Hello, and help, please, with osteoarthritis

woodbine

:?: Hi,

This is my first post on the forum – I’m really looking forward to being able to ‘chat’ to people who understand what I’m going through!

I’m 40 and have been having pain in my lower back for years. Over the last couple of years I’ve also had increasing problems with my hands, wrists, toes and knees. On the basis of my symptoms, a back x-ray, a nodule on my finger and my family history (my mum has OA in virtually every joint) my Doctor has diagnosed OA.

I’ve never been referred to the hospital as my GP says that there’s no point until I get to the point where surgery or other major intervention might be necessary. He prescribes cocodamol 30/500 and ibuprofen, and I’ve also had a couple of short courses of physio for my back. I try to only take this medication when I really can’t manage without it, due to the side effects.

I’m hoping that you more experienced sufferers can tell me if this is what usually happens, or if I should insist on seeing someone at the hospital?
Also, I’m beginning to struggle really badly with writing because the joint at the base of my thumb, and sometimes my wrist, is so painful – my writing is now verging on the illegible (not that it was ever very neat!) and I can’t write more than a 3-4 lines without such bad pain that I need a break. Can anyone please suggest anything that might help with this? Could a thumb splint help?
Thanks

Naomi

suzster

hi, i have RA but also really struggle with holding a pen. my writing is terrible and i get very imbarressed about it.
i got given a pen called 'pen again' it's a Y shaped pen that is easier to use because you don't hold it like a normal pen, try googling 'pen again'
it helped me, my writing is still not perfect, but it's much better.

eckstardeluxe

I'd say you may not be on strong enough meds. I too have OA in my spine and spinal stenosis.

For this I take, Gabapentin, Tramadol, Diclofenac, Omeprazole, Diazepam and paracetmol as a top up. It took almost 8 months for me to find a combination that worked for me, I have changed medications several times. But this one seems to be the best, although I do still have bad days.

Now I'm just frightened when I go to the Pain Clinic next week they might want to change it up again. But I can't help with the hand, sorry. But someone else will be along shortly who can.

take care x

ninakang

Hi Naomi

Glad you've started posting. I think it's wrong of your GP to say there's no point in referring you to the hospital until you need surgery. You should go back and ask about pain clinics and specialist help - they might be able to give you all sorts of ways of coping, not just operations!

Is there another GP in the practise you could ask? Or perhaps see the practise manager?

Nx

angel1

Naomi hello, Welcome to the forum. You are going to get so much help from everyone on here. I feel that you are not being treated fairly by your GP. When your pain is affecting simple everyday things like writing, then I would say that it is time for what he called "major intervention". Sadly, I have found that we often have to make ourselves thoroughly unpleasant before we get what we need. Please go back, and tell him that you want a referral to a specialist. Good luck....Ange.

skezier

Hi Naomi

Welcome from me as well and I hope you will find the site useful. Personally I would say your doctor doesn't know enough to be able to treat you and I think you should ask for a referral to a consultant. Here OA goes to the fracture clinic and goes under the ortho people, some people See a Rumo with OA so it does varies. I actually do see a Rumo but that was for some other condition and he took my bones on when I had problems with quality of life things.

I don't think you are on the right pain relief and I honestly don't think gp's are too good at chronic conditions...... but I do have very bad gps so maybe others fine them more helpful. I think you should ask for a referral especially with your hand. Take care, Cris

valval

hi am on anti inflam tabs and gluosamine/chond as not to bad so far just trying to get flare ups to settle down use wide pen with rubber on helps a bit also try not to grip pen to hard good luck

joyful164

Hi

I would most certainly ask for a referral in your case, especially with the way you are describing your symptoms.

good luck
joyful

ritnew

Hi Naomi
I have OA as well and am having a new hip tomorrow. I've had it for years but it never bothered me till I broke my ankle last year. After an xray the consultant who was treating me told me I had degenerative arthritis, which I believe is just another way of saying I had bad arthritis. He never suggested any treatment or mentioned it again. When the pain became unbearable I went to my gp who I have to say was brilliant he tried everything. Although I have it mainly in my hips the pain is in my knee which is affected but not that bad. I took/take Indometacin Co Codamol and when I need them Tramadol and something to protect my stomach. I do think gp's do try and treat OA themselves. I just kept going back and forth each week and I think in the end he had no choice but to refer me.
It wasn't till I was told about this site that I learnt about pain clinics and physio etc. I think mine was too advanced to benefit from any of these things.
I haven't had to use it but have read there is a very good helpline you can ring on this site.
I do think you should keep going back to your doctor till he does do something more postive for you. In the meantime you couldn't have come to a better place for advice and support.
Hope you get sorted very soon.
Take care.
Rita X

breane

Hi Naomi,Welcome to the forum. I have OA and RA and I started off taking Sopadol(co codamol) 30-500 and it did work for a while but I then had a lot of severe flare ups and I am now on a stronger pain killer,Tramadol plus anti inflamatories and stomach protector.Also I am on a course of steroids which has really helped with both the pain and inflamation.Perhaps your Gp could try you on something stronger.I know all meds don't work the same for each person and it is a bit of a 'trial and error' until you find the right meds that suit you.Have another chat to your Gp and see if he can suggest a different route. Take care,Breane.x :P

frogmorton

Hi
and welcome from me!
Very pleased to meet you. You have certainly come to the right place here. You will get loads of support and tips which will make you feel so much less alone and less isolated.
The others have given you some very sounda advice about meds and treatment options.
All the best
Toni x

woodbine

Hi again, and thanks for the warm welcome, advice and sympathy
I think I may try going back to the GP again. Trouble is, he's the senior partner at the practice, and when I asked to see another Dr I was given an appointment with one who turned out to be the first Dr's wife, so she was hardly likely to contradict him!
I've been back numerous times and it just starts to get so depressing when I come away yet again with nothing - I'm sure lots of you know that feeling!
Does anyone know if there's any way to find out which doctors in a given area are particularly good with arthritis? I think that I'm problably going to have to change surgeries before I get anywhere :roll:

I have got a 'Pen Again', and it's more comfortable to write with, but I find it very difficult to write neatly with it - perhaps I'll just have to keep practicing!

Thanks again
Naomi

woodbine

Me again- I meant to mention what Breane said about 'stomach protectors' in my previous post. I asked my Dr about this, as the ibuprofen upsets my stomach, but he said that they can only be given in limited circumstances as they can have serious side affects. My mum has had OA for years and now has on-going stomach errosion problems because of all the tablets she's taken which is why I avoid medication unless I'm desperate. Any suggestions about this, please?
Thanks
Naomi

denpen

Hi Naomi
Welcome to the site.
I have had OA in my lower spine for 15 years, now I have it in my hips and am having a replacement later this year, I take 30/500 co-codamol and I used to only take it when I felt I really needed to because I dont like taking medication, but thats not the answer you must take it regularly as prescribed before you will get any relief from your symptoms. As for your GP I dont think that they realise how painful and how much OA affects your life keep going to see him and asking to be referred to a consultant, they can then try other things that the GP cannot refer you for. Good Luck with it all.
Denise.x