knotzen Posted July 18, 2005 Share Posted July 18, 2005 I've been having pain in my right foot for a couple of years, after hiking, climbing, or walking for a long period of time. I finally asked the doc about it, and she says it's probably arthritis. She said I could try glucosamine, and an insert that goes under your (my) toes, where the joint is. I'll try these, but is arthritis an irreversible condition? Does it ever go away? Or can I only treat it? I'm too young for arthritis! Too many hills to climb to deal with this kind of pain. Plus, lately my foot's been swelling because of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill_Simpkins Posted July 19, 2005 Share Posted July 19, 2005 I've had a couple of foot problems, this being one of them. It went away when I overhauled my diet. Medications, over the counter drugs, shoes, how you walk, how you tie your shoes, maybe you have hammer toe from rock shoes or something, maybe you are overweight, foods you eat, not letting it heal. Lot's of posibilities before calling it arthitis. Did you ask your family doc about it? Most of them are clueless about these things. PM me, I can put you in touch with someone that can help you or tell you where to go if he can't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hydroman Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 Definitely check with an arthritis specialist before figuring out what you are going to do. I've got a good case of arthritis in both my feet and it downright sucks. Started when I was about 25 (now 31) and the doc thinks it is just from overuse of my feet (6000-7000 miles of long distance backpacking and abuse). The arthritis specialist I saw said basically that it's not going to get better and will only degenerate from here. Though there are things that can help slow the progress and ease the pain. I take Evening Primrose Oil and Glucosamine and find that it helps somewhat. Other than that it's Alleve and Vitamin I during weekend climbs. It's pretty wierd as I can tell that the toes have been getting stiffer and weirder over the years. Diet can also have a large effect as certain foods tend to inflame arthritis. I'm still trying to figure it all out though. Good Luck Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marylou Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 If it really is arthritis, there is not a lot you can do. Try the glucosamine, but be consistent in taking it, and don't expect immediate results. You should look at better footbeds if you haven't already, like Superfeet or customs. Try the former first, and then if you don't get relief, customs will probably help, BUT, don't expect insurance to cover it. Customs will run you between $200 and $600 a pair. I have had a lot of different ones, and find the cork ones to be the most comfortable, and of course the least durable. I currently have 2 pair that I alternate, and expect to get 2-3 years out of them but only because I have 2 pair. The hard ones I found to be pretty unbearable, but they last forever. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archenemy Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 Good advice here, especially about going to a specialist to get properly diagnosed first. You do have options, but only a doc who is strong in the area of auto-immune disorders and/or sports medicine will know the current findings. (I have a great doc, and am happy to share him.) Although there is no cure now, so many young people are getting it that the field is growing rapidly and therapy options are growing. Don't go to a doc that tells you to grin and bear it; go to one who will support you in finding the best treatment for you and your lifestyle. Only 50% of people who take glucosamine are responders, so this therapy may not work for you. I'd be happy to chat about this more if you want--feel free to add me to the list of folks to contact. The more experiences you hear about, the more you will learn about your options. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catbirdseat Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 Many doctors are quick to diagnose arthritis with little to go on. I was having trouble with a thumb joint that the doctor called "arthritis". Well, turns out it was being caused by repetitive pipetting with a certain brand of auto pipette. After I stopped using it, the problem gradually went away. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marylou Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 Mine was diagnosed via x-ray if that's of any help. The bone looks kind of black in the affected area. I don't know if this is the only true indicator or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knotzen Posted July 20, 2005 Author Share Posted July 20, 2005 Thanks, all. I did ask my doc (an Internist, but basically a family practitioner) for a referral to a specialist, and she chose a podiatrist, rather than a rheumatologist, which indicates to me she does not know that it is arthritis. In fact, when I called to schedule the appt. with the podiatrist, they asked if my foot had been x-rayed, blood drawn, etc., so it sounds like they know what to do to diagnose the problem. I already have a referral and appt. with this foot doc, Dr. Kierstein or some such, so I'll go ahead with that and see what he can tell me. If the, uh, shoe doesn't fit with him, I'll PM those of you who offered for recommendations. If diet, meds, and being a bit of a fatty are mitigating factors in arthritis or other foot problems, well, that's me. Hopefully this doc and/or a rheumatologist, if it turns out to be arthritis, can help me sort that out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knotzen Posted July 20, 2005 Author Share Posted July 20, 2005 Forgot to say also, that I found a cc.com thread on Glucosamine and Chondroitin, and started on it yesterday. Sounds like it's worth trying. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marylou Posted July 20, 2005 Share Posted July 20, 2005 Being a fatty puts more strain on weight-bearing joints, so yes, it's definitely a mitigating factor. Mine is worse when I'm heavier, better when I'm lighter. You might also look into something called the "anti-inflammatory diet." I have not tried, but it's another course of action. Also ask if they think you should be taking calcium supplements. I do, but I'm 38 and have low bone density, so your mileage may vary. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catbirdseat Posted July 21, 2005 Share Posted July 21, 2005 Being a fatty puts more strain on weight-bearing joints, so yes, it's definitely a mitigating factor. Mine is worse when I'm heavier, better when I'm lighter. You might also look into something called the "anti-inflammatory diet." I have not tried, but it's another course of action. Also ask if they think you should be taking calcium supplements. I do, but I'm 38 and have low bone density, so your mileage may vary. Not mitigating. The word you want is exacerbating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marylou Posted July 22, 2005 Share Posted July 22, 2005 Uh, being fat makes it worse. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
knotzen Posted July 22, 2005 Author Share Posted July 22, 2005 What she said. Actually, the word I wanted was contributing. My foot was hurting so bad, I couldn't think straight. (Not really. It just sounds like a good excuse.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
archenemy Posted July 25, 2005 Share Posted July 25, 2005 Being a fatty puts more strain on weight-bearing joints, so yes, it's definitely a mitigating factor. Mine is worse when I'm heavier, better when I'm lighter. You might also look into something called the "anti-inflammatory diet." I have not tried, but it's another course of action. Also ask if they think you should be taking calcium supplements. I do, but I'm 38 and have low bone density, so your mileage may vary. Not mitigating. The word you want is exacerbating. I am a master exacerbater. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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