Arthritis

[GT3Manthey]

For a number of years ( lets call it ten) i've noticed my right side, neck and shoulder, have always felt 'tight'.

Had a few years of seeing a chiropractor which at times seemed to help.
I've always been active sports wise so have largely put it down as that until 2 months back i went for full MRI and the consultant pointed out i have arthritis in my neck and right shoulder.

3 weeks ago i had steroid injections in my back and neck under general aesthetic but they have made little difference.

I'm seeing the consultant again this weekend to discuss and at certain angles i still get a numbness in my right arm.

Having read various forums it sounds like its a condition i'll have to live with. Many years of sport it would seem have taken their toll. Cricket and golf in particular.

I sit for 10 hours a day looking at a PC and a right handed mouse which i suspect doesn't help and i do find that after a break from work its not quite as bad .

Any help would be greatly appreciated .

For context i am 54 and a little concerned that without a workaround it'll only inhibit my daily duties at some stage and currently golf which i thoroughly enjoy.

[Evoluzione]

There is no cure for arthritis, just take your pain killers and keep active. If you don't, you'll seize up.

[GT3Manthey]

Evoluzione said:

There is no cure for arthritis, just take your pain killers and keep active. If you don't, you'll seize up.

Yes been told the same .

Problem is I hate the idea of being on pain killers full time however I do like the idea of retiring & being more active as I do fine with a few days off work this seems to help

[Slowboathome]

It's worth remembering that the correlation between cartilage wear & tear visible on scan and the level of pain experienced is low.

Some people have pain with unremarkable scans.

Some people have no pain but lots of wear and tear visible on scans.

Pain or discomfort is often caused by a nerve that had become cranky because of inadequate blood flow in its vicinity or because it's being stretched, compressed or bent on a way it's not happy about.

I'd be inclined to ask around and find a good physio who understands neurodynamics and how pain works.

A great book on this stuff is Painful Yarns by Lorimer Moseley.

Edited by Slowboathome on Tuesday 6th September 22:24

[NorthDave]

I'd be going down the yoga and Pilates route. I had really bad posture and neck issues for the last year or so. I saw everyone - chiropractors, physio, Thai massage, osteopath etc. I started doing some yoga stretching 2 or 3 months ago and now feel great. Definitely worth a try!!

[GT3Manthey]

Tks all for the above posts.

I defiantly feel there is something with a trapped nerve given the bouts of numbness at times.

I’m seeing consultant again this weekend so will see he’s thoughts.

I do agree some kind of alternative exercise might well work so I’ll explore this too .

[KTMsm]

I agree with the Yoga - I just watched a few Youtube videos and copied them - I haven't had to see my Osteopath since

The other thing I did which worked for me, was to use a mouse with my left hand - either for a few days a week or just a percentage of the time, I found that in no time it's become second nature to use it in either hand and it will give your shoulder / arm / hand a break

[Tony Angelino]

I am 43 and have Ankylosing Spondylitis, a sort of form of rheumatoid arthritis but it also means I have a gradual fusing of the spine. I do 2 things to help, firstly Brazilian jiujitsu (BJJ), think Yoga as above but somebody trying to force you rather than stretching yourself and I also take CBD oil now and again.

These combined over the last 4-5 years or so have improved me from being at best almost constant discomfort to at worst real pain and taking codeine and neproxen on a daily basis to only needing drugs maybe once a month during occasional brief flair ups.

Keeping as active as you can would be the best advice I could give.

[GT3Manthey]

Tony Angelino said:

I am 43 and have Ankylosing Spondylitis, a sort of form of rheumatoid arthritis but it also means I have a gradual fusing of the spine. I do 2 things to help, firstly Brazilian jiujitsu (BJJ), think Yoga as above but somebody trying to force you rather than stretching yourself and I also take CBD oil now and again.

These combined over the last 4-5 years or so have improved me from being at best almost constant discomfort to at worst real pain and taking codeine and neproxen on a daily basis to only needing drugs maybe once a month during occasional brief flair ups.

Keeping as active as you can would be the best advice I could give.

Makes sense tks for sharing .

The steroid injections have made little difference.

I met with my consultant last Saturday & he’s given me a list of daily exercises to do over the next 6/8 weeks.
They have made a small difference so I’ll stick with these.

He did say I’m not at the stage yet of needing surgery so im with you in that more exercise might well keep me more mobile and out of pain.

Yoga etc is something I also need to consider

[Cbop]

Tony Angelino said:

I am 43 and have Ankylosing Spondylitis, a sort of form of rheumatoid arthritis but it also means I have a gradual fusing of the spine. I do 2 things to help, firstly Brazilian jiujitsu (BJJ), think Yoga as above but somebody trying to force you rather than stretching yourself and I also take CBD oil now and again.

These combined over the last 4-5 years or so have improved me from being at best almost constant discomfort to at worst real pain and taking codeine and neproxen on a daily basis to only needing drugs maybe once a month during occasional brief flair ups.

Keeping as active as you can would be the best advice I could give.

I have AS too (same age, snap!). Diagnosed when I was 26 as thankfully my Mum got diagnosed late in life and told me to get tested (as it’s hereditary) when I started getting joint pain as a young active 20 something, saved me a lot of time and money trying to fix an incurable problem. As you say you learn to live with it and staying active is just the best thing you can do, I’ll stay well away from pain killers unless absolutely necessary.

54 is late in the day to notice new pain though so suggest it’s not AS. Probably still applies though, stay active, do routine stretches. Possibly get a second opinion as well so you can manage it a bit more specifically to what it is?

Side trivia as you’re into golf, Ian Woosnam played golf all his life with AS and has a Green Jacket, so not all is lost

Edited by Cbop on Friday 16th September 07:19

[Tony Angelino]

Cbop said:

Tony Angelino said:

I am 43 and have Ankylosing Spondylitis, a sort of form of rheumatoid arthritis but it also means I have a gradual fusing of the spine. I do 2 things to help, firstly Brazilian jiujitsu (BJJ), think Yoga as above but somebody trying to force you rather than stretching yourself and I also take CBD oil now and again.

These combined over the last 4-5 years or so have improved me from being at best almost constant discomfort to at worst real pain and taking codeine and neproxen on a daily basis to only needing drugs maybe once a month during occasional brief flair ups.

Keeping as active as you can would be the best advice I could give.

I have AS too (same age, snap!). Diagnosed when I was 26 as thankfully my Mum got diagnosed late in life and told me to get tested (as it’s hereditary) when I started getting joint pain as a young active 20 something, saved me a lot of time and money trying to fix an incurable problem. As you say you learn to live with it and staying active is just the best thing you can do, I’ll stay well away from pain killers unless absolutely necessary.

54 is late in the day to notice new pain though so suggest it’s not AS. Probably still applies though, stay active, do routine stretches. Possibly get a second opinion as well so you can manage it a bit more specifically to what it is?

Side trivia as you’re into golf, Ian Woosnam played golf all his life with AS and has a Green Jacket, so not all is lost

Edited by Cbop on Friday 16th September 07:19

Thanks, at the risk of a thread derail - my earliest recall of pain was right in my hip joint when I was in my late teens. I never really tried to get to the bottom of it but it was thought to be sciatica. I learned to live with it for the next 20 or so years managing it with a mixture of hot baths before playing rugby and taking ibuprofen.

About 10 years ago I noticed pains in my chest and breastbone area along with increased stiffness in my back and neck so I went to the chiropractor who couldn't help and then to an osteopath. The osteopath thought it might have been a side effect of a car crash a few years ago aggravated by my dog pulling my arm when being walked as he tended to dart sharply when he saw things. He suggested complete rest for a few weeks and this just made the stiffness and pain worse and worse. After a few weeks of treatment with no improvement he told me he couldn't really keep taking my money with no idea how to help but he spoke to a colleague who suggested it might be AS, I went to the doctors and first had the blood test for the gene and then the Xray to confirm the fusion of the spine.

Since then as above I've discovered BJJ works brilliantly for me keeping the pain and discomfort at bay and I go weeks on end without tablets. The CBD oil may well be a placebo but even if it is I don't care as it makes me feel better and isn't particularly expensive.

Like you say it would be unusual for the OP to have this given the age of symptoms like you say but I reckon movement in whatever form will help, yoga/swimming/martial arts/golf even dancing might give him some relief without drugs, the more body parts in motion the better.

Good luck cos this sort of thing can really get you down.

[Slowboathome]

When it comes to joints, 'motion is lotion'.

[Cbop]

Tony Angelino said:

Thanks, at the risk of a thread derail - my earliest recall of pain was right in my hip joint when I was in my late teens. I never really tried to get to the bottom of it but it was thought to be sciatica. I learned to live with it for the next 20 or so years managing it with a mixture of hot baths before playing rugby and taking ibuprofen.

About 10 years ago I noticed pains in my chest and breastbone area along with increased stiffness in my back and neck so I went to the chiropractor who couldn't help and then to an osteopath. The osteopath thought it might have been a side effect of a car crash a few years ago aggravated by my dog pulling my arm when being walked as he tended to dart sharply when he saw things. He suggested complete rest for a few weeks and this just made the stiffness and pain worse and worse. After a few weeks of treatment with no improvement he told me he couldn't really keep taking my money with no idea how to help but he spoke to a colleague who suggested it might be AS, I went to the doctors and first had the blood test for the gene and then the Xray to confirm the fusion of the spine.

Since then as above I've discovered BJJ works brilliantly for me keeping the pain and discomfort at bay and I go weeks on end without tablets. The CBD oil may well be a placebo but even if it is I don't care as it makes me feel better and isn't particularly expensive.

Like you say it would be unusual for the OP to have this given the age of symptoms like you say but I reckon movement in whatever form will help, yoga/swimming/martial arts/golf even dancing might give him some relief without drugs, the more body parts in motion the better.

Good luck cos this sort of thing can really get you down.

I’ll be brief so as not to add on the derailment! Sounds extremely similar to my path, as I said I was just “fortunate” that my Mum had recently had the diagnosis late in life and just said to get the simple genetic test to see. And it was, from there you just deal with it. God.... that breastbone one is probably the worst. I used to enjoy sneezing....now it’s one of the most frightening things you can do

By the way, have you suffered from iritis? I’m getting annual flare ups at the moment, another lovely side effect. Fortunately they are so very aware of the link with the condition I can get seen on the day when it does with a direct referral.

[egor110]

Those of you doing bjj , why do you think this is helping ?

Is it the actual bjj or the fact your doing some sort of activity regularly ?

[Silvanus]

We aren't designed to sit at a desk using a mouse for 10 hours a day. This will be your biggest problem. Have they checked for any sort of disc herniation?

Exercise and being mobile will be your biggest friend. Lots of walking is a good start then its worth trying things like Yoga, pirates and tai chi. More physical stuff is good too as long as it doesn't involve too much repetition.

Anti inflammatories, whether from your diet, supplements or conventional medicines are definitely beneficial.

Pain relief is more difficult as everyone's levels and response will be different. You just need yo find some sort of pain management routine that works for you, including the above and pain relief.

Maybe try an osteopath or good sports therapist, they may have some alternative advice or treatments that your chiro may not do.

[av185]

Just one point worth looking at your diet as sugar is meant to aggravate arthritis so it is worth cutting out where possible.

Nut and fish oils are also hugely beneficial.

[Tony Angelino]

Cbop said:

I’ll be brief so as not to add on the derailment! Sounds extremely similar to my path, as I said I was just “fortunate” that my Mum had recently had the diagnosis late in life and just said to get the simple genetic test to see. And it was, from there you just deal with it. God.... that breastbone one is probably the worst. I used to enjoy sneezing....now it’s one of the most frightening things you can do

By the way, have you suffered from iritis? I’m getting annual flare ups at the moment, another lovely side effect. Fortunately they are so very aware of the link with the condition I can get seen on the day when it does with a direct referral.

Yes, I get an iritis/uvitis flare up around every 3 years or so, sounds similar to you that I have learned to spot the signs early and I get in same/next day at the hospital and the 2x drops sorts it out. My last one was just before Covid so I am due on in the next 6-12 months!

[Tony Angelino]

egor110 said:

Those of you doing bjj , why do you think this is helping ?

Is it the actual bjj or the fact your doing some sort of activity regularly ?

Personally I think it's because it's a full body workout, putting just all the main joints under various degrees of pressure in multiple directions. It could be just the regular activity though I suppose and you might get the same benefit from swimming/dancing/golf/tai chi/yoga etc.

[Ashfordian]

GT3Manthey said:

For a number of years ( lets call it ten) i've noticed my right side, neck and shoulder, have always felt 'tight'.

Had a few years of seeing a chiropractor which at times seemed to help.
I've always been active sports wise so have largely put it down as that until 2 months back i went for full MRI and the consultant pointed out i have arthritis in my neck and right shoulder.

3 weeks ago i had steroid injections in my back and neck under general aesthetic but they have made little difference.

I'm seeing the consultant again this weekend to discuss and at certain angles i still get a numbness in my right arm.

Having read various forums it sounds like its a condition i'll have to live with. Many years of sport it would seem have taken their toll. Cricket and golf in particular.

I sit for 10 hours a day looking at a PC and a right handed mouse which i suspect doesn't help and i do find that after a break from work its not quite as bad .

Any help would be greatly appreciated .

For context i am 54 and a little concerned that without a workaround it'll only inhibit my daily duties at some stage and currently golf which i thoroughly enjoy.

I can't comment on the arthritis part but 3 years ago I spent a bit of time investigating exercises that I can do to counter the 10 hours a day sat at a computer, along with exercises to increase the longevity of my golf game and possibly improve it.

Basically, you need to be doing pulling exercises.

Exercises I now do:

- Engaged bar hangs (not dead hangs) ie engage the back muscles to support your body weight rather than the limit of your shoulder joint supporting your weight
- Slow/controlled Farmers walk (a heavy weight in each hand and walk while engaging the back muscles)
- Australian rows (or pull-ups if more advanced)
- Kettle bell swings (mainly for golf)

If you start doing a lot of the above you will need to start introducing press exercises eg press-ups, otherwise you risk front/back muscle imbalance.

[Mabbs9]

See a Rheumatologist. They're the experts, I wouldn't recommend a physio although they may be useful as a secondary consideration. There can be so many factors affecting your individual case. Stress being relevant to flare ups too. Good luck.