Author Topic: I've been diagnosed with arthritis (Read 10050 times)

pistolpete · « **on:** May 30, 2015, 12:50:14 am »

Well, more accurately I've been diagnosed with Ankylosing Spondyilitis, which is a type of arthritis that fuses the spine. I'm not even sure how to feel about it right now, it is a very slow moving disease that will eventually leave me with reduced mobility and possibly a lot of pain. Luckily mine seems to be a fairly mild case. If anyone else out there is dealing with something similar, perhaps we could chat.

Jen · « **Reply #1 on:** May 30, 2015, 01:24:24 am »

Hi Pete

I have arthritis in my spine as well, I don't know what kind. May I ask what kind of test you went thru to determine this diagnosis?

pistolpete · « **Reply #2 on:** May 30, 2015, 02:44:01 am »

I have been having inflamation in my eyes (iritis) and lower back pain, which prompted my doctor to test for certain genetic markers (came back positive). After that they did a bunch of blood work, x rays, and an MRI of my lower back. Apparently all the symptoms fit, but my spine has not started fusing yet. Unfortunately there is no proven treatment.

Bakersdozen · « **Reply #3 on:** May 30, 2015, 06:20:16 am »

Sorry to hear that Pete. What do they prescribe to slow down the progression of the disease? Exercises?

lazy shooter · « **Reply #4 on:** May 30, 2015, 09:04:46 am »

Pete, I'm sorry to hear of your ailment. I'm more sorry that there in no proven treatment that slows or stops the progression, but keep on keeping on as there are medical break through's every day. Like Jen, I have some plain old arthritis in my lower back and hands, but at 76 years old, things are downhill for a reason.

In bad times, I tell myself "this is the day the Lord has given us" and keep on going. Today it's a good day. Enjoy today and take tomorrow as it comes.

Gypsi · « **Reply #5 on:** May 30, 2015, 09:39:05 am »

May I recommend turmeric paste?

brooksbeefarm · « **Reply #6 on:** May 30, 2015, 09:55:57 am »

Every day i wake up is a good day.

Jack

pistolpete · « **Reply #7 on:** May 30, 2015, 11:41:47 am »

Bakersdozen: yes, basically the doctor said to keep up an active lifestyle.

Jen · « **Reply #8 on:** May 30, 2015, 12:51:21 pm »

Pete, I am a avid yogist. Yoga centers on keeping the spine lucid. If I don't do my yoga each morning it takes longer to get my day going. Feel free to get permission from your doc about the kind of excercise you can do. I have 5 different yoga dvd's that I switch out on a regular basis. If you would like to know about these dvd's just say the word.

Gypsi · « **Reply #9 on:** May 30, 2015, 01:19:21 pm »

Jen that sounds like a really good idea. I have one yoga dvd, specifically for arthritis, and when work slows down I intend to start using it and maybe some others. Every morning I do start with stretches and that is good for everyone

Les · « **Reply #10 on:** May 30, 2015, 02:09:12 pm »

I agree with Jen regarding Yoga. I have a couple bulging discs (and stupid me I take up beekeeping) and I am an avid gardener, if I don't keep limber I would be as stiff as a board. I still hurt but I just keep on keeping on. Sitting is the worst thing for me!

Jen · « **Reply #11 on:** May 30, 2015, 02:37:58 pm »

It's all good about the beekeeping Les, ya just have to adjust according to how much you 'can' lift. Like, for the most part, I have all mediums, and I have my hives elevated about 1 1/2 feet, that helps in not having to stoop too much. Then when lifting a honey super, I empty the frames out of the box, one by one, and put the frames into another med box next to me, then take the box off the hive. Then do my inspection, then put the super med back on and put the honey frames back in the same way they came out.

It's an extra step for sure, but it keeps in the beekeeping world a lot more comfortably

PS. Sitting is my cuprit as well. However, I can't stand that long either ~ Just keep moving

pistolpete · « **Reply #12 on:** May 30, 2015, 02:54:17 pm »

Yoga sounds good and I am endeavoring to get better about stretching. My work is very physical, so I find myself quite tired by the end of each day.

efmesch · « **Reply #13 on:** May 30, 2015, 03:21:42 pm »

Pistolpete, you remind us that we all are getting older---and with age, come all sorts of other reminders that we have to be careful as we develop our individual aches and pains. I won't go into a list of mine, but will simply repeat what has been said by several others in different words---right along the line of what my doctor says---"keep active, exercise, walk, etc". At our ages, the biggest reason for carefulnes is to avoid falling. So keep up with your hives and with your physical work. Just be sure that you keep "both feet" on the ground and maintain your balance.
I had my first "rude awakening" telling me that I was ageing physically, 11 years ago when I tried to raise myself not using my hands, from a seated position with crossed legs on the ground, (something I had always done easily) and couldn't handle it no matter how hard I tried.
Stick with your healthy style of active living, follow your doctor's advice, and like the rest of us, learn to ignore those pains and keep smiling.

Jen · « **Reply #14 on:** May 30, 2015, 03:27:41 pm »

Nicely put Ef ~ Sometimes I ignore the aches and pains but not for long, sometimes I work thru the aches and pains but not for long... keep a check on your limits. Even tho I do yoga, bee venom therapy, tumeric tea, and some other nice herbs, I have to always remember to 'Know My Limits'

Les · « **Reply #15 on:** May 30, 2015, 10:55:19 pm »

Ef, interesting the comment about being able to stand without using your hands. I make a concerted effort to not use my hands even on my worst creaky knees days. When we go out to the movies I have all I can do to stand after two hours. My sweetie always offers a hand and I adamantly shake him off. Gotta keep those legs strong, I have too much to accomplish in a day. Which reminds, did you ever here a retired person say they were bored in retirement and want t go back to work? Can't understand that at all....I can't get everything done that needs doing in a day!

Jen · « **Reply #16 on:** May 30, 2015, 10:59:33 pm »

Les, a bee sting to each knee works wonders.

efmesch · « **Reply #17 on:** May 31, 2015, 01:36:15 am »

Les says: "My sweetie always offers a hand and I adamantly shake him off. Gotta keep those legs strong,"
Ef says --- Don't be cruel to him---he's showing you his affection for you. I'm sure he realizes you're still capable of getting up on your own, but he wants to be with you.. You don't have to take his aid, but don't just shake him off, let him know that you eppreciate his thoughtfulness.

I'm with you on retirement, the day just isn't long enough to do everything I'd like to (but maybe, at least partly, it's because I don't do things as fast as I used to.. $:-\$ )

lazy shooter · « **Reply #18 on:** May 31, 2015, 09:58:13 am »

Ef always has such great words of wisdom. When I was much younger, I thought that people got old and died. That is not quite the case. People get old and die of some illness or malady. I too, remember not being able to get up from a cross-legged sitting position.

Back in April, on a rainy day in Moss Point, MS, I turned 76 years old while drilling at around 12,500 feet, on the way to 17,000 plus feet. No, I don't have a planned retirement. Like Les, I don't have enough time in the day to get everything done. I am in the process of selling my home so that I can rebuild in another place. I'm setting up a new place so that I can keep my bees and some of my cows next to my yard. There is no quit in this old coot. My Master will determine my departure, but until then I am planning and working toward tomorrow.

kingd · « **Reply #19 on:** May 31, 2015, 10:05:20 am »

On the retirement thing, Ever notice that because you do not have a job that people seem to think your not doing anything?

I think sometimes I need a "real job" so I can relax

I am busier now than ever.

Author Topic: I've been diagnosed with arthritis (Read 10050 times)

Gypsi

Gypsi