Osteoarthritis

[Buttons4me]

It's looking like I have osteoarthritis. I know there's much worse going on in the world but I just feel so sad. I feel broken. I'm in pain my hand, wrist, thumb, thumb base, hurt hurt hurt. My feet hurt me and my big toes, I screamed when I went up the stairs earlier. When I last spoke to my gp regarding my hand she said I would need an x-ray which is difficult to get at the moment and since then it's now in my feet. I need to speak to my gp again but what is going to happen? Nothing at the moment? I'm in pain and I know so many other people are suffering and it's just awful. Any advice for osteoarthritis? Any kind words. Thankyou.

[Imboredinthehouse]

I had X-ray and ultrasound on my hands & wrists to confirm osteoarthritis. My knees, ankles and feet now feel the same (but not quite as painful yet) but I know I’m not likely to get a routine X-ray in these times.

When my wrists were so painful I couldn’t lift a kettle I asked the dr for naproxen. I had had this prescribed when I fell and hurt my back and then noticed my fingers were no longer swelling & my wrists were better. I do take paracetamol everyday also. The pain is still there but I’m no longer crying in pain. I’m 46 btw.

Is it possible you could speak to the GP and request a prescription whilst you wait for it to be possible to have X-rays done? Do you take paracetamol regularly to reduce the pain anyway?

I’ve found these exercises really help too. Strengthening the muscles supports the joints.

www.healthline.com/health/osteoarthritis/arthritis-hand-exercises

I should google some for my knees & feet but they aren’t as agonising as my hands & wrists so I keep forgetting.
If you are carrying weight then the advice is to reduce weight & eating oily fish or fish oil supplements are believed to help whilst alcohol can make the pain worse. Phone the surgery for a telephone consultation for a chat.

www.bda.uk.com/resource/osteoarthritis-diet.html

www.nhs.uk/conditions/arthritis/living-with/

[Thighmageddon]

Why have they said Osteo rather than inflammatory arthritis?

[byfleetpuddles]

Paracetamol every 4 hours. Naproxen doesn't help me, makes my hands painful! Amitriptyline if you can't sleep due to pain.

For the feet I can only wear ASICS trainers (rheumatologist recommenced) and fitflop sandals and boots. I also got orthotics which helps. I also do Pilates and exercises to strengthen feet. I had steroid injection on one foot it helped for a couple of months but I won't bother again at the moment. I'm walking regularly and it helps.

I think I've got on top of the foot pain but have a lot more pain in other parts of my body. It gets me down. I feel ancient. It's not curable I'm not going to get better it just spreads to other parts of the body.

I need to lose some weight that helps the pain although I probably only need to lose half a stone but that should make a difference.

It's hard, and I always seem to be surrounded by women going on about running marathons and doing triathlons when climbing the stairs pain free for me can be an achievement some weeks.

[FuckThisWind]

I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in February. It's shit. I'm 48 and a single parent with an 8 year old. My physio and podiatrist appts are on hold for who
knows how long. Anyone want a support thread?

[Mittler]

I am a fellow sufferer (in my feet, knees, hips, hands, wrists and jaw), and I will give you every kind word I can possibly give anyone, OP. It's horrible, and I feel so much for you.

[VanGoghsDog]

Same, diagnosed in toes and ankles last autumn.

Sometimes the pain in my toes wakes me up.

No painkiller helps.

[FuckThisWind]

Thank you @Mittler and to you. I have it in my hands, feet, spine, hips and knees. I wish there was something I could do so to get on top of it. It seems impossible right now. I rang the GP yesterday and could only get to speak to a locum. She prescribed me the lowest strength codeine. Made me feel like I was asking for the world and gave me a lecture about opioid use not being for the long term. While I appreciate that, I have no way of getting any therapy or even swimming to help strengthen my muscles at the minute. But even when I can, I am aware that this is a debilitating long term condition. And I need to function. I need pain management. I might get in touch with the consultant Rheumatologist - I paid for a private consultation. He originally said he would recommend specific analgesics for my GP to prescribe. In the end, his letter just left it up to the GP.

How are you managing? And what do you take, if anything? Or is there anything else you've found that help?

@VanGoghsDog I have the same problem with my toes sometimes. I have been scouring the internet for the last few days to try and find things that might help. If you think no painkiller helps, I guess I'm right to be thinking about changing / giving up my job.

[VanGoghsDog]

I've only tried non prescription pain killers so maybe there is something that can be prescribed?

I can't really take codeine, it makes be feel really woozy. Though I could take it at bed time.

In the feet, there is an operation you can have to fuse the bones in the big toe at least. Or to pin them.

I think fish oil is the recommendation for rheumatoid arthritis, no affect on osteoarthritis which is caused by wear and tear.

[FuckThisWind]

Anyone else? I know my relatives swear by Turmeric, but that's probably because they have self diagnosed arthritis.

[zafferana]

I find turmeric doesn't do much (if anything) @FuckThisWind, but I know some arthritis sufferers swear by it. I take Devil's Claw and find that does help. My granny (a fellow sufferer) always took it too and she found it helped her, but it's really a case of trying something for a couple of months and then stopping it and seeing if your symptoms get worse again.

I find exercise is essential - particularly Pilates and Ballet.

[FuckThisWind]

Thanks @zafferana I didn't think turmeric would be any use to be honest.

Ballet is interesting. I used to do ballet and bought a ballet exercise DVD last year which has never seen the light of day. Will dig it out and have a look on YouTube. I've felt a little better for having increased my exercise the past couple of days.

[JustSew]

I have osteo and rheumatoid arthritis. Although they are both painful joint diseases they feel different.
I presume you have seen a rheumatologist to have RA ruled out.
I recently had quite a tearful "argument" with a rheumatology nurse as she would not believe me that I know the difference.
The Rheumatoid is the more serious disease but is usually treatable whereas the osteo is just painkillers.
My RA is currently off the scale due to a breakdown in treatment but my osteo is currently manageable.
Anti inflammatories such as naproxen will not help OA much.

Things that do help;
The time of year - it's worse in winter and better in warm sunny weather.
Exercise. keep the joints moving even though it hurts.
See a physiotherapist for hand exercises.
Pressure gloves. When my poor hands are at their worst I wear these
I also use cohesive bandages to wrap tightly around painful fingers.
I have a soft ball that I squeeze gently to exercise my fingers while watching tv.

What doesn't help
Diets. I'm not a great believer in faddy diets but desperation has led me to try a few things - gluten free, turmeric, glucosamine (my GP told me not to waste money on that). I have never found anything that made a difference.

[Chewbecca]

I have a fair bit of osteoarthritis. I’ve had my hips replaced - amazing pain relief if you get to that point.

Some arthroscopies have helped stop ‘locking’ where I had chips of bone floating around in the joint.

I am pretty good right now, the current warm weather pleases my joints.

I rate voltarol gel for rubbing directly into painful knuckles. Diclofenac / voltarol is the best painkiller for me too.

No diet or supplement has made a difference to me no matter how much people suggest something helps their friend / relative.

[VanGoghsDog]

I didn't find Volterol had any effect on my toes and exercise most definitely makes it worse. Walking is the only exercise I like doing so it's really depressing not to be able to without pain.

I've never noticed any difference in warm weather. And I don't see how there could be when OA is caused by wear and tear?

[maddy68]

I sympathize. I have it in my feet. I have found shoes with a rocker sole help. Fly London do a great wedge range. , Crocs and sketchers.
Steroid injections help for a while.

[Holothane]

Voltial never did it for me, either just lately my pain has become vicious I’m downsizing jars bottles to smaller sizes, easier to lift and use, coffee jars as well. Paracetamol four times a day, but pains getting worse steps are a no no now. 54 crippled with it some days hugs to anyone in this position.

[VanGoghsDog]

I've been advised to hold out for as long as I can against steroid injections because the effect reduces with each injection.

[thaegumathteth]

I'm 39 and have severe OA in both hips. I need to lose weight before I can have a hip replacement and I've lost 2.5 stone so far but the pain is horrific and stops me doing a hell of a lot .

I had a steroid injection but unfortunately it didn't work for me.

I do find light seated yoga helps a bit in building range of movement.

I hate it so much because my youngest child is only 9 and I feel like I'm a rubbish mum because of the OA

[Oliversmumsarmy]

I have it in my knees.

Very hot weather is the answer for me.

In the UK I struggle with not so much getting up but straightening my body out and walking for about 5 minutes.

I find it really hard climbing or coming down stairs and although I can walk longish distances my joints scream at me afterwards
Standing is a definite no.

If I go to Spain or some other hot country, after a few days I am running around pain free.

Seriously thinking of buying a place to live in even just during winter time for a week or two here and their throughout the colder months.

[MooseBeTimeForSummer]

@thaegumathteth similar here. I’m 46 with an 8 year old boy. I had a phone consult with my consultant last week and I’m now on the waiting list for total replacement of my left hip. The wait time was 7 months before this all started.

I tried steroid and Synvisc injections. Neither worked. I’ll stay on Naproxen/esomezaprole twice a day in the meantime.

[JustSew]

I've never noticed any difference in warm weather. And I don't see how there could be when OA is caused by wear and tear?
I agree there is no logic but without a doubt my pain is worse in winter and better in summer.
Those who have had steroid injections that didn't work. My GP told me that it's crucial to get the injection in exactly the right spot and if you miss it's useless. So maybe worth another go?

[Oliversmumsarmy]

I can tell if it is going to rain just by walking down the stairs in the morning depending on the pain