Morning

snowdrop

After another sleepness night wake with pain in knees hip and back.. Im off to the docs and the physio later on...

Only have arthritis in both knee's but can the physio help with the hip and back pain .. what has occured due to me walking funny??

Ohhh i would give anythign to be pain free and have a good nights sleep... feel totaly down and cry all the time latley..

sorry for moaning as i havent been on in a while..

Hope everyone is well Hugs Alii xxxx

breane

Hi there,sorry to hear you have had another bad night. Like you,I never get a good nights sleep.Went to bed last night and the pain wasn't too bad.Woke around 1.20am and my hand was very painful,I couldn't straighten out my fingers at all.Do you find pain killers help at all?I have to take quite a few before pain easies off and by then I am so groggy.Any pain killers make me very tired and sluggish.Hope yoiu'll get a better nights sleep tonight.Take care,Breane.

mellman01

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sharmaine

Hi

I have OA in both knees so know what you mean about pain! I'm on the waiting to have my first total knee replacement. I have OA in fingers and right shoulder too.

It is possible that you may need to see your GP again to sort out your medication. I take 2-3 amytriptilines at night which help me sleep; diclofenac and co-dydramol x 8 a day.

I found sleep almost impossible until I started on the amytirptilines but a combination of the right meds and a memory foam mattress has helped. I used to sleep with 2 pillows under my knees and 2 under my ankles before I had the memory foam mattress topper. Now I sleep with only one pillow under my knees. You can buy a mattress topper from Argos or cheaper elsewhere online - I would suggest getting one with elastic on the corners I have one in the spare room which doesn't have elastic on the corners which cost about £26 online but it keeps slipping.

Are you still working? I had to leave my job last year. One bit of advice I would give you that has helped me is this....listen to your body. You'll tire a lot easier with arthur and will need to rest more.
Don't overdo things. I can't do a lot of things I used to do like the gardening; cleaning my car; bending; walking long distances etc.
I also had to buy a walking stick has been a godsend - I've been using one for nearly a year now inside and outside the house. I felt very self-conscious at first but it helps me to walk up and down the stairs; to rise from a sitting position; to get into bed and it's useful when I'm out and about. In fact I use it 24/7.

I hope this helps.
Sharmaine

PS I've never been to the physio! I hope she helps you. Having OA in the knees will make you walk awkwardly. You'll find that you'll not be able to walk on flat surfaces for any length of time without being in pain. I'm in agony everytime I go to the supermarket or walk in the town centre. I have to stop every 5 minutes to rest as it makes my legs swell and stiffen. I get back ache when I try and do too much. I often have discomfort in the back of my calfs and in my feet because of my awkward gait.

I used to cry a lot in the early days (still have a weep now and again). Adjusting to OA is tough for many reasons as it affects everything you do from work life; to home life - through to social life. I'm not the woman I was 5 years ago physically but inside I'm still the same. I often think we should be warned what to expect. I can't shop like I used too - either my husband does it or we have it delivered. You'll find ways of coping.

This site is a godsend for people with arthur.

elnafinn

Hi Ali

Snap - me too, another sleepless night from 2 - 4 am. You are not alone! :roll: All the best with the physio today. If the therapist is any good he/she will be able to help you with your hip and back pain which as you say has more than likely happened because of the way you are walking, because of the painful knees. It is a vicious circle isn't it?

I do hope you feel a little better after your visit to the gp and physio.

Luv
Elna x

woodbon

Hi, I slept like a log. Then woke up with a terrible headache & feeling sick. Migraine again, so took one of may tablets from the doc and its just about gone. They used to last days sometimes, the pills are not pain killers, they do something else, not sure what :shock: Love Sue

snowdrop

Thk u all for ur lovely replys... x