new and feeling a bit sad.

ficoxey
ficoxey Member Posts: 3
edited 26. Jun 2009, 12:33 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi,
I am a 40 year old ex trampolinist. I have lived with hip pain for a good few years. In the last 4 months the pain has become worse but I convinced myself it was just a pulled muscle or two. Xrays confirmed on friday that I have a narrowed hip space and have diagnosed early osteoarthritis. Having recently taken up trampoline coaching I am now at a loss at what my future holds. The diagnosis was advised in passing at the doctors and I am yet to be told what happens next. Any help or advice would be massively appreciated.

Many thanks
Fiona
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Comments

  • debbieclap
    debbieclap Member Posts: 109
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Fiona
    welcome to the forum sorry to hear you are in pain the doc will probably give you anti inflammatory tablets to help with the pain these helped me a lot I was always told to do low impact exercise dont think trampolining would be high impact .
    Others will come along who can help you more
    Debbie
  • breane
    breane Member Posts: 392
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Fiona, Welcome to the forum and sorry to hear you are feeling down at the moment. :( As you are in the early stages of OA I guess the first medication would be anti inflamatories plus a stomach protector.They usually bring down any swelling and help with the pain.I am on those at the moment and have found them very good.I also take a low dose of steroids and again,they have helped me enormously as I have OA and RA in the hands,wrists,knees and feet.I was only diagnosed last Dec. but there will be other members who have had the disease longer than me and who will be able to offer you more info. Breane.x :)
  • Wonkylegs
    Wonkylegs Member Posts: 3,504
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    HI Fiona,

    sorry to hear your news - what a shock it must be for you.

    I can't help much with the actual problem you have as I have RA, but I would recommend you either pop a post on the 'chat to helplines' thread for when they get in on Monday, or email or give the Arthritis Care helplines a ring. (number at top of this page)

    They have all sorts of fabulous info booklets they can send you, and are all very knowledgable about all the issues related to arthritis. I am sure they could help you with questions to ask when you do see your GP.

    hope tht helps and do keep posting as there are lots of people on here with your kind of arthritis who will be able to help you.

    take care,
    Wonky
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Fiona

    First of all welcome to the forum. I sorry to hear that you have been diagnosed with OA. Painkillers and anti inflammatory meds will be offered to you. The gp may refer you to a physio therapist to see if that helps. Acupuncure is an other alternative that may be offered to you or both. Do you have an appointment to see your gp again soon to get the ball rolling?

    Exercise is good for OA (use it or lose it, is my motto!!) and trampolining is a great, probably no impact exercise! so I would not worry too much about that side of things.

    I wish you all the best with this and hope to see you posting again soon. Please let us know how you go on.

    Chin up,
    Luv
    Elna
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Fiona,

    A welcome from me as well, it is a very good site and this lot are so good at helping and supporting us all.

    I can't really add to the advice but you may find you can carry on as you are for some time as yet as early onset doesn't always go fast and may be ok with some pain relief for a while yet so don't panic and just see what it does in respect of responding to pain relief etc. Take care Cris
  • valval
    valval Member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi it is normal to feel bit down to start with :( but with the right meds u can go on as before. as a coach do u have to demonstraight(sorry spelling not my strong point) or can u get others to do that 4 u ? if so no reason why u cant go on 4 years try to stay positive at least u know what is wrong and can now get the help u need :D
    val
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello, Glad you've joined us. I'm sorry to hear about your problems. I would think that its far too early for you to make decisions about the future. Wait and see what the medics come up with and take advice. I don't know anything abut trampalening, but someone on your medical team should know what parts of the body are taking stress and how to cope with that. I'm sure not everything is over for you. :) Love Sue
  • vonski
    vonski Member Posts: 1,292
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi

    Welcome from me too :) Not able to offer any advice except that you will know how much impact is put through your joints on a trampoline. Hope you will be able to continue with your coaching, might be better once meds are up to speed.

    Love
    Vonski x
  • ficoxey
    ficoxey Member Posts: 3
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you so much for all you replies, I did expect so many! Reading them has made me feel so much more positive and less in a hole. The doctor didn't take it further on Friday as I apparently have depression (I suspect months of hip pain and having to roll myself out of bed and no medication or treatment may have contributed to that) and wanted to throw some happy pills at me, and a chest infection. I am going back to see another doctor now I have had the weekend to consider things and to get things moving on the hip front. As much as I wouldn't want to wish arthritis on anyone, I am so glad to have found this forum, it feels like I am not alone and the future is not bleak. Thank you again!
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Good morning Fiona :D

    You certainly sound more upbeat in this posting and that is great news. You never feel alone on here, as you have found out. :D

    Hope that chest infection gets under control too - sure it all drags one down.

    Let us know how you get on. Don't let these medics fob you off! You now go armed with some information from us lot and hopefully feel more in control.

    All the very best at the appointment and hope to hear even more positive news from you soon.

    Luv
    Elna
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • suzster
    suzster Member Posts: 1,328
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    hi and welcome, sorry you've been struggling, i have RA so i don't know much about OA, although i did have OA in my hip for many years due to an old injury, it took me many years to 1st get taken seriously, they kept telling me that at my age(i'm 35 now but i was under 30 when the pain started) they couldn't do anything, to young for a hip replacement, then eventually i saw a surgeon in london, he was great and i had a hip resurfacement, which helped alot.
    sorry i can't offer much help but i know others with OA will help and have already!!
    sue
  • bellydancer
    bellydancer Member Posts: 1
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi I have just come back from the doctors today after having my blood tests for RA, I already have some OA in my knee which is mainly due to wear and tear. I just wanted to say, that you must keep on with your tramporling (woops bad spelling)! I'm a belly dance teacher and even though my knee and now my hands and fingers give me a lot of pain I still go and teach, I feel that if I give up I will go down hill much faster, so keep going. I have just singed up to do a Trek in the Jordan Desert in March 2010 for childrens charities and am so hoping that my arthriitis wont stop me from taking part. I'm 51 now and feel I have to keep going as long as possible because in a few years I might not be able to do much.

    sorry for long message :)

    regards Pamela
  • ritwren
    ritwren Member Posts: 928
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Fiona and welcome to this great forum. I've found everyone so very supportive here and lots of folks have good tips to keep you going too. You have a lot to take on board at the moment but everyone here will help in any way we can. Even if I don't always post here I come on every few days and find it helps enormously.(sp) Best of luck with your GP,it's important that he/she realises how much not being able to get out of bed easily etc..... has been affecting you and that you get adequate pain relief which works for you. Only you know what your pain is like and the fact that your arthritis is "early" is neither here nor there if it is causing you problems like getting out of bed. You are never alone, best of luck.
  • joyful164
    joyful164 Member Posts: 2,401
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Welcome Fiona. Sorry to hear about your news.
    As you can see, you will find a lot of friendly chatter and advice on here and hopefully, will help you through the interim period of your diagnosis onto medication etc.

    It is hard when you know you may have to give up on something, but that may not happen. I have a friend, in fact two (yes folks, I do actually have real friends :shock: ) who ride and both have had falls and broken vertebrae. After ops they are both back riding would you believe. One of my friends came off again the other day again but she was back to work 3 days later. Real trooper.

    Would you be able to teach theory? Is there theory in trampolining, like other sports? Could you have someone else doing the demonstrating in the meantime? There must be ways round it? Let's face us, they need sports trainers all the time at the moment. With the 2012 Olympics coming a lot of youngsters will be going into the sport.

    Anyway. good luck. I shall keep a look out for your postings so that I can keep up with your progress

    Joyful
  • suncatcher
    suncatcher Member Posts: 2,174
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Welcome to site and i know it is a shock to you your news its hard to take in.
    There are lots of good people here to advice you and artheritis care is a wonderful help line and will advise you and they have plenty of helpful booklets and run some good courses you will find helpful you will get lots of support here from joanne
    Joanne
  • bkermack
    bkermack Member Posts: 4
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi everyone

    This is my first time on ths forum.

    I am a 40 yr old that has just recently been diagnosed with RA. I live in Australia so feel quite isolated too at the moment, all my family is in the UK.

    It seems to me that since the diagnosis my condition has gotten worse although I think that could be because I still am in shock & don't know how to deal with it.

    I am seeing the specialist on Monday and am looking forward to hearing how to cope with the pain, what I should be doing etc.

    I feel pretty much useless at the moment because my body won't do what I want it too. I couldn't even comb my hair this morning because the pain in my shoulders was so bad & I couldn't lift them.

    I know that there is hope but at the moment it feels pretty bleak. People talk about a flare up & I'm not really sure what this means as I seem to be in pain all the time.

    It feels really good to finally talk with people who know what you are going through.
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hiya bkermack :D

    Welcome to the site. I also want to wish you well at your appointment on Monday. A little suggestion would be to write down any questions you may like to ask, because you usually forget things otherwise. Also take paper to write down what the specialist says to you.

    That is a double blow with all your family after receiving your diagnosis. Well, you have joined a HUGE family on line and have no need to feel isolated any more. Just log in here and I can guarantee that you will get replies and if we cannot help, at least you get sympathy 'cos we know what it is like living with arthritis.

    Hope to see you posting soon, let us know how you go on Monday.

    Best wishes,
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • tkachev
    tkachev Member Posts: 8,332
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I am new today to the forum.I have go to say I was a gymnast before I was diagnosed with R.A. in 99.It started when I went on the trampoline( I had a baby 8 weeks previously but I couldnt wait to jump around again).I got a pain in my calf and my legs went to jelly.This spread to my knee within a few hours and within a few months I was experiencing extreme pain all over eventually diagnosed with R.A. It might be more difficult to physically support people on the trampoline,if you experience pain.You have a wealth of knowledge about coaching and there is judging too and you need to continue with things that make you happy so take each day at a time.R.A has hit me badly and I can no longer do any gym which I find so frustrating but this is different from osteo.I have some osteo in my hips well as damage from R.A and I am having an op in July so I intend to start dancing again at least, if I am able.
    Never be bullied into silence.
    Never allow yourself to be made a victim.
    Accept no ones definition of your life

    Define yourself........

    Harvey Fierstein
  • tkachev
    tkachev Member Posts: 8,332
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Okay the above was for a different person.Sorry I dont know how it appeared here.I just did as I was told!

    Tkachev.
    Never be bullied into silence.
    Never allow yourself to be made a victim.
    Accept no ones definition of your life

    Define yourself........

    Harvey Fierstein
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi tkachev

    Welcome to the site. I am sorry to hear your story but want to wish you all the best for your operation in July. What is the op you are having? I have read quite a few threads on here where RA has unfortunately set in after a having a baby. Stay positive like you appear to be at the moment. It is the only way to be. We will not be beaten, aye?

    By the way, have you a baby girl or boy?

    Keep smiling :):):)

    Luv
    Elna x

    ps no worries, if your posting went in the wrong place! :lol::lol:

    pps I have just seen that you are having a THR.
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • tkachev
    tkachev Member Posts: 8,332
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I replied to this post but it went elsewhere.I am new to this forum today but your story is familiar to me.I was a gymnast and 8 weeks after my son was born i couldnt wait to get back in the gym but when I went on the trampoline I suffered an injury and my knees and calfs went to jelly.I thought it was too soon after the babys birth.This injury never got better and within a few months I was in pain all over eventually diagnosed as R.A.I have two ruined,stuck elbows and a lot of pain in my hip which is partly O.A,which i am due to replace in July, but can no longer do any gymnastics which I find so frustating.It is difficult to adequately support pupils.There is the judging side and admin all very important in the sport but it is early days and you have to keep an eye on your hip.My diagnoses took a year because I didnt realise it was anything other than a sport injury,moved house 4 weeks previously and hadnt registered with a new GPand was then too ill to attend the surgery for an initial consultation which they insisted on.
    Take care, Tkachev.
    Never be bullied into silence.
    Never allow yourself to be made a victim.
    Accept no ones definition of your life

    Define yourself........

    Harvey Fierstein
  • tkachev
    tkachev Member Posts: 8,332
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Its done it again!I give up.I must be doing something wrong!
    Never be bullied into silence.
    Never allow yourself to be made a victim.
    Accept no ones definition of your life

    Define yourself........

    Harvey Fierstein
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    tkachev wrote:
    Its done it again!I give up.I must be doing something wrong!

    Don't give up. :D

    You are on the right thread for Fiona the trampolinist, if that is who you are answering. :D If you put her name then it would be more clear as this thread has now gone onto two pages.

    If you wish to directly answer a message from someone you can go to their post, and click on REPLY WITH QUOTE. Type your message and then press SUBMIT. If you wish you can also delete what they have said before you press SUBMIT.

    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • tkachev
    tkachev Member Posts: 8,332
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Elna you are a genius!
    So now you know my story.....twice.Yes I had a boy that time.I had a daughter 4 years later (I blame my partner for that!) and my R.A went through the roof so no more babies for me.Since her birth I have had a difficult time but improving now thanks to Humira.Looking forward to further improvement with the hip operation.
    Thanku for listening,Tkachev.
    Never be bullied into silence.
    Never allow yourself to be made a victim.
    Accept no ones definition of your life

    Define yourself........

    Harvey Fierstein
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    tkachev wrote:
    Elna you are a genius!
    So now you know my story.....twice.Yes I had a boy that time.I had a daughter 4 years later (I blame my partner for that!) and my R.A went through the roof so no more babies for me.Since her birth I have had a difficult time but improving now thanks to Humira.Looking forward to further improvement with the hip operation.
    Thanku for listening,Tkachev.

    Hi tk

    :lol::lol::lol: I wish I was a genius -I would knock all arthritis on the head big time - just like that :lol::lol::lol:

    I really do wish you well. The THR will help big time. Lots of success stories on here. I had a TKR (oa) in January 2008 and so pleased I had it done. Need the other knee doing soon. Perhaps that will be a project for 2010. :)

    My two kiddies have flown the nest and now I am a gran to a 9 month old little girl and I love her to bits. Such a tonic for me. :D

    Have a good weekend, :D

    keep posting, :D

    Luv
    Elna x
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.

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