Rheumatoid arthritis & joints question?

I am 25 years old, was diagnosed with RA in 2006. Lately, every single day my right ankle gets stiff and cracks VERY loudly. I haven't had a problem with RA symptoms in other parts of my body in the past 5-6 months. Is there a problem with my ankle stiffness that I can take care of with OTC meds? Any thoughts? Thank you!

Thank you to the first responder. I may try to stop cracking my ankle, but the majority of the time, it cracks itself when I move around or walk. =(

I am sorry but there are not doctors that believe that cracking joints can lead to arthritis. This is a myth that has been debunked decades ago. If fact in your case it could make the problem worse. To not have it pop you have to keep it motionless. It is important with any type of arthritis to keep the joint moving and the muscles and tendons around it strong and flexible.

First of all you need to see your doctor. While this can be a flare up of your RA. There can also be another underlying problem. Usually a flare up of RA will effect more than one joint.

Having RA it is possible that you did something to put stress or trauma on the joint. This can cause significant localized inflammation. If this is the case it can be treated.

On of the best OTC products I know of is omega 3 fatty acids. These have been shown in many test to be as effect as any OTC drug. It also has many other health benefits. If you decide to try it you want either a product from a non fish source or a fish base product that has been purified to remove metals and is enteric coated to keep you from burping fish.

Rusty
Editor
http://arthritis-symptom.com

i think its the cold..my wrists crack so loudly they sound like ring binders lol i dont know about the meds but the more u click it the worse it gets! i was so worried about it before i went to the docs and they basically told me not to worry about it as its extremely common, and almost always the cause is benign :).

The clicking sound is thought by many to be caused by bubbles of diffused gas building up in the space between your joints, and when you press on them - pop!

Some doctors believe that constantly clicking your joints (especially in your hands and fingers) can lead to arthritis. However, if your joints are so stiff you can only restore movement by clicking them, its really hard not to!!!

but i resisted temptation for weeks and weeks after my boyfriend was so fed up with it he threatened to do something that i find annoying each time i did it lol but after i broke the habit, they dont even click now when i try so now my boyfriend doesnt have an excuse to break wind anymore! haha :)



P:S also do u take glucosamine? that is specifically for ur problem and very good i am also taking this. u can buy some at boots but they give a higher mg from the docs



http://www.simplysupplements.net/glucosa...



i can imagine how u feel, my mum and dad both have oesteoarthritus and rheumatoid :( to get it at such a young age is awful. my dads on steroids, without this he virtually cannot move. i worry i will get this also but theres nothing i can do except take glucosamine and cod liver oil with calcium and prey!