I've been having issues with my knee for a while and I finally decided to go to the doctor and get it checked out...I have arthritis. I was very shocked because I normally associate arthrisis with elderly people and I am in my early 30's.

Does anyone have arthritis and have any recommendations for treatment/pain? My doctor basically told me to take pain relievers and continue with my exercise rountine but I was would like to know what has worked for others. Thanks!

Sing, I haven't had to deal with arthritis, yet (I'm sure I probably will at some point...) but I emailed a friend of mine - he's studying naturopathic medicine - to ask if he has any recommendations.

I know people who are on glucosamine/condroitin to help with arthritis pain. I've noticed a big difference since I've started giving it to my arthritic dogs.

I have rheumatoid arthritis, which is different from osteoarthritis, but I take anti-inflammatories and glucosamine along with my anti-rheumatic drugs. I still need to lose weight and exercise more. Water therapy and low-impact exercise are the best. Also, getting appropriate rest for the joints and wearing appropriate shoes is important.

My daughter is 18 and has been dealing with arthritis since she was about 15 in her back and knees. She has taken the stuff HMDAgal talks about that glucosamine/condroitin to help with arthritis pain at times but not as consitently as she should. She also takes Naproxen, but has to come off of it some b/c it can mess with her stomach.

Sorry you are having to deal with this!!!! I know it can be very painful! Praying you are able to find some relief!

Thank for the suggestions and the support. The doctor suggested glucosamine as an option, but mainly we told me to take aleve for pain. My hubby thinks that Naproxen is a better option, but I've taken it in the past for an injury and it do a number on my stomach.

I thought naproxen was the same drug as Alleve? Maybe try Advil instead? I like the liquigels and you can take up to 4 at once to get the precription level dosage of 800 mg of ibuprofin.

Wear cushy shoes that will absorb some shock to your knee when you walk.

Also, have you tried seeing a podiatrist (?) about custom orthodics? I've heard balancing out your body with orthodics can do wonders... I wear non-custom ones by "Good Feet" and they alleviate a lot of back and knee pain.

you are so right dip! He prescribed her some type of continuous release naproxen??? And you are so right again about that advil! We buy the BIG BOTTLES!!!

I think you are right dip. The doctor said advil, but I must have had aleve on the brain.

I have the same problem with my knees and have been dealing with it since I was about 30 and it's been 10 years now and I'm happy tell you that this year it has been much better!

What kind of floors do you have? Ever since I moved out of my house with the concrete foundation and tile floors and into a raised foundation and with wood floors my knees are wonderful! I hardly ever have a problem with them!!

Here are some of the things that helped in the past:

Losing a few pounds, there is something like six pounds of pressure on your knees for each pound of weight. Lose 10 pounds and it's like taking 60 pounds off of your knees.

As everyone else says, Glucosamine. It won't help the pain but it helps to keeps things lubricated.

As Dip said, cushy shoes help a lot, get nice squishy flip flops to wear around the house, when you are standing a lot.

Hope that you find some relief soon, I know how much that hurts!!

Did you see an arthritis specialist, or a family doctor?

Depending on the type of arthritis, there are much better answers than just deal with it and take pain relievers. If you're getting it in your 30s, it could be a type of arthritis that is an autoimmune disorder, and seeing a specialist could make a difference. I developed arthritis in my mid 30s, and a few years back, I was put on a medication called Remicade. I went from being convinced I would be disabled within 3 years to not knowing I have arthritis. Others I know don't get the same great effects, but there are other "biologic" treatments that work for them.

Seek the advice of a specialist!

FYI Naproxen is Aleve. Taking it for chronic pain long term can cause some liver damage, so watch how much you take! (Same goes with Advil/Ibuprofen).

I also have rheumatoid arthritis (diagnosed at 30). Most people do think it's a disease for the elderly. However, rheumatoid arthritis is an auto-immune disorder.

Anything you take can cause liver damage - even aspirin. Take Aleve if that's all that's needed and will work. If not, I do suggest going to a specialist. I have taken Naproxen, but ended upgoing to Celebrex. I recently stopped taking that (2 months ago) to see how well I did. I do have pains sometimes, but have been OK for the most part.

Best of luck to your daughter.

I get two cortisone shots in my hand two times per year. They work like a charm.

Sing, was your diagnosis for rheumatoid, or osteoarthritis?

Osteoarthritis is what I have been told.

My grandpa has arthritis and whatever medicine he is on he now takes with grape juice

He swears that what wasn't working before now has him pain free...

Don't ask me. He also says sleeping with a bar of Ivory soap in your sheets will prevent leg cramps. Swears by it!

Sing, was this from a general practice/family doc, or a rheumetologist? If it was from the GP/family doc, I suggest a second opinion from a specialist.

This was from my family doctor, do you really think I should see a specialist?

I do. Rheumetologists specialize in arthritis and know much more than your family doctor. Osteoarthritis is generally for people age 50 or older (I said generally). There are MANY forms of arthritis and not all remedies work for each one of them

It will take some time, but I believe you will benefit.

Sing, I am not trying to answer for BF, but I will say "yes." When I was 29 or 30, I started having pain in a couple of finger joints. Went to my family doc, who said he thought it was arthritis. I couldn't believe it because of my age. Because I have had some other auto-immune issues in the past, he referred me to a rheumatologist.

Eventually, the pain spread to several fingers and also both elbows. For quite some time, the rheumatologist treated with Celebrex and low dose prednisone. Eventually, maybe 5 years later, my bloodwork showed that I have rheumatoid arthritis. My rheumatologist was actually glad that I finally tested positive for that, because it opened up many more treatment options. I am now taking Enbrel, and, like BF, the difference in my pain is like night and day. Except for a little loss of range of motion, I would never know that there was a thing wrong.

IMHO, it would be worth checking out. Rheumatologists deal with this stuff all day long and may see something that a family doc could miss.

So Rhuematoid doesn't always show up right away? My daughters grandmother from her dad's side died from complications with her RA. My daughter has had problems with what they call Juvenille arthritis since about 15. One ortho guy ran test that made him question if anybody in our family had RA. But after the complete workup was ran on my daughter they said that she did not have RA.

So I guess my question to you is...can this show up later or something??? Cause she has so many complications with her back /shoulders/knees and is only 18 now???

Thanks for all the info...it is very informative!

Kaytee, I don't know if my case is typical, but when my arthritis (and eventual RA) showed up at 29 or so, we were able to later link its real origin back to a problem I had at 21 years old. At 21, I started having pain in my left elbow and had serious issues with loss of range of motion. My elbow was essentially locked in a bent position. The initial thought was tennis elbow or something similar, and I went to physical therapy, etc. Eventually I was sent to an orthopedic surgeon. Before doing surgery on the elbow, I was sent to see a rheumatologist. Everything checked out fine. So, I had surgery to my elbow (they essentially scraped "junk" out of my joint lining), did some physical therapy, and that was that. I never fully regained all of my range of motion, but it got close. I had no more pain and thought that was the end.

Fast forward 8 or 9 years, and the pain in my fingers followed quickly by pain in my elbows started. When it got to my elbows again, I thought I would just cut to the chase and go see an orthopedic surgeon. He felt strongly that something else was going on. Sure enough, arthritis was my issue.

I don't know as much about it as I should, but there is some sort of "rheumatoid factor" that they test for when doing the bloodwork. That is what took about 5 years to show up for me once I got the initial arthritis diagnosis. So, I wasn't really "RA" until then, and was not treated with RA-specific drugs. It had gotten to the point that the regular stuff (Celebrex, etc.) just wasn't cutting it, and my prednisone dose kept increasing. The RA drugs have been a blessing for me.

Absolutely see a specialist for arthritis. The right diagnosis can make a world of difference. It might take you 6 months to get in to see one, but it's worth the copay! Enbrel, Remicade, etc. are a Godsend!

Enbrel is the injections you give yourself at home, right?

Remicade is a 90 minute IV treatment every 6-8 weeks.

Here's the information my friend emailed back for osteoarthritis - hopefully it will be helpful for you:

Osteoarthritis Treatment Summary:

Reduce excess body wt., if over weight.

Stop smoking, if smoking

Check thyroid function (hypo) has incr. incidence)

Check estrogen levels (higher levels can cause OA)

Increase circulation to joints.

Increase muscle strength surrounding joint

Increase joint range of motion

Swimming and water aerobics are excellent choices

As is Yoga, Tai-Chi and the like

Hydrotherapy is very important (Contrast Hydrotherapy of affected joint)

Ultrasound is also beneficial

Castor oil compresses to joints

Comfrey compresses

Botanical Medicine:

Yucca (2), Devil's Claw )1), Chaparral (1): Dried herbs of each in capsules 2-3 times a day

Liniment or gel containing capsicum, wintergreen oil, aconite and camphor.

Diet:

Eliminate nightshade family foods (tomato, tobacco, potato, pepper, eggplant), which contain solanum alkaloids, which inhibit normal collagen repair in joints and promote inflammatory degeneration of joints. Try going without for 3-6 months and see if symptoms improve.

In general, diet should be high in complex carbohydrates and fiber; moderate in protein (primarily from combining grains with beans/legumes, and white-meat fowl and fish); and low in fat, especially saturated fat

Supplements:

Vit A; Vit E; Vit B6 (pyridoxine); Zinc; Copper are required for synthesis of collagen and the maintenance of normal cartilage structure.

Vit C; important for integrity of cartilage. Take 1 gm; 3 times a day with food.

Flavonoids and anti-inflammatory and enhance structure and integrity of cartilage.

Antioxidants

Glucosamine sulfate; 500 mg three times a day for at least 1 month to see benefits