Donna,

Firstly: Hi :).

Are you saying that a bone density (as in a DEXA scan) was done re: OA? I'm asking only because I'm more familiar with it being done for Osteoporosis, and possibly I'm confused about the testing you had done - and I might be behind the times (a bit) when it comes to the type of testing some doctors may be finding most helpful these days.

I've had OA for over 3 decades. I also have carpal tunnel (neuropathy entrapment), which complicates things.

I've had to go back to my wrist splints this week, due to more working with trowels, in the garden, etc, and noticed that my hands are not so swollen in the morning, and are less stiff. So some of your pain may be coming from the wrist.

I also have Heberden's nodes on my thumb and first 2 fingers of the right hand, and now one on my middle finger of the left.
They tend to hurt when they come up, but stop after a while and then just get stiff.

It used to be thought that OA was wear and tear and age related. But new thoughts are that it is a systemic disease, and the mechanism is not well understood yet.

I find that antioxidants, and fish oil (or now I am trying Krill oil) help alot with the inflammation and pain.

You might want to check your Vitamin D levels. I have had much less stiffness since going on 5000IUs daily.

Good question, I'm not sure. Osteriperosis I believe is the correct
answer. I just got mixed up.

See I don't know that much about it. I thought I was told the other.

Donna

Donna,

You might not be confused :cool:. There is a test - wherein a person's hand is tested in a machine - and it provides a density result.

When you were tested was it your hand(s) tested or were you on an exam table and a machine scanned your hips, spine, etc.?

The body scan type testing is the DEXA scan for osteoporosis.

glucosamine mention
 

Hi all,
I quite possibly have arthritis in my spine and possibly wrists but am dealing with other stuff, hence why I am on this site! (fusion/ADR etc)
BUT I saw these postings and felt compelled to respond! my dad was diagnosed with R.A. at 48 y o . he had to retire and was told it was so agressive he would be in a wheel chair within 2yrs. he lost 80% use of hands and feet within weeks. he read a book called the road back and found a doctor who agreed to treat him using similar methods (high dose antibiotics over long periods of time e.g. 10 days on 7 days off for mths) as the doctor who wrote the book (scamill I think) believed it to be a joint infection. it wasnt easy (he got a lot of colds and flus during the time, and never being sick it was frustrating for him) BUT he has been in full remission since, plays league tennis and is in his 60's now. during the time he was doing this treatment he still had pain but decided not to take steriods and used glucosamine, on its own it didn't touch it but when take with 400mg chondroitin + he had pretty much total relief and swears by it, and managed to stay off all steriods during this time. apparantly some glucosamine can have high levels of mercury (particularly the made in china stuff) so watch out for that. ok hope this helps...best of luck to you all!

Michelle:)

Good info., Michelle! Thanks for sharing. I do know, and can attest firsthand: My dog (and I'm totally serious) was losing her "springs" (jumping ability), and it was painful for me to see, as well as for her feeling it. Her doctor suggested glucosamine. Stuff works wonders for her. Her "spring" ability is back in action :). She has bone on bone in her hind legs; so, I do imagine, that that was quite painful for her. (Watching her was difficult enough.)

I point that out because, for some people, glucosamine helps. If someone's doc is okay'ing it, too (so that there aren't any adverse effects from, maybe, taking other medications), heck... worth a thought? I think, at least, relay the idea of trying (beforehand) with health care providers, since they've the med. history, etc., and can add to the support.

With others, some conditons under the arthritis umbrella or within its family: They can go through periods - and maybe extended ones - of remission.

Arthritis, as I understand, still has no cure. It has treatments, etc., but no cure.

I bring this up since others reading, and possibly new to their own diagnoses, shouldn't take on unwarranted "guilt" if/when something may be tried and it just doesn't provide long-term or systemic relief.

Norman Cousins comes to mind. He had Ankylosing Spondylitis, as do I. "Laughter" did not cure him either. During fusion itself or the progression of the disease, it is quite painful. Still, there are times (even if felt minutely) where there is less pain.

Laughter can help. So, too, can other things or activities that help take a person's mind off of the pain. For some it works, but... if a disease has firm footing in someone's body, it will take its course. No one should feel bad or guilty if what works for one person doesn't also help another.

Arthritis? Saps so much out of people's lives.

And... it's just important to do as you have done and share ideas. They might help people.:grouphug:

I see there are others here who have ankylosing spondylitis - an AI disease that more frequently affects men and causes inflammatory arthritis mainly in the back and other large joints. I am female and have AS, but in females, it affects the body a bit differently. If you look at my previous posts, you may find more info on how it affects me.

My hands and fingers do hurt a lot with AS. My middle, right finger the worse. It started as arthritis and is now, chronically, arthritis in the tendons. The pain is more on the side of my joint rather than the front of the joint. That is one way to determine if the pain is in the joint or the tendon. My AS is treated with Humira (weekly), Savella and prednisone in pulse when I am in a flare. I have been on many DMARDS, so far, Humira works the best for me.

Other than sometimes an elevated sed. rate and CRP, AS does not show AI positives titers in labs. No positive reactions to rheumatoid factors. There is a gene associated with it but that can also be negative. It can be a challenge to diagnose in females.

Mere