Joint Pain and Cutting Out Dairy Products

For awhile I thought I had arthritis. It turned out I was having a bad reaction to a statin I was taking for high cholesterol. My hands and hips were killing me. I accidentally ran out when I was late ordering the refill from the mail order company and went without it for 2 weeks. My pains were gone. When my refill came in, I began taking it again and was in severe pain 2 days later. I told my doctor and they didn't think the drug was the problem. I told him as far as I'm concerned, if I take it I hurt, and if I don't take it I don't hurt - end of mystery for me. Cholesterol be darned, the side effect was worse and making my quality of life to be miserable. It was also giving me a major memory problem which cleared up once I stopped. My joints are fine now, and I walk a mile a day.

Glucosamin chondroitin helps a ton. It takes about 3 or 4 weeks for it to really work, so you have to keep with it. You can get it as costco for a reasonable price. I have injury induced arthritis in both of my knees. Since I have very little cartilage left I also receive injections every 6 months called Synvisc, it is a knee joint fluid replacement. If your pain is pretty severe talk to your ortho about an option like this.

I get the pain WHEN I cut out dairy. I would talk to your doctor before you do this.

I have never heard of that, but my mother in law has bad arthritis in her knees, started taking glucosamin chondroiton and she can now navigate the steps as well as I can, and she is 73!

They also sell something called joint juice you may want to look into...

Not sure about dairy - wouldn't hurt to cut it out though. Are you taking fish oil? Below are the dosage recommendations taken from Dr. Barry Sears of the zone diet - he has done many studies on the benefits of fish oil (now adays we just don't get enough in our diet). I take 10-12 grams a day. I used to have joint pain, didn't start on fish oil for that but I don't remember the last time I had it. It can't hurt to try.
The Importance of Fish Oil
• Reduces inflammation
• More effective than statins (cholesterol lowering drugs)
• How much fish oil
o Maintenance of wellness – 2.5 grams/day
o Treatment/prevention of obesity, diabetes, CHD – 5 grams/day
o Treatment/prevention of cancer, chronic pain – 7.5 grams/day
o Treatment/prevention of neurological disorders – 10 grams/day

Everyone I know that has some sort of arthritis takes a supplement that contains gloucasamine including my mom. Have not heard that about dairy.

Sounds like you may have rheumatoid arthritis. I hope you are under the care of a rheumatologist! If not, get one! There are SO many things that can help these days! In addition to all the tests they do, be sure they check your Vitamin D 25-OH level (it can compound joint pain).
Hope you feel better soon!