Osteoarthritis

Hi Tricia, sorry to hear you're having a tough time with your health. I totally understand the struggle of feeling bodily defective. I was diagnosed with Osteoarthritis in my hands at age 35.  I'm now almost 46 and have large Herbedenos nodes across my fingers and my joints are starting to twist. The disease is also now in both feet and my right hip.

I work full time as a Dementia Care Assistant so my job is extremely physical and exhausting but I refuse to give up. I love riding my motorbike too. Nowadays I live in a world of constant pain killers so probably rattle as I walk,  but I'm determined to keep active as long as physically possible.

I've only found the Carenity site today but I'm hoping this forum and hearing that I'm not the only one, will spur me on and keep me motivated... Some days that's a struggle xx

All the best - Pam

Hi Pam, good to hear from you. You're so right about life being a struggle . Although I  take analgesia with good effect , it makes me feel tired and I  require further meds to keep me moving! Haha !! My fingers are only slightly affected. My right thumb has a larger node but it's pain free.

I have recently started swimming again and exercising more, which I find to be beneficial. Does it help you?

Have a good day. Take care.

best wishes. Tricia xxx

Hi Ladies,

I have just joined this forum to see if i can pick up any new ideas to cope with this awful complaint of OA. I am 61 and retired from nursing after 46 years, at the end of December. I have had both hips replaced the right one had a metal on metal resurfacing ( which is fantastic) and that was about 12 years ago. My left one had THR about 4 years ago and has never been right. I get a lot of pain when i try and lift my leg up ( walking up stairs, getting into the car, general walking!) I have been seen 3 times in the Hip clinic, first getting Physio then anti inflammatory med and then again Physic !!! None of this has helped and I wondered what your thoughts were about me going private to have an MRI scan ? 

I look forward to hearing from you all

Suzanne 

I don't see why the NHS shouldn't provide an MRI. Where I live an MRI privately costs £500-£800 for one area of the body. I think this is the top end of pricing, you might find cheaper but why should you ?

Evening folks, well morning actually lol 

Tricia you told me "I have recently started swimming again and exercising more, which I find to be beneficial. Does it help you?" 

I haven't been swimming for a few years but fully intend to start going again regularly this year. I'm lucky to be able to walk quite a distance before I get too painful, so prefer being out with my labrador.  It's only once I'm home I realise how exhausted I am and hobble about for ages.

I recently got myself a running dog lead that I can wear around my waist so Rio

Evening folks, well morning actually lol 

Tricia you told me "I have recently started swimming again and exercising more, which I find to be beneficial. Does it help you?" 

I haven't been swimming for a few years but fully intend to start going again regularly this year. I'm lucky to be able to walk quite a distance before I get too painful, so prefer being out with my labrador.  It's only once I'm home I realise how exhausted I am and hobble about for ages.

I recently got myself a running dog lead that I can wear around my waist so Rio

Does swimming help oa I'm new on here would love to hear how to live with it ,,,,

Hi everyone I hope you are all okay. I have O.A in my left hip and a over prograting foot and collapsed arch. I am on pain relief but am determined not to rely on them. I am finding glucosamine, rosehip and turmeric a great help.  I'm taking up yoga and find it relaxing and gives me flexibility.  My biggest problem is my mind set,  I used to run miles and miles,do assault courses, army training and God knows what.  It's blighted me I'm bloody stubborn and don't know what to do.  I'm having physio and sports therapy but because of the no more cardio I've put weight on which they tell me to loose but I can't do the cardio which kept it off. I think more understanding is needed it is debilitating to have arthritis. 

Hi all, I have arthritis in both knees, hopefully when I see my specialist in July he will finally put me forward for my fist knee replacement. Really wish my doctors had more understanding rather than palming me off with more tablets to try. If any one has any advice on knee surgery please share, although I want it done I am really scared.

Hi all, I have had arthritis in my right knee for almost a year now and now have a similar pain in my right hip.  I am awaiting an x-Ray on my hip to confirm what is going on.  Do you end up with all of your joints being affected by arthritis ? The pain is horrendous and keeps waking me up most nights.  I also have problems with my back L4 disc has disintegrated and L5 is bulging into my spinal column and it has affected my bowel control.  I take Tramadol and co-codamol and Amytiptyline which does help me to get to sleep but when i turn over or move the pain wakes me up its now 3.45am and once again I am awake and in pain. To anyone else out there with the same problems you have my sympathy I wouldn't want anyone else to go through this.  I am 60 and looking at other people's posts I have a long way to go before I get my knee replacement which I fully understand as they only have a limited life span and also due to my heart conditions I would not to able to have general anaesthetic when they do them.  Sorry for the long rant it's stupid o'clock and I hurt