Anyone else suffer with arthrosis?

[IROC]

A lifetime of exercise combined with evidently some unfortunate genetics seems to be dooming me to a life of pain. I use the term arthrosis as what I have is degenerative joint damage due to wear and tear. Not inflammation, etc.

It basically started when after about 10 years of running (maybe 10-12 miles a week and an occasional 5k) a swollen knee sent me to the orthopedic surgeon where he proclaimed my knees were shot. X-rays showed severe wear and very little cartilage left. I was 49 at the time. No more running. My knee pain is manageable, but getting annoying. After the knee pain discovery, my left hip has also developed what I can only assume is arthrosis.

So, I continued with weight lifting. Nothing crazy, but I've essentially been working out with weights since 8th grade for football, etc. As a result, I now think my elbows (and to an extent my shoulders) are shot. I went through this phase a couple of years ago where I was doing about 100 push-ups 3 times a week (a set of 40 and then sets of 20/20/10 etc until I was worn out). I had to quit due to the pain. Crazy, but it can be incredibly painful. Sometimes to the point of making it difficult to sleep.

Anybody else in this situation? I'm only 54 (6'3", 215 lbs and otherwise in good shape) and wonder how I am going to make it another 20 or 30 years like this. About the first 5 minutes of getting out of bed in the morning is nothing but pain.

[Dpmulvan]

I'm 48 was very active in my younger years, diagnosed psoriatic arthritis. I'm in constant pain from my feet to lower back. I feel your pain and totally understand your frustration. Doctors are pretty much useless when pressured to keep the patients flowing. the only relief I got was through pain meds and they have taken most of those away leaving me in a hopeless situation.

[Bugsinrugs]

I’m floating in the same boat. It used to be that the pain would be in the evening and get better as the day progressed. Now, I’m hurting all the time. Can’t imagine it getting worse but I’m sure it will. My issues are with my right knee, both shoulders and neck.

[GH85Carrera]

See I knew it, exercise is bad for you!

[Tobra]

Switch to swimming

[IROC]

Originally Posted by GH85Carrera

See I knew it, exercise is bad for you!

Exactly!! Half-jokingly, if I "knew then what I know now", I would not be so hard core. That was sort of my problem. But, in reality, I think genetics probably played a part. Lost of people run/exercise all their lives and don't have any issues. In my case, my joints are shot.

Swimming is an option, but I'd really struggle to make time do that. I am actually still really active, it's just painful.

I see all this stuff in the news about the opioid crisis and part of me understands. Pain (especially chronic, day-in, day-out pain) really sucks.

[Craig T]

I turn 58 next month and I'm in EXACTLY the same position. Motocross racing, MTB racing, trail running, and decades of weight training...all took a heavy toll on my joints. Now everything hurts!

I'm having elbow surgery next week to remove bone spurs and permanently inflamed olecranon bursa. Left elbow first, then three weeks later the right.

My patella's have arthritis and osteophytes from riding through patella tendonitis for years. Had to give up the bike at 55. Arthritis in my neck from a cervical fusion, as a result of a MTB fall. My shoulder A/C's hurt so badly I can't put anything over my head and had to give up prone surfing because I can't paddle anymore.

I take Celebrex until my stomach can't handle it anymore, then I suffer for a few weeks until my stomach recuperates.

If I could go back I'd be a bookworm.

[wdfifteen]

I ruined my feet running. I had trauma induced arthritis and ran anyway. Messed up my knee, hips, and now I’m in line for a toe joint replacement. Moderate exercise is good for you, but over do it and you will pay.

[Tobra]

Stuff like this is why I resisted playing football.

[Don Ro]

"Switch to swimming"
~~~~~~~~~~~

Originally Posted by Tobra

Stuff like this is why I resisted playing football.

I was thinking the other day about all of the injuries I suffered in 4 years of HS football.
Lucky to have none be serious.
.
When I played tournament tennis, I would get my cardio from swimming and my leg strength from walking the hills behind Stanford U.
I'd even walk backwards up the steepest hills for my Vastus Medialis muscles.
Important muscles for tennis.
.
Jogging never appealed to me.

.

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by Tobra

Stuff like this is why I resisted playing football.

I never had any ill effects from playing football for 9 years but one good crash on a dirt bike broke my heel, which shortened one leg, which led to a back surgery, a knee surgery, and a future surgery on the other knee.
That was according to a doctor Rogoff D.P.M. (whatever the heck DPM means )
She seemed pretty sharp so I believed her.

I shoulda bought a honda instead

[IROC]

Originally Posted by wdfifteen

I ruined my feet running. I had trauma induced arthritis and ran anyway. Messed up my knee, hips, and now I’m in line for a toe joint replacement. Moderate exercise is good for you, but over do it and you will pay.

I am starting to agree with this. I actually see these Crossfit people and cringe as I bet a lot of them are going to suffer in a couple of decades. You can't tell them that now, though.

Thanks for the responses. It's somewhat comforting to hear that I am not the only one... My wife tried to tell me it was diet related and that eating "anti-inflammatory" foods would solve the problem. Not that simple...

My current worry is that everything I do is taking more life out of my joints. OTC pain meds still help, so that's where I am right now. The orthopedic doctor prescribed Celebrex, but my insurance refused to pay for it (and it was not cheap).

[Dpmulvan]

Get tested for Lyme disease.

[JeremyD]

I can relate - had a knee replaced last year - old basketball injury - but kicked off RA - take care of your joints!

[Zeke]

Originally Posted by IROC

I am starting to agree with this. I actually see these Crossfit people and cringe as I bet a lot of them are going to suffer in a couple of decades. You can't tell them that now, though.

Thanks for the responses. It's somewhat comforting to hear that I am not the only one... My wife tried to tell me it was diet related and that eating "anti-inflammatory" foods would solve the problem. Not that simple...

My current worry is that everything I do is taking more life out of my joints. OTC pain meds still help, so that's where I am right now. The orthopedic doctor prescribed Celebrex, but my insurance refused to pay for it (and it was not cheap).

Celebrex is a patented cocktail of ingredients you can find in different proportions elsewhere. Try meloxicam which is essentially Advil but lasts longer in the body and is much cheaper than Advil. You do need a prescription. You also must protect your stomach and there are some cheap and effective anti acids or proton pump inhibitors, as they are known, such as omeprazole.

Ask any construction worker about the body wearing out resulting in pain. Apparently you can go about things in moderation or you can wear yourself out, literally. When we were young we didn't think about that. You must stay active but that doesn't mean you should continue abusing the body.

Yes, swimming would be one of the ideal exercises but not always convenient. Yoga might be good but I'm not a groupy. Don't go to a gym for the same reason.

[IROC]

Originally Posted by Dpmulvan

Get tested for Lyme disease.

Lyme disease can cause joint degeneration?

[IROC]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Celebrex is a patented cocktail of ingredients you can find in different proportions elsewhere. Try meloxicam which is essentially Advil but lasts longer in the body and is much cheaper than Advil. You do need a prescription. You also must protect your stomach and there are some cheap and effective anti acids or proton pump inhibitors, as they are known, such as omeprazole.

Ask any construction worker about the body wearing out resulting in pain. Apparently you can go about things in moderation or you can wear yourself out, literally. When we were young we didn't think about that. You must stay active but that doesn't mean you should continue abusing the body.

Yes, swimming would be one of the ideal exercises but not always convenient. Yoga might be good but I'm not a groupy. Don't go to a gym for the same reason.

Good info. Thanks.

[Craig T]

Originally Posted by Zeke

Celebrex is a patented cocktail of ingredients you can find in different proportions elsewhere.

LOL...Where did you get that information? Celecoxib (sulfonamide moiety) There are a few non-active ingredients as filler and absorption aids e.g gelatin and lactose.

Celebrex has been a miracle drug for me. It's not cheap, but its a lot better than being addicted to opiates. I've been taking it for three years with great success. About every 8 months I give my stomach a break for two weeks, but Celebrex is the easiest on your stomach of all the NSAIDs. I'm stockpiling it while my insurance covers it.

[Don Ro]

I'm borderline kidney failure...no NSAIDs for me.
How's Celebrex wrt kidneys?

[JeremyD]

celebrex is bad for your liver - bad for kidneys - be very careful with any alcohol consumption with it. It works -