What helps you get through your OA?

Margaret p I really feel for you im 76 and need 2 hip replacements also my knees are really bad i live on my own but my garden is my saviour! Its always been my hobby so i class myself as lucky. Im also a 10 year breast cancer survivor next month and come off my tablets so im hoping my pain will ease as they cause arthralgia which is similar to arthritis along with numerous other side effects. I have had severe joint pains since the first week of taking them and insomnia i dont think oncologists and doctors understand how bad all these effects are. Im a tough person through both my pregnancies i worked as a hairdresser till the week before they were both born and didnt go to the doctors till i was 8 months pregnant over the 1st and 6 months over the 2nd ive been on my own since i was 35 and ran a business and brought my daughters up on my own. I was an orphan age 1 mum died with tb when i was 9 weeks old age 23 and my dad age 27 in the war when i was 13 months old i was granny reared and she taught me to stay strong and never give in. Take care stay strong xx

@MargaretP  I feel for you as well, I can't do much in my garden anymore, but it really does me so much good just getting out of the house.  That's a shame your arts and rafts has been been interrupted by COVID because that's what I like to do when i can't get outside and I know what a joy it is. Especially if you're doing it amongst friends.

A friend once recommended to me chair yoga. It's yoga adapted for people with different types of arthritis. I don't know if you'd be interested, but for me it's a way to keep moving a bit but is gentle enough for my OA pain. I only do what I can manage and if something is too hard I just skip it. Sometimes the videos go too fast, so I change the speed so they play more slowly. I started with this video series just showing some basic movements but I'm sure there are others if you search "yoga for arthritis": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yUnZzpX2KMw

@lotsapain80‍  Thank you so much! I will follow up your link and look into it, it looks a good idea.

@Sandie7 I hope you get your hips done soon, I had both mine done 15 yrs ago and it was the best thing I have ever done. The relief from that particular pain was immense. I wish I could have my knees done too.

You sound a strong lady, but that doesn't lessen your pain so I admire you for staying strong. I'm glad you have your garden to help you, I've never been a gardener as I've never had a garden. I've travelled a lot over the years, working abroad, and that was my hobby, so I hate not being able to do that any more. Still. everyone our age has to get used to giving up interests etc because we can't do it anymore. I really would like a dog but it's impossible here, and I couldn't give a pet the life it deserves. I miss the love a dog gives you, though I haven't had one for 50 years!  : -D

All the best 

Ive had labradors and yorkshire terriers over the years but wouldnt be fair to have one now as couldnt take it for walks and would be frightened of falling over it plus the vet bills are extortionate now x