★★★☆☆
I'm female, in my seventies, and since I read an article in a health magazine in my twenties have followed a healthy diet, and my cholestrol, blood pressure, and sugar levels have always been fine. Twelve years ago I experienced twinges in my right knee, then fell and banged it, and the doctor diagnosed arthritis and when the knee worsened to have a knee replacement. I did not want to go down this path so followed the Margaret Hills Diet for Arthritis for nine months, and for twelve years have kept well.
However, two weeks ago I woke to use the loo, and had the most excruciating pain in my knee and couldn't walk. I rang the emergency health line and they arranged for me to be seen that day. Bearing in mind that overnight I'd turned from a healthy woman able to walk five to six miles with ease into an invalid, all the doctor suggested was an x ray and painkillers. I had the x ray eight days ago and am waiting for the results.
Since then all I can manage is to walk a few yards with a stick, and I feel that I've been left in limbo by the NHS.
My questions are "How come such a flare-up can happen so quickly? What caused it? Have any Earth Clinic readers experienced anything similar? And does it sound like rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis?"
I'm taking 1/8 teaspoon of borax in one litre of water a day, two teaspoons of MSM, fish oils, a sachet of gelatine, and a recently acquired health supplement containing boswellia, turmeric, UC-II standardised cartilage, and other natural ingredients (the instructions advise one capsule a day but I've doubled this). Over the years I've taken ACV with bi carb, but do not think it's done much apart from aiding digestion. I'm massaging my knee with peanut oil, castor oil, and soaking my feet in a bowl of hot water with Epsom salts (I did away with my bath in favour of a shower), and also cold compresses.
I know there are a lot of people worse off than I am, and my heart goes out to them. But the thought of not being able to walk again, not to experience the beauty of the countryside fills me with dread.
I'd be grateful for any help or advice on this. Best wishes.
