Hi,

I'm not in pain unless I overdo and somehow turn my knee while exercising. Have been wearing a knee band for that and have learned to be careful when I exercise.  

My biggest problem right now, and it's kinda driving me nutty is my neck. Again, I'm not in pain, but I'm hearing crackling sounds in the back of my head everytime I turn my head. Is this connected with osteoarthritis? The doctor said my knee was degenerative which I later read is the same thing as osteoarthritis. What can I do about my neck?  I've tried stretching the back of my neck in the opposite direction than it's used to. Relaxing as much as I can, hasn't helped either. Although I could do more of that.

I was once diagnosed with diabetes but lost 70 lbs and it seems to have disappeared.  Just a broader view of my all around health.  I'm taking vitamins, including calcium for bones but I don't know if that helps joints.

I've heard of glucosamin and conditin(spelling?) and a little afraid because of diabetic past history.  This is a strange one to me and I didn't put it in arthritis since there isn't pain, but could it be the beginning and I'll get pain later?  The crackling is so irritating.

I'm on no meds or estrogen therapy, only vitamins. Other menopause symptoms don't seem bad enough to seek help for.  Thanks for being here, even if no one has any answers.  It has felt good to complain to you women who are sooo understanding.  Thanks.

Chris :confused:

Chris, Hi'ya!!

GOSH, hon!!  I can SURE relate to THAT question!!Many....many years ago, I asked my rheumy the same thing, cuz, I had the clicking/cracking thing in my right hip!  Like you...no pain.................YET!!

He smiled, and said, "that's the first sign of osteoarthritis.  The pain will come~~~~~~~~"IT DID....Took A Couple Of Years...but, IT DID!! *Sigh*Now BOTH ankles are CRACKING!!  Grrrr!  I hate it, cuz....DANG IT, everyone can HEAR me coming, for MILES!!!:angry:Can't SNEAK up on anyone.....EVEN my canary, HEARS me!!  ~*CHIRP*~

I'd laugh, if it wasn't so annoying!! Aaaaargh!!

The doc said, it had something to do, with the wearing of the joints.....there isn't necessarily any pain yet.....but the cracking is the first sign of the wear!!

I came on line to whine and whimper a bit about my back today, and here you're cracking:biggrin:

Well, let's just say you're not alone, my friend!

I'm feeling really sorry for myself at the moment.....haven't had a back problem like I do now, in months.....gosh sakes, maybe a year??!!

I woke up at 3am...rolled over in bed....and yelped like a dog!!  THE OL' BACK WENT OUT:o:oThe lower back.....about as low as one can get!!  I'm more :angry:than anything......now I'm pretty well stuck in jammies....at home....M~O~V~I~N~G VERY S~L~O~W....probably for the next several days or more!! Jeeze!!  What next!! *Sob*~*Pout*

Thank God, for the 'puter.....at least, I can take my time getting to it....and bug you gals:biggrin::biggrin:~~*LOOK OUT*~~THE SNOWBIRD IS IN A LOUSY MOOD and I AIN'T GOIN' ANYWHERE!! :angry::biggrin:

So....my meno-sistah's...you've got a ticked-off BIRD...feeling sorry for herself....Stuck In The House///:angry: Chris....hope you feel better soon!!  Don't know if I can suggest, any meds to take....cuz, nothing much helps me except........*rest*......a lot of it!! Thank God, hon, you're not in pain.....lets hope it doesn't progress to that!!  Doesn't always....these things can go into remission;)

Take care~~~~~~~~~~(((((Gentle hugs from Snowy))))                    Nancy

Aww man Silly , I'm so sorry. I know how much that is disabling because my hubby does that now and then. Take care of yourself and grumble as much as you want. I'd hate it too. I suppose you got all the meds , heating pads, etc. etc. But like you said all you can do is rest it till it's over. Tex I have had that crackling for years and years, way before meno. And so far it hasn't amounted to more than crackling. Hopefully yours won't either. Same for my shoulders. According to a doctor when I was 23 I would be hardly able to move by now. Guess I showed him! So hang in there , it might just stay that way. I didn't do any special exercises for it . Right or wrong it has worked for me so far. Knock on wood and anything else I can find. I'll try to find something to cheer you up Silly Goose :)hugs, jeanne

Snowy

So sorry you're feeling down.  But Goose down is good, so warm and cuddly :wink:I've got a pain in the A- -.  But that's a whole other story.My hip sometimes goes out, don't know where it goes, it just goes.  Doc. said it was air in the socket, can hardly move the thing until something snaps back in place.  Boy when she snaps, she snaps good.I also notice when I'm lifting weights my elbows crack.  I say  "There is to much crack in this world."Staying in your jammies is a good thing, now that I'm unemployed I just may do that someday,,,,,just to say that I have done it.Take Care of your wings Snowy,,, you will be flying again in no time.:smile:

Gosh you Gals, are great:)

I'm sitting here....with my back support on...took a tylenol 3!! *Yikes*  I know...I know...a little codeine thar...but Hey...when ya hurt...ya hurt!! Sheesh, cookie, I didn't know you were a pain in the a**..oops...sorry....read that wrong:biggrin: LOL!Some would say, I was one!! HeHe!!Yep...I'll pamper them wings fer sure!!

jeanne...my nutty pal;)  I have everything I need to take care of the hurt...including....a good Mel Gibson movie;);)Interesting....isn't it??!! Everytime....the Bird is a hurtin...I reach for a Mel Gibson DVD!! Hmmm!! Why is that:biggrin:

Hey there Tex....I'll share a good movie with ya!!:cheesy:

(((((Hugs Y'all)))))  Snowy  *ouch*   Grrr!!@#$%       *Sigh*

Snowy

You must be on some good drugs because even when your hurtin' your funny:o :wink: :smile:Feel Better Soon.BIG OLE HUGSPain in the a** indeed.

O.K. Snowy, I'd like to come watch Mel Gibson with you right now. Could you spare a couple of Tylenol 3 too? Let's see how many miles it? Florida to Canada? A long trip! And I sure wouldn't come by plane. Ugg.

Hope you get over this soon!  You sound like you're taking good care of yourself:cool::cool:

Don't tell me I've got to listen to this crackling in the back of my head everyday.  I'll be as kooky as you all, well,  maybe that's not so bad though

the "NORMAL" one :cheesy:says "thanks menobabes"..... think, yeah......guess I'll accept this cr **  too.  As long as I can grump.

Chris

Well, Tex:biggrin:

I'll save ya a Tylenol 3....seems to be working just fine;)

I've got 3 good Mel Gibson movies....we could spend the day....just popping those Tylenol 3's and watching Mel do his thing!!  Hey!! I'm ONLY KIDDING!!  I can hear someone now......."she's popping pills":o:o:oHeHe!!No...No....I follow the directions on the bottle:biggrin:

"Thought you were as KOOKY as the rest of us, thar Tex":cheesy:

((((((((((hugs to ya)))))))))             Snowy:cool:

Now, cookie....ya know I love Ya!!;)Even if you are a pain in the rear:biggrin:**O N L Y  K I D D I N G**Really.....I am.....ask jeanne....she'll vouch for me!!:biggrin::biggrin:How's Harley?? LOVE that POOCH;):cool:

((((Huggers to ya))))  Snowy :cool:*your best pal in the whole wide world, who loves dogs, cats and ~~birds~~*:biggrin:

Lotsa Love 2 u 2 Snowy:o :oMight be a hemmoroid thing that pain in the a**. LOL

Harley is fine.  Doesn't seem to excited to have me home with him every day, only advantage is he gets out for a whizz a couple of times a day now.  Only thing on the agenda today is order more drugs for Harley and get some more for me.:biggrin:>>>>>>Poor ole doggie has arthritis too>>>>>>>Boy he sure snaps and crackles when he stands up.Only 6 yrs. old, so young to have all these problems.:sad:Have a wonderful day the sun is shining here in the east.

Hey there,

I'm the normal one you see. Not kooky, or crazy, or odd, or goofy, or weird. Not abnormal at all and you and Jeanne told me so Snowy!  Now, you see, I remember that . De yeah, yep, yep I am normal, that's what you said....I'm sure of it!  :biggrin: :cool: :biggrin:

How's the back today Snowy? My shoulders were aching so I took some ibuprofen (some of us have to take that over the counter stuff, if we dread going to the doctor) Then I took a nap. Feel old as h***  before I'm 50. Wasn't expecting that. Man when it rains, does it have to pour  :confused: :cheesy:

Cookie, I have 2 new Japanese Chin puppies. Housetrainings been a blast. Ugg.  Seriously though, pets do keep me smiling.  Aren't they just so sweet..:)You all keep me smiling too. Thank God for the little things :smile:

Take care,hugsChris

Chris:biggrin:

I just got up from a nap too:smile:  Nothing like a little cat nap to renew your strength.Dogs sure are great, you can tell them all your problems and they never talk back,........just look at you with their big eyes.  Only thing is when they are hurting they say nothing.  I know his arthritis must get him down on days too but when I open the door to go he he is the first one ready.  That is when he is finally able to stand up.I hear birds make good sounding boards too:cool:There is one that keeps flying in a out of these boards on a regular basis.  Don't know what we would do without her.Happy puppy training.  Been there done that....lost a lot of valuable stuff in the process.May all your aches and pains be small ones today.:smile:

Okie Dokie...thar Tex!!You Da Norm-One:biggrin:  Thank God someone is!!:cheesy::biggrin:

The back is a little better....altho' I'm still in jammies...with a back support!! Hafta watch the wings:cheesy:ya know~~elbows....can hurt too!!

Hey, cookie...just noticed your post!! *giggle*Naping again, huh!! Does Harley allow that:biggrin:??Poor guy...arthritis!! *Sheesh*  Why do dogs hafta hurt??! I ask ya!! There should be a law!! *Sob~Pout*

Well, the sounding board Bird:biggrin: is flying a little sideways these days!! *Snicker* As soon as the back is *ahem* back, (up to snuff)....I'll be soaring with the best of 'em once again!!:cool::biggrin:

Luv ya;)

((((((Huggers from the Bird))))))              ~*Snowy*~

Hugs from:

{:biggrin:Da Norm-One:biggrin:}         

Just wanted to try out my alias!  I KNOW....I KNOW...I'm a copy cat too.  SO,...... there's a silly goose somewhere, got  some real kooky friends. Won't mention any names but their initials are:                

                         Jeanne and Cookie!

Thanks gals, I'm feeling better than I did when I started this subject. Sleep well.

Hey, thar!!{:biggrin:Da Norm-One:biggrin:}       (a.k.a.Chris)

Glad to see you're feeling better!! *giggle* At least more Normal!! *Grin*My back....is actually...pretty good today!! Go figure!!;)Now I think I have cookies problem!! Pain in the rear!! Ha!!  Hemorrhoid's are acting up:o:o  Waaaa!!  

I blame that on my son!! HeHe!!  Neva, had hem's since given birth, 26 years ago!!

Well.....HAGO, y'all....the day's young....and I'm not gonna look for trouble!! It finds me!!:biggrin:

(((((((Bunches of Hugs)))))))            ~*Snowy*~

Hey U Guys

Chris, glad you are feeling NORMAL. :biggrin:And Snowy.....it's wonderful your back is back.:smile:

Never said I had hem's......a pain in the A** could be a number of things.  My shoulder is sore today, could be I over did it at the gym last night, and of course making bread this morning is not helping it.Oh well live and learn :oThink I'll try my yoga tape this morning and see if that helps some.Everyone have a good day today :wink: :wink:{{{{{{HUGS}}}}}}} from kooky Cookie

Cookie, My buddy;)Well, ya may not have said you HAVE hem's;) but I do:o:oI'm a real pain in the backside, TODAY....lower....way lower:biggrin:

TTFN:cool:~*Snowy*~

SnowyMaybe you should get into a nice warm bird bath.LOLI may help the roids and them stiff muscles.  I've heard a little witch hazel can calm down the roid problem:cheesy:  I can just picture you out in the yard with your little tush in a bird bath and all the other birds flying overhead waiting for their turn.:biggrin:Let me know how you make out.  CHIRP, CHIRP,CHIRP.

Me? kooky? Why the very idea , heehee :biggrin:but a kooky cookie is quite possible ! lolGlad you are feeling better Tex, can't get a good Texas cowgirl down for long:)

And Silly Goose, get that back in good shape and flap those wings again. We need our bird back in the air helping us navigate this stuff . Better view from way up there. :biggrin:

bigh hugs , guys , jeanne:)

Hey...Kooky, (a.k.a.cookie):biggrin:

"How'd ja know??!!"We FIGHT over THAT bird bath......alllllllllllll the time:biggrin:*Splash...Splash* Ahhhh!!Sparrows....Robins...Blue Jays...lady-bugs.....**LADYBUGS**   Oh yeah....lots ot them, this year!!

BTW....I HAVE A CUTE TUSH!!! Just ask the neighbors!! *giggle*I told hubby...we need a sandbox!!  Some of dem birds......LOVE that SAND!!  Maybe...I'm missing outta something...ya think??  Nah....can't see that helping the roids:o:o:o *ouch* TeeHee!!

jeanne, I thought you changed your handle to nutty??!! Or is it...."crazy-nutty jeanne"...or..."nutty-crazy jeanne":cheesy::cool::biggrin:

Thank God....we have a normal gal....here!:cool: Right.....:biggrin:Normal-One:biggrin: (a.k.a.Chris)??!!If we didn't, some might think we're, "Menopausal!!":cheesy:

(((((((Huggers))))))))    ~*Snowy*~

Where is the :biggrin: Normal One :biggrin:So far we have 1 NORMAL, 1 NUTTY, and 1 KookyOh ya and a bird with a roid problem.We'll have to take this to the board about nuttin.Just finished my yoga and am feeling better, the shoulder has perked up a bit, just waitin for that bread to come out of the oven.Birds like bread crumbs ......right.:wink:

Oh my meno sisters I need some advice on your experiences.  I am now taking Biest / Testo HRT.  I am buzzing in my face and tongue and the muscles in my legs are twitching--not too bad, but mostly when I sit down or lie down.  I have tried cutting the dose down by 1/2 and then by 1/4.  Sometimes I think I might as well just be eating a marshmallow!.  I was on Premarin (for 4 years) up until about 3 months ago and these symptoms got really really bad, so I came off cold turkey.  I started this new HRT 3 weeks ago.  Do you think I am not taking enough, or do you think I am having a reaction to even the smallest dose?  For the life of me, I can't figure this out!.  Has anyone else had anything like this that they can share with me?  I am getting desperate!  Thank you for being there for me. Ga Girl

Hi Ga,I don't take nay hormones , but I do know that it can take a couple or 3 months for your body to adjust to them. Your body might be just adjusting to them since you took the others for quite a while. I have heard many of the same symptoms you describe so if it doesn't stop soon , i'd report it to the doc and see what she/he says. I think I'd give it a couple more weeks if you can stand it otherwise talk to the doc about something to relieve those symptoms till you get used to it. I'm sure someone who takes them will be able to help you more, but I have to butt in sometimes just to hear myself talk :biggrin:hope you feel better soon :)hugs, jeanne

Gee, I don't know either Ga Girl. Don't take hormones either but there are plenty of women around here who do.

The normal one woke up feeling lousy. Going back to bed. Not before I take my Konsyl though. Don't want to end up with roids on top of feeling lousy. Have taken it for years. It's 100% natural psyllium fiber. Safe for diabetics. You can get it at WalMart or probably anydrug store. It's like metamusil without the sugar.Only time I run into trouble is when I forget to take it.

So sorry Snowy. It's just not fair. Menopause sure ain't for sissys!  Hmmm...........That must mean I don't have to go through it!  :cheesy: :cheesy: :cheesy: :cheesy:

This sissy shall return!  You said it  Jeanne!, can't keep a good gal down for long!  Put some papers down for the puppies. Just hope DH  will take it from there. You want to come help out Cookie?!!!

I'll find you gals later on, wherever you are.

Chris

Thank you Jeanne and Texwoman.  This is so confusing.  Do I take HRT or do I not?  I know it sounds really crazy, but I don't know if I am better or worse on them--exept for the hot flashes!  I do appreaciate everyone's response.  We will get through this together!Ga Girl

Hey there :biggrin: Normal Chris :biggrin:Sorry can't help you out today, my first born turns 21 today.  Wouldn't want to miss out on this day with him, after all he did put me through 2 1/2 DAYS of labour.  Well worth it in the long run.  After 2 1/2 days doc. decides to do a c-section.Love to help you out any other day though.Take Care

Hi, I also have this crackling neck joint thing, although mine is painful sometimes, especially if I have been on my feet a lot, or carrying heavy bags. I did buy Glucosamine, but haven't perservered with it, better do thatI have not been here before, so I should say hi. I am 47 , live in the UK and have not begun the menopase yet, but I want to be prepared, so I thought I would look you all up! Bye, Gemini

Gemini, Hi!!Welcome aboard:)I too have occational pain with cracking joints...it all depends on how bad it is, and where it is;)

Well, hon....since your 47, I'd say if you haven't started yet...you're dang close to the menopause!!  Mine started with hot flashes....flushes...insomnia....mood swings, etc., etc.,  (still having periods, BTW) at age 41!!  I'm now 56 and had my last period, two months ago!!  However, I've been perimenopausal for 15 years!! Yikes!! Don't let me scare you....not everyone takes that long...everyone is different....but given your age....I would agree with you!!  It's a very...very....good idea to get prepared!!Learn all you can...read the "Recommendations" section Dearest has provided for us, http://www.power-surge.com  ask as many question you feel inclined to!!There are many gals, here...who are great at sharing, their insights and experiences!!  Just knowing your not alone can help so much!!I'm really glad you have found us.....please keep posting and coming back!!  It's always nice to have a new gal on board!!

Again....welcome and take care;)

(((((((((Hugs from a Canadian Gal))))))))                 Nancy (a.k.a.Snowy)

(Edited by Snowbird at 9:42 am on Oct. 2, 2001)

Hi Gemini,

Well, I have the joint neck thingy and just the sound of it is driving me nutty. Don't have the pain yet, but definitely have the menopause!  

I haven't tried the glucosamine, but am taking 1200 mg of calcium every day, as recomended.

You will find this power-surge community quite interesting I'm sure. :biggrin:~Chris~

Hi, Thanks Chris and  Nancy for speaking to me. I haven't really got the hang of the boards yet, I shall take some time to look around. I do like to 'chat,' so I shall be back! As you suggested, I must be heading for the menopause soon, so I'm sure I can learn a lot  from all of you. Speak soon,  Love, Beth

Being of sound mind and not-so-sound body,  :biggrin: I couldn't help but chime in...a couple of you have mentioned glucosamine sulfate or glucosamine & chondrotin...I can SWEAR to the former's effectiveness!

I had a foot fracture that required surgery, and in the process discovered I have osteoarthritis in my foot as a result. My podiatrist recommended 500mg of glucosamine sulfate (without chondroitin) three times a day. It works! I read about some clinical research, and apparently what it does is not just reduce pain but help rebuild the cartilege in joints. Not all doctors agree with that, but all I know is WHEN I stick with it REGULARLY I wake up less stiff in the morning and my foot doesn't hurt near as much. oh joy!

But the trick is REGULAR use...and it takes a few days before you feel any different. Try it! And apparently, more is not better...a steady 1500mg, in 3x/day dose, works best.

Good luck to all us creaky gals!  So what if we can't sneak up on anybody... it's more fun to announce we're here!  :biggrin:

Hi, ya!!

I have tried glucosamine sulfate or glucosamine and chondrotin.....even Shark cartilage....sigh!!  :biggrin:Not all at once:biggrin:  for several months, each.....all it did was empty my pocket book!!  Believe me....when I say.....the Bird, has tried it all!!  Alas....nothin' worked....except, it made me poorer!!

Having said that.....I have a friend who swears by both glucosamine and chondrotin!!  I've seen her before she used it and after....quite a difference!!  It worked for her!!!  I couldn't be happier.....she's a good friend!!

It doesn't work for everyone....like many things!!  You hafta find out what does and be careful....I also had increased headaches from it, and diarhea!! Yucko!!

Anyhoo, that's just me....Not being of so sound Mind:cheesy: and definitely not-so-of body:biggrin:

It can be pricey...especially in Canada...especially if it doesn't work for ya!!Best of luck...........................................

((((((((((((((((Gentle Hugs)))))))))))))))                 ~*Snowy*~ :cool:

Well, darn. I thought being creaky and crackly was normal. You mean there are people out there as old as me who don't make noises just by getting up or walking? Wow, they must be well oiled:biggrin:I do notice my knees aren't as noisy since I have been riding my exercise bike. What that is doing I have no idea, but it's true. :)Hugs, jeanne

Hey....crazy-one:biggrin:They say there are.....folks out thar, (our age) who don't creak and crack;)  Never met any tho' ((((Huggers))))~*Snowy*~

Snowy, you're certainly right that glucosamine may not work for everyone...sorry you had a bad reaction!  But it does work in some cases, and I really notice a difference when I'm not as diligent about taking it.

People "our age" being creaky? Heck, I been creakin' all my life!  :biggrin:

Good Point, Writer;)

Think I even cracked when I flew as a fledgling.....those young wings....ya know:biggrin:(((((Hugs)))))~*Silly Goose*~

Me too. I was told when I was about 25 that I have the elbows and shoulder joints of a much older person and to expect some problems as I grow older. The one darn time a doctor had to be right !! GRRRR

hugs, creaky but fighting it , jeanne

Hi ladies , its GG

I took glucosamine/condrotin for over 2 yrs, for my osteoarthritis, and found that it helped some.  I have noticed since I stopped taking it, that my knee sounds are a bit more, but no additional pain.  My knees have never been a major problem, but my hips have.  Since being Postmeno I've noticed that they hurt less.  Last year I did have a bone density test and there was minimal loss nothing out of the ordinary.  I agree that it too emptied my pocket book.  Since my income is minimal at this time, I stopped taking it,  I opt to take vitamins/supplements that my body needs for my heart, breast, eyes, immune system, and menopause.I do eat alot more jello though.  Since it is gelatin and is good for ones bones, nails etc, I thought why not, it can't hurt.  Is a good lite dessert as well.  I try to incororate more green leafy veggies in my diet as well.  There are studies that show 100% cherry juice has been found to help with the osteoarthritis joint discomfort.  Haven't tried it yet but I'm going to.  I do know that for me, the cherry bark in the old fashion cherry cough/drops that I loved as a kid, (no brands allowed, but you all remember the one) soothes my sore throat faster then other brands.  :)

GG

Glucosamine and chondroitin has saved my 87-year old mother.  Truly.  Her arthritis was giving her so much pain that I was driving the 65-miles daily for 2 weeks to take care of her, and finally the glucosamine/chondroitin kicked in.  She's like a new woman -- no pain, walking up and down stairs, doing her own hair, helping my dad with the cooking. . . . it's been a miracle in my family.  It took about 3-4 weeks to kick in, but once it did ------ she's a new woman!

Just thought you'd like to hear a positive story from the daughter of a WAY post-menopausal woman!!

Heck, I gotcha beat, jeanne...I remember doing deep knee bends in junior-high PE class and my knees cracked! :biggrin:  (gad, can't believe I remember that!)

I've found glucosamine a bit cheaper at natural health food stores than at drug stores...like half in some cases! Might be worth checking out in your areas, too.

Just a quick note, I bought mine at Costco, it was the powder and a higher dose then most.  Before that I bought the pills at WalMart, and bought there Spring Valley brand.  I have trouble taking some, most pills so thats why I opt for the powder, I thought it was pretty reasonable, especially since it was a higher dose.

GG