Elevation and arthritis...

When I lived in Washington state at essentially sea level I had arthritis pain in my wrists. When I went on the road I landed at 5500 feet (desert) for five months and had no pain at all. I moved on from there back to sea level for three months and didn't notice any pain then either. I went back to 5500 feet for four months and moved on to 8500 feet, where I've been since early June. No pain. I can't tell you if the lack of pain is due to mostly low humidity or the high elevation, though; I can just tell you what I experienced.

No difference in pain level for me.......sea level to rocky mtn high

Have moderate to severe RA. Live in OR and snowbird in AZ.

Last winter I felt great in the dry heat and sun. Since returning to OR in May, my wrists, fingers and toes seem to ache like a toothache a good portion of time.

I can predict some weather at least a week out. Pressure and humidity are crucial factors with RA.

Not letting RA keep me from moving on with life!

Go get em!!!

dt

I found that the knee pain was more from the narrow MH steps. You don't even realize it but you have to twist your ankle as you exit the RV to fit your foot on the step as you go down. Which puts stress on the knee.

For months I wrote it off and thought it was just bad knees and arthritis. Until I pulled off the road for a few months and the knees got better.

Next time out I added different types of added steps that allowed me to walk straight out on real adult size steps to exit the MH instead of turning an twisting using those darn narrow stock RV steps and gone was all the pain.

As we get older I think we tend to write everything off to old age instead of really looking at the whole picture of how and what we are doing and if it can be changed to assist us.

Those RV steps are murder on the legs, ankles and knees! :B

rockhillmanor wrote:


As we get older I think we tend to write everything off to old age instead of really looking at the whole picture of how and what we are doing and if it can be changed to assist us.

Those RV steps are murder on the legs, ankles and knees! :B

BOY, that's the truth!!!! I fell last winter and broke both elbows. Yes, I knew the knee was hurt, but it was the least of my problems. It started hurting more and more this summer. Went to ortho doc yesterday........hmmmmm all that popping and cracking is NOT old age (yes, I qualify), but it's serious arthritis!!!!! Do NOT ignore these things!

OP --- I travel from 300 ft level to 4300 ft level and do NOT notice the difference. Have been at 7000 ft level and did not notice the difference. As another poster mentioned, COLD wind and rain does me in.......:) so I'll stay in AZ in the winter :) :)

Thanks, All. Yes, I do much better in the desert. Was considering Austin this winter but I need a long dry spell to get this knee healed. Combination ACL and meniscus.

For anyone interested, there is an herb that replicates the desert environment very well. I call it "Arizona in a bottle". It's red root. You can buy it pretty cheaply in bulk and soak it in vodka for 2 weeks or boil it. It has a drying effects and does counteract the effects of humidity so I suppose I could just do that if I went to Austin. Whenever I take it my knee feels almost like there's nothing wrong with it.

My other must-have herb is marshmallow root. 3 capsules work better than ibuprofin and doesn't tax your liver. Wobenzyme is another really safe and effective anti-inflammatory. Those two in tandem will really put a person back together.

I had knee replacement almost three years ago and a shoulder rebuild four years ago. I have mild arthritis in my hands that flairs up from too much tool time or time driving the ATV or Jeep. Live at 8,200' and regularly travel and hike to 12-13,000'. Big changes in barometric pressure associated with cold and damp will make me a bit achy.

I found a cream that is compounded like the old time creams long before the FDA. It has camphor, menthol, arnica, peppermint, etc. The additional ingredient is THC. It gives me several hours of relief especially after hiking 6-7 miles in the mountains. Legal here in Colorado, wish I could share it with friends in other states.

Austin, TX is not the desert. During the winter you will have prolonged spells of damp, cold weather.

I can't tell any difference with changes in humidity or altitude.
We were scuba divers for many years and went on a three week long dive trip each year. While diving there are huge pressure changes and the humidity is 100 percent for over an hour twice a day.
There were no changes in my arthritis during the trips.

I think it helps somewhat. As you know the pain is variable from day to day anyways so it is hard to tell. Things that help me more than altitude are raising my seat in the MH that allows me to straighten it more. I always where shorts and have arthritis creams next to me to rub on knees. Right knee is worse than left so when not in traffic on a flat road I put it in cruise control and put my leg on the dog house for a while. When I first bought the MH 10 years ago I could not drive 1/2 hr before knee pain kick in. Also riding a bike helps to keep knees loose. After mods I was able to drive to Alaska in 06 and in many ways it seems better

This is an excellent topic. I have Ra, have had for about 4 yrs now. My issue is I am also UV allergic so the nice sunny warm spots are just as bad as the cold rainy ones.. I would love to find a place that is about 73 all yr round, nice sun but with shade and near the ocean since the salt water helps with my stiff achy joints.

Impossible I know, but oh well, as long as I can still hook up the fifth wheel we will continue to travel..