That depends on the type of arthritis.

2006-01-07, Responding to Chris Malcolm...

You could get an early assessment of the type of arthritis
you may be starting to suffer with, and could also look at
"support" actions, like starting with glucosomine
suppliments etc. and a gentle exercise program designed to
help "limber up" your joints to help maintain what movement
you still have at this early stage.

I'd also be reading up on the things that add to the
"creeping in" of arthritis, and learning how to avoid these
things now, while you have something to "protect".

Remember that any advice you'll get will be from someone
else's perspective, and in some cases could actually have a
negative impact. So do your own research and find out what
works best for you. Then post up what you find so others can
benefit from your successes. :)

HINT = You can achive a lot by paying attention to your diet.

Mike@N.UK

hi chris,

if you are having these symptoms, please see a rheumatologist to find
out what type of arthritis you have. with any type, the sooner you are
diagnosed and start treatment, the more likely you'll be able to slow
or stop the progression.

diane

Get to a doctor, preferably a rheumatologist, and be assessed to see what
type of arthritis you have.  Treatment and prevention strategies vary greatly
in specifics depending on what is going on.  In general though, you need to
exercise in ways that do not stress your affected joints in order to retain
as much use of them as you can.  But from what you say, it sounds like you
may need medication NOW to help slow, maybe even halt, the progression of the
disease.  Get to a doctor NOW and do what is necessary to avoid permanent
joint damage.

Since the MMPs do a LOT of damage in Arthritis just block them. Take lots of
anti- inflammatory "things" and avoid those that cause/support inflammation
which is very simple but requires a lot of research. Some details are in my
postings. I invite you to join the search for the right "things".

jack n dalton

Go back and choose better parents.

Jo

Die.  Sorry, Chris, couldn't resist that bit of humor.  Nanny

Some doctors say that delayed food sensitivities have a role in
arthritis. Read "Dr. Braly's Food Allergy and Nutrition Revolution".
You might be able to find it at the library.

    Brad_Chad

Some doctors say that delayed food sensitivities have a role in
arthritis. Read "Dr. Braly's Food Allergy and Nutrition Revolution".
You might be able to find it at the library.

    Brad_Chad

Some doctors say that delayed food sensitivities have a role in
arthritis. Read "Dr. Braly's Food Allergy and Nutrition Revolution".
You might be able to find it at the library.

    Brad_Chad

Chris,

See a Rheumatoligist NOW.   I was treated by my GP for several years for
RA and tried many many different meds which were just not that
effective,  I finally reached a stage where I was having great
difficulty walking unless I used a cane.  My GP never referred me to an
RD and I was naive about the necessity to see one on my own.

One day when I finally saw a Rheumatoligist and he x-rayed both of my
knees, I came to my day of reckoning.    His diagnosis was either have
both knees replaced shortly or spend the rest of your life in a wheel
chair. He injected both of them and gave me a referral to the Cleveland
Clinic to see  an orthopedic surgeon. In 1981 as his youngest patient
for TKR, he replaced both knees at the same time.  Both knees are still
going strong and have never had any revisions.

From then on I had a Rheumatoligist.

Don Whitely

Chris I agree with other posters that you need a referal to a
rheumatologist to determine which of the over 170+ types of arthritis
you have?

On the subject of diet [also covered by other posters] this is what
the "Arthritis Research Campaign" says about it in the free RA
leaflet. I tend to agree with them as we are all different.

________________________________________________
Is there a diet which will help my rheumatoid arthritis?

There is a lot of publicity for diets which claim to cure rheumatoid
arthritis. None do, although there is some scientific evidence that
diets may help the symptoms in some people. A few people notice that
individual foods tend to make their arthritis flare up. The foods
which do this vary from person to person. If you suspect that an
individual food causes your joints to flare up, then try avoiding it,
but do not give up anything because it makes someone else's joints
flare up  remember, we are all different. (See arc booklet 'Diet and
Arthritis'.)

Do any diets help everyone?

Probably not, but the ones most likely to help are low in saturated
fats and high in unsaturated fats, especially fish oils. Supplements
of fish oils are likely to help. We recommend 3 grams of fish oil
(i.e. fish body oil, not fish liver oil) daily. You can achieve this
by eating oily fish, taking fish oil supplements, or a combination of
the two. There is some evidence that a very strict vegetarian diet can
help, although the reasons for this are not clear, and that there may
be a small increase in the risk of rheumatoid arthritis among people
who eat a lot of red meat. However, you should consult your doctor or
a dietitian before starting any strict diet as the disadvantages may
outweigh the advantages. There is some evidence that increasing your
intake of vitamin C may also help. It is a good idea to make sure you
keep your weight down. You put the equivalent of four times your body
weight through your joints when you are just walking, so keeping your
weight down will help reduce that stress. More information is given in
the arc booklet 'Diet and Arthritis'.
________________________________________________________

Good luck