Has anyone else experienced arthritis?

RCinNC

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I've had doctor-diagnosed osteoarthritis in my left knee for a few years now, and believe me, one of the things that gives me relief is exercise. There is a specific series of exercises I do for the knee, and if I'm having a lot of pain and do the exercises for a couple of days, I experience a lot of relief. They're simple stretching exercises that I can do just sitting in my living room, and they keep me going. Walking also helps, as does Ibuprofen. I don't take anything stronger than that or Naproxen Sodium, along with the occasional application of pain relieving arthritis cream. It doesn't cure all the pain, but it makes it manageable, and there are days I barely notice it.

And yes, the exercises can hurt at first; you just have to keep going.

As far as arthritis in the hand, I found these exercises on line: https://www.healthline.com/health/osteoarthritis/arthritis-hand-exercises#wrist-stretch9

I found those on a quick Google search; there are lots of others on line.
 

richarddacat

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1st post and bumping this because what I've done may help someone else.

I've been coming to this site on and off reading up on the ST, I'm down to one bike (K75c) and a former 05 & 2013 FJR rider which I sold the 13 last Nov. in hopes of finding a 2016 model, anyway my eyes have been wandering and just happen to run across this thread.

Back on topic. Two months ago I was diagnosed with diverticulitis and to over come it I went with a liquid diet for two weeks before introducing solid foods. (my gut was cleaned out during this ordeal and a bunch of antibiotics).

My arthritis is not crippling but no fun, low-back injury years ago, shoulder injury years ago and most irritating is my hands and thumbs being the worst between the three. I used to lived on Aleve and I tried a bunch of prescriptions, which I hated taking but required sometimes. (pretty healthy for 60yrs, no drink, no smoke, not overweight, lost 13lbs during this illness)

Back to my diet changes. No nuts or seeds. Dairy appears to make my gut hurt so I no longer eat dairy, sugar is something else I quit eating. Since these items have been taken out of my diet and in place I've eaten a high fiber vegan diet with occasional chicken or fish. Water or tea for drinks.

I've been eating this way for a month, no meds at all. I am not in the amount of pain that I was experiencing 3 months ago. No sinus problems which is very unusual for me this time of year but what I can't believe is no shoulder pain, low back is little stiff in the morning but resides within a hour of being up. My fingers feel better but I still have some soreness in my thumbs. (I was getting shots in my thumbs but they have failed to work anymore, surgery is recommended).

I'm convinced my diet so-far has made these improvements. Overall I'm feeling more alert and getting my energy back like I had 10 yrs ago.

It's takes will-power but I'm sold, you are what you eat. Might be worth a try.

Cheers. ::017::
 

Checkswrecks

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My lady dropped dairy and it made a WORLD of difference in daily aches pains, and even outlook. The amount of improvement surprised us both.


Dropping sugar is a bitch and I couldn't do it. In tests, rats prefer sugar to cocaine.
 

richarddacat

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Checkswrecks said:
My lady dropped dairy and it made a WORLD of difference in daily aches pains, and even outlook. The amount of improvement surprised us both.


Dropping sugar is a bitch and I couldn't do it. In tests, rats prefer sugar to cocaine.
Chromium picolinate helps with the sugar cravings, one of my “past” addictions too.
Cravings have pretty much diminished since I got sick but I have used CP in the past.
 

Dogdaze

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Checkswrecks said:
Dropping sugar is a bitch and I couldn't do it. In tests, rats prefer sugar to cocaine.
So, we are basically all just rats? Great, not that I needed confirmation.
All joking aside, the health benefits of a 'clean' diet are the key to a healthy body, not the external 'six pack' type, but the all that makes up the human body. I just need to follow my own advice. As a 32 year gym rat, of which 11 of those consisted of a extremely clean diet (competitive bodybuilder) I then slowly came off the wagon, and well with two young kids and and 'normal' lifestyle, it has taken it's toll on my joints........ But essential oils should also be a daily part of your eating regime.
 

WJBertrand

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I decided to go on a low-carb diet at the first of the year. Basically avoiding sugar, refined flours, potatoes, pasta (unless whole grain and even then in moderation), etc. My left knee has been bone on bone for years and my ortho has recommended a total replacement. I noticed an immediate improvement in pain when I first switched my diet, even before losing significant weight. I suspect something about carbohydrate fueled inflammation but google scholar does not really return much in the way of peer reviewed research that supports that. I find it interesting to hear similar experiences here. Oh, and so far I am -30lbs!
 

Defekticon

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I wanted to follow up to this thread, after three years of riding with problems in my right shoulder and arm I was diagnosed today with Two herniated disks at C5/6 and C7-T1 which were blown out and putting pressure only on the right side. This was causing nerve pain/tingling in my right arm and weakness in my hand. I've been in doctor hell for the past two months and really in a lot of pain for the past 12 months. Chewing Alieve and Tylenol 8 hr's were the only way I was getting through more than an hour of riding. I began losing fine motor skills this year, typing skills (I use everyday) were going to hell. I had (by a previous doc) been told that the problems were nerve entrapment at the elbow, a torn bicep and arthritis in my shoulder. But it looks like they just needed to look closer to the source. After moving to FL this summer, I got settled in and started the process over with a new doctor. I had an MRI done last week and got the news today. I was all gungho against surgery until the doc told me I'd end up with bowel and bladder issues, it was just a matter of time.

I have surgery coming up. I'll be laying up the Concours for at least 8 weeks, and S10/KTM for up to a year depending on the post op progress while the bone graft heals. I'm still pretty young, doc says I have a really good chance of not having permanent nerve damage on the right side at this age. Without surgery it would get progressively worse.

Frustrated as I had plans to run the SEAT this fall, and build a chicken coop and cut in a new field on the homestead during the cool months here in FL. From what I hear however, the relief is fast and complete, so I am looking forward to putting this issue behind me and getting back in the saddle before too long.

Hope you all have good luck finding a solution. It has been a journey. It certainly got to the point where it took me off the bike after Romney this year, I haven't ridden since.
 

Dogdaze

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I wanted to follow up to this thread, after three years of riding with problems in my right shoulder and arm I was diagnosed today with Two herniated disks at C5/6 and C7-T1 which were blown out and putting pressure only on the right side. This was causing nerve pain/tingling in my right arm and weakness in my hand. I've been in doctor hell for the past two months and really in a lot of pain for the past 12 months. Chewing Alieve and Tylenol 8 hr's were the only way I was getting through more than an hour of riding. I began losing fine motor skills this year, typing skills (I use everyday) were going to hell. I had (by a previous doc) been told that the problems were nerve entrapment at the elbow, a torn bicep and arthritis in my shoulder. But it looks like they just needed to look closer to the source. After moving to FL this summer, I got settled in and started the process over with a new doctor. I had an MRI done last week and got the news today. I was all gungho against surgery until the doc told me I'd end up with bowel and bladder issues, it was just a matter of time.

I have surgery coming up. I'll be laying up the Concours for at least 8 weeks, and S10/KTM for up to a year depending on the post op progress while the bone graft heals. I'm still pretty young, doc says I have a really good chance of not having permanent nerve damage on the right side at this age. Without surgery it would get progressively worse.

Frustrated as I had plans to run the SEAT this fall, and build a chicken coop and cut in a new field on the homestead during the cool months here in FL. From what I hear however, the relief is fast and complete, so I am looking forward to putting this issue behind me and getting back in the saddle before too long.

Hope you all have good luck finding a solution. It has been a journey. It certainly got to the point where it took me off the bike after Romney this year, I haven't ridden since.

Wow! That sucks, but at least you have a diagnosis and prognosis . I hope all the surgery hoes well and make a speedy recovery.
 

Checkswrecks

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I wanted to follow up to this thread, after three years of riding with problems in my right shoulder and arm I was diagnosed today with Two herniated disks at C5/6 and C7-T1 which were blown out and putting pressure only on the right side. This was causing nerve pain/tingling in my right arm and weakness in my hand. I've been in doctor hell for the past two months and really in a lot of pain for the past 12 months. Chewing Alieve and Tylenol 8 hr's were the only way I was getting through more than an hour of riding. I began losing fine motor skills this year, typing skills (I use everyday) were going to hell. I had (by a previous doc) been told that the problems were nerve entrapment at the elbow, a torn bicep and arthritis in my shoulder. But it looks like they just needed to look closer to the source. After moving to FL this summer, I got settled in and started the process over with a new doctor. I had an MRI done last week and got the news today. I was all gungho against surgery until the doc told me I'd end up with bowel and bladder issues, it was just a matter of time.

I have surgery coming up. I'll be laying up the Concours for at least 8 weeks, and S10/KTM for up to a year depending on the post op progress while the bone graft heals. I'm still pretty young, doc says I have a really good chance of not having permanent nerve damage on the right side at this age. Without surgery it would get progressively worse.

Frustrated as I had plans to run the SEAT this fall, and build a chicken coop and cut in a new field on the homestead during the cool months here in FL. From what I hear however, the relief is fast and complete, so I am looking forward to putting this issue behind me and getting back in the saddle before too long.

Hope you all have good luck finding a solution. It has been a journey. It certainly got to the point where it took me off the bike after Romney this year, I haven't ridden since.
Wow - Hang in there Mike.
Sucks to go through but being younger means your recovery will be faster.
Good luck.
 

Defekticon

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Thanks guys. Trying to get everything squared away here before I go under the knife. I'm already psyched up to kickass on recovery. I've been living with this crap for so long, I want to see what life is like without it. If I can go back to the gym again, run, etc, that will be amazing. The good riding season will just be getting started down here when I get the surgery done. I'll be spending the winter farkling and watching longway down/round again for more motivation to recover.
 

HeliMark

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I wanted to follow up to this thread, after three years of riding with problems in my right shoulder and arm I was diagnosed today with Two herniated disks at C5/6 and C7-T1 which were blown out and putting pressure only on the right side. This was causing nerve pain/tingling in my right arm and weakness in my hand. I've been in doctor hell for the past two months and really in a lot of pain for the past 12 months. Chewing Alieve and Tylenol 8 hr's were the only way I was getting through more than an hour of riding. I began losing fine motor skills this year, typing skills (I use everyday) were going to hell. I had (by a previous doc) been told that the problems were nerve entrapment at the elbow, a torn bicep and arthritis in my shoulder. But it looks like they just needed to look closer to the source. After moving to FL this summer, I got settled in and started the process over with a new doctor. I had an MRI done last week and got the news today. I was all gungho against surgery until the doc told me I'd end up with bowel and bladder issues, it was just a matter of time.

I have surgery coming up. I'll be laying up the Concours for at least 8 weeks, and S10/KTM for up to a year depending on the post op progress while the bone graft heals. I'm still pretty young, doc says I have a really good chance of not having permanent nerve damage on the right side at this age. Without surgery it would get progressively worse.

Frustrated as I had plans to run the SEAT this fall, and build a chicken coop and cut in a new field on the homestead during the cool months here in FL. From what I hear however, the relief is fast and complete, so I am looking forward to putting this issue behind me and getting back in the saddle before too long.

Hope you all have good luck finding a solution. It has been a journey. It certainly got to the point where it took me off the bike after Romney this year, I haven't ridden since.

Wow, hope everything works out.

I know the shoulder/arm/hand pain, and two fingers on my left hand going numb all the time. Ended up having to have my C4/5/6 fused, coming up on two years now. I was out of riding for 4 months on road, and anything more than that, about 7 months. I still have some neck pain, and every so often the shoulder hurts. Use to lift 200+ lbs while working out, but anything over about 120 lbs now, will result in unwanted pain, and I some limited neck and shoulder movement. Saying all that, even with the occasional pain, I would do it again. Waiting will be worse with nerve damage.
 

ace50

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There was talk in this thread of the clutch being too heavy (arthritis) and I kinda wish there was a slipper clutch option for the S10 as they have been putting on many other models. Heck, even the small Kaw 300 engine (Ninja, Versys) has a slipper!
Makes it much lighter, and I don't even have arthritis.
 

Dogdaze

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There was talk in this thread of the clutch being too heavy (arthritis) and I kinda wish there was a slipper clutch option for the S10 as they have been putting on many other models. Heck, even the small Kaw 300 engine (Ninja, Versys) has a slipper!
Makes it much lighter, and I don't even have arthritis.

This may help, others that have used it have said it make the pull lighter, I cannot speak of it as I have not used it myself.

https://www.off-the-road.de/en/XT-1200Z/Bodywork/Clutch-slave-cylinder-XT-1200Z-Super-Tenere.html
 

ace50

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Longdog Cymru

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I am allergic to ibuprofen which is a real bummer and would be very interested in any alternative to it if anyone knows of something. Don't have it yet but believe it's on the way.
If you are allergic to Ibuprofen, perhaps you could try Diclofenac, which is an anti-immflamatory pain reliever.
 

Defekticon

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If you are allergic to Ibuprofen, perhaps you could try Diclofenac, which is an anti-immflamatory pain reliever.
My doc gave me this and it works WAY better than Ibupropfen or Alieve without all the negative side effects of a narcotic pain killer. It's usually prescribed with omeprazole because it's hard on your stomach. Gotta take it with food.
 

Defekticon

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Well just had surgery yesterday. Got delayed during hurricane. Have plenty of forum reading time before I can get back in the saddle. Looking foward to riding again without pain. Doc said there was a lot of scar tissue around the the nerve trunk to my right arm which caused the surgery to take longer than normal. There is some relief, but also still very sore. Doc said it'll probably take a little longer to heal, he suspects c5-7 has been herniated for a long time.

For those that have met me at the camp and rides, I had to cut my hair the neck brace, I didn't have to but it was much more manageable without it.

IMG_20181024_111533.jpg
 

oldguy

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The trick is finding an anti-inflammatory that has the least intrusive side effects. I've been mulling this over for the past year since seeing the orthopedic surgeon. Liver damage or surgery? Which is worse. Sometimes cortisone shots help, but weight gain is another side effect. I chose to avoid cortisone when given the option.
The Honda Africa Twin has an auto option that sounds really slick DCT.
 

richarddacat

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I have a history of low back pain and arthritis has been setting in as I get older. I also have arthritis in my thumbs and right hand fingers.

What has made the biggest difference in stiffness and pain has been my diet.
I cut dairy almost completely out, Im taking turmeric and a tablespoon of coconut oil every day, I’ve also cut sugar almost completely out.

My allergies are also nonexistent.

Making these changes has made a huge difference in the morning stiffness and daily hand pain that I use to have.
 
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