arthritis

[bucketmouth64]

Found out I have arthritis in my shoulders at the age of 46. One side is worse than the other. All of this came about after a slip/fall on some ice last winter. Doctor said I probably had it all this time with no effects and the fall just manifested it. Luckily, it hasn't impeded me from fishing. Don't know what I would do if I couldn't fish. Chiroprater said I could consult a orthopedic surgeon to see what they could do. But he said he hasn't seen much success going under the knife. I am sure there are some here that have arthritis. What have you found to work? Surgical or non-surgical. Throwing a ball hurts, extending my arms to lift hurts. Not all movements hurt, just some.

[harvey lee]

Any chance you have a torn rotator cuff in the shoulder?

I have arthritis in many joints and there are pills for this and it varies due to depth of the arthritis and each person and joint.

Maybe see a specialist for arthritis and go from there. So many different types of arthritis and as stated above, each is its own animal.

Mine is controlled with a few different drugs and pain meds. Still hurts and some just have to live with it and restrict what they do.

Excersise can also be a help but again, I would consult with a arthritis specialist. Diet can also be of some help.

[TR21HP]

bucketmouth, I would get a second opinion. Judging by what you have described sounds like a rotator cuff problem. Arthritis doesn't all of a sudden come on after a fall. Do a little research on the internet - Web MD is a good site and talk with someone else, especially if you are considering surgery. Surgery doesn't cure arthritis anyway.

[delmuts]

I don't know if it would be an option for you, but a physical therapist mite be able to help you out with some stretching, and strengthening exercises! Also trying a joint supplement could help some.

Something else you can do is to learn to cast by keeping your elbow against your side and just use your wrist( you can still cast along ways if needed). Eliminates much of the wear and tear on shoulders. One other thing you can do is to cast with both hands on the rod and to learn to cast right and left handed.( Ya it's ugly at first, but i managed! ) It's handy too if you are fishing shore lines. You can cast right handed to the shore on your left, or left handed to the shore on your right.

[shizzy]

I have issues with my elbows and wrists. Doctor hasnt given a diag yet but I just find my self bobber fishing more then I cast. not an ideal situation, but its still fishing.

[marineman]

Three weeks ago, I was diagnosed with tendonitis in my rotator cuff. Got a shot of cortisone which worked immediately to relieve the pain. Now, I'm doing physical therapy - at home, 20 - 25 minutes every other day - and I am feeling great. Plan on continuing the therapy and include more exercises so I'm ready for open water fishing. Only 115 days until Opener!!

[TR21HP]

Take it easy on the cortisone marineman if you can. It can lead to far more serious damage if applied too many times.

Just 115 days? It doesn't help when I have friends calling me from out west and down south just getting off the water and telling me how great fishing is!Oh, and the pictures - darn internet.

[ozzie]

I had 2 shots of cotrizone on my shoulder and they only relieved the pain temporarily so I ended up having surgery......I did not have a torn rotator rather I had an inflamed tendon that my rotator was rubbing against and the doctor had stated that the tendon had been rubbed like that since I was born and that the inflamation could have come at any point but in my case it came when I was 27-28 years old....I had a lively arm and could throw hard and I noticed that I was having troubles getting loose and that I really had problems with short throws so after the cortizone shots didn't do much I elected to have surgery and now after 2 years I am starting to feel like I can throw a little closer to where I was at b4 the injury/inflamation but I will never b 100%. With that said I did go back to playing sports 7 months after the surgery with a weak arm but as time went on it got stronger and I would do it again if nessisary as the surgery relieved alot of pain!!!

[harvey lee]

The shots and excersize will help many so they do not need the surgery. I went through it with both my shoulders but I had to much damage and need surgery on both. All is fine after the surgery and my arms are in great working condition with no side effects.

I would have the suregry done again in a heartbeat. I will say this, I had the scope surgery on one and the open incision surgery on the other and the damage was about exactly the same on each joint.

I recovered 2 times faster with the open incision verses the scope surgery and the second surgeon told me the open was much easier on the patient.

Most times the healing time is simply due to the damage on how badly the rotator cuff is torn. One does not want to leave it go until it is completly torn away as that creates a much more serious condition.

I would see a specialist and have some X-rays or a CT scan or MRI dobne to see if you have a shoulder issue.

I am sure most know that the doctors are only allowed to give one so much cortisione.

The PT after the surgery is also very important to follow for a good recovery.

[fivebucks]

There are different types of arthritis, mainly rheumatoid and osteoarthritis. If it continues to bother you I would take Harvey's advise and see a rheumatologist. If it is an onset of rheumatoid, delaying treatment can mean permanant damage. Generally osteo is just one joint or a couple of joint whereas rheumatoid is a whole body deal and can affect many joints. I was diagnosed with rheumatiod when I was 25 (now almost 50) and I had some weird shoulder issues a couple of years prior to being diagnosed. I self diagnosed myself with bursitis in my shoulders. It went away after a week or two. My doctor does not know if there was any correlation. You can get all sorts of theories on here but a rheumatologist can tell you for sure. Good luck.

[harvey lee]

You got it fivebucks, the only one who can really diagonis this issue with some testing is a good rheumatologist.

I was diagnosed with both rheumatoid and ostio arthritis. I took a few different drugs before we came up with one that did the best job for me. No real cure but they can help with some drugs and excerise.

[bucketmouth64]

I should have said that I had an MRI done last week and my chiro called me with the findings from the radiologist. I had an x-ray done last year because of the pain and that came up negative. He said I probably had the arthritis there already and the fall just manifested it. He said I could consult with an orthopedic surgeon and see what they say. Chiro says that some of his patients had the surgery but arthritis returned. So the fix was temporary. I think I'll consult with some other doctors once I get insurance again next month.

[harvey lee]

My bet is that the surgery will only help for a very short period. Seems it always comes back.

If there was a surgery for this, many doctors would be all the more wealthy from this type cure.

Good luck in your search for some pain relief.

NSAIDS do help many. My wife has arthritis very bad to the point in the winter time she cannot open a car door handle. With the NSAIDS, she is probably at 90% good.

[delmuts]

I just reposted an article from a few years ago. Hope it helps get ready for SPRING!

[fishinchicks]

bucketmouth - I would consult a specialist to make sure. Chiropractors are good for many things, but diagnosing arthritis and such should not be part of their practice. They don't have near as much training as an MD or OD.

It is always good to get a second opinion, especially when it is something that is affecting your every day living. Not every radiologist is going to read a report the same, either. My hubby could have been diagnosed with MS 4 years earlier had the radiologist commented on suspicious spots in his brain that were clearly seen on the MRI. The radiologist that did the second MRI 4 years later compared the two MRIs and had to write an official report disagreeing with the first radiologist. The first radiologist said he didn't report the finding because that is not what the MRI was for - it was looking for a nerve problem in his ear. Now hubby has some issues that could have been prevented if he was able to start treatment sooner.

Sorry this is long winded, but it is important that you push until you get answers.

[bucketmouth64]

bucketmouth - I would consult a specialist to make sure. Chiropractors are good for many things, but diagnosing arthritis and such should not be part of their practice. They don't have near as much training as an MD or OD.

It is always good to get a second opinion, especially when it is something that is affecting your every day living. Not every radiologist is going to read a report the same, either. My hubby could have been diagnosed with MS 4 years earlier had the radiologist commented on suspicious spots in his brain that were clearly seen on the MRI. The radiologist that did the second MRI 4 years later compared the two MRIs and had to write an official report disagreeing with the first radiologist. The first radiologist said he didn't report the finding because that is not what the MRI was for - it was looking for a nerve problem in his ear. Now hubby has some issues that could have been prevented if he was able to start treatment sooner.

Sorry this is long winded, but it is important that you push until you get answers.

I plan on getting a second opinion next month. I will consult with my MD and whoever they use for orthopedics and radiology.

[fishinchicks]

Good plan! Hope it is something treatable so you don't have to cut down on fishing!

[Double D]

I agree completely with fivebucks and harvey lee. My wife has now been diagnosed with a very rare auto-immune type of rheumatological disease, and we have seen 4 rheumatologists in the past year. If they truly think it's arthritis, see a rheumatologist.

I am only speaking from experience, but from our last years adventure and clinics in Minneapolis, Omaha and now Rochester, I have never heard of surgery for arthritis.

DD

[Mike89]

I have been having trouble with my finger loints and knuckles of my hands for a few years now, the doc's all say there is nothing there to cause any problems. I talked to a few people and i started taking cayenne pills. They are 100,000 heat unit each made by a health company. 90 pills for $11.00 and I can tell you the change for the better was unbeleivable!!!

I don't know if this would help but it sure did for me.

Good luck, Mike.

[Harbi]

It would be a good idea to see a specialist if you want some surgical options, but I would see someone such as a physical therapist or a chiropractor to be trained on some home exercises to strengthen your shoulders/ rotator cuff muscles. Often, a good strengthening program will relieve a lot of the symptoms of artritis. If you don't get relief from this after 6 mo. to a year, I would look further into surgery, if that is recommended.

By the way fishinchicks, diagnosing and treating arthritis is a large part of a chiropractic practice. Chiropractors have much more education than MDs (other than radiologists) in reading x-rays and diagnosing/treating arthritis and other joint disorders. For a second opinion though, I would certainly consult an orthopedist or orthopedic surgeon.

[harvey lee]

I have exhausted all options for my lower back. Last summer I was told a Chiropractor might be able to help me.

Went for 6 months with exactly no results. Yes, I walked in sore, walked out feeling good and after 1 hour, back to the same.

I went three times a week and some weeks 4 times.

I now get spinal epidurals and they do help alot. It may not be the best program but its the only thing that will help with the pain besides pain killers.

Its not all arthritis as I do have some disc issues also.

[fishinchicks]

By the way fishinchicks, diagnosing and treating arthritis is a large part of a chiropractic practice. Chiropractors have much more education than MDs (other than radiologists) in reading x-rays and diagnosing/treating arthritis and other joint disorders. For a second opinion though, I would certainly consult an orthopedist or orthopedic surgeon.

Probably depends on the Chiropractor, but I highly dispute the length of schooling on diagnostics and radiology. I love my Chiro, and will continue to go to her for relief of my hip back and neck pain, but there is no way she would be the one diagnosing arthritis. She sends patients on to specialists if she suspects that may be their problem, but will not diagnose them, as she feels that she is not qualified enough.

Osteopathic doctors (OD), on the other hand, are fully qualified to diagnose conditions and prescribe medicines. There are some that practice chiropractic type treatments as well as seeing patients in a doctor's office setting.

[Harbi]

Arthritis isn't a difficult diagnosis to make. I don't know why your D.C. would say something like that.

You should learn more about the education of doctors of chiropractic before disputing it.

It is completely personnal choice who you'd like to see for your healthcare, but don't present opinion statements like they are fact.

[fishinchicks]

I have researched both, actually. I also know instructors that are OD's at the teaching hospital in Des Moines, and have heard their side of things. I completely trust my DC, who does not diagnose a condition by first taking x-rays. She goes with a hands on approach. She is also the only one who has been able to relieve my hip pain. My previous DC took many x-rays before starting treatment, yet was unable to effectively help.

I'll stick with my opinion, and you can stick with yours. I don't mind.

[Heartman]

I have Psoriatic Arthritis, particularly bad in wrists and knuckles of both hands. Had a tough late summer and fall - could not hold a fishing rod at one point, and did very little duck hunting due to the fact I couldn't properly shoulder my shotgun.

Working with a rheumatologist, I am on Methtrexate and it appears to be working. Daily pain levels down to 1-2, from 7-8 for about six weeks there. Cortisone helped - narcotics did much better. Quit drinking and that seemed to help a great deal. Miss my beer or martini, but sure enjoy sleeping through the night now.

Keep trying - some medications take a while to work.