I have both RA and OA along with other connective tissue problems.

Which do you think causes the most pain? My doctor never really says which is causing me the most discomfort but I would really like to know.

Stinker

For me it's the RA - in my hands and feet.

Every now and again this question is asked. I don't think a solid answer can truly be given.

Does a person have mild RA? Moderate or severe RA? Is their OA mild and just in one or two joints? Or is the OA severe enough to have destroyed the joint?

I have: RA, OA, FMS, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Diabetes, Neuropathy, autoimmune hearing loss, severe carpal tunnel...and more I am sure I am forgetting at the moment. It's late and I'm tired.

All I know for sure is that while my OA is severe and has literally destroyed my left knee---it will not kill me. It is not going to ever invade my organs, go into my heart, affect my eye sight etc. RA can do all of that.

As for pain--for me it's constant even with an array of meds and pain killers. I can no longer distinguish what hurts from what. If I HAD to venture an answer--for me I would say the pain from RA is deeper, darker and deadlier. That's just what I think.

I guess you are right about the RA invading our organs.

I try not to think too much about that as it will surely drive me insane with worry.

My pain like yours is constant. On the unusual occassion that I am not in terrible pain, it surprises me and then makes me wonder if I am going to go into an awful flare which usually happens.

Thanks for the replies. It certainly helps to hear from someone who understands what we go through instead of someone who just replies with a comment like "huh". I don't know if they don't care or if they really don't understand.

My husband responds like this all the time. I will say that I feel really bad and hurt all over and he says "huh", not a question just as a comment. I feel like he doesn't have a clue or really doesn't care. He hurts sometimes himself when he overdoes so he thinks he knows all about my pain. Anyone who doesn't suffer from these DD doesn't have a clue and it really helps to hear from someone on this board.

Thanks so much!!
Stinker

enemas to clean out the colon/digestive system. I've been thinking about this for a long time but just haven't gone there. A gf does coffee enemas and has not done one for about 3 yrs, but yesterday she did one...and her depression lifted and did a lot of her joint pain.

There's a lot of info on line re: enemas and health conditions including arthritis. Our bodies are so toxic from foods, etc. and all the meds going into our bodies. Just a thought about cleaning out the body.

When people check in to wellness clinics, enemas are the first line of attack to get the person back to wellness. Colonics and enemas. Gerson Clinic is one that comes to mind.

[This Message was Edited on 09/08/2009]

With all those listed Autoimmune type diseases come major FATIGUE from your body fighting your body. That is just a 'complement;-} to the pain in our joints.

I also cannot stand the amount of heat my body gives off due to my hot joints. When i lived in WYoming I would dunk myself in the Spring time snowmelt cold waters of the Snake River just to get relief.

I think OA might be easier to manage than RA and other autoimmunes b/c of the whole body involvement and the psychological aspect as well.

just my opinion - everyone's got one - right?

e

Highly coincidental that you bring this up.

I used my trusty Google the other day to learn more about colon cleansers. Why? Because I found out my wife is using a product for that... I just wanted to know more about it.

I was astonished at what I found out. I didn't realize what a sewer pipe we have in us... lol. Apparently, a good cleanup can have a large array of benefits. I am thinking strongly about trying it.

If you do a google on "colon cleansers", you get a ton of info, including some commentary from WebMD, which is credible.

There are a zillion products out there for colon cleansing and many of them are scams, so you have to be careful. One that caught my eye was this one http://www.drnatura.com/ (warning, not exactly dinner time reading... lol).

There is a huge ewwwwwwwwwww factor in reading about this, but you can sure see why we need it.

Dar

Food Grade Diatamaceous Earth (DE) and I just purchased some from EarthWorks Health in Nebraska. My gf asked me to buy her a jug too.

I used DE probably 30+ yrs ago with good results. But haven't used it since, why I don't know.

Anyway, it's a product to cleanse the colon/digestive system. My gf believes she has a parasite(s) and this product addresses this.
We all may have parasites and don't know it.

I read many testimonials on that site of people with horrible arthritic issues and they are so much better with DE. I listened to the president's video too about DE and what it does.

I believe cleansing can help our bodies; joint issues FOR SURE. jam

[This Message was Edited on 09/08/2009]

hi, well i started off with RA and now the damage that has done has left me with secondary OA the RA was wicked painfull but at least some of the swelling took away the grindeing pain i have now from OA. oh happy days hu. sorry not very happy, found out that my old hospital knew that the pills they were giveing me werent going to work and that they had to 'follow a program' and try all the cheap tabelts before doing anything else. if they had treated the condition propperly then things wud be very different right now. x

Myself, I have more pain with my OA. Lois