Battling Arthritis

Are you experiencing pain at the base of your thumb? That could be because of basal joint arthritis or carpometacarpal arthritis.

The basal joint of the thumb (also called the CMC or Carpo-metacarpal joint) is located at the base of the thumb, adjacent to the wrist. It is a very mobile joint, normally allowing a significant amount of motion to help position the thumb.

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After months of being a lot better (read: less attack of osteoarthritis symptoms), the last three days found me on square one. Knees and thighs stiff again, trouble standing up again after a bit of inactivity (i.e. sitting down in front of my PC). This time was even worse because both my knees were swollen. I never had those before.

So I had to reflect on what I have been doing wrong. Alright, I do not have an exercise regime. Only leisurely walking around the house every now and then, if you can call that exercise. Just to stretch my legs and lessen the stiffness.

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Dear Readers …

Your regular author Gloria D. Gamat resides in the area where Super Typhoon Mina hit the Bicol Philippines region last night and may be without electricity for a short while. Our thoughts are with her and her family and we hope to see her back here as soon as practical! In the meantime, I will be filling in with a few articles here and there until Gloria returns. // HART (1-800-HART)

Arthritis can affect many different areas of the body—the hands, shoulders, legs, and even the feet. In fact, two of the most common joints affected by arthritis are the foot and ankle. This can be extremely painful, and it can take a great toll on the affected person’s ability to walk. However, by knowing the symptoms of foot arthritis, you can receive a diagnosis and treatment plan sooner rather than later. More →

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Since mid-August this year, I have been complaining of pain from my thighs to my legs. Specially after sitting long in front of my PC, it will be painful even for just getting up.

On worst days, my knees would buckle, i drop vertically like a log.

I’ve been to the doctor twice already and I’ve been given a prescription of vitamin B-complex and diclofenac.

However, on the second consultation additional prescriptions were given to me: pentoxifylline and regular massage.

After ruling out diabetes and hypokalemia, that is.

My condition improved with vitamin B complex-diclofenac-pentoxifylline combo. However, I experienced having fast heartbeat — which is actually one side effect of pentoxifylline.

My legs are yet to be x-rayed nor my bones scanned, but I am really suspecting that I have some form of arthritis — my knees and ankles are a bit swollen.

After 20 days of the drug combo regimen i mentioned above, I stopped taking the medication altogether for a few days. The symptoms earlier experienced went back. I am to be dependent on these drugs, like forever?

Let me review the symptoms of arthritis…

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Knee buckling or the sudden “giving away” of the knee is common in older people, particularly in people with severe knee arthritis or after knee surgery.

It has actually became some sort of a joke that if your knee is already buckling that that is a sign of getting old.

Which may actually be true because the condition has been found to exist in the older population even if they don’t have sever knee arthritis of didn’t have knee surgery.

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It can be scary going to the doctor, but you can be in and out quicker if you are able to give your doctor accurate descriptions of you problem. Be sure to tell him or her when the problem started and if there are any times the pains seems worse. Also knowing these common arthritis symptoms will make you realize when to make a doctor’s appointment or not. Generally, the earlier your doctor knows about your arthritis symptoms, the earlier you can be accurately diagnosed and get effective treatment.

* Joint Pain

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