A couple of years ago, I was diagnosed with arthritis in my left knee (no surprise there: ultramarathons, century bike rides, fiendishly long hikes). I've been taking glucosamine chondroitin for a couple of years. The pain flares ever so rarely and when it does, its tenure is brief; and so, it's totally manageable.
Now, lucky me, the right knee, the one I had cartilage taken out of 15 years ago, has decided to antagonize me. This while I was taking the glucosamine chondroitin.
I've read of the benefits of Omega 3 oil (capsules, serum) for joint pain. I'm writing to inquire if anyone out there has any actual experience, good or bad, with such oil.
Thank you.
posted by holdenjordahl
on Mar 4, 2013 -
18 answers
My father (age 79) has gone from keeping a cane in the car for occasional use to steady himself (through 2012) to being in terrible pain and needing a walker around the house (the latter after a Synvisc injection to the knee 2 weeks ago, knee swelling, and falling - again - at home alone). So far he hasn't broken anything in his falls, but I live 90 minutes away from him and he lives alone. He's accustomed to being quite active and has often been mistaken for a man 10-15 years his junior.
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posted by pammeke
on Mar 4, 2013 -
10 answers
I live in northern New York where we have short hot summers of about 2 to 3 months and long cold winters. I have a variety of health problems, including joint problems, and hormone problems including low testosterone and higher than normal estrogen (I am a male) . I have noticed that in the summertime If I sit outside for one to two hours every day to absorb the sun I feel healthier, my joints hurt less, my hormones seem better, and I have more energy. Also if I have a cut or a twisted ankle It seems to heal faster then in the winter.
Assuming that it was the vitamin D from the sun that was causing this , I took vitamin D pills every day in the winter. However, I did not experience any of the benefits that I experienced with regular sunshine exposure.
This leads me to believe there is something else, some sort of other healing power in the sun that either science is not aware of yet or that I am simply not aware of. Is this possible?
posted by john123357
on Feb 5, 2013 -
23 answers
LymeDiseaseFilter: Have you or someone you're close to had Lyme, had it treated, and more-or-less lived to tell the tale? I'm seeking anecdata to help me calibrate exactly how freaked out I should be about this diagnosis.
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posted by anonymous
on Oct 19, 2012 -
28 answers
Is it normal to be developing arthritis in my fingers at 30, or should I be looking for a new doctor?
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posted by gally99
on Sep 18, 2012 -
18 answers
Thirty-something woman with no history experiencing sudden-onset arthritis due to change in geography/altitude/climate? Details after the jump.
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posted by petitemom
on Jun 9, 2012 -
9 answers
YANAD - On tonight's episode - Back Pain, specialist claims it's osteoarthritis, but I am 37 and have absolutely zero history in my family (even extended) is he wrong? What else could it be? Minor snowstorm inside.
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posted by UMDirector
on May 23, 2012 -
10 answers
Our 10 year old Australian Cattle dog,
Zoe, has arthritis. She limps if she plays too hard or goes on too long of a walk. She is taking high quality supplements. What's the best way to proceed?
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posted by insectosaurus
on Apr 10, 2012 -
20 answers
I'd like to get a chef's knife for my wife, as she has recently developed an interest in cooking. The thing is, she has pretty bad arthritis and needs a knife that would be easy to hold, something with a largish handle. Any suggestions as to brand would be great. Also I should mention we are looking for a decent quality carbon steel type knife.
posted by WASP-12b
on Mar 21, 2012 -
21 answers
Balancing function and price: What's the best (and least expensive) Mom Computer, especially if we're trying to go Mac?
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posted by Madamina
on Jan 12, 2012 -
19 answers
Our 10-year old australian cattle dog,
Zoe, has arthritis. Right now she eats Hills Prescription Diet for mobility, which her vet recommended. It helps a lot, but we'd like to switch her to another food. Is there a food you would recommend?
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posted by insectosaurus
on Jan 8, 2012 -
22 answers
I know this sounds shit, but I need some advice on how to continue a satisfying life with a disability. Really long story as short as I can think to write it inside.
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posted by anonymous
on Nov 3, 2011 -
12 answers
(Acupuncture filter) - So I made an appointment for acupuncture. Looking for stories, suggestions, and did it help you?
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posted by handbanana
on Jul 26, 2011 -
16 answers
What's a good, reasonably priced book that will tell a mechanically-minded layman how the joints of the human body work, and how they fail (especially in arthritis)?
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posted by Koray
on Jun 22, 2011 -
2 answers
My mother has recently been diagnosed with arthritis of the hips. She's going to Florence on holidays summer and is used to doing lots of walking: recommendations?
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posted by hannahlambda
on Apr 30, 2011 -
6 answers
My mother (45yo) is suffering tremendously from some sort of arthritic condition. But is there something else we should be looking for?
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posted by gruggywoof
on Apr 15, 2011 -
20 answers
Help me design a ramp to fit over a staircase for a dog to go up and down. My parents’ dog has arthritis. My parents house has a hardwood floor staircase that she can’t go down comfortably. She slips and frequently falls down the stairs and it’s obviously painful and stressful for her to go down. I’d like to build her a ramp with some ridges (i.e. pieces of wood set up as crossbars so her feet don’t slip). Two catches inside.
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posted by If only I had a penguin...
on Apr 3, 2011 -
25 answers
Should I go to a podiatrist or foot/ankle orthopedist for this particular arthritis/toe problem?
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posted by bluedaisy
on Mar 23, 2011 -
9 answers
My vet gave me a sample of 99.9% DMSO for my dog's back pain issues. I had never heard of the stuff and was totally fascinated by what I read while researching it. Is there a plot of some kind to keep it criminally underused?
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posted by Pennyblack
on Dec 17, 2010 -
16 answers
I’m looking for a purse with several credit/debit card holders that hold the card(s) snugly but are easy to remove for someone with severe arthritis in their hands (think claws). Recipient is in their 70’s, female, with plain tastes. We’re in the UK so it’d be great if the item could be a) purchased online with guarantee of delivery before Xmas or b) bought in a department store like Marks & Spencer or Debenhams.
posted by She Kisses Wyverns
on Dec 13, 2010 -
6 answers
A friend of mine has premature arthritis (she's 40 years old). She can't get enough iron, despite taking supplements, and we recently worked out that she's short of magnesium too. Loss of minerals is a common problem with arthritis but what other minerals is she likely to be missing, and what's the best way of replacing them?
posted by humblepigeon
on Aug 12, 2010 -
13 answers
My father, in his late 60s, is a prostate cancer and arthritis patient and is currently in a lot of pain to the point where he doubles over groaning. His oncologist and general practitioner have prescribed Oxycodone, which he takes one-two at a time, but sometimes even that doesn't help and other times it makes him sick. The MDs aren't sure whether the cancer or arthritis are to blame at the moment. He'll go back on chemo on Monday and get a full set of scans in September. Meanwhile, does anyone have recommendations for pain relief of the mainstream or alternative variety? He has already tried acupuncture without great success. His lives in NYC. Thank you.
posted by AlmondEyes
on Aug 11, 2010 -
10 answers
Has anyone has any experience with using a vegan, gluten-free diet to control Rheumatoid Arthritis and/or migraines? What experiences have you had and what hints / recipes would help make this transition easier?
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posted by youcancallmeal
on Jun 2, 2010 -
18 answers
Tips for not complaining about a relatively minor physical issue? I'm beginning to suffer from hereditary osteoarthritis. I stand up funny and people ask what's wrong. I have stiffness and pain and tend to complain. I've listened to family complain about it and found it tiresome. How do I shut up and not burden people with a thing they can't do anything about and can't relate to, and isn't ultimately, that horrible? In twenty years, should I live so long, I'll freely complain about my hip replacements, but until then? We all find our own ailments fascinating, but other people's, not so much. I've read related asks, but this is specifically about a physical/health issue.
posted by rainbaby
on May 30, 2010 -
11 answers
Are most cats willing to stand up on their back legs for treats they love, if they're also willing to "sit up"? If this one doesn't, is that grounds to worry about his joints?
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posted by amtho
on Apr 25, 2010 -
28 answers
My parents' nine year-old Old English Sheepdog is losing muscle in his hips, and having difficulty getting up. Their house also has predominantly wood flooring. I came across
Bark'n Boots Grip Trex Dog Boots during a Google search, and noticed one user's comments said they helped his dog's arthritis a great deal- has anyone else had similar success in using rubber-grip Dog Boots to help a large-breed dog experiencing difficulty in getting up? Aside from adding glucosamine supplements to his diet and placing floor mats on his favorite spots, what else can I do?
posted by invisible ink
on Feb 10, 2010 -
8 answers
Arthritis Filter: what are your preferred remedies for arthritis? What is detrimental to your arthritis?
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posted by Neekee
on Feb 5, 2010 -
17 answers
Knee surgeries, spinal injuries and systemic arthritis. No heath insurance. This has stopped me from moving around very much. Now I'm Rubenesque. There's been a ton of advice on exercise, but none of it seems to be aimed towards the movement impaired. Yoga has been helpful for regaining some mobility, but isn't helping with weight loss.
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posted by anonymous
on Oct 19, 2009 -
20 answers
My wife went off of one medication for arthritis and it made a huge difference, even though the other two meds didn't. She is getting a second opinion. What else might she have? (you are not a doctor)
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posted by IzzeYum
on Aug 22, 2009 -
16 answers
Tell me about some great yoga or Pilates teachers in DC who work with older students. My mom has chronic pain issues, arthritis and osteoporosis. We would like to work with someone to set up a gentle routine that she can do at home.
posted by freshwater_pr0n
on Nov 8, 2008 -
1 answer
Please direct me towards some respectable, wholesome looking websites about medical marijuana usage, especially if they're intended for older folks and/or the Oregon Medical Marijuana Program.
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posted by redsparkler
on Oct 23, 2008 -
6 answers
Can anyone recommend any adaptive devices for someone who enjoys computers, but suffers from severe arthritis in his hands?
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posted by Salmonberry
on Mar 6, 2008 -
6 answers
My father has a severe case of rheumatoid arthritis. I’m hoping those of you who have arthritis or have loved ones who do will have some information to share.
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posted by orange swan
on Jan 31, 2008 -
13 answers
