Re: Arthritis diagnosis - must get serious with Healthy Living

[Guest guest]

Hi Judy,

 

First off, I am 38 years old and I have had knee pain for the better part of 4-5

years. I went to see an orthopedic doctor  a couple of years ago who also

diagnosed me with the same condition. He told me to lose weight and to

strengthen my quad muscles, hopefully this will help me. I've done neither, but

lately I was feeling more pain and I have started a diet and exercise regimen. I

am also taking celebrex (although I know it just masks the problem). Lastly, I

have not eaten ketchup (I know I'm allergic to it) or drank milk (dairy) in the

hope that it eases my pain.

 

 

From: Judy <cbi5040@...>

Subject: Arthritis diagnosis - must get serious with

Healthy Living

weightloss

Date: Tuesday, February 22, 2011, 6:56 AM

 

Well, after 20 years of knee pain without an official diagnosis, I gave in and

went to the orthopedic doctor yesterday. X rays show that I have no cartilage on

the outer half of both knees, and a condition called Chondromalacia of the

Patella - both knees. I am waiting for an MRI (machine broke yesterday!) to see

if there is anything else wrong with the joints. I just want to determine what

my options are.. surgery?

I put off going for an official diagnosis because I always assumed that WHEN I

lose weight I will help heal myself. Well, even when I weighed 60 lbs less 5 or

6 years ago I still had knee pain, so I am not sure why I waited.

I also have pain in my back, hips, feet and fingers. 3 of my fingers are

deformed from arthritis, too and I am only 54!!

Doc wants me to take a very scary drug - meloxicam - major, life threatening

side effects. Although it helps many people, many also develop problems...as

terrible as a stroke! I am tempted to be pain free easily for awhile, but I know

I must say NO THANK YOU! I filled the Rx but am going to toss it in the garbage.

Listening to IOWL couldn't come at a better time. I so need this. I just need to

have follow through with it. I'll look for anti-inflammation diets, which I

assume is just healthy eating and no junk and processed food.

Anyone else have arthritis or other inflammatory conditions??? What do you do to

help ease your symptoms?

Thanks!!

Judy

[Guest guest]

Hi Judy, I just read your posting and I feel for you.  It sounds like you are

determined to find a healthier lifestyle. Good for you! I am in the middle of

reading a book about healthy living, " The China Study " . It is like no book I've

ever read concerning the connection between a healthy diet and a healthy body.

Maybe you can check this out. My best friend has also been suffering from

arthritis from her early 50's so I experience first hand how painful it can be

for her. Check the book out and let me know what you think.

From: juan carlos careaga <jccareaga@...>

weightloss

Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2011 10:38 PM

Subject: Re: Arthritis diagnosis - must get serious with

Healthy Living

 

Hi Judy,

 

First off, I am 38 years old and I have had knee pain for the better part of 4-5

years. I went to see an orthopedic doctor  a couple of years ago who also

diagnosed me with the same condition. He told me to lose weight and to

strengthen my quad muscles, hopefully this will help me. I've done neither, but

lately I was feeling more pain and I have started a diet and exercise regimen. I

am also taking celebrex (although I know it just masks the problem). Lastly, I

have not eaten ketchup (I know I'm allergic to it) or drank milk (dairy) in the

hope that it eases my pain.

 

 

From: Judy <cbi5040@...>

Subject: Arthritis diagnosis - must get serious with

Healthy Living

weightloss

Date: Tuesday, February 22, 2011, 6:56 AM

 

Well, after 20 years of knee pain without an official diagnosis, I gave in and

went to the orthopedic doctor yesterday. X rays show that I have no cartilage on

the outer half of both knees, and a condition called Chondromalacia of the

Patella - both knees. I am waiting for an MRI (machine broke yesterday!) to see

if there is anything else wrong with the joints. I just want to determine what

my options are.. surgery?

I put off going for an official diagnosis because I always assumed that WHEN I

lose weight I will help heal myself. Well, even when I weighed 60 lbs less 5 or

6 years ago I still had knee pain, so I am not sure why I waited.

I also have pain in my back, hips, feet and fingers. 3 of my fingers are

deformed from arthritis, too and I am only 54!!

Doc wants me to take a very scary drug - meloxicam - major, life threatening

side effects. Although it helps many people, many also develop problems...as

terrible as a stroke! I am tempted to be pain free easily for awhile, but I know

I must say NO THANK YOU! I filled the Rx but am going to toss it in the garbage.

Listening to IOWL couldn't come at a better time. I so need this. I just need to

have follow through with it. I'll look for anti-inflammation diets, which I

assume is just healthy eating and no junk and processed food.

Anyone else have arthritis or other inflammatory conditions??? What do you do to

help ease your symptoms?

Thanks!!

Judy

[Guest guest]

Thank you for your replies! , I have heard about The China Study, and I

thought it was advocating a strict Raw Food Vegan kind of diet with little/no

meat products. I have also been reading Dr. Fuhrman's " Eat To Live "

related blogs and it is similar. I have no doubt that they would help me, but I

just am not willing to be that strict with myself.

Part of my problem is that I read about all these strict health plans and then I

feel like a failure when I don't follow through with the plan. That is why I

like IOWL - she humorously tells us about all these crazy strict plans that some

people can do...but many of us with this black/white messed up thinking who beat

ourselves up if we stray slightly from a " plan " just can't do it.

I am on episode 15, and today I listened to the one about the 3 P's...

persistence, practice...oops, forgot the 3rd one! She reinforced why at this

point of my journey I cannot be that strict, even if it means feeling better

quicker. My mind just isn't there yet!

Thanks again!

Judy