What do you broken down Ol' farts use?

[cruzziguzzi]

Turmeric.
You'll get the usual AMA flotsam about wives tales but at least in my case - there's relief.

One wants to source turmeric tested independently for over 90% curcumin(sp?).

Todd.

[oldbike54]

VDG, not being a smart ass here, but frequent intercourse  can help.  Not only the back and core muscles, but also the prostrate. The release of endorphins at release helps with the pain, the frequent flexing of the lower back muscles helps tone, and flexibility, unless it's been welded like mine. Same kingdom, preferably same class suggested. 

 What about those of us who have no class ?

  Dusty

[Vasco DG]

OK, thanks for the suggestions.

Steroids are out. I have to use them occasionally for asthma and gout. It's never a happy thing. There was one event when I was in New Zealand where Jude woke up in the middle of the night and I was ranting about having to go and get an horse float? Why did I need a horse float? To tow the centaur around in, what else? It was in the corner of the room being grumpy and I knew we had to take it with us. No, no steroids!

Dope? Nah, did a lot of lots of drugs between the age of 13 and 23. Then I stopped because I decided I didn't like any of them. That hasn't changed.

Shagging? Now yer talkin'! Yeah, I can just see the look on Jude's face when I tell her I have to take her roughly from behind because of my arthritis. That would go down like a monster rat sandwich! Perhaps I can just bat off like a wild monkey! Dunno I've got the energy or enthusiasm any more!

I think fish oil and pain killers will probably be the go but I'll look at the other suggestions. At least nobody tried to tell me to go to a Tatric Navel Re-Tying workshop or any other such new age nonsense. My head explodes when faced with such arrant stupidity!

Pete

[Arizona Wayne]

All these remedies should coincide with the person's age.  I'm almost 72 and  you guys are making me feel like I'm 40 again in comparison.  I swear by the inversion table to deal with my shot lower back and take a pill 2X a day to deal with a pinched nerve to my right leg, + 6 other pills for this & that daily, but you guys sound like you're in a lot more incapacity than me.    I have a DO Dr. and go to specialists as needed.  There was a time when I could say I have never had surgery...........b ut no more!

If you have arthritis and live in a cold/damp climate, that in itself is not a good combination. 

[not-fishing]

  Petite young hippie girls walking bare foot on my back does it for me.
 Luap won't let me show pics like these.

Little Asian women never worked for me and yet I married one, I need the big buxom Germanic Blonds who could be a Valkyrie we take the meat off the bones then put it back on with our massage

My father had arthritis of the spine so bad he was disabled his last 20 years.  I have it, my brother has it.

I rowed racing sculls for 10 years and that did me a lot of good.  I believe rowing is better than inversion. Unfortunately it's been a couple of decades since that and I'm working on getting back into a scull. my Ex took my scull because she couldn't get my head on a pike.     

Actually my daily commute on the Griso has really helped.  I tend to ride it more like a horse or mountain bike so I'm crouching over bumps and shifting my weight around on the corners.  I'm working on getting my Doc to give me a prescription for a Mk 1 Lemans.

[jmcg666]

+1 for the Tai Chi, I've been practicing the Taoist form for over a year now and can recommend it.

[Muzz]

It sucks Pete.  My sincere commiserations.

After two hernias, a detached tendon and catastrophic failure in one hip I would say,  stay away from prednisone if you can.

I start off each day with a gentle "stroll" on the elliptical trainer, followed by stretches and then a series of various reps on my gym machine to get moving, with the odd hot wheat bag applied to really tight muscles.  Up and down ladders all day keeps me moving (I guess the old use it or loose it) with the wheat bags again for most of the evening as the pain tightens everything up again.  I am on a medium dose of Voltarin with Omeprazole to try and protect the gut. No pain killers at this stage.  When the hip collapsed I was on quite high dosage of Tramadol and Paracetomol;  coming off it once the replacement went in was not pleasant.  I take fish oil;  don't know whether it does any good but it probably does no harm either.

All the best. Chronic pain indeed sucks.

[Rough Edge racing]

Yes, pot helps the pain and increases range-of-motion, but it's not a real good idea until you're all-in for the night.  Like alcohol, it can interfere with your piloting skills.

  I find the reefer doesn't help with pain and sometimes makes me focus on it.....But otherwise I like it    My riding friend had a hip replacement and gave me some pain pills. Some Diladidd and Vicodin. I was surprised that for me the pain relief from opiates,  was only slightly better than ibuprofen. Of course I got a dope buzz but don't really care for that ...

[Dilliw]

They just scoped my knee to fix a couple of tears but told me there was a lot of arthritis too.  Dr's suggestions were to change up my exercises and use more bicycle and swimming.  Oh and lose some weight.

We have a hot tub and both Kim and I love it.  Especially early in the a.m. with a cup of Kona :)

Kim's Dr has recommended the inversion table but so far we haven't tried one.

[father guzzi obrian]

Pete,
Before Bren's back surgery, she would get an epidural every 6 - 8 months, gave her good pain relief for the half a year or so at a time.  You might be a candidate, one shot twice a year is not to bad

[blackcat]

Pete, try a beginners yoga class and see if you like it but let the instructor know what your problems are and don't ever let anyone push you into a yoga position especially at our age. I have been doing it off and on since I was 19 and my wife has been a yoga instructor for the last 25+ years. It works though it is very painful when you first start but eventually it gets easier. Just try it, the classes are usually filled with young woman so at the very least it will be entertaining.

As a side note, if you do try it make sure you wear loose clothes,avoid eating a few hours before class and don't eat anything gassy or you will be fighting farts in some poses. And try not to fall asleep during the cool down part of class as this usually involves snoring.

[luthier]

Sorry you've got this one Pete. Pain is very hard to live with at times. I've had a bit from a frozen shoulder and various breakages over the last few years but right now I'm fairly comfortable. So I don't envy anyone with a life sentence.
Kerry however has constant arthritic pain and takes a fair amount of panadol osteo. That can be a good thing to get you by.
But it makes you drowsy and it becomes impossible to do a reasonable day's work.
For awhile she was taking high dosage [1500mg] Glucosamine. We experimented with it and found no effect at all from any dose less than this. But as Kerry rarely takes anything consistently we gave it away as a bad joke as it is a bit expensive to add to your diet as a constant. Though it did seem to work for the small time when she took them regularly.
The doctor even prescribed it for awhile but never at the high dose, so again we gave that away.
I think swimming may be good if it's possible with a nice heated pool. One bloke I know is a regular and has to do it  every day to keep feeling OK.
Best of luck finding something to moderate the damn thing. Lots of suggestions here to try for awhile anyway.

[Klaus]

Try green-lipped mussel extract, works for me. One capsule in the morning, one in the evening. Worth a try.

[MotoGoosy]

Luckily, at 69 I take no medications and ignore the minor aches and pains of aging.  I stay off my butt, keep moving and purposely avoid medications, since I've had no pain that is unbearable.  The right thumb is the only problem and heat and the brace have reduced it to nearly nothing.  Still, I appreciate all the advice given here, because it is important to motorcycle riders.

[screamday]

Shagging? Now yer talkin'! Yeah, I can just see the look on Jude's face when I tell her I have to take her roughly from behind because of my arthritis. That would go down like a monster rat sandwich! Perhaps I can just bat off like a wild monkey! Dunno I've got the energy or enthusiasm any more!

Maybe a prescription from you DR would help. 

For me it's Turmeric & Bromelain.....and gin soaked raisins. Mostly knee pain.....occasional elbow pain.

[Dilliw]

Maybe a prescription from you DR would help. 

For me it's Turmeric & Bromelain.....and gin soaked raisins. Mostly knee pain.....occasional elbow pain.

Everett Satcher made it to 99 and swore by the gin soaked raisins.  Might have to try some of those.

[screamday]

Everett Satcher made it to 99 and swore by the gin soaked raisins.  Might have to try some of those.

Don't know if they help but a great way to start the day. 

[Yukonica]

I've been down the vegemite road and it does not lead to nice places. Stay active.
My western physician has filled me with various anti-inflamitories, pain relievers ,and muscle relaxants. I keep a small pile of the mild ones on hand to stave off serious bouts but don't take them as a daily ritual.

Going to an eastern physician/acupuncturist has offered me the most relief. A skeptic to start (my wife dragged me there), a one hour consultation has turned into a complete change of lifestyle habits. And it is working.
Much of the change is to do with diet. First off cut back on the three staples:Beer, Beef, Salad. Next change the coffee intravenous for one of green tea. Don't eat uncooked nuts or vegetables. Close the bedroom windows, sleep more or rest in the sunshine. But mostly; moderate your life to take in time for silence/meditation. Much of the pain is caused by being over tired and stressed. I'm following his advice and my quality of life's improving.

[bad Chad]

You can get a decent inversion table for around $100 US, so they are not a big investment.

[Mike Harper]

Those that are taking Prednisone and are not aware that this drug leech's all of the Calcium from your system leading to osteoporosis/Brittle bones should be aware of what is being prescribed for you. Dangerous drug.   

My mother was fed a liberal dose of it for COPD and Emphazema.  Because of this drug she repeatedly broke ribs from sneezing and coughing. 

You should really check this stuff out before deciding on taking it.

Mike

[Sheepdog]

Weight loss, fish oil, glucosamine, push-ups, sit-ups, stretching, and cycling has kept me nominal despite the indiscretions of my youth. The glucosamine won't cure anything, but it seems to make my joints more lubrious. Also, icing sore/swollen joints for twenty minutes seems to give fast temporary relief after you've overdone things.

[PeteS]

Don't eat uncooked nuts or vegetables.

This is a new one for me. What is the scientific basis for it. Rarely a day goes by I don't eat uncooked vegetables. I have a few stiff joints but no debilitating arthritis.....yet.. . and into my eighth decade.

Pete

[SteveAZ]

This is a first.....I can offer Pete useful information. Usually its the other way around 

I'm a bit under the age average here but thanks to a youth properly spent motocrossing, mountainbiking, skateboarding in empty pools and doing many other high impact if you 'eff up activities, my body creaks and groans. I have a locking middle finger from throttle abuse to my right hand, both shoulders pop and groan, knees sound like old leather being twisted when I go up stairs, back and neck are always upset about somthing.....the list goes on.

Stuff that works and isn't too sissyfied....swimmi ng laps, light and frequent exercise such as walking or slow running and light hi rep weights, drink a lot of water, then drink more water. Learn to stretch properly and then do it, every day like a ritual. A very important one: keep your core and back strong. You dont have to try to be joe six pack abs but regular light core work (front and lower back) will stabilize your whole body and change your life for the better. Basically do nof fall into the trap of reducing motion due to pain. The pain is there forever, the motion is yours to lose or keep based on how you proceed. Ibuprofen is good if you can tolerate it, watch out for the opiates, it's a slippery slope for even the strongest willed person.

Pete, here is some other stuff that I know you'll give me shit about or at least write off as poofter BS but it works - Yoga, meditation and lots of positive attitude. Pay attention to your shoulder muscles, check them throughout the day, tight and bunch up? You need to chill out and relax, stretch and clear your head. Any set of tight muscles will just strain themselves and throw everything else out of balance too.

On yoga.....the classes are full of women. In yoga pants. I've gone with my GF before.....I feel like I'm getting away with murder in there. The scenery is fabulous and it's impossible not to look. My GF just laughs it off and gives me that look.....man, she's awesome. Anyway....

Also, watch this Louis CK bit....it's on point.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ey4WSb-BVDQ

[Sasquatch Jim]

 Okay Pete, here is the secret formula.  Absorbine vetinary liniment.  Liquid,( strong enough for a horse), or gel, ( feeble enough for people).
 No, don't drink it, no matter how good it smells.  You slather it on and GENTLY rub it in.  Be Careful though not to touch your eyes or your dick
 when you have it on your fingers.  Rubbing it on your anal hemorrhoids can make you sing strangely but loudly.

[Rough Edge racing]

This is a new one for me. What is the scientific basis for it. Rarely a day goes by I don't eat uncooked vegetables. I have a few stiff joints but no debilitating arthritis.....yet.. . and into my eighth decade.

Pete

 I also eat a lot of raw vegetables, mostly onions, peppers , dark leafy stuff , nuts and seeds. Other than the arm pain I mentioned things are ok considering my body was used like a mule for many years.

[rodekyll]

My diet is already down to dried beans and fish.  No real traffic in prepared foods -- can't afford them on many levels.  When I do try store-bought stuff my body often rejects it with authority.  The only place to go from here is to stop eating.

[john fish]

Glucosamine + MSM.  1500 mg a day.  Helps.  Motomonster was the one who convinced me to take it.

[oldbike54]

My diet is already down to dried beans and fish.  No real traffic in prepared foods -- can't afford them on many levels.  When I do try store-bought stuff my body often rejects it with authority.  The only place to go from here is to stop eating.

 Kelp ?

  Dusty

[rodekyll]

Kelp is what food eats.

[Jurgen]

Drugs and alcohol!  Ibu. and a good shot of Scotch every evening.  Keeps me going at 79.  Jürgen