CF Arthritis Question

[thelizardqueen]

Ok, so I'm a little green behind the ears when it comes to this subject but here goes. How do you know when you have arthritis, or even the onset of arthritis? The reason I ask, is because lately I've been getting joint pain in my ankles and wrists. The ankles started about a few months ago. I only noticed it when I was bent down (like squating) to pick something up, and when I would get up I would get pain in my ankles. Lately whenever I stretch my legs I get pain running up from my ankles to my calves. When it comes to my wrists - my wrist pain actually started when I was about 18. At the time I thought it was from typing at the computer all the time at my job and never thought much of it. These past few month though I notice that my wrists ache when I'm not even doing anything, or just typing a little. I haven't had a steady typing job in the past year, so I know its not from daily work at the computer. The pain I get in my ankles and wrists is like a dull ache deep inside, like a throbbing kind of pain sometimes. Could this be early onset arthritis? I know that CFers can get it, so this is why I'm curious. I have a check up with my CF team on thursday so I'm going to talk to them about it, but its come to the point where it aches to type or write now. I guess you could say I'm a little worried. Any input would be appreciated!

 

[Allie]

Ry had pretty bad CFRA, and it started when he was about 12, but didn't get bad till he was in high school. His started out like that, just a simple ache or pain in his joints. Sorry love, sounds like Cf arthritis.

 

[thelizardqueen]

Well that sucks.<img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-frown.gif" border="0"> Ah well, just another thing to add to my ever growing list of ailments!<img src="i/expressions/beer.gif" border="0">
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Edited to add:</b> I forgot to mention that I even have trouble opening bottles too sometimes, so I guess it could add up to arthritis.

 

[Faust]

I used to have horrible gout, that would flare up even if I just ate meat a couple days back to back...On top of that, my joints were starting to get pretty painful and inflamed in general, so I guess I was starting to really show CFRA too. After being on oregano oil for maybe a week or so, my gout and all forms of joint problems went away, and none have come back. Of course, not sure if it will work for everyone for this ailment, but if you aren't on it, it's worth a shot to try. Not sure which way of taking it has the most direct impact, but I still take it under the tongue and neb the water soluble stuff. I walk 8-12 miles a shift at work, and have zero joint problems now, and can stay on my feet for extremely long periods of time/distance.


I thought my social life was basically over due to the gout, I was pretty pissed off at the prospect of no more beer and very lite alcohol/meat in general. Thank god this has helped me so much.

 

[thelizardqueen]

I take the oil of oregano caps. I've been taking them for the past 2 weeks, and haven't noticed a change in my joints. Its helped my lungs and energy, but not my joints.

 

[Faust]

Try doing the oil under the tongue, like 2 drops 3 times a day. The pills help some, but they primarily seem to help the GI tract and act as an antioxidant primarily. My gout went away after starting to do just the drops under tongue, before I started to neb the stuff. I think taking the stuff under the tongue has a more direct impact on body problems than just the pills. Also, due to our heavy bacteria in our systems, and also in our joints (one of the causes of arthritis I read not long ago, and probably a good reason why CF's have it so bad), you will need to find out what your own personal dose is to get it to have an effect on your arthritis. I generally tell people 3 drops under the tongue 3 times a day till you get rid of whatever you are trying to get rid of, then go down to either 3 drops twice a day (morning and night), or 2 drops 3 times a day as a maintenance dose to keep that level. I still occasionally do the oil under the tongue, but I primarily get my dose via nebbing the stuff. I still have zero gout or arthrtis symptoms.


I'd say try it, if you want to see if it helps your arthritis issues. If it doesn't you have some liquid to use under the tongue in case you run out of pills.

 

[Lilith]

My issues with arthritis started probably when I was fifteen. I have it in my left hip and my left shoulder, and sometimes my neck. Sometimes when I wake up in the morning my hip will almost give out on me when I try to get out of bed and I'll walk with a limp for, like, five minutes before the pain goes away. The funny part is, usually my arthritis only flares up when a) the weather changes or b) when I'm starting to get ill. I use it as one of my warning signs of infection.

The only thing I can recommend to you is Advil. I usually only have to take two caplets once a day and it leaves me alone. If your pain is constant, though, maybe your doctor can give you something stronger.

 

[anonymous]

My hands, neck, knees, and feet have bothered me for years! My hands are getting bad now because I type all day at work. THey ache constantly. I heard glucosamine can help some people but it didn't really do anything for me.

 

[teknogeek1300]

My wrist pops a little. I'm concerned about my elbow's and knees. 9/10 morning I wake having to through my arm out to get my elbow's to pop, it's horrible. My knee scares me because my Aunt, and my Grandfather have VERY bad knees. So I have CFRA and bad genetics <img src="i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif" border="0">. I need to mention it and see if my doctor will proscribe something.