advice needed please

vickyg
vickyg Member Posts: 13
edited 18. Aug 2009, 04:21 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi Vicky here,

I have posted in the intro area but was advised to post on here too for maxium helpful people to see it :D

I am a 36yr old mum of 4 children aged 9,6,2 and 5mths.

I have been having problems with my hip,pain and not been able to raise it my leg i.e. waking upstairs,walkslonger than 10mins,I had various blood tests(already got hypothyroidism)and an x ray for which they have said I have degeneration in the joints and said it is osteoarthritis.

The doctor was a locum and not much cop,told me tto take fish oil and glucosamine and not worry about it

Well I am,I have 4 children under 10,I am an oil industry widowmy hubby is away 14 days at a time,I need to feel better so I can enjoy life. I am not convinced it is just that as I have other symptoms too

pain in my hands and wrists and lack of grip(told it was pregnancy carpal tunnel but still have it),very tired yet my thyroid is fine and under control,hair loss,just generally not myself!!!

So if anyone has any great advice that would be great!!!

Comments

  • skezier
    skezier Member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Vicky,

    Make the appointment! Nice to see you again. Cris x
  • vickyg
    vickyg Member Posts: 13
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    thanks Cris I am going too for some peace of mind!!!!!
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello, Welcome to the site, I hope it helps you. Their are lots of people on here with young children and of a similar age to you. I'm 54, so a bit older than you. I have Osteoarthritis or as they sometimes call it, 'wear and tear' in my spine and hips and carpel tunnel in my hands.

    The first thing I'd suggest is for you to go back to the doctor and ask to be referred to a rheumatologist at the hospital, as they can do the test you need to find out the cause of your problems. I guess with 4 young children and a husband who works away, your hands full. :shock: :) But you need to think of yourself, and get some proper treatment. Love Sue
  • vickyg
    vickyg Member Posts: 13
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    HI Sue,
    I had a blood for rheumatoid factor in July,it came back as only 8 so the hospital said not to worry too much and said to my gp just to send me for an x ray,I am going back to see my gp when she is backof leave next week otherwise I will end up with the same locum again.

    Can I ask how long you have had it Sue and what treatment for pain you have tried,the locum tried to make me believe supplementswould get rid of all my pain??

    Thanks for taking time to reply and yeah my handsare definately full but that is why I want to get back on my feet asap!!!
    woodbon wrote:
    Hello, Welcome to the site, I hope it helps you. Their are lots of people on here with young children and of a similar age to you. I'm 54, so a bit older than you. I have Osteoarthritis or as they sometimes call it, 'wear and tear' in my spine and hips and carpel tunnel in my hands.

    The first thing I'd suggest is for you to go back to the doctor and ask to be referred to a rheumatologist at the hospital, as they can do the test you need to find out the cause of your problems. I guess with 4 young children and a husband who works away, your hands full. :shock: :) But you need to think of yourself, and get some proper treatment. Love Sue
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Vicky

    Totally agree with you, that locum was a waste of space :roll: what are they like, saying don't worry about it? He obviously knows nothing about arthritis :roll:

    You need to see your gp and I hope he is sympathetic. Please do not let the gp send you away with no referral, if he feels he cannot help you, painkillers and anti inflammatories. Some GPs are in the know about arthritis, others are not. If you get no joy from him, ask around in the surgery if there is a doc that does know about arthritis.

    I wish you well, you definitely need to be sorted out because of your family as well as yourself. Try to be firm with the gp should you have to, because unfortunately we do sometimes.

    We are all behind you and will support you through this if you let us know how you are getting on.

    All the best at the appointment,

    Luv
    Elna xx
    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.
  • kathy57
    kathy57 Member Posts: 1
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Vicky

    i can sympathise with you as i am 57 and also have osteoarthritis in both my hips. After seeing a consultant who said i have to just to keep exercising and take pain killers i realised this would be me suffering for the rest of my life. I was not going to take this sitting down, especially as my leg gave way when coming downstairs and I fell the rest of the way.
    The pain was so bad when i was in bed that i had to get up. [TEXT DELETED].

    Best of luck
    Kathy

    [This text has been deleted as the language used and included link qualify as advertising which is against House rules - Moderator(T)]
    vickyg wrote:
    Hi Vicky here,

    I have posted in the intro area but was advised to post on here too for maxium helpful people to see it :D

    I am a 36yr old mum of 4 children aged 9,6,2 and 5mths.

    I have been having problems with my hip,pain and not been able to raise it my leg i.e. waking upstairs,walkslonger than 10mins,I had various blood tests(already got hypothyroidism)and an x ray for which they have said I have degeneration in the joints and said it is osteoarthritis.

    The doctor was a locum and not much cop,told me tto take fish oil and glucosamine and not worry about it

    Well I am,I have 4 children under 10,I am an oil industry widowmy hubby is away 14 days at a time,I need to feel better so I can enjoy life. I am not convinced it is just that as I have other symptoms too

    pain in my hands and wrists and lack of grip(told it was pregnancy carpal tunnel but still have it),very tired yet my thyroid is fine and under control,hair loss,just generally not myself!!!

    So if anyone has any great advice that would be great!!!
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 17. Aug 2009, 10:31
    Hi Vicky :D

    I would beware of these alternatives re above. There is no magic cure for arthritis. If there was a magic cure we would all know about it and the doctors surgeries would be very empty and there would be no need for Arthritis Care and a forum like this.

    I know there are many others on here that would support me on this.

    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.
  • woodbon
    woodbon Member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    HI, I have Tramadol slow release morning and night. The pain clinic doc recommened the slow release as the dose lasts through the night. Amatripyline at night. I have had surgery in my worst wrist for carpel tunnel 2 months ago, it has done the trick I think, but I fell on it a month or so ago, when I was on holiday and had to have an x-ray to check for fracture, it was OK, but badly bruised and had to be splinted for a couple of weeks, I'm going to see the surgeon tomorrow, so hope I wont get told off!! :wink: I am going to the local pain clinic. I have had my first appointment and they checked me over and suggested the slow release form of the same drug, which has made good difference. I have been referred by the pain clinic consultant to see a spinal specialist physio at the hospital, so I'm waiting for an appointment.

    Taking suppliments does seem to help some people but I tried them and they didn''t make any noticable difference. If you can get referred to a Pain Clinic, the one attached to my hospital seems good and they listen to you, and want to know about your pain and how you cope. There main interest is in making you feel better rather than treatment. Although of course, that is important too.
    Sorry I'm going on a bit, I hope you can have your pain issues helped. Love Sue
  • vonski
    vonski Member Posts: 1,292
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Vicky

    Like the others have said you need to see a different Dr. With children so young I'm sure you are still carrying at least one or picking them up which can put a huge strain on various bones. Maybe you've overdone it a bit. But do get that appointment made.

    Love
    Vonski x
  • vickyg
    vickyg Member Posts: 13
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thanks everyone I am taking my youngest down for some injections today so going to make the apt for next week when my doctor is back,I really appreciate all your replies thank you :D