OA flares and false dawns

mellman01

At this present time again I seem to have hardly any symptoms of my patella OA, and I am again wondering if this at last is light at the end of my pain tunnel or as has happened several times in the past 2 years (post op key hole joint wash out and chondroplasty) my symptoms have just gone dormant and will again come back worse than before.

So now my question.
Is it possible that for some odd reason my patella problems have really really stabilised for the better this time or am I right to be very apprehensive about what is in all probability just another false dawn and I am sadly only going to repeat the whole miserable cycle of severe pain and reduced mobility again?,

So can I ask has anyone on here ever had their OA stabilised for the better so long after surgery? or is as I have already said just the calm before the inevitable pain storm.
:?:

chile168

Hi Mellman01,

So pleased for you and that at present you are feeling better. I don't have OA - RA instead but still understand your concerns about pain returning and even more aggressive. The only time I have found that my pains have returned more aggressive is after steroid injections. I felt as if the illness was staring at me and saying "it's pay back time".

I have had two toes fused, big left toe was far worse and after the operation, I still feel some pain but I don't feel as if my bone is being stretched, stubbed, crashed - can't describe it to be honest. It's been 17 months since I had the op.

What is patella??

I know I might be a long way off from what you posted but wanted to say that Im happy for you and keeping fingers mentally crossed.

Eve x

mellman01

Hi Eve thanks for the reply, sorry patella is the knee cap, I have advanced OA of both of them but main knee joints are ok though?.
I just worry it will repeat it's old cycle, it's only been 2 years since the op and so far I have had a few really big flares, both were Preceded by incredible periods of calm and bliss as if my OA had gone only to be followed by really terrible flares.
The thought of it happening again really worries me, so much that I post pointless unaswerable questions on here, but the Pavlov's dogs syndrome is very prevalent, I really don't want to go back to that level of pain in a hurry. :?

chile168

Hi again Mellman01,

Thank you for answering my question and hope you don't mind me replying again.

I felt deep sadness reading you 2nd reply as I know how worried you and us we all worry about our future. I too have problems with my knees and at present they are swollen and very painful. In fact, RA seems to have gripped every joint and I have really bad flare ups everyday. Perhaps Im norty for not accepting treatment but that's my worry.

So deeply sorry to hear that your OA is advanced. I really understand your concerns but you know what hun, enjoy today, enjoy that at present is not too bad and cross the next bridge when you get there. I have been told that if I don't accept treatment I will end up in a wheelchair and although that worries me, I still say I will cross that bridge when it comes.

Wish I had a magic wand and cure us all but I don't. I hope you can try and stay positive, enjoy the good days, one step at a time and cross that bridge when it comes.

Im slowly learning to accept the things I have and I know I can something about the things I can control and I try not to worry about the things I can't. I know it's hard.

Sorry to have waffled on but wanted you to know that Im wishing you all the best and sincerely hope your flare ups don't become aggressive.

Lots of Love xxxxx

Eve

woodbon

Hi, I decided to try a mindful meditation CD. I wasn't really sure of what I was getting, but it sounded like something worth a try.

Its OK, and if you have an open mind, does talk some sense!
What I found helpful was the idea of taking life moment by moment, as that is all we have and all we can be sure of. Not sure how good it will be but I like the idea of trying not to worry about something or regretting something I can't change. If I practice, it could help I think, all of us to try, but its a heck of a hard thing in reality!

Make the most of feeling better and I hope it will last.

Sorry a bit of a rambling post, maybe I've been listening to it too much!!!