I just had a bone scan done and now I'm being told that I have degenerative joint disease. Well which is it? fibromyalgia or degenerative joint disease? Or can it be both? Has anyone ever been diagnosed with degenerative joint disease? What course of action have you taken to deal with this? Do you take pain meds? Supplements? What works best? I read about it and the article suggested eating healthy and exercise as well. I have no problem with eating healthy. My issue is being able to exercise when I'm in pain. Can anyone help me?
Well, I have osteo arthritis that's slowly gnawing away at the cartiledge on my bones plus I have fibro on top of it, which seems to amplify the arthritis issues. So yes, you definitely could have both conditions. However, that being said, try to nail your doctor down on what kind of arthritis you have, because the type could alter your treatment. And then ask what you can do to keep it from getting any worse. Ha, I just learned all of this myself, from SK!
Honestly? I find that Ibuprofin helps me the most with arthritis pain. But it also can mess with your stomach and other drugs so a doctor would have to know and ok it.
Icing the painful areas also helps, as ice reduces inflammation. And you could ask your doctor if physical therapy might be of benefit for you, as well as water therapy.
Hope this is of some assistance to you.
Hugs,
Petunia
Hi FibroFrenzy, it certainly could be both, fibro rarely is alone in causing us agony. petunia had great advice I would want to know what’s causing this degenerative joint disease, I’m thinking its a symptom with another cause. Fibro does cause joint pain, but they say it does not cause deterioration… I’m not to sure they know that for sure…
I don’t think I ever read that fibro caused joint deterioration, usually they look at us like we are crazy because we complain of joint pain, but nothing usually shows up, unless there is another cause, like arthritis
Not sure I’m making sense ?
Many believe fibro is caused from chronic pain, so if you have arthritis , it can lead to fibro.
On the flip side, your symptoms could be related to this bone & joint deterioration, I would want to know what’s causing that ? And go from there…
I hope your having a good day
Hugs & blessings
dee
HI FF,
I'd say it's both! I have DDD too, along with a long list of others, including fibromyalgia. From what my Rheumatologist and our member Dr Quintner who is sharing valuable info with us, has taught me, the stress response of the chronic pain of degenerative disc disease, could have very well caused the fibromyalgia. '' At least this is my interpretation of it.
So sorry you are battling this, now you need to find out what caused the Degenerative Disease, was it arthritis, injury....? There are new meds that slow the progression of autoimmune diseases that cause degeneration. I take Enbrel.
Hope you can continue to get answers, and relief very soon!
Hugs,
SK
Thank you very much ladies for your wealth of knowledge and support. Unfortunately, my PCP will not do anything for me and the doctor who ordered the test, his nurse will not be back in the office until Monday. This so very frustrating! Especially when none of these doctor's are willing to do anything to give me relief from my pain. I'm taking 300mg of Lyrica and I don't think that it's working. I will ask the nurse what kind of arthritis I have and what is causing the joint deterioration. I have also ordered some supplements: Glucosamine, SAM-e, and Meriva. I think that maybe I will also try juicing. Have any of you heard of the website www.rawforbeauty.com? They have some really good, healthy, natural drinks that you can make for inflammation. I am going to try them and see how they help me. Thanks again for all of your understanding and support.
Are you in a position to change Doctors? Have you considered this?
Good Morning Sk,
Yes, I am. I have an appointment to see another doctor on April 8th. I've put so much money and stock into these doctor's hoping that they will help me only to disappointed. I know that I have to keep trying, but I'm running out of options for doctor's to see. I am trying not to give up, but, it's really hard.
OH, I know! Been through it! 7 years of it! Seen a Rheumatologist?
Yes. As well as a spine specialist, a physiatrist, an orthopeadic specialist. The only one I have not seen yet is the neurologist. I've had MRI's, x-ray's, and as I mentioned, a bone scan. I don't know what other tests I need to take. I mean, dayum, you would think that they would do something! Story of my life and I'm sure the story of other lives as well. I am so desperate that I am tempted to go to the streets for some pain killers, anything that will give me some sort of relief! I know you might think I'm crazy, but, if that is what I have to resort to, that is what I'll do. I'm not a drug addict, I don't abuse drugs, I don't even like taking the ones I already take. I don't know why or understand why these doctor's will not give me anything for the pain. I just don't get it! The people who don't need the drugs, get the drugs! But when it comes to people like you, myself, and others who are suffering, we can't get them! Go figure.
I can absolutely relate. I have felt exactly the same. I struggle daily to stay positive. understand DDD is very common. U can have it and not have symptoms. Try not to panic at diagnosis. I'm sorry u r in such pain. Took awhile for my. Doc to medicate me enough for me to function. The docs start out slow then increase. I I know when I was feeling crazy from pain I was angry cuz the doctor would not prescribe all in his power to help me. Now I am grateful he was cautious.cautious. My pain is still ridiculous but I am Not searching for street drugs. The doctors over time have helped me go from psychoatic pain to coping with pain. There is hope. .
.....love ya