Arthritis

[Eve]

I've just been put on sulfasalazine by my rhumatologist for arthritis and suspected Crohns diease (suspected of causing the arthritis).

As I'm only 29 I want to try and reduce any damage caused as much as possible as well as sorting pain relief and reducing inflammation.

I need to keep moving and want to do some kind of exercise which will help, as it's a while til I go to see the physio can anyone suggest the best kind of things I can do which will help without aggravating it?

Thank you for any help :)

[yogasun]

Hi Jenna
All arthritis organisations recommend you keep moving as much as possible.
I'm biased as I've taught Yoga for over 30 years but have had hundreds of students over that time that have found it has helped them. Tai Chi can also be useful.
Good luck.

[bednobs]

swimming is definately good also as it reduces pressure on joints

[yogasun]

Yes. agree with bednobs - swimming excellent. If you're a non-swimmer Aqua Fit or something like that.

[deborahp]

I work for a consultant rheumatologist (secretary) and he always tells patients yoga, tai chi and swimming - avoiding breast stroke as it is not so good for the knees.

[raysparx1]

might sound bit far fetched, but cider vinegar and honey, is a help to relieving the pain of arthritis, also avoid tomatoes.

[wired]

A debate on radio 4 last year by experts (?) said that sunflower oil and related products were pro-inflammatory abd that olive oil products were a better bet. Good luck.

[Eve]

Thank you for all your answers :)

Swimming sounds good, not a very good swimmer but can keep going with a slow breast stroke, will try and manage front crawl though.

I know someone who does a dru yoga class which is meant to be brilliant so will give them a try and see if they do Tai Chi at the local bhuddist centre.

Have load of olive oil, we cook with it so will keep on with that and try and put it on more salads and oven roast veggies and such.

Will get some cider vinegar on our weekly shopping trip later, what can I use it on?

Will get some honey as well and maybe try it as a sugar substitute in tea :)

Thank you all, much appreciated x

[raysparx1]

Hi Jenna, I answered this and never noticed the name, sorry, how are things apart from the obvious pain etc? long time no see, you and your knowledge are sadly missed on A/B, are you back again because I haven't seen your name for ages.take care Ray xx

Cider vinegar/honey, you take it just as a drink, small amount mixed toger once or twice a day, you can buy it ready mixed from health food shops it is called "Honeygar" good luck, hope it helps you, there is also a very good book, wriiten by a nurse who cured herself, take a look,

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Curing-Arthritis-Drug- free-Overcoming-Problems/dp/0859696898

[taichiperson]

As you might guess from my AB name, i can thoroughly recommend Tai Chi. There is a form of that is specifically designed for arthritis, you may be lucky to find a class near you. Google the Tai Chi Union for Great Britain. However, be careful when choosing a class - some headbangers practice it as a martial art, and although TC is supposed to be gentle, not all teachers pratice it that way.
Another good source of information is the Tai Chi and Chi Gung Forum for Health http://www.tcckf.org.uk/tcckf.htm

[taichiperson]

Oops - the last link does not have a list of qualified teachers, but if you email them, they will do their best to hwlp you.....

[Eve]

Hi Ray :) I'm good in so many ways (bar the above haha). How are you?

I pop in and out, mainly in law and health stuff to help where I can, so many new names and faces :)

Been with my lovely man over a year now and happily living together and he really looks after me.

In a brilliant job, made partner and got my own team and am loving it. I have a great boss who knows all about my health problems and is fine with it and really helpful, I'm very lucky.

Got a gastro appointment tomorrow so will see what that brings, been at rhumatology for a while though and they're fantastic.

Will have a look in Holland and Barratt for the cider vinegar and honey. Hope it's nicer than the soda water I'm trying to drink to help my legs at night :)

x

Ps. will check out the book and tai chi link, find somewhere near me :) I used to go to a great Chi Gung class at my old gym but they stopped it then I stopped going to the gym.