inflammatory condition on top of osteo-arthur

gillymay

Hi there lovely people

Would be so glad to share experiences/get some advice. Having had my second joint replacement the consultant has just told me he's diagnosed that I have an inflammatory condition round the joints, as well as osteo arthritis. He said he couldnt put a name to it.
I have to have 2 more joints replaced or re-coated, on top of which my hands, neck and shoulders are beginning to hurt.
Some advice please! My GP only has me on pain killers and meloxicam. Could she do more in this area now that I have a , aditional diagnosis do you think?
Would be so glad to corrrespond with anyone who has had multi ops as I wish to remain cheerful and positive and help myself as much as possible.
Its beginning to hurt driving the car. Can anyone suggest a comfortable small car for we folk with all these aches and pains?
Many thanks
GillyMay

debbieclap

Hi GillyMay
Sorry to hear you are in pain.
I have OA and have just had my first THR and got to have the other one done and my knees My gp gives me anti inflammatory tablets as well as pain killers I take Dicloflex which helps. As for what car I think you need to look at as many as possible and find what is comfy for you it's different for each of us. Hope this helps
Debbie

vonski

Hi Gillymay

I haven't been diagnosed with inflammatory but do have a lot of swelling on top of OA. I have had a few ops but not sure if there is a connection. My Dr. queried RA and that is now on my notes but I haven't been given any meds for RA so I hope it isn't. Just had a thought, have you ever had pain killing injections? I got a lot more inflammation after them but again not sure if there is a connection.

The Vauxhall Meriva is quite small and a bit higher like a people carrier so easier to get in and out of.

Love
Vonski x

masaka

Hi,

I am just recovering from a revision hip replacement due to congenital hip problems. My sound hip is now going as well. I have also got RA as well. One or other of them is active in my shoulder as well.

I have just got to the point of being philosophical about the whole thing. The only advice I can give you is to use what help is available. I have fought it for many years, now I am finally learning to work with it. I don't like it, but my key strategy is to take whatever action is necessary to keep walking for as long as possible. The whole thing is still a pain and unfair though. I did find having a real whine to a good friend helped.

Thanks,

Teresa

gillymay

debbieclap wrote:

Hi GillyMay
Sorry to hear you are in pain.
I have OA and have just had my first THR and got to have the other one done and my knees My gp gives me anti inflammatory tablets as well as pain killers I take Dicloflex which helps. As for what car I think you need to look at as many as possible and find what is comfy for you it's different for each of us. Hope this helps
Debbie

Thank you so much G

gillymay

vonski wrote:

Hi Gillymay

I haven't been diagnosed with inflammatory but do have a lot of swelling on top of OA. I have had a few ops but not sure if there is a connection. My Dr. queried RA and that is now on my notes but I haven't been given any meds for RA so I hope it isn't. Just had a thought, have you ever had pain killing injections? I got a lot more inflammation after them but again not sure if there is a connection.

The Vauxhall Meriva is quite small and a bit higher like a people carrier so easier to get in and out of.

Love
Vonski x

Thank you so much - I too am praying its not RA. And, no , I havent had any pain killing jabs

off to look at the merivia! G

gillymay

masaka wrote:

Hi,

I am just recovering from a revision hip replacement due to congenital hip problems. My sound hip is now going as well. I have also got RA as well. One or other of them is active in my shoulder as well.

I have just got to the point of being philosophical about the whole thing. The only advice I can give you is to use what help is available. I have fought it for many years, now I am finally learning to work with it. I don't like it, but my key strategy is to take whatever action is necessary to keep walking for as long as possible. The whole thing is still a pain and unfair though. I did find having a real whine to a good friend helped.

I like your approach, many thanks
G

Thanks,

Teresa

markc1

I bought a suzuki swift 1.5 easy to drive and really nippy! :shock:

madwestie

Gilly,

I have RA and also OA in my neck "a definate pain in the neck"
I used to get a lot of really bad headaches because of the OA until my gp suggested gabapentin, when he suggested it i thought not another tablet but i thought anything was worth a try i take it at night and so far the headaches have almost gone away it was brilliant i have spent years with daily fussy heads if not full blown headaches and now i get headaches like most "normal" people.
Aparently my heaches were caused by the nerves in my neck being constricted by the inflamation.

Because of the Ra i have a lot of weekness in my hands and arms so driving is a nusience but i drive an automatci Honda civic whihc i like for the same reason my hubby hates it. It has very light steering. the gear leaver is under the cd player (not on the floor) so it is easier to reach. i keep being told it is a "old persons car" well at 41 i suppose just bit of me are old i sometimes think that some bits of me were recycled and are a lot older than the rest of me.

I hope that you are feeling better soon and good luck with the car hunting. I tried as many different cars as i could and found the best one for me. you need to find the best one for you. happy hunting.

mistywillow

madwestie wrote:

Gilly,

I have RA and also OA in my neck "a definate pain in the neck"
I used to get a lot of really bad headaches because of the OA until my gp suggested gabapentin, when he suggested it i thought not another tablet but i thought anything was worth a try i take it at night and so far the headaches have almost gone away it was brilliant i have spent years with daily fussy heads if not full blown headaches and now i get headaches like most "normal" people.
Aparently my heaches were caused by the nerves in my neck being constricted by the inflamation.

Because of the Ra i have a lot of weekness in my hands and arms so driving is a nusience but i drive an automatci Honda civic whihc i like for the same reason my hubby hates it. It has very light steering. the gear leaver is under the cd player (not on the floor) so it is easier to reach. i keep being told it is a "old persons car" well at 41 i suppose just bit of me are old i sometimes think that some bits of me were recycled and are a lot older than the rest of me.

I hope that you are feeling better soon and good luck with the car hunting. I tried as many different cars as i could and found the best one for me. you need to find the best one for you. happy hunting.

Hi Gillymay
Sometimes steroids are very effective for inflammatory conditions and maybe a short course might help. Perhaps you could also be referred to a rhematologist as well as the orthopaedic consultant that you see as they tend to view things from a different stance. Ie conservative treatment rather than surgery.
I have had lots of major surgery throughout my life. I just try and make the best of it rather than fighting it and being angry. So for example, my first major spinal op I was in hospital for about 6 months. (they kept you in for ever in the old days, none of this chuck you out as soon as you are awake ) I made a list of all the books that I had wanted to read but never got the time for, and got my family to bring them in for me one by one as I got through them.
I do get down occasionally when I am having a flare and cant control the pain or do anything, but I make myself think positively and be grateful for all the good things in my life. It works for me.
I cant really advise about the car as any car journey seems to set my back off unless it is a very short one.
Happy hunting though.
Gillx