Diagnosed with Osteoarthritis at 24.
 

Hey everyone. I was just seeing if anyone had any advice on how to manage the pain from osteoarthritis. I've always had very severe back pain since I was a teenager and everyone kept telling me it wasn't anything to worry about and never did any diagnostics. They've done MRI's which show I already have two bulging discs. I went to pain management yesterday and they did xrays. My L5S1 have nothing left in between them anymore and are bone grinding on bone (which is probably where the majority of pain is coming from), but my doctor also said, "You have really nasty arthritis". So I'm assuming some of the pain is coming from that.

Anyone have any tips on how to get some relief from the arthritis part?

My dad has RA and I know he is in a lot of pain a lot of the time. He also refuses to do any of the natural things that are said (sometimes proven) to help, so I'm sure he could be a lot more comfortable if he chose to try some of those things.

Did the doctors not give you ANY advice on this!? Have you seen a specialist yet? My dad's specialist gave him a huge list of supplements and teas and certain foods to cut out of his diet that are all supposed to help.

I don't know if RA and osteoarthritis act the same or are treated similar, and since I don't have it myself I don't want to give you specific advice other than just to tell you I know there are natural ways out there to improve the pain.

Good luck!!!

Go to a specialist! I've had osteoarthritis, osteoporosis, and degenerative back disease since my late 20's...hysterectomy at 20 years old. General doctors never acted like it was anything. I did get physical therapy for awhile for my back...I had a bulging disk also. Anyway, I just recently went to a rheumotoligist/arthritis doctor. He knows so much more than general doctors, and is testing for other arhtritis...he thinks I have rheumatoid also. I go back in a month for a bone scan and to discuss blood results and go from there. He sent me home with a shot I give myself everyday...glucosamine-b6-b12. And a homemade mixture of cold cream with 2 morphine tablets crushed into it, that he said would help with the joint pain. I finally feel like I'm going to get some help! Don't do any exercises that are going to hurt your joints. I can't run or jog anymore. The elliptical and gazelle are about the only exercise I can do. I do weight lift, but have to be careful of my joints...if it hurts your joints, don't do it! I'm looking into yoga now. You don't want to wear out your joints anymore than necessary. Some exercise does help with the pain...you won't be as stiff.
I'm sorry you have this at such a young age. Please see a specialist. Hugs.

Water aerobics is also good for arthritis suffers. I have osteoarthritis and osteoporosis and the only thing that keeps my back from killing me is regular monthly appoints with my chiropractor, yoga, pilates, and water aerobics. All the docs did was give me pain medication that made me sleepy all the time.

There is some good medical evidence that acupuncture is helpful for back pain, as well as the exercise the other posters have suggested!

I had severe lower back pain, herniated disc, was 100% disabled. I manage it with acupuncture, daily stretching, one weekly yoga session, and daily back strengthening exercises. I invest about 15 minutes a day + one hour a week for the yoga and one hour a month for the acupuncture. The acupuncture alone made a huge difference and I am able to maintain for up to 6 weeks between sessions but prefer to not go longer than 4 weeks. I am 98% of normal and many days experience no lower back pain at all.

I did begin developing arthritis symptoms last year in both knees, left shoulder, left elbow and both hands. For that I began taking fish oil and Curcumin, both anti-inflammatory supplements...and I cleaned up my diet and got the processed food out of it since processed foods are inflammatory. My arthritis resolved with the exception of my right knee but is much improved. Considering I used to sit in my chair at work and feel like crying I was in so much pain, I'm very pleased because I'm back to being active. I spent the summer hiking and backpacking.

Thank you so so so so so much for all the advice ladies.
No my doctor didn't really say anything about the arthritis, he was more concerned about the bones grinding together. I will definitely look into going to an arthritis specialist. I'm definitely doing yoga, I want to do acupuncture and I'm getting back into swimming. I will definitely do some research on all of this and start applying it to daily life! Thanks again!