Biking-Severe Arthritis-Vitamins-Supplements

[pardes]

By the time my mother and grandmother were 50 neither of them could walk across the walk the room without debilitating pain from osteoarthritis. Mom had it the worst and needed a walker shortly after that and was on high levels of addictive pain killers until her death. Genetically I seem to be taking after them but have decided to find alternative treatments that don't involve opiate or similar drugs which I'm allergic to physically and against philosophically.

It's no joke that I can't walk fifty feet without severe pain but I can bike for miles without exacerbating the pain. Even though the arthritis is in my spine, hips and now starting in my knees, since biking isn't weight bearing, the weightless but constant movement of biking has helped considerably in taking the terrible edge off the pain. In other words, I'm much better off physically and mentally since taking up commuting every day to work.

However, the winters are hard on arthritis sufferers and I'm upping the supplements that I've found helpful. I don't suggest that anyone take what I'm taking but I'm interested in what others have found helpful with arthritis pain.

Both prescription and OTC NSAIDs are currently under fire for recent studies linking them to everything from sudden fatal GI bleeds, to strokes, and heart attacks - especially in "senior" citizens. Consequently I stay away from all of them although when things get too unbearable to breathe, I will take a short course of Celebrex to take the edge off the pain.

Meanwhile, the vitamins and supplements I've found helpful are:

Boswellin
Celadrin
S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe)
Salmon Oil
Vitamin E
Vitamin C
Geriatric Multi-Vitamin

I can bike for 10-15 miles a day without major adverse effects the following days but that is the hairy edge. If I go over the 15 mile limit, I'm toast for a few days moaning and groaning and creaking around looking 93 instead of 63.

How about the rest of you "seniors:" Have you found anything else that is helpful to extending your biking abilities?

[beccaB]

Have you tried glucosamine and condroitin?

[Zen]

Glucosamine/chondrointin have been found not to be effective

I can't walk far either but I'm hoping to get a half-century this summer. I don't take any drugs except for the occasional ibuprofen. On days I feel really creaky i slather on some BenGay type of ointment and sit in a hot bath for about ten minutes.

[pardes]

I can't walk far either but I'm hoping to get a half-century this summer.

I'm surprised there isn't more active publicity for seniors biking since I've heard the same thing from several biking seniors. It has to be one of the best kept secrets of biking that seniors can be competitive bikers when they can't run ten yards.

I'm going to do a little of my own campaigning about it this spring by advertising at local LBS and groups for "Elderberry Biking" for fun, camaraderie, and welcome pain management. There isn't much available for beginner and "just for fun" bikers in this area, particularly for beginning seniors.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

Are you getting enough protein in your daily diet? Check it out, it might help.

[pardes]

Are you getting enough protein in your daily diet? Check it out, it might help.

I'm a certifiable carnivore whose teeth itches if I don't get enough flesh in my diet. Gawd that sounds awful, but true. Chicken, salmon, and now and then rationed beef are big on my hit parade of foods and running neck and neck with fresh vegetables and fruit. If anything, my diet alone probably kept me from being as debilitated as my mother and grandmother who grew up on Pennsylvania Dutch sweet fatty starchy food.

[pardes]

Have you tried glucosamine and condroitin?

Neither or in combination had any effect for me. That was one of the first things I tried.

[beccaB]

Neither or in combination had any effect for me. That was one of the first things I tried.

I have heard some stories of Glucosamine and Chondroitin not working. My problem isn't arthritis, but a torn Rotator Cuff and tendonitis with impingement.
I swear it works for me even though research shows it's not effective on those things.
I also try to eat certain fruits that have anti-inflammatory effects, such as pineapples and pitted fruits.
I also take fish oil and "try" to stay away from too much sugar, because sugar has an inflammatory effect.

[SouthernBelle]

I have no suggestions. But I wanted to mention that I read somewhere that Georgena Terry (in her 70s) walks with crutches but can ride you into the ground.

[michelem]

Oh, I almost forgot (actually, I did until I was reminded by salsabike's post in the "SADD [sic] that time of year" thread). Make sure to get your vitamin d levels tested. Both mine and my mother's were abnormally low. Here's the article salsabike posted:

http://www.hopkins-arthritis.org/art...arthritis.html

[Zen]

I also try to eat certain fruits that have anti-inflammatory effects, such as pineapples and pitted fruits.
.

When I had cellulitis, yogurt was recommended as an anti-inflammatory.

[sundial]

Pardes, I found staying away from processed foods, and things that are white in color helped me more than anything. Sugar, flour, white potatoes, pasta, milk products, etc causes my arthritis to flare up big time. Also, shade plants such as tomatoes and eggplant don't do me any favors.

If you can stay limber and cycle frequently, that will help more than any supplement in my opinion.

By the way, I ran across my cane the other day. Hoping I won't be using that anytime soon.

[shootingstar]

Despite your pain, I'm impressed by your ongoing enthusiasm with cycling. If it weren't for cycling, you probably feel may not feel as positive as you are now, however imperfect that feeling is.

[Trek420]

Keep movin' that's all I do.

My arth philosophy somewhere below. I don't eat or take anything special. There are foods that have anecdotal evidence that they help. But just keep moving.

http://forums.teamestrogen.com/showthread.php?t=17179

[michelem]

My mom swears by Sam-e (she said it took a couple months of consistent use to notice anything, and then the difference was remarkable). She said that her rheumotologist advised against glucosamine/chondroitin (sp?) as ineffective. She's also been advised to keep her omega-3mega-6 ratio as close to 1:2 or even better 1:1 as much as possible (the typical american diet is closer to 1:20 or more!). She wants to stay away from rx meds as long as possible. Warm water pool therapy seems to be helping her as well.

I believe my mother gets her supplements through VitaCost and said that the prices are even much better than Costco. Before retiring, with a written note from her dr. including her diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis, she was able to get FSA reimbursement for her supplements.