My mom is 83 and had a pacemaker put in in April 2005. She swears that's when her arthritis started up. It was always small bouts of arthritis. Now she's in day 5 or 6 of the first real arthritis bout. This is life changing. She cannot walk down her steps to do laundry, she tried to go to the store and seemed ok to drive a short distance, but took forever to get out of the car and go into the store and then back out to the car. She has trouble getting up when sitting on a sofa and both times had either me or my brother hold her hands to help her up. Pain is in her knees and hands and one ankle has a crunching feeling. Anything you can tell me would help. Thanks.

Is your mother taking Fosmax or Actonel for osteoporosis? If so, the arthritis like problem could be caused osteo medication. Many have the same problems as your mom.

I am personally suffering from Actonel very much in the same manner as your mom with additional problems.

No, my mom is not on that. She started taking cholestrol medicine that really messed up her muscles and she stopped that after about 3 weeks. She's on several meds for heart related stuff - high blood pressure, water pill, one for stomach problems, etc. She hasn't started any arthritis drugs because she called to make an appt to see her doctor was given August 25th. Like that will help her right now, it could be cleared up by then. Thanks Misty for a quick reply.
Jo