I'm A New Member Suffering With; Osteo Arthritis + Other Problems

Hi this is my  first post, I have osteoarthritis. Its in my shoulders, left hip and knee and right ankle. Ankle I think has been made worse by breaking it last year. I work in retail so when not on tills can be quite physical. I choose to come off tills for a bit of variety but by the end of day am exhausted and ache all over. Not sure am as bad as some people on here. But worry its going to get worse. I try and keep a little active. I ride a power assisted bike and still manage to walk a far way most days but on a bad day counting the hours before I can retake the painkillers. They not too good when bad though. Am only taking ibuprofen and paracetamol. Dr reluctant to give me anything else yet. What tabs do you take for the aches and pains. ? x

Hi Jennrichjo, 

Do you mean osteoporosis or osteoarthritis? Have they put you on alendronic acid for the osteoporosis?

Group!

I'm 68. I used to keep four horses, ride, breed golden retrievers, swim, hill-walk, cook, garden and more. In other words I led a very active life. I'd had joint pains and slept very badly for years but pressed on regardless. I was still insisting I just had muscle-strain when I was almost in tears when I walked. Went to the doctors many times over the years with the pain but was just told to keep moving and exercising which I did. By the time I finally snapped and insisted on x-rays I found I had widespread osteoarthritis, including degenerative spinal disease, degenerative disc disease, scoliosis, a displaced vertebrae, probably reactive arthritis from my Crohn's disease and  my hips were bone on bone, and osteoporosis too!

I had the first hip replacement in June which was a complex HR, (very pleased with that, it worked out very well and I was on my feet very quickly. I can now stand, one-legged on that leg for quite some time!). I was told at the end of October that the other hip is even worse and had to be done urgently as it has twisted, thus twisting my knee, ankle and foot. It is agonising if I move as the whole leg twists. The leg is also significantly shorter than the one that's been operated on, so I'm quite lop-sided and keeping my balance is difficult.  (I think my hip must be virtually out of its socket!) Still waiting as the hospital is overwhelmed!  I'm on Zapain 3-4 times a day and 35 mg of amyltriptiline at night which is great if you can't sleep for pain. Between my 'bent' back and twisted knee I find it hard work to move, but luckily I was always a great reader, and have a very helpful husband, so I don't get too depressed. 

I must say, there comes a point with arthritis, and particularly rheumatoid arthritis, or reactive arthritis, when constant movement is NOT a good thing at all. If it hurts significantly to exercise then don't do it! If you have bone on bone, no amount of exercise will 'cure' that! Also if joints are out of alignment exercise will do more harm than good. 

I had a first TKR on 18th November. {Have had 2 THR's before that}  I don't expect the knee to be healed its supposed to be sore for  quite a long time. But I'm in agony with my other leg {un-operated} I do know I've  got arthritis in that knee a well but the consultant said

no  need for a replacement in that one ....the other one was rubbing bone on  bone  but such a short time later this one is really sore as well.

When I had hips done I drove until the day before going into hospital then had the mandatory 6 weeks after the operation but before the knee I had to stop about  weeks before the op then 6 weeks after the op I've driven short distances since that but I feel as if I'm going to have to stop again........help anyone please

 Especially anyone that has had both knees done

 Thanks

  Eileen

Welcome Nystom and all the new members. I too suffer from Osteo Arthitis in my knees finges and spine. One thing I have found is that more active you keep the less you notice your condition. Anti inflamatories are not good drugs to take over a long period of time.I go more for Natural therapies. I use a lot of ginger, and cinnamon for pain. I make my own raw vegertable juices and fresh fruit juices and I add Ginger, cinnamon and black pepper to them all. Taking Omega 3 or Krill Fish oils do help. There are supplements out in the market such as Devil's Claw Green Lipid muscle and several others. Turmeric milk also helps but you have to have your doctor's advice before you have that, as it interacts with certain conditions and medications. But the best of it all is exercises. The more you move your joints, the less painful they become. Exercising in water helps a great deal. Even if you are on crutches and sticks, there are joint exercises that you can still do. If you are able to walk, its one of the best exercises. Juicing with raw vegetables and fresh fruits, nuts and seeds and various herbs helps boost your immune system as well as prevents cancer cells growing. Hileena, you have the right attitude. Yes, you control the disease and not let it win. Hope this helps some of you. Good Luck and best wishes.

Nineteengale

Hi,

Thanks for the information.  You are so right about the more you keep moving the less you notice it.

I've got arthritis in both hips although both replaced now. In my ankle, in both knees, one replaced about 8 weeks ago the other not.  In my spine. Got osteoporosis and kyphoscoliosis {curve in the spine}  I've been fine until this knee replacement. I've self managed {doctors can only do so much for you}. After my 2nd hip replacement I was doing some NHS exercises and there was a crack, they took me to hospital and informed me I had fractured my greater trochanter bone and would be in crutches permanently. Even then I was OK. Still driving, threw my crutches in the back of the car and off I went. People would tell me to slow down {walking} but since this knee I can barely walk never mind the pain.

I cant just take meds from a health shop. You are right again......you need to ask your doctor. I have epilepsy. Started when I was 18 months old {71 now LOL} the last seizure I had was with my last pregnancy, 36 years ago but I still take tablets and so many thing docs offer you clash with those tablets. I don't want to take any chances and have any seizures. I'm living a normal life able to drive etc. It would just take one and that wold be it, I would lose my licence!!!!!

Sorry for the ramble.    Thanks for your reply to myself and the new members

Love

Eileen

My son keeps telling me to walk and exercise.i do try but I don’t feel any better for it ,I wish I could say I do ..

my family tell me it’s because I don’t do it all the time .,but it’s hard going . 

I have had Osteo for a long time now and I understand how hard it is to exercise, I go out every day and walk down the local High Street (because it is flat and there are plenty of seats) I do not rush but I know I need to walk at least and get fresh air. Do try and do a bit every day and it will get easier.

Welcome to all new Members!

Feel free to add me to your list of friends... I've had epilepsy for 44 years but won't let it rule my life.

Stay positive and remember, life goes on!

Hi everyone,

Have just joined up with this forum.

I have Osteoarthritis in knees, ankles, hands etc. and hope to gain more information and knowledge from those who are already on this forum.

At the moment no medication is taken due to anti-epilepsy drugs and other conditions.

Hoping to be accepted by you all.

Regards,

Hi Les

Welcome to the forum. You are not alone, you are a part of the family now. There are several of us with same or similar conditions. You say you are not on any medication for it due to anti epilepsy medication. Your GP would be the best person to advise you. There are medications available for Arthritis,known as NSAIDs, Non Steroidal Anti Inflammatory. They do help with Arthritis pain, but they come with side effects such as Gastric inflammations and ulcers, upset stomach and even cardiac conditions, so they have to be taken with caution and your GP will advise you regards their interactions with the medication for Epilepsy you are currently on. Perhaps this is the best time for you to explore other avenues, such as Natural therapies. Turmeric milk or Golden paste is very effective indeed. But again, you must check with your GP regards its interactions with other medications you are on. If you are on any anti coagulators,(blood thinners) you need to check with GP as Turmeric also thins the blood. How ever, Dietary  Turmeric is very safe rather than the supplements. You can add Turmeric to your soups, curries, Stews, shakes etc. Go on the website "Turmeric for health". There is all the information on it. Other supplements are Glucosamine Sulphate, Condroitin, MSM Ginger, Rose Hip, Green Lipid Muscle, Devil's Claw to name the few. Again,you must check with GP before commencing on any of them.

Exercises are very important if you are able to do them. Walking is good. Cycling, dancing but best of all is swimming. You are weightless in water and there for you do not get so much pain. If your GP refers you to Physio therapist, he/she will give you the right kind of exercises or attendance at Knee Classes. So before going on to Anti inflammatory,  you can explore these avenues.

Good luck. Hope you find this helpful

Christina