I have had osteoarthritis for many years, as I grow older it is getting worse.
I have it in wrists, shoulder, lower back, hips, both knees, ankles and toes. GP said X-rays show severe osteoarthritis.
2 years ago I fell down the stairs into a stair gate and tore the meniscus in my left knee. It’s been agonising but after physiotherapy and a steroid injection it has eased. Obviously the knee injury had an effect on my gait and my right ankle is now painful all day and absolutely unbearable at night. If I sit still for any length of time, it will not bend when I stand and I cannot put any weight on it.
I have to walk as I have to work, I manage a small charity which will not be able to open if I don’t go in. I love my job so much but I dread walking.
I take dihydrocodeine, naproxen and paracetamol. I rub a freezing gel into it on dr’s advice. I wear an ankle support every day and a tube support at night. I raise it on a pillow.
Last night I had a bath and was in bed, cwtched up with a hot water bottle, having taken some anthologies, ready for sleep by 11pm. At 4 am I was still awake, in agony and I must admit, in tears. I was up at 7am for work.
What can I do tonight? My ankle has already started aching, putting it on the footstool makes no difference. It feels like a hot, huge lump of pain at the bottom of my leg. I have tried tramadol and amitriptyline but don’t like the side effects. If anyone says they will work I will try them again, in fact, I will try anything!
Sorry for that whinge fest, thank you if you got to the end! Please contribute your ideas
Thank you