore than

> usual. How do you all get thru a day with working,

> kids, house, ect??? Seens i

> have trouble just keeping a house in

> order...getting depressed a little... cant

> do what a normal 27 yr old should be able to

> do..Sorry i am rambling and

> complaining. There are ppl in this group alot worse

> off than i am, so i should

> shut up now. take care.

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

__________________________________________________

February 17, 2006

Thanks Rose for your reply. Does the glucosamine/condrhoitin(sorry on

spelling) actually help? I am looking for anything to save my joints.

mentioned she needs a knee replacement soon. HUGS to you ! When i went in

to

my PCP to whine she put me on prednisone and sent me to a Rheumy also...wish

i would've done that alot sooner. hugs

February 17, 2006

I don't think it'll make you feel better, , but the day before

yesterday, my wife had to get me out of bed and dress me, I couldn't do it

by myself. Yesterday, I was not able to walk more than a few steps at a

time, and had to wobble, not step, to walk at all. Imagine walking with

casts from the waist down, you don't get anywhere fast. I used her chair

to get around the house. I don't often do this badly, it was just a string

of bad things at one time. My sciatic nerve was pinching pretty bad, so I

have devised a way to stretch my spine to make it more tolerable. I have a

step ladder that I drape over at my pelvis and hang my body down the other

side. Boy, does it hurt getting on it, and just as bad getting off and

putting weight back on my spine! Like you said, there's always someone worse

than me.

Dennis

[ ] Is it possible to have OA and RA?

>

> I know i havent really posted in a while... sorry. The last week or so

> my

> right knee has gotten alot worse than my left. Is it possible to have

> both OA

> and RA? Also think a flare may be coming on... more stiff and sore than

> usual. How do you all get thru a day with working, kids, house, ect???

> Seens i

> have trouble just keeping a house in order...getting depressed a

> little... cant

> do what a normal 27 yr old should be able to do..Sorry i am rambling and

> complaining. There are ppl in this group alot worse off than i am, so i

> should

> shut up now. take care.

>

February 17, 2006

Oh yeah, it is. Have RA about everywhere except my elbows. (shhh). OA began

first, hands, knees, hips. In fact, when RA reared it's ulgy head, I thought

that it was OA just being nasty and that I needed a new anti-inflamatory. I

was on volteran at the time (which I hated, but took it because it did some

good). At that time, just saw my PCP. Went in to whine, she changed me to

vioxx and told me to get to a Rhummy muy pronto. Referred to a great one.

Rhummy says that if I hadn't been taken glousamine/chrondrotion for so long,

that my hands would be in a lot worse shape. lately, all my hand problems is

blamed on the OA.

Not posting too much here, but do read and learn.

Rose

-- --- Original Message -----

From: N2kids@...

February 17, 2006

Yes, it is. I have seronegative RA, and OA in knee, ankles and back, and

thumbs.

I will need a left knee replacement in the near future. In WI

N2kids@... wrote:

I know i havent really posted in a while... sorry. The last week or so my

right knee has gotten alot worse than my left. Is it possible to have both OA

and RA? Also think a flare may be coming on... more stiff and sore than

usual. How do you all get thru a day with working, kids, house, ect??? Seens i

have trouble just keeping a house in order...getting depressed a little... cant

do what a normal 27 yr old should be able to do..Sorry i am rambling and

complaining. There are ppl in this group alot worse off than i am, so i should

shut up now. take care.

February 17, 2006

:

Never apologize for coming here to vent - we all have!

No matter what your age, your progress on this RA

jouney, your pain is your own and will never be judged

by any of us, we all truly do understand and really do

feel each other's pain.

In answer to your question, yes, you can definately

have RA and OA. I am sorry that you are so young to

have to be going through all of this. In my case, the

RA came first 7 years ago, and OA has now joined in

(as well as FM), with OA mostly in the bases of my

thumbs, my big toes, and my knees. The rest of my

joints have been claimed by RA lol. I am 51 now, and

was totally knowing that eventually I would get OA,

but when I was dx with RA at 45 it was a very big

shock!

I don't worry that much about my house anymore, if I

can do something, then I do, if not, then tomorrow is

another day. Your kids need you more than they need a

clean house, so when you are feeling good, I would say

spend more time with them, and forget the housework

lol. Hope you have an understanding hubby - luckily,

I do. Hang in there.

Kathe in CA

--- N2kids@... wrote:

>

> I know i havent really posted in a while... sorry.

> The last week or so my

> right knee has gotten alot worse than my left. Is it

> possible to have both OA

> and RA? Also think a flare may be coming on...

> more stiff and sore than

> usual. How do you all get thru a day with working,

> kids, house, ect??? Seens i

> have trouble just keeping a house in

> order...getting depressed a little... cant

> do what a normal 27 yr old should be able to

> do..Sorry i am rambling and

> complaining. There are ppl in this group alot worse

> off than i am, so i should

> shut up now. take care.

>

> [Non-text portions of this message have been

> removed]

>

Kathe

" To ride a horse is to borrow freedom. "

__________________________________________________

February 17, 2006

Hi .

The glousamaine/chrodrotin does help me. It takes about 6 - 8 weeks to know if

it will help. It you don't feel any better by then, stop it, because it's just

a waste.

re: your thumbs. I had a trigger finger in one thumb; triggered 9 out of

every ten times I bent it. Had PT, cortisone, and finally laser surgery. That

was two years ago. No problem with the since.

Also got hands braces specialy made for me in PT. Fit my hands that whenever

the OA or RA kick in, make a lot of difference.

Can't wear them through airport security though. Screeners get a bit testy and

I have to take them off and put them through X-ray. I'me a 62 year old grandma,