Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chronic pain

Mumsnet doesn't verify the qualifications of users. If you have medical concerns, please consult a healthcare professional.

Original poster

Osteoarthritis

30 replies

thaegumathteth · 04/02/2023 00:47

I'm 41, was diagnosed 4/5 years ago. Severe osteoarthritis in both hips and now walk with sticks.

Some days the pain really gets me down and I feel much older than I am.

Anyone else?

OP posts:
Killerfail · 04/02/2023 06:14

yes.
hands/wrist diagnosed 8 years ago -although ankles and hips now also agony but I just can’t bear to go to the GP to be told ‘nothing we can do’.
Even opening a door or a packet of crisps makes me yelp in pain and I can barely hold the steering wheel.
GP told me to go to physio last year.
After one session physio said “we can’t help you”.
I’m 48 but feel 88 and I’m fed up of the constant pain.
I’ve been refused PIP. I’m going to end up in a home having my bum wiped by strangers and it’s so depressing.

Goodread1 · 04/02/2023 06:52

Hi Op

@thaegumathteth
What treatments plan have they now put you on then?

I suffer with Rumertoid Athritis, I know the feeling,
I have been having flare ups recently,
It makes me feel like shit really,
@Killerfail
What treatments plan are you now on?

Killerfail · 04/02/2023 13:44

I just have naproxen along with Zapain for occasional use when it’s all too much.
Even in my wrist splints, compression gloves and heat packs I’m still in pain.

Do you have anything different that works?

babasaclover · 04/02/2023 14:15

So sorry to hear this. Can I ask how you've been diagnosed? I've had 5 wrist operations in last few years and still in agony so wondering if it is this.

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 04/02/2023 14:22

Have you seen a surgeon?

  1. Had my second hip replacement on Tuesday.

Needs must, there is no need to live a life in pain

AllThingsServeTheBeam · 04/02/2023 14:23

Sorry, posted too soon. With a surgeon or consultant behind you who can push for treatments

Original poster
thaegumathteth · 04/02/2023 15:04

No treatment plan as such. Have cocodamol daily and have naproxen for when pain bad (which is always but I take it sparingly)

I need to lose weight for the operation which I am working on.

OP posts:
Killerfail · 04/02/2023 19:55

@thaegumathteth I’m the other way around. Naproxen twice daily and the cocodamol sparely due to it being addictive and the delightful constipation effects! I hope you can get you operation soon.

@babasaclover after x-rays and being referred to rheumatology, it was confirmed I didn’t have rheumatoid arthritis and then the rheumatologist requested an ultrasound on my hands/wrists and that confirm the diagnosis.

@AllThingsServeTheBeam wishing you a speedy recovery!

@Goodread1 I hope your flare up eases soon. Those lesser pain days are always so welcome aren’t they?!

Mum97540 · 04/02/2023 20:15

I've apparently got it now in my hips. But just wanted to ask if anybody knows if HRT might help slow the progression.

Killerfail · 04/02/2023 20:20

HRT hasn’t helped my arthritis. I’ve been on it 4 years & my arthritis is getting worse but there is a bit on here about HRT

www.versusarthritis.org/news/2021/october/hand-osteoarthritis-do-female-hormones-play-a-part-your-questions-answered/
However, there is a lack of information on whether giving hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to ‘top up’ hormones that are lost during the menopause is helpful in terms of managing osteoarthritis. This includes whether HRT prevents onset of osteoarthritis if given early enough or can slow the progression of arthritis down or help pain in hand osteoarthritis.

hellobethyname · 04/02/2023 20:26

I have it in my knees and now stairs are an issue .

I also have pain in hips , and ankles .

However today I went for a long walk with the dog and I'm actually in less pain than I have been

I've had a steroid injection which didn't work but the knee was swollen I've another due at the end of the month so I'm going to take naproxen religiously for 2 weeks before to see if I can get the swelling down before the injection.

I'm 50 and it seemed to come on overnight . I've gained weight due to lack of exercise (I used to exercise regularly but the pain has prevented me for a year )

My plan is walk a lot
Try and reduce my weight
Take naproxen before the steroid
Buy volterol.

I've been on hrt tablets for around 18 months.

Mum97540 · 04/02/2023 20:30

Thank you. I guess I have nothing to lose by trying it.

Kookoo42 · 29/05/2023 08:47

I'm sorry to read your post, I def know what you mean about it making you feel older than you are.

I have it in lower back and knee. It took me 6 months to not really get a diagnosis, I worked it out myself and still waiting for a physio referral.. I did join the Arthritis adventure blueprint after watching loads of Alyssa Kuhn's videos on youtube and it is def helping. One of the biggest problems I have is how down it all makes me feel, and this has helped so much because there are just no negative messages about 'what you can't do' and not much mention of medication. Having said that, on flare up days I take Naproxen and I've changed my diet to anti inflammatory, which has been fine because I like all those types of foods.

Take care,
Kookoo x

Darklane · 01/06/2023 21:04

It really gets you down. Took me ages to get diagnosed too. I have it in my spine, which has now deteriorated badly & isn’t straight, which makes me unsteady & prone to tripping, plus hip & one knee. Get bad flare ups & sciatica because of nerves trapped plus bursitis. I’m on Naproxen, twice a day, plus amitriptyline at bedtime which helps me get some sleep. Also GP advised self referral for NHS physio, waiting for appointment.

Vettrianofan · 26/08/2023 20:14

Yes. Osteoarthritis, aged 40, X ray diagnosis last spring. What took me by surprise was when I was gardening and being in agony for days. I was taking paracetamol and ibuprofen for several days and I was seeing no improvement. Was in absolute agony in both hips (although apparently x-ray only showing wear and tear on right hip). I am now noticing pain in both knees in recent months. DM has osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Her mum had osteoarthritis.

I go out walking most days and have recently started cycling as it's supposed to take pressure off the joints. Currently in the process of losing weight too. Have two stone to lose roughly.

Wasn't comfortable taking 30/500 cocodamol, so went down to 8/500 cocodamol but that did nothing so now on Dihydrocodeine and Paracetamol usually 4 doses per day. It takes the edge of the pain.

crumpetsryummy · 29/08/2023 19:36

Got it in my right knee, spine and neck. Some days i cant even stand and brush my hair I am in so much pain.
I have an adverse reaction to cocodamol and naproxen so cant take them. Im only 49 so dont know what else to try

Original poster
thaegumathteth · 29/08/2023 23:00

crumpetsryummy · 29/08/2023 19:36

Got it in my right knee, spine and neck. Some days i cant even stand and brush my hair I am in so much pain.
I have an adverse reaction to cocodamol and naproxen so cant take them. Im only 49 so dont know what else to try

God that sounds Awful so do you have no painkillers?

I was given oxycodon when I tore a ligament as a painkiller but not sure if it's just short term?

OP posts:
Vettrianofan · 30/08/2023 07:15

crumpetsryummy · 29/08/2023 19:36

Got it in my right knee, spine and neck. Some days i cant even stand and brush my hair I am in so much pain.
I have an adverse reaction to cocodamol and naproxen so cant take them. Im only 49 so dont know what else to try

Speak to your GP again and get painkillers that will suit you. Don't live in pain.

HashBrownandBeans · 30/08/2023 07:28

I’m literally riddled with it now after being diagnosed with it in my sacro iliac joint aged 21. Now also have it in my cervical vertebrae which impacts me daily and makes me feel like shit, my right hand after breaking it 4 years ago, and my feet. I take naproxen and codeine daily. The only thing that helps is to stay active through the pain. The less I do the worse it is.

RedHelenB · 30/08/2023 08:50

Killerfail · 04/02/2023 06:14

yes.
hands/wrist diagnosed 8 years ago -although ankles and hips now also agony but I just can’t bear to go to the GP to be told ‘nothing we can do’.
Even opening a door or a packet of crisps makes me yelp in pain and I can barely hold the steering wheel.
GP told me to go to physio last year.
After one session physio said “we can’t help you”.
I’m 48 but feel 88 and I’m fed up of the constant pain.
I’ve been refused PIP. I’m going to end up in a home having my bum wiped by strangers and it’s so depressing.

Why have you been refused pip?

RedHelenB · 30/08/2023 08:52

thaegumathteth · 04/02/2023 00:47

I'm 41, was diagnosed 4/5 years ago. Severe osteoarthritis in both hips and now walk with sticks.

Some days the pain really gets me down and I feel much older than I am.

Anyone else?

What have they said about hip replacements?

StanleyGoodspeed · 30/08/2023 08:54

I have bad arthritis, my hands are all deformed. I have never had any x-rays or anything, GP diagnosed over the phone and will not prescribe any painkillers, saying the new guidance is that painkillers do not work for arthritis so I am in a lot of pain, its a struggle, I have it in hands, shoulders, hips, feet and knees

jannier · 30/08/2023 08:57

Vettrianofan · 26/08/2023 20:14

Yes. Osteoarthritis, aged 40, X ray diagnosis last spring. What took me by surprise was when I was gardening and being in agony for days. I was taking paracetamol and ibuprofen for several days and I was seeing no improvement. Was in absolute agony in both hips (although apparently x-ray only showing wear and tear on right hip). I am now noticing pain in both knees in recent months. DM has osteoarthritis and psoriatic arthritis. Her mum had osteoarthritis.

I go out walking most days and have recently started cycling as it's supposed to take pressure off the joints. Currently in the process of losing weight too. Have two stone to lose roughly.

Wasn't comfortable taking 30/500 cocodamol, so went down to 8/500 cocodamol but that did nothing so now on Dihydrocodeine and Paracetamol usually 4 doses per day. It takes the edge of the pain.

Psoriatic doesn't show on x-ray and is hereditary even if you have no signs of psoriasis.....what does your rheumatologist say? Have they tried any drugs or steroid injections?

CaptainSeven · 30/08/2023 09:09

I have OA in spine and hips. I think probably my knees too.

HRT has really helped me. I have the mirena coil so they gave me oestrogen patches.

I go for acupuncture in my back now. I have loads of physio exercises which I actually do because they feel good!

I regularly go swimming and the pool has a spa bath, sauna and steam room which all really, really help.

I add collagen to my tea and I've recently started taking glucosamine tablets.

I take naproxen when I have a flare up.

I'd say looking after my OA costs me around £100-£150 a month sadly. (Gym costs, supplements, acupuncture). It all helps manage the pain though.

Sharing in case some of the things I do might help others.

jannier · 30/08/2023 09:21

I found relief with steroid injections....each one different according to who's done it sometimes lasts a few months sometimes longer or shorter. The hand specialist is considering surgery to stop the pain that feels like dislocation depending on how the next steroid works. My knee injection had lasted reasonably for 2 years although stiff. I was supposed to start methotrexate just before lockdown so didn't fancy that.

Swipe left for the next trending thread