bearisgray

Have you been to that doctor before? If so, was he decent-polite-considerate then?

It was a flippant sounding remark - but for some things, unfortunately, there is no cure. About the best one can hope for is pain management/relief.

I hope you can get some relief for your problems. Another physician may be more sympathetic.

I go To The Sea To Breathe

2nd opn is really needed....there are so many ways that you can be helped. Please see another dr.

frauhahn

I really feel sorry to hear about your pain. The doctor sounds like a jerk. I've been to that kind before-in fact, 2 told me that my foot was hopeless, and that I could plan on being in a wheel chair eventually because of it. Found the right surgeon, and the foot isn't perfect, but I'm walking and it is so much better. Keep looking til you find the right one. You might also want to consider accupuncture-it does work for joint pain.

rushdoggie

Please get a second opinion, there are things you can do to increase your comfort and extend the life of a damaged joint like medications and therapies. I'm sorry your doctor was kind of a jerk. You might consider telling him his remark wasn't terribly funny and that it upset you. Some people think they are being funny when they are a long way from it.

scowlkat

Don't you dare take that from that rude, inconsiderate quack! How very unprofessional! Of course, I am looking at it with totally different eyes - not having the pain and constant agony you have. So please listen to all your friends here and seek another opinion. I will keep you in my prayers.

Prism99

Are you taking supplements? I have a lot of arthritis in my knees and back, and supplements do seem to help prevent additional deterioration. My knees got bad fairly quickly, but a combination of calcium citrate, glucosamine chondroitin, and vitamin D seems to have halted the deterioration. I did not get this info from my doctor! Did it on my own after researching on the internet.

I should add that my problems all seem to be osteo-arthritis. Rheumatoid arthritis is a completely different animal. A good friend was diagnosed with severe RA 20 years ago. When the doctor told her the medication she needed to take "rarely" caused blindness, she decided to try a naturopathic route instead. She has been able to control her RA by means of diet ever since then. She still has RA, but has not been crippled by it.

Isn't all arthritis degenerative? I'm wondering what kind you have.

arimuse

R U kidding?? just die?? You need to find a real dr asap. (was he being cold/mean, or is he kind of dry witted?!?) On the DR Oz website if you look around, theres a page where you can put in where you live and get info on Drs of all kinds in all parts of the country. My MIL is moving form WNY to VT and she needs a heart Dr and a upperGI Dr- shes having problems with the ones she now has and doesnt want referrals from them.

I know how bad it feels to have joint problems - it runs in my family, too.
I cant afford to replace anything - absolutely no ins/cash and I dont use care/caid. Had been taking aleve, rubbing w/ heat creams of all kinds, using heating pad. tried exercise, different shoes (to help my knees), wrist wraps.
With a bad shoulder be very careful not to lift things that are too heavy or jerk something up to lift it if you aren't sure how much it weighs. Maybe even bending over your sewing machine too long could make the problem worse. Using my machine bothers my left elbow and right foot of all things lol. sharet

earthwalker

You don't say if this is a GP or a specialist. If you aren't already, you need to see a Rheumatologist. I have SLE as well as Psoriatic Arthritis, which is to say the least sometimes crippling. You need to establish exactly what form of arthritis you have and be prescribed with drugs that will improve your quality of life. I understand perfectly how you feel about your Dr's comment. I go to an excellent Rheumatologist, but his "bedside manner" is non-existent, fortunately I'm a thick-skinned old boiler and tell him he's taking liberties if he is rude. These days I even sometimes raise a smile. Hang in there and don't give up.

Lisanne

You may have a hereditary tendency towards arthritis, but that does NOT mean you are doomed!

Not only did he make a tasteless attempt at a joke, but any doctor who says nothing can be done when he hasn't even tried anything isn't worth his license.

Go see a rheumatologist.

Meanwhile, much of the pain from arthritis is due to joint inflammation. Besides anti-inflammatory medications, you can structure your diet to minimize inflammation-causing foods.

One folk cure that has been known to help is apple cider vinegar. Bragg's really does seem to be more effective than, say, Heinz. You put a tablespoonful in enough warm-hot water to make 1 cup and drink it down. Do this 2 - 4 times a day, and you should feel an improvement in a few days. Keep taking it, and you'll feel better as time goes on.

Once you get some of the pain gone, you need to exercise to build up the surrounding muscles. I'm not saying strenuous exercise, but stretches to keep your range of motion, weightlifting (you can use soup cans if you don't want to use dumbbells) to build the muscles, and walking as you're able. Strong muscles will support the joints, which will make them less painful.

Painiacs

Was the dr trying to be funny ? Just came off rude and didn't mean to ! ? I have chronic pain so know how frustrating it can be. Good luck and God bless