Athritis in my foot, told today!

[triplets]

After 8 months of foot pain I got the result of an MRI scan and it shows severe arthritis in 3 joints. Any advice would be brill, the podiatrist just told me to go back to my gp and get referred. Have bought on advice from a friend green lipped mussel extract, won`t do me any harm! Thank you.

Hi, are you being referred for surgery or to a rheumatologist? I have post-traumatic arthritis in my ankle after a bad sprain and three surgeries. I can have it 'fixed' with an ankle replacement or a fusion, but am trying to manage it for now. Anti-inflamatories help, but discuss with your doctor as long term use can damage your stomach. Some supplements can help with arthritis too - I take omega oils, glucosamine and chondroitin. I try to pace myself and not walk too much at once, and if I'm going to be walking for more than 10 mins I wear a brace, and sometimes use a stick. Non-weight bearing exercise (eg cycling and swimming) will help you stay fit and physiotherapy can help build up the surrounding muscles so there is less paint on the joints. Mine is my left foot and I have found switching to an automatic car has been helpful. Sorry I have waffled on a lot, hope some of that is useful!

I've realised I sound a bit clinical - really didn't mean to be unsympathetic. Must be a huge shock, and for you. Am happy to chat or answer questions - I'm really very friendly

Hi mountaindweller.......thank you for your reply, all good info! No its not a huge shock really, just cross its taken so long to get a diagnosis, been 8 months since I first saw my gp. I have no idea at this stage what will happen, will phone the surgery in the morning and make an appt to see the doctor, get her to go through the mri result and take it from there. Ok I am not happy to be told its severe arthritis, but it could be worse that's the way I look at it. My dh has battled advanced bowel/liver/lung cancer for the last 8 years and was then diagnosed with Parkinsons last December. But with keeping an eye on him, 3 x`s 17yr olds I need to keep fit! Apart from my foot I am! My poor Mum had many health problems and through mismanagement from her gp and our local podiatry dept ended up with gangrene in her foot. She died a few weeks later, but the main cause was a blocked aorta. So I have always looked after my feet and that why I feel so cross! Hope you get your problem sorted, thank you for messaging me. BTW am awake because the smoke detector woke me up, having checked everything and everybody is ok we have just changed the battery!

I do feel for you, my husband suffers from this too. He drink Cherry Juice from the Health food store as he was told it helps. It is hard to say if has had an effect, but others might have similar experiences.

It really will depend on what type of arthritis they are suggesting it is?

Osteo or an auto immune type? Different methods of treatment for them.

It's a bit rubbish and you have my sympathies.I have it in my feet as well as other places and it hurts

Thank you for your sympathies, dont get much at home, grin and carry on! No I dont know which form it is as yet but am hoping its osteo, wouldn`t rheumatoid have shown up on my blood test? Anyway as I say its not the end of the world, going to get something at my age!!