O is for Osteoarthritis

With pain ailing me for nights on end I have been on a search for some relief. The only time I get relief is when the weather is a little warmer or when I go to see my holistic doctor for an injection of Glutathione. The injections are certainly helpful, but with colder weather around the corner in Ohio and a schedule that doesn't allow me to go to get injections whenever I want, it leaves me wondering if there is an easier or better way. This joint and muscle pain is for the birds, and I know I am not the only person who suffers. So, what is this ailment? Surprisingly out of all the illnesses I have been diagnosed with, a doctor finally talked to me about Osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis, or OA is one of the most common joint disorders today. Pain can get worse with activity or by putting weight on it, which made sense for me. I would work out and feel a surge of energy but yet the joint pain would follow leaving me feeling hopeless and helpless while in tears with pain that wouldn't stop. Ice packs didn't help, heat would help only temporarily, and then I would result in taking Motrin or Advil which would help slightly but it gives me ulcers so I could only take it when absolutely desperate. Desperation was coming more frequently and my sanity less and less.

My primary care physician ordered and ANA test for me to see if there was some inflammatory process going on in my body and the test was positive. He referred me to a rheumatologist for further testing, and explained to me that I could have Lupus, but I could have many other diseases too. I never realized there were so many rheumatic illnesses, and some of them are so similar that it's hard to tell the differences between them. He explained to me that there was more blood work to follow in which the rheumatologist would test additional markers to see exactly what "it" was that was ailing me.

My maternal grandmother had Osteoporosis and Osteoarthritis and my paternal grandmother has rheumatoid arthritis, but the rheumatologist still wanted to dig deeper. I told him about my thyroid disease, the diagnosis of Grave's Disease that I received in 2008, and I explained to him that I had pain in my hands. I have a lot of pain, but at times I would hurt so bad that I felt like my arms, hands and wrists were broken. According to Dr. Ed. Herzig of Internists of Fairfield, Osteoarthritis starts in the hands. He said, "The first place many people think of is the hips, because older folks tend to have hip problems and replacements, or they fall, but it starts in the hands." This made plenty of sense for me, but I explained to him that the pain was so bad I felt like my bones were broken. I also told him that the Glutathione injections I was getting were helpful, but after a few weeks they tend to wear off. I also told him that my husband and I were trying to conceive which added to the discussion. However, we talked about the possibility of some more natural supplementation until he got my results back. Dr. Herzig suggested that I use fish oil as well as Glucosamine Chondroiton Sulfate until I see him again. He advised that these supplements don't cross the placenta, and that any drugs used to treat the illnesses or conditions he would treat would all be harmful and I couldn't use them until I do give birth.

Dr. Herzig recommended Tylenol first, as it has fewer side effects. Ultimately, in the end Osteoarthritis means that cartilage has worn away and causes the bones to grate together which can cause pain and erosion to the bones. Dr. Herzig advised, "In some severe cases, when cartilage wear is significant than surgery may be eminent to do something to help. Your bones hold you up, and once they are gone well then we have a real problem!"

Getting rest is important, and trying natural supplementation first for at least 30 days is not such a bad idea. However, if you are in severe pain and need some relief don't hesitate to talk to your doctor and see what course of action might be right for you.

Dr. Edward B. Herzig

Internists of Fairfield

Fairfield, Ohio