I'd check out a book, The Calcium Lie. The premise is that a fairly typical cascade of health problems often results from specific sets of mineral imbalances, and some people seem more susceptible than others--DH's family, for example, but not mine, despite probably overall fairly similar diets.

They argue that we consume too much calcium (I don't think I agree with that part) combined with far too little of many other minerals, magnesium is high on the list, but really it's a lot of minerals that work together (and this is the part that I think is very valid for many of us). Clearly, if you've already got pain, I don't think just supplementing some magnesium is going to magically make it disappear, but I'd look more at mag and other minerals to support your body (plus get a vit D blood test, if you haven't already).

The thing he doesn't touch on is fat soluble vitamins, D and K2 do a lot to put bone in the right place, and they seem involved in a lot of things related to calcium regulation. If you want to read more about K2, the easiest place is the Files section of the vitamin k yahoo group, they've got a lot of studies, in full, compiled.

 

What pp said in spades. And also silica -- from horsetail tea or clay or even supplements. I hope you're able to feel better soon, mama -- that sounds difficult.

 

I would doubt it's from babywearing more than any other daily activity. I've never heard of anyone babywearing around the world and getting osteoarthritis from it. It may exacerbate things, just as carrying anything could have.

I have osteoarthritis in my knees. Have you seen a chiropractor? They are great.

http://www.permanente.net/homepage/kaiser/pdf/19404.pdf

http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?...&return_link=0

http://www.totaljoints.info/hip_disease.htm#(OA)

"Osteoarthritis is a condition once thought to be due simply to wear and tear on the cartilage of a joint. Osteoarthritis is now known to be a complex process that involves an active disease process."
http://orthopedics.about.com/cs/arth.../arthritis.htm

 

Cycling may be better for the knees than running, but is cycling good for the hips?

My brother has had arthritis in his hips since his 30s, and he didn't do any babywearing. He was however, very active during his formative years (karate) which placed undue strain on his joints as they were growing. There's a specific condition (FAI - Femoro-acetabular impingement ) caused by this. He just had a hip replacement last year at age 41. You sound pretty active.

Pure Encapsulations AI Support (AI - anti-inflammatory) is really good, and easier on your stomach than ibuprofin.

 

Thank you for the replies!

I say from babywearing because osteoarthritis usually only starts this early for overweight people, which I'm not and have never been... but carrying my son (who was 37lbs at 1.5 years) for hours every day until he was 2.5, then do it again with my second and started with my third, that essentially increased the weight I was bearing quite significantly. So, I most likely would have gotten it regardless, but it's onset has been so early in life likely due to all the carrying. My knees kill, too, so it's probably there, too, but my x-ray was only on my hips and lower back. My doctor suggested that my running has contributed, too. I am quite active, but I've never been 'hardcore' about it or any other sport - I have always used it as meditation.

It was a chiro who sent me for the xrays. He said there really isn't much we can do at this point and just recommended regular treatment visit with him, but I can't afford that and I didn't feel like it was helping much. Also, I know you can't see too much from an x-ray, so I've opted for the orthopedic specialist so I can get an MRI and a more detailed assessment of my situation.

I'll look into the mineral thing, along with vitamin D and K... thank you! And the pure encapsulations sounds worth trying.

So, thank you all! It just feels better getting my stressed out there. And it helps knowing there are suggestions and alternative things to try. Thank you!!

 

My first two thoughts were chiro (which I see you've addressed) and visit the Traditional Foods Forum and look up bone broth. Bone broth is full of glucosamine and minerals, especially if you add some calves feet into the broth...sounds gross, tastes heavenly!

Do some research on it and see if that's maybe a route you can go to supplement your medical care.

And just for short-term relief, have you tried an arnica cream? I have no idea if that helps the joints themselves but I know that it would help the surrounding tissue with both pain and inflammation.

Best luck. I had Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis and being in that kind of pain all the time really is a bummer. Wish you the best.

 

Thanks, MammaG! I've been vegan since '97 - so I shuddered about the calves feet thing. I'll look into it, though, as I'm pretty desperate

I really appreciate all of you taking the time to give me such great suggestions!!

 

Calcium and vit D is very important. I was veggie/vegan for awhile, but I do recommend bone broth. Would it be a little less ethically weird if you had family/friends who ate meat save their bones and make it for you so that it's made from stuff that would have been thrown out? Calves feet would be weird. I just use leftover bones that would have been trash.

Magnesium may also help you. Since taking magnesium (Mama calm), using bone broths, and getting more calcium (though I'm still weird about dairy) my knees have been a lot better. I also do some physical therapy exercises when I remember, and ride my bike. Make sure your seat is up high so that you just touch the ground-my D.O. told me it's easier on your knees.

 

I also have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis and it's awful. I have it in my lower back. I have never been overweight (except when pregnant) so it can happen to anyone. Have you had any relief? I've been to four chiropractors, pt, and accupuncture. Nothing is helping and i am in terrible pain. I am doing lots of research and interested in the infection theory of arthritis.