Hello Richard,
Are you a candidate for Knee replacement?  That said, have you used
glucosamine/chondroiton?  (Anyone on ASA know if Cush's website is
currently active?)  High doses of omega-3 rich fist oil is an essential
component for reducing inflammation without NASAIDS.  Read either Berry
Sears book or dr. theo's "arthritis Cure" because quality and dosage is
important. shark cartilege can also be very beneficial for OA but I'd
want more info on you kidney problems and would want to know if you
have any blood pressure or other cardiovascular issues before I'd
suggest you use shark cartilege.

Dr. Theo has a website that will tell you about avo/soy which is the
strongest "natural" antiinflammatory I know of.  It seems to work fast
for many people and is very easily tolerated by most people.  Try
drtheo.com for much good info.

Acupuncture can certainly be a great help, not only with the OA but
supporting those kidneys.  Above all, start researching.  There are
some interesting clinical trials going now geared towards OA pain.
Best of luck-

Melinda

Well, Richard, I've built up quite an arsenal of pain meds, some over the
counter and a few prescribed.  If you get headaches, then extra-strength
Excedrin combined with Ultram does a pretty good job.  I also take a couple
Excedrin PM's at night.  In addition to those, I take Soma (muscle relaxer)
1 in the day, and another kind, Zanaflex, 1 or 2 at bedtime.

My Rheumatologist said he is allowed to prescribe Darvocet, but nothing
higher on the opioids scale.  So, I'm going to attempt to contact the
surgeon who repaired my hernia in 2005 and ask him if he would consider
giving me a prescription Hyrocodone, with 1 or 2 refills.  The hydrocodone
is a step "up" from Darvocet. When he did my surgery he sent me home with 2
different pain medications.  One of them was Hydrocodone and he even wrote
me a refill.  I've never tried to get a higher pain pill from another doctor
than my own, so I'll let you know how it comes out.  Nanny

Hi Richard,
Try to get a copy of the Arthritis Foundation's ASMP book
http://www.arthritis.ca/programs%20and%20resources/arth%20self%20man/default.asp?s=1 .
I am not sure if there is such a program in the UK but I swear by the ASMP
program.  Our town also has a Chronic Disease Management program as well
that is very similiar.  At the least the book (described in the above link)
will help give you some basics.

Some of the principles are grip; levers, large joints instead of small.  An
example:  instead of using small fingers to open jars, use an assistive
devise or change grip -ie:  rubber pad used by the palm of the hand.  For
knees you want to keep weight down, don't ever carry heavy loads upstairs
(10 pounds is heavier when carried up - basic of physics as your knees are
bent.  Exercise - keep your quads and back strong so you are supporting
those knees.  Make sure when using your walker that your seat is up and you
are using proper posture.  High seats on chairs - when getting up lever
yourself to the edge and use your forearms to propel yourself up.  Again
those strong quads help  - even mild exercise helps.

Ice or heat - you have to know what works best for you.  Try both but make
sure the ice is on long enough and is cold enough (sounds silly I know but
amazing how many people don't actually get past that cold time.  Some people
do better with heat.

Night time - try different pillow arrangements, make sure that your mattress
is good.  Relaxation exercises, meditation exercises, distraction all work.
I do visualization about 4 times a day, square breathing before bed (breath
in to count of 4, hold for count of 4, breath out to count of 4, hold for
count of 4 and repeat.  Try to expand the counts.   This helps immensely
believe it or not.  Tense muscles hurt more).  Great visualization and
relaxation exercises in the above book.  I also find my mp3 player plugged
into a pillow help me at night (the pillow has micro fibre type beads and a
speaker in - I love it.)  I have quiet music or listen to a audio book in
it.

A stress management class might help as well.

Around the house - use reachers, use your walker basket to carry things, try
to minimize trips, keep things on raised surfaces - ie:  keep plates which
are used most on a level so you don't reach down or reach too far up out of
range.  Think of lighter options ie:  travel mugs instead of heavy pottery
mugs.

Take lots of breaks and schedule rest during the day - try not to get your
pain level too high before stopping.  A timer will help you stop BEFORE
fatique and pain when doing favorite or not so favorite things.

Hope some of these things help.  Also look at the www.arthritis.ca page -
they have some great coping ideas.  You might find an antidepressant won't
be too hard on your kidneys and will help the chronic pain.  Nortriptyline
comes to mind.  Works for some.

Good luck but trust me the exercising will help.  My 86 year old father in
law does classes twice a week and is finally a convert!  He can't believe
how much better he is and how much less pain.  Never thought we would get to
that stage.

Kelly

meant to give you this link to dealing with pain.

Kelly
http://www.arthritis.ca/tips%20for%20living/managing%20pain/non%20medicinal%20te
chniques/default.asp?s=1