I know this is stupid of me, and that there are people out there with problems that are so much worse, and I'm being selfish and ungrateful, but I can't help it.
Not stupid. Not selfish and ungrateful. ("I tell you three times.") (And I'm one of those people with worse problems, but y'know, those problems had a starting point, and there was, for me, that same anger/despair.)
Now that I've gotten that out of the way:
First of all, get another doctor. The whole "doctor roulette" thing is an incredible pain, but you've got to believe you're deserving of one who will work with you, not just issue Proclamations From On High.
Secondly, the glucosamine thing: A month or so ago both hips started giving me utter hell. Nothing comfortable, no position sitting or lying, don't even think about moving. I mentioned it to my doctor when I saw her a couple of weeks ago, and added that I'd switched from glucosamine/chondroitin to "glucosamine blend" about 6 weeks ago to save on costs. Her response was that studies have shown that it's the chondroitin that's most effective for arthritis. [And this from a non-naturopathic MD at a public health clinic. She's the reason I fuss with a ferry trip over to Seattle and the hellish parking there; no way I'm changing doctors when I've got one that understands fibro, CFS, migraines, arthritis, and the rest of the mix.]
[Best affordable source for supplements: Trader Joe's. IMO, YMMV, etc.]
So, I've been back on the g/c for a couple of weeks, noticing marginal improvement the last couple of days; it does take up to 6 weeks to kick in, I'm told. Also, anecdotal evidence of its effectivity; it took the conversation with the doctor to realize that's what changed, which, in my mind, eliminates placebo effect. Again, YMMV, etc.
Third thing, which I learned from my oldest aunt, who suffered badly from arthritis: Keep moving. Do not let it disable you. Figure out what you can do, then do it, in moderation. (I mentioned that to Jessica (my doc) and she just lit up, with this pleased expression, I suppose that she wasn't going to have to argue with someone's instinctive response of "pain=don't move." Did I mention that she's great?)
Mostly repeating what everyone else seems to have already covered, but...
Not stupid. Not selfish and ungrateful. ("I tell you three times.") (And I'm one of those people with worse problems, but y'know, those problems had a starting point, and there was, for me, that same anger/despair.)
Now that I've gotten that out of the way:
First of all, get another doctor. The whole "doctor roulette" thing is an incredible pain, but you've got to believe you're deserving of one who will work with you, not just issue Proclamations From On High.
Secondly, the glucosamine thing: A month or so ago both hips started giving me utter hell. Nothing comfortable, no position sitting or lying, don't even think about moving. I mentioned it to my doctor when I saw her a couple of weeks ago, and added that I'd switched from glucosamine/chondroitin to "glucosamine blend" about 6 weeks ago to save on costs. Her response was that studies have shown that it's the chondroitin that's most effective for arthritis. [And this from a non-naturopathic MD at a public health clinic. She's the reason I fuss with a ferry trip over to Seattle and the hellish parking there; no way I'm changing doctors when I've got one that understands fibro, CFS, migraines, arthritis, and the rest of the mix.]
[Best affordable source for supplements: Trader Joe's. IMO, YMMV, etc.]
So, I've been back on the g/c for a couple of weeks, noticing marginal improvement the last couple of days; it does take up to 6 weeks to kick in, I'm told. Also, anecdotal evidence of its effectivity; it took the conversation with the doctor to realize that's what changed, which, in my mind, eliminates placebo effect. Again, YMMV, etc.
Third thing, which I learned from my oldest aunt, who suffered badly from arthritis: Keep moving. Do not let it disable you. Figure out what you can do, then do it, in moderation. (I mentioned that to Jessica (my doc) and she just lit up, with this pleased expression, I suppose that she wasn't going to have to argue with someone's instinctive response of "pain=don't move." Did I mention that she's great?)