Serious Subject- Arthritis,

[seapower]

I know it's a common getting older thing and all. But I'm having a real time of it, especially the last 1 1/2 years. My wrists are going to pieces. Thats why I never go for a rod that has a fish on it, it just hurts way more than I'm willing to let on. Any side load, sudden movement or impact will just about put me on my knees. I'm no wuss either, I got busted up in a helo many years back and suffered with bone fragments in my spinal column. So I know what pain is, I've always pushed through. My living comes directly through my hands and retirement now or in the future is not an option. I have got to keep going there are way tooooo many welfare recipients out there counting on me!!!!
I've been through all the normal anti-inflamitory's, even the not so normal. Sleep is getting harder and harder to come by, the pain never stops. I've been presribed Vicodon and ********, but thats no way to live. Plus I've taken soooooooo much of that stuff over the years because of my back issues, my body just doesn't react to it. Unless I take way more than I should. I understand there are some monthly injections out there that seem to really help. I also understand that they are extremely expensive and the VA doesn't even offer them. (Yes I'm one of those low lifes that can't afford health insurance, the VA is all I've got. But I paid for that awhile back.) I've been using Glucosimamine/ Chondrotin for years, but really can't say that helps. How about lending some thoughts here! Frank

[clt_capt]

I have carpal tunnel in both wrists - I had the left one fixed surgically - but while I was waiting for the surgery, The doc gave me a brace that really helped keep me from moving the wrist in those funny directions. I even fished with it.

You wouldn't be able to do some finer control things with the brace on, but it might take some of the stress off at times...
And the brace is easy to take off and put back on...

If I'm sanding or grinding, I'll still wear the brace - it does help...

[Fishin-N-Wishin]

clt capt, good advice! That was my first thought as well. A couple of wrist braces may help. You can try the soft types first and if they don't offer some relief then try the hard braces. Yes, you'll lose some flexibility but the pain may be reduced. Has any Physician offered steroid injections to the wrist joints? Just a thought as well.

[Big Fish Billy]

Guys, you're not Lone rangers here, my days of reeling in big tunas are over, pulled some nails out of my front porch last week and am still paying for it. I use 800mg Ibuprophens for everything now, back, shoulders, rotator cuffs, etc. Ask your doc for a prescription, 3 a day for three days, and your pain is usually gone. No problem prescribing them longer term if you need them, but the three day treatment usually works for me. WHen my back starts, I take them right away and no more trips to the chiro...give it a try and let me know, you'll be amazed...ps buying the 200mg ones at the store doesn't work the same, get the 800s...

BFB

[BarryTurano]

I have it in the ankle I pop 3 ibuprofen twice a day in the morning when I get up and at night before I go to bed. Other wise I'm a cripple. Been doing that for about a year now. I guess I have so much in my system it must have put down the inflammation. I have no idea what it's done to my stomach. I guess eventually I will find what pain is worse and then trade off.

[Big Fish Billy]

I have it in the ankle I pop 3 ibuprofen twice a day in the morning when I get up and at night before I go to bed. Other wise I'm a cripple. Been doing that for about a year now. I guess I have so much in my system it must have put down the inflammation. I have no idea what it's done to my stomach. I guess eventually I will find what pain is worse and then trade off.

They say no ill effects, we'll see I guess.....rum didn't work as good for me....

[seapower]

That's what Ive been doing literally for years, 3 x 800mg. Maybe like all the other meds I've taken over the years for pain and inflamation, my body is just getting used to them. My grandmother lived till a pretty good age, she had arthritis in her knees really bad. I've seen her take 8 asprins at a time, I know that couldn't have been good either. I've been pretty good about watching my weight and staying in pretty good musclular shape. I exersize every morning before I get dressed just to limber up. That is the key thing I push when someone ask's me about how to deal with back pain. You have got to stay mobile and flexible! Haven't had any steroid shots yet. I would get steroids (by mouth) when my back really got me down (10 days in bed, can't walk for 6 weeks kinda stuff) and yes they got the inflamation down. Thanks, Frank

[Big Fish Billy]

My back has been shot since I was 17 and my 67 GTO came down on my back. I went to the chiro for years and frankly that worked fine. When I tore rotator cuffs in my shoulder I was on the 800s, 3 a day for a month while I waited for the cortesone shot, which really fixed me fine. The next time my back got strained I went back on the 800s while I waited to see the chiro. After a day I was fine and didn't need to go. I don't stay on them steady unless I have to, but the doc said I could go on them steady with no ill effects. Long term aspirin use, except for the 81mg coated baby aspirins, are bad for you stomach lining...don't know what to say beyond that...I take Myers rum on a regular basis...seems to fill in the voids...

[Big Jay]

Frank if you want some OTC supplement recommendations to help with that here are some:

Cissus Quadralangus (1g 3x daily)
Glucosamine Chondroiton (1g 3x daily)
Fish Oil (10g per day)

I have arthritis at age 26 in my left shoulder (chronic as a result of trauma, showed up on X-ray) and my right hand (broke all the fingers at some point).

These supplements have helped a lot. They reduce inflammation in the joints and allow the body to naturally replenish the fluid in them. I was never big on the whole natural supplement thing but I caved and was very happy. For the longest time I was on Relafin for my left shoulder and thankfully have been able to come off it.

Back pain is helped by stretching. You should see a chiro at least once a month. Especially someone like you crawling in and out of hulls doing work. That's hell on your discs.

You can get those supplements at www.trueprotein.com under supplements. By the 1g measuring scoops since they come in raw powder form.

[Big Jay]

Also, its not illegal but if you can get your hands on Alflutops or veterinary Adequan that stuff works MIRACLES. It is in an injection but my god it works. I re-injured my left shoulder back in Oct. It was crunching and cracking. Killed me. I could tell you when a storm was coming based on the fact i was in constant pain.

I did 21 days worth of Alfutops. By day 15-16 my shoulder had improved 75%. By 3-4 days after stopping I was in good shape.

They are both all natural made from shellfish/seaweed extracts. Like I said though, they have to be injected intramuscularly. It actually is shown to re-grow joint cartilage and tendon/ligament tissue.