"Janet Baraclough" > wrote in message
...
> The message >
> from "Cheryl" > contains these words:
>
>> I finished my last PT appointment today and it just isn't helping. I
>> don't
>> know where to go next. I guess I'll have to talk to my orthopedist thurs
>> when he fixes my bone spurs on my foot. During my vacation I just
>> couldn't
>> walk all of the distances everyone else did. My back was on fire.
>> Arthritis at 47. The PT uses TENS but that didn't help. Heat seems
>> to help
>> some. Massage helps some. The stretching to decompress my spine disks
>> helps but not enough to allow me to walk distances. If anyone has gone
>> through PT for arthritis, how long does it take to even feel a little
>> bit of
>> relief?
>
>> Cheryl, ouchy and disillusioned and not sure where to go from here.
>
> What else have you tried, Cheryl? Do you take adequate pain relief
> meds?
>
I usually use ibuprofen but I have surgery for something else tomorrow, so I
have had to be off of them for the past week. Probably why I'm grumpy and
whiney.

> After a flaming onset in 1988 I've managed RA successfully with
> diet, stress--reduction and lifestyle changes which have become second
> nature now. I chose that route in preference to my then doctor's advice
> (steroids and splints) and 99 % of the time I have an active painfree
> lifestyle needing no medication. I have some cervical disc wear and
> tear/compression now (with bony growth spurs). When I do need pain
> relief, , usually because I did too much digging etc, I take
> anti-inflammatories straight away at timed intervals. I find using pain
> medication the way my doctor advises, works far better than gritting my
> teeth and bravely holding off.Domestically I have things set up the
> easy way, a really good bed, lever taps and doorhandles, switches and
> sockets within reach, no wall cupboards in the kitchen, grab bar in the
> shower, careful choice of kitchen and garden tools. Its a matter of
> trial and error to see what works best for you.
>
> My current Dr offers acupuncture (free on the NHS) and I find that
> by far the most effective treatment for occasional bouts of seized up
> joints.

Yes, thank you. My PC specializes in acupuncture and I had her try it on me
to quit smoking. No change. And I'm not talking about just a single or two
treatments. So because of that I've sort of decided that would be a waste
of money. Insurance wouldn't cover it. I'll keep on doing the exercises
and see what happens. The sucky thing is that walking which should help is
what causes agony.