Osteoarthritis anyone?

[sothisisit]

Just been diagnosed with osteoarthritis. It has taken 2 years or doctors, physio, x-rays, MRI and orthopedic surgeons to finally have an answer.
I am peri-menopausal AND arthritic. I feel old, dried-up, stiff, sore........I could go on.
Anyone else have OA and what did you do to feel better.

[Clarella]

I'm sorry

Completely anecdotally a friend told me her mother was dx osteoarthritis, but recently when they did their latest check they could find no evidence - all through careful pain management, pacing, seeing physio a, doing exercises and pilates.

I think it's taken a long time (and I wasn't sure it could actually GO iykwim) so very anecdotally - really seek all the mobilising help you can.

Swimming, gentle pilates or yoga, keeping supple.

I've had joint issues and chronic pain for 2 years and recently found this website very helpful (though the guy is a bit sanctimonious and condescending and clearly never looked after a toddler)

[sothisisit]

Thanks Clarella. Which website ???

[Clarella]

Apologies phone died then I zonked out!

This one

www.paintoolkit.org

It really has taken me quite a bit to get my head round and it's by no means easy. It's about recognising where you are and taking it from there.

Certainly when I was very weak and I'm lots of pain it was almost impossible as the demands on me could not be met. It's only more recently I've been able to implement aspects. Acceptance was a big one. Pacing the next. Saying no the other one for me. So I've had to be very firm and take a couple of weeks of work with a chest infection ( which has been very bad anyway) but mainly as its buggered up my back and strength again. Trying to do it guilt free is the tricky bit!

[Clarella]

If you can find a really good physiotherapist it would help. My personal experience is private was better but my condition is hypermobility syndrome and NHS weren't so used to it. But the NHS physio really helped me with strapping / taping and really helped with the CBT pain management pacing aspect (to a point! This website helped further)

[Clarella]

Have you tried Epsom salts too? Amazing for joint stiffness.

[TheSecretService]

I have osteoarthritis and inflammatory arthritis.
Ironically the osteo is more problematic than the inflammatory (which is treatable with DMARDS).
My fingers are very bent and painful, the distortion is not reversible.
I try to keep moving and do some kind of exercise every day. I have also seen a physios and got neck and hand exercises.
I found Pilates to be too hard on my back, swimming is the gentlest exercise but I loathe it. I go to aqua fitness classes which at least make me stay in the water and move about for an hour. I walk a lot.

[GlitteryShoes]

Apparently I have very severe osteoarthritis in my knee ( it was found accidentally when I tore a ligament). I have no symptoms at all but I walk and cycle. a lot and I think this must prevent the pain as it is kept supple. I think exercise is the key.

[sothisisit]

I am in pain all the time. My hips, knees, feet, shoulder, neck. I am exhausted. I can't sleep properly as my hips and shoulder pain wakes me up. I am miserable.
The doctors have recommended a physio but nothing about pain medication or anything else.
Do you just find what works for you as an individual?
I am taking Seven Seas Joint care Max, and paracetamol.
Water based exercise, walking, staying active and within a healthy weight seems like a basic strategy.
Anything else?

[Clarella]

Magnesium, did you mention vitamin d?

[Clarella]

I don't think it's as easy as xyz.

There need to be a plan in place tailored for you. Which is why I posted that pain toolkit link. It takes a lot of head space and emotional shit.

I found a good quality latex mattress has helped. Found it on mn, can't off the top of my head remember name but they specialise in latex.

[Clarella]

You may find ibuprofen helps inflammation. When bad I alternate ibu and paracetamol.

[Clarella]

High dose vit d. Try h and b 3000 spray.

[Clarella]

Sorry thinking as I type quickly!

Find a pool with a sauna too - I found the warmth helps and the cold showers too. And Epsom salt baths.

You need a plan and then a flare plan. Epsom salt baths are in my flare plan!

[TheSecretService]

Paracetamol has no impact on my joint pain but Ibuprofen really does help.
I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis over two years ago, RA tests were repeatedly negative until six months ago.

When I went back to GP and described the pattern of "flares" he said that was an indicator of an inflammatory arthritis and immediately repeated all the RA tests which this time were positive. Fatigue is a symptom of inflammatory arthritis.

I am now on Rheumatoid drugs which have helped enormously with the fatigue and with the joint pain in all but fingers.

[TheGoldenApplesOfTheSun]

Hi there, I have spondyloarthritis (inflammation of the spine & shoulder joints) and the most helpful things I found were steroid tablets - they are awesome! - and physiotherapy. I am lucky enough to have health insurance through my work which has covered hands on physiotherapy with manipulation of my spine and a personalised gentle exercise programme. NHS physio was rather useless. I have heard good things about Pilate's and exercise in water. For aches that are related to my muscle spasms I have these hard balls, about tennis ball sized, that I can press into the painful area to relieve it - really good. Long hot showers also, with a nice powerful shower so it's almost a massage. Getting work to give me a better chair and monitor so I don't have to crane my neck - they are obliged under the Equality Act to provide reasonable accommodations for you. Being gentle with myself and knowing when to say no to things - tricky around Xmas in particular I find. Sorry, that was a massive essay!

[sothisisit]

Thanks all. I think I am finding it hard to come to terms with it to be honest. I really thought all the tests would come back with something fixable
I just feel they said "Here is your diagnosis, bye bye"
I also don't want to give in to it either, so even though I'm in a lot of pain and sooooo tired I try to keep going. I don't want to accept I'm not able to do things. OA is an old person thing (to me anyway)
I think being menopausal and arthritic has come as a very big shock to me. It just screams OLD
I'm 50 by the way so I know I'm not a spring chicken any longer but......

[amarmai]

I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my 30s and told not to walk more than a mile a day-worst advice ever. Am now in my 70s, still have OA but walk and ride my bike daily . Key for me is not too little exercise and not too much . This can vary from day to day. Diet is also important as need to eat calcium rich foods and supplement for minerals and vitamins. Good idea to meet with a nutritionist. Sleep can be a problem. What kind of mattress will suit your sleeping patterns the best? I try to avoid pain killers as they have side effects and can become less useful with time. If I really need to take an anti inflammatory, i use baby aspirin. Lots of good info on Dr Google. I have also bought support aids such as knee brace, ankle support, walking stick,to be used as needed.