How long did it take for your diagnosis?

I was in the army for 11 year before I saw a specialist because I kept straining my ankles and falling over so could not run then I transferred from an infantry unit to rapc and sprained my ankle playing football and was sent to a specialist doctor a major and he took xrays and told me that i had osteoarthritis in my ankles and so i was not able to run anymore and made redundant. 

I was 14 when it became a problem, prior to that I’d fall all the time and complain about sore legs. It was put down to being clumsy and not wanting to take the dog for a walk! At 14 I got injured during a hockey match and it all started from there. The consultant said I was born with this condition but called it allsorts of names like roughening if the kneecap, degenerative bone disease, crumbling joints, joints of an 80yr old. It was only when I was in my 30’s did they ever use the name osteoarthritis. Yet having multiple surgeries the nurses on the way to theatre would call it arthritis. I still don’t understand why they never just said what it was. 

@ouranne @Tichhenry @Julie O Thank you all for sharing, it is interesting to see how long the diagnosis can take. 

Although this is a different condition, did you read our article all about how long patients with rheumatoid arthritis took to be diagnosed and what their experience of diagnosis was. It could be interesting for you to make a comparison with your own experience. Access the article by clicking here.

Hi all hope you have been able to enjoy this lovely weather we have been having.  Well not today .

i fist found out when I went to have an X-Ray for my kidneys. I was asked if I get a lot of pain in my spine. When he said I had early start of Osteoporosis . This shook me as I was fit enough to do a mans job. That I mean carring very heavy boxes. Later a good few years after having injection in the Spain I was told I could not have any more as my bones are getting very thin. I watch what I ate went swimming walking. . I'm afraid it now has caught me up and find it very hard to walk as far as I would like. Still I know I must not give in. So take the madicent and do what I can. It does help to talk about it as there is always some thing new coming along good luck all .

I was also shocked to get the diagnosis last year, and was an active swimmer and diver, as well as enjoying sport several years ago. I battle now with pain in the lower spine and have found no medication that relieves the pain. 

I joined My Osteo Team which is a great site to talk to others, get advice and socialise. 

I also joined Osteoporosis UK as a Member. They do some good articles with relevant information.