Where is your osteoarthritis?

I have it in my spine   and my knees   fingers  wrists and ankles 

I have it in my hands and back. It's been hard working through it since everything I do is in a chair on the computer. 

@lesmal  hello interesting post, there are new operations now to tidy up the joint especially the hands to reduce pain. So well worth persueing a referral. I agree with your comment on paracetamol, I have recently done a home test and I have reason to beleive the paracetamol in my case is making the pain worse. It could be the fact I have had major abdominal surgery years ago. Think many of us have to find new solutions for pain. Arthritis Action are releasing some of their none drug pain releif suggestions to other groups giving treatment now , these ideas do come from fellow sufferers in many cases. Have a nice day

I have osteoarthritis in both knees, hips, lower back, both hands - index finger in left hand is twisted at the top joint - index finger in right hand is going the same way, both shoulders and neck. I’m struggling with the pain.  My GP  tried me on strong painkillers, two different types, but they didn’t help as the side effects which started when I took  them, were horrendous.  I haven’t been offered anything else.  I fought hard to get a referral to see a rheumatologist at the hospital. I thought I was fortunate to get a cancelled appointment last year.  However, the consultant  was worse than useless as she insisted my pain was due to my ‘mental health.’ [ I have general anxiety disorder and depression.]  She wouldn’t look past that. Even the fact that the x - rays showed the extent of the osteoarthritis didn’t make any difference to her.  I told her that arthritis was in my family. My grandmother, mother and two of my aunts all had osteoarthritis, and one of my dad’s sisters had rheumatoid arthritis.   What more did she want? I felt so humiliated I burst into tears. I was so upset and disappointed at not being believed.  The whole appointment was a complete farce. I was 65 years old in February this year and was treated appallingly by a so - called medical professional.                 In addition, I have two lung conditions, Bronchiectasis and Asthma. Like many people who have lung conditions, I wasn’t considered to be at extremely high risk from covid. ( even though  I receive a yearly flu jab which is one of the reasons to qualify for an isolation  letter from the government.)  However, I didn’t receive  such a letter. When I queried this with my GP she confirmed the above reason.  I was still told to isolate, though without having the extra help I would have received if I’d had such a letter. Quite frankly it doesn’t make sense. I don’t know who made the final decisions. My husband also fits the criteria for an isolation letter and again he doesn’t qualify. He has to do our shopping as we don’t have any family nearby.  Sorry for the rant, everything is getting on top of me I’m afraid. Naturally it’s adversely affecting my mental health. So many people are having the same difficulties which I find sad.

I have been reading about the various types of CBD oil, gummies, etc. Many people have found it helps to relieve their pain. Others have said it helps their mental health. I would like to try CBD, but I don’t know where to start. Has anyone any advice as to  strength, brand or type of CBD  I should choose.  I would appreciate any help.

Thank you.

Look after yourselves and take care.

@Martachris Sorry to hear of your diabolical treatment , sadly it is not unusual. I tried the CBD oil capsuals as they are easy to use just one a day but they are expensive. I appreciate your frustration with this mental health excuse for not treating your pain, heres my experience in the last 18 months I have gone from needing a total knee replacement to having depression and them thinking counselling is the best for me. At the end I am ,like you, left in pain housebound with no help either practically or medically. Please if you are not a member yet do join Versus Arthritis to campaign for better pain control services ect. I have managed this week to actually get some community care gadgets to help me live in my own home. on the topic of mental health Drs are using small dose antidepressants to ease arthritic pain these days.  I have multi joint arthritis like yourself, live alone and struggle some days to stand but am seen to be able to manage as I have been doing so for years. I am also involved in some research with the local uni into the treatment of large joint arthritis from the patients & publics perspective with others like myself who are housbound or severly mobility impaired. This is not just a diseaese of old age, I also guess you like myself have had it for many years before 65. I have no magic wand but Arthritis Action have much advice at their online site.

Hi all I have got osteoarthritis in my feet,knees and now the base of my neck top of my spine. My knees constantly crunch and I've been told my right knee is deteriorating worse than the left. I also need another operation on my left foot but due to being in an upstairs flat I've refused for now as the graft out of my pelvis would make my left leg weak. I feel like giving up sometimes 😞

@chrissie2018 Understand the feelings you talk about, having lots of operations for this disease can knock you back plus the day to day problems. On occassions it makes you wonder if it is worth struggling anymore. One consolation is there are lots of us . We still need to campaign for more research into treatments  and the genetics behind this dipilitating disease to open peoples eyes to the true cost on sufferers lifes. We also need more suitable housing for our disabilities not just a couple of gadgets from the council( (all though very nice) we need to have things developed to meet disability needs. Even new access laws don't do this or peoples knowledge of the true dificulties met., to spite many changes and new approaches to treatment. Need far outstrips supply. Thats my more academic veiw the real side of suffering is not understood is it ?, unless you have the diseaese Our life is not normal and there is only so much can be done to adjust. Acceptance is needed on the part of none sufferers. How are you going to manage to have the treatment you need in your circumstances, I am the same steps to front door then to the toilet ect. Some blocks of flats have stairlifts put in, just a thought. I can't visit my family as they all have steps to climb to their front doors. Sorry this is not very cheery hope you have a good weekend. 

@Chrissie2‍018

Depending on where you live, some councils allow or rather installments of  Ramps and rails to go up to access the  doorstep of the house and wheelchair to be wheeled up. Have you inquired with the DHSS regards the needs of disability you have and how they can help? Just a thought. If you haven't tried, it would be worth trying. Hope you get the help you require.

Hi everyone , I contacted my council about aids, and with persistance they have now been out. Quickly once I got to the right person.  However I  am told the council do not do ramps to front doors, but guess it comes under the disability grants system which as I understand is not available to persons with £6000 in savings. The occupational theraphy services say my access to front door is too steep for a ramp or wheelchair access. So a move is the best solution. But everyones need is different so the first step is to get a needs assessment. Think I might get a home visit for my glasses this time save struggling to opticians on two buses. Hope everyone is well this morning.

@Martachris That is truly horrible what they put you through! I hope you've considered reporting them. For the CBD, I'd say to look around in your area to see if there's a shop or dispensary in  your area. I think for the first time speaking with someone in person who knows about it and can recommend the proper form and dosage for OA would be helpful. My wife and I have never tried it, but just from walking by a shop it seems overwhelming and I wouldn't know where to begin. We're interested in trying accupuncture first, but if that doesn't work we're considering CBD.