Osteo Arthritis - Please Advise

[IceniMist]

My Mother is in her early 60s and suffers from this is her hands, hips and spine. She went to the GP today for further help only to be told she is on the strongest meds and that it is progressing. She knows it's bloomin progressing. That is it.

What can I push for if I can get her to let me intervene? Surely they can't just send you away with a 'live with it' attitude?

Anyone?

Hi, am replying since it's been quiet here. Have you had contact with This charity? They look like a good resource to start with.

The GP saying there is nothing more he can do is pretty unhelpful. Clearly your dm has a condition which won't go away but it could certainly be managed in ways that might improve her quality of life.

Lifestyle changes, diet,exercise, home adaptations and activity pacing could all be helpful. Our local borough runs very subsidised exercise sessions for people with health conditions. A Pain Management programme might be really helpful in helping her to get the best out of her life and cope with her pain. If she is on severe pain then her drugs do need to be adjusted, there are many variations and types. Mindfulness is a useful skill in coping with pain. A Pain Management Clinic can refer for many of these things and can also advise on the best possible medications and whether injections might be beneficial.

Practical measures such as a Blue Badge, Attendance Allowance, physio or cleaning help etc can help enormously with quality of life and she may well qualify.

So no, sending someone away with no support isn't good enough. Do some rest ch and find out what is locally available then discuss with your mum what she would like. Sometimes just meeting/ chatting with other people in a similar situation can be very reassuring.

Hope that helps

Thank you for replying. I have looked into some courses a charity offers but am struggling to find a local support group. I have encouraged her to go back and seek a referral.

Is she already doing all these types of self-help things?

She isn't overweight but diet isn't' clean'. No specific exercise but does walk and looks after young grand children regularly. She can't sleep because of the pain but does have hobbies and socialises. She does normal activities day to day even in pain; infact she will do all her chores, fun things and lives her life but under a cloud of pain that she often wont complain about, but it is now a burdon. I can't bear to think of her upset or having no hope.

I wonder if swimming with me at lunch would help. Or an aqua aerobics class.

Yes,swimming is fantastic for strength and flexibility and non weight bearing on her sore joints.

I suggest she asks for a referral to a Pain Clinic if her pain is poorly controlled and her GP can't help. There are many options available. One non medical but amazing source of pain relief is heat. I'm addicted to my hotwater bottle! Does she have an electric blanket or heat pad for her bed?

Matilda, do you suffer? She has those wheat bags, special gloves and a zapper thing she bought last week. Do electric blankets work?