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10-09-2007, 06:21
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Utah
Posts: 87
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Arthritis?
I'm a summer weekend sailor, have been for many years. Looking forward to relocating to the coast when I retire in 7 years, and spending a chunk of investment savings on a big cat for part-time cruising. But in the last year or so, I've developed trouble with my hands, and my doctor says it's arthritis. When I'm out on the boat in a good breeze, I notice now that holding the mainsheet and the tiller against some pressure makes my hands cramp up. It's not a big deal now, but it gets me to wondering how other folks deal with it and how I would deal with it if it continues to worsen. I joke with my wife about it, saying that what I need is to wrap my hand around a cold aluminum cylinder, but the only thing that really helps is ibuprofen (for now). I've already had to give up fly-fishing in the cold mountain streams here, because my hands turn into a couple of baseball mitts in the cold water, can't tie a fly on anymore.
Are there folks out there who've had to give up sailing because of arthritis? On a big cat, say, like a FP or Lagoon or Leopard 40-something, would an arthritis problem prevent sailing her altogether, or just make it a bad idea to single-hand?
I'm healthy as a horse otherwise, and I have every intention of staying that way for a good many years yet. The doc says there's no way to know how much worse it will get or how fast, but that regular activity will minimize the effects. How does that line up with your experience with arthritis, if you have it?
Thanks for your thoughtful replies, and friendly breezes to you all!
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10-09-2007, 07:37
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,594
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I too have or should I say HAD problems with arthritis in my hands for years. I have had great success with glucosemine (sp?) supplements. Get the biggest does available 500mg? It takes a few months of use to start effecting the joints.
good luck
__________________
Randy
Cape Dory 25D Seraph
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10-09-2007, 08:27
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2003
Location: New Bern, NC
Boat: Prout Manta 38' Catamaran - Sunspot Baby
Posts: 1,521
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Sailing the big cat won't require you to hang onto tiller or sheet under stress for long periods. If winching becomes painful there are always power winches.
We meet lots of folks cruising (us included) who have arthritis or other physical limitations. Most agree they do better while on the boat than on the land.
You can do this. Go for it.
George
__________________
She took my address and my name
Put my credit to shame
Sunspot Baby, sure had a real good time
Bob Seger
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10-09-2007, 08:39
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Ladner, BC, Canada
Boat: Newport 30
Posts: 129
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rtbates
I too have or should I say HAD problems with arthritis in my hands for years. I have had great success with glucosemine (sp?) supplements. Get the biggest does available 500mg? It takes a few months of use to start effecting the joints.
good luck
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Works good for me as well. Helps my bad knees too.
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10-09-2007, 09:35
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#5
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Ireland
Boat: Van de Stadt 34'
Posts: 288
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Here's a recommendation you might find strange, but I got it from an old doctor who claimed great success with it. 50% Bayrum and 50% goose grease (yes, buy and cook a goose!) used as an external rub - you'll probably get lots of pharmaceutical suggestions, but there's an "old wives cure". Best wishes . . .
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10-09-2007, 14:46
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,594
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mickmul
Here's a recommendation you might find strange, but I got it from an old doctor who claimed great success with it. 50% Bayrum and 50% goose grease (yes, buy and cook a goose!) used as an external rub - you'll probably get lots of pharmaceutical suggestions, but there's an "old wives cure". Best wishes . . .
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That was my grandmother's remedy!! The goose grease part.
__________________
Randy
Cape Dory 25D Seraph
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10-09-2007, 19:51
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#7
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Hayes, VA
Boat: Gozzard 36
Posts: 8,700
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I have a touch of it myself. Get an autopilot and be done! If I hand steer for extended periods over a few days - I hurt. In the cooler parts of the season I can go longer. With an autopilot all day - no problem. The autopilot is far younger than me. get a hydraulic one not a wheel one so it can do the hard duty too.
__________________
Paul Blais
s/v Bright Eyes Gozzard 36
37 15.7 N 76 28.9 W
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11-09-2007, 04:16
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Caribbean
Boat: 2004 Manta 42 - Perseverance
Posts: 303
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In addition to an autopilot and an electric winch, I would recommend a self-tending jib. Our boat was designed for a middle-aged couple (which we are) who are not going to yet younger or stronger. We have all of these features, and we expect to sail for many more years as a result. You also mention that cold weather is a problem for your arthritis. In that case, why don't you berth your boat in a warmer climate and do your part-time sailing where its comfortably warm for you.
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13-09-2007, 12:19
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#9
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Now in Davao, the Philippines.
Boat: Leopard 40 catamaran
Posts: 137
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For a start, consider confirming that you truly have arthritis, and not another cold related symptom complex.
However, osteoarthritis is very common as we get older. For this, glucosamine/chondroitin works almost as well as tylenol, and both are very safe, and safer than ibuprofen - just don't overdo the dosage. Alcohol use or liver disease may increase the risks from these latter drugs.
That said, do you really have to wait seven years? What is going to get that much better that it is worth the wait?
And yes, go for a cat, where you can get out of the weather, and with an autopilot and an electric winch. You don't need to climb down and up a stairway every time to need to check the nav station or want a snack. Head for the warm weather of the tropics before you damage your joints.
__________________
Robert W.
c.spots
www.changingspots.net
Life shouldn't be a race to the finish line - enjoy the journey.
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13-09-2007, 20:03
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#10
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Sunshine Coast, Qld, Australia
Boat: CyberYacht 43
Posts: 5,174
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Dosage?
c.spots
"...glucosamine/chondroitin works almost as well as tylenol, and both are very safe, and safer than ibuprofen - just don't overdo the dosage."
As one who swallows a little glucosamine from time to time what might the maximum dose be?
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13-09-2007, 21:20
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Now in Davao, the Philippines.
Boat: Leopard 40 catamaran
Posts: 137
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I meant to say that the tylenol and ibuprofen should not be overdone.
The studies done with glucosamine/chondroitin showed that when taken every day, at large doses, the benefit in osteoarthritis was better than placebo. There would probably be no benefit (or harm) of "a little from time to time" (except perhaps the placebo effect). I think the dose they used was 1500mg/1200mg per day respectively, and think it was split into three times a day. I am not aware of toxicity of huge doses unless you have other medical problems, but these doses may not be tolerated.
Tylenol can be liver toxic at very high doses (above the dose recommended on the bottle, or less if there is high alcohol consumption), but is otherwise usually very safe and well tolerated.
Ibuprofen is also dose dependent, but some people don't even tolerate, or have problems with lower doses.
__________________
Robert W.
c.spots
www.changingspots.net
Life shouldn't be a race to the finish line - enjoy the journey.
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14-09-2007, 02:02
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#12
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Sunshine Coast, Qld, Australia
Boat: CyberYacht 43
Posts: 5,174
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Thank You
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