Pain Chronic Pain

Once we accept the reality of the current moment (no matter how unpleasant it may be) for what it is, and not what we wish it were, we can turn our attention to ways to improve it. This I find true in any situation.

Living with chronic pain can throw your life upside down.

It’s hard to believe that I can and have managed my rare disease Osteonecrosis (knee) pain. And my Osteoarthritis pain.

But the pain of spondylolisthesis somedays is truly unbearable. It can just take a fabulous day day and screw it all up.

Today is one of those days.

I try to stay busy , and positive when I really would like to go somewhere and just scream at the top of my lungs.

I don’t think my neighbors would appreciate it. So I bang away at the keyboard.

Since the weather in NE Ohio has changed I am having more and more days in pain.

And in the days when all the above hurt I’m down right miserable. Thank Hod that hasn’t happened yet , but then fall and winter have only begun….

I’m grateful today it’s just my back although it feels as if I have been kicked in my L5S1 several times.

Besides having spondylolisthesis I also for the past decade or longer been dealing with osteoarthritis and osteonecrosis since 2014.

If you don’t know what they are I will explain below.

Osteoarthritis

Sometimes called degenerative joint disease or degenerative arthritis, osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common chronic condition of the joints, affecting approximately 27 million Americans. OA can affect any joint, but it occurs most often in knees, hips, lower back and neck, small joints of the fingers and the bases of the thumb and big toe.

In normal joints, a firm, rubbery material called cartilage covers the end of each bone. Cartilage provides a smooth, gliding surface for joint motion and acts as a cushion between the bones. In OA, the cartilage breaks down, causing pain, swelling and problems moving the joint. As OA worsens over time, bones may break down and develop growths called spurs. Bits of bone or cartilage may chip off and float around in the joint. In the body, an inflammatory process occurs and cytokines (proteins) and enzymes develop that further damage the cartilage. In the final stages of OA, the cartilage wears away and bone rubs against bone leading to joint damage and more pain.

Who’s Affected?

Although OA occurs in people of all ages, osteoarthritis is most common in people older than 65. Common risk factors include increasing age, obesity, previous joint injury, overuse of the joint, weak thigh muscles, and genes.

One in two adults will develop symptoms of knee OA during their lives.

One in four adults will development symptoms of hip OA by age 85. Lucky me I developed Osteoarthritis at age 45.

One in 12 people 60 years or older have hand OA.

Osteonecrosis What it is….

Osteonecrosis of the Knee. Osteonecrosis of the knee (also known as avascular necrosis) and if in the knee from a meniscus tear also called Ahlbacks Disease is a painful condition that occurs when the blood supply to a section of bone in the femur (thighbone) or tibia (shinbone) is disrupted.

I have Osteonecrosis of the medial femoral condyle due to a meniscus tear in 2014. Strange no one wanted to fix it or have any treatment plan.

This pain is like no other. Your area of Osteonecrosis is ice cold yet it often can feel like it was hit by a lightening bolt.

Weather plays a huge factor for me and my pain. I used to love winter now I can barely tolerate a cool fall day. I dread winter.

I get sick of being in pain. If it’s not the knees it’s back or hands it’s just enough to jack up my day or make things more difficult than they already are.

I have found that plant based lifestyle has helped my osteoarthritis and osteonecrosis a lot. I can’t understand why I haven’t lost a ton of weight though. I mean I don’t eat half the unhealthy calories I used to . But hey the doctors says it’s a slow thyroid.

I just wish these 40 lbs would come off it would also help my bones.

But maybe that will just take time.

If you haven’t tried a plant based lifestyle I would highly recommend it.

My cholesterol numbers are fantastic and all my doctors are impressed especially since I rarely need pain medication vs taking 2 a day like I did 3 years ago.

I truly believe that food can be your medicine or your poison.

The choice is yours.

I will be posting a lot of info and recipes

I don’t always eat perfect but life is about compromise and I follow a 90 / 10 rule.

It’s ok to have a cookie or small cupcake just make sure you eat as best as you can most of the time .

Living food is the way to go.

It may not take away all your pain but wouldn’t it be a benefit if it took away a lot of it ? And made it more managed?

Absolutely!!!