having oa of the knees

only49

having osteoarthritis does it just mean one of life's things you have to put up with, is there anything that can be done about it, apart just taking tablets and using doing what ever works to help you get through the day, and is it normal to feel tired, and is it because you just have to work that bit harder and its your body telling you to slow down,

is anyone claming d.l.a if they are is it straight forward, i do have some experince of d.l.a as my son has specail needs and i know the forms are a nightmare

sylvia

elnafinn

Hi Sylvia

So pleased you found your way to this zone. I cannot help you with DLA but I am sure others will call in to help you with that one.

Unfortunately yes, we do have to put up with "arthur" and try to pace ourselves and not overdo things when we feel OK which is difficult to do as you have probably found out. There are other things that can be tried besides only popping pills. First of all it is a good idea to try to get the meds to suit your pain to keep it at bay most of the time which is often a case of trial and error. You can be referred for physio, acupuncture, a gym perhaps via the NHS, a pain clinic, consultant. Using heat and ice on joints to aid inflammation and pain can help greatly. Gentle exercise ie tai chi, yoga, swimming, cycling can be of benefit.

I hope some of these suggestions may help,

Luv
Elna x

zechariah

Hi,

I have OA in my knees, I have had it since I was about 30 and am now 42, yes it is tiring, you have to work harder to move and also any pain will tire you out!
Exercise can help in the early stages!
I get DLA and they were suprisingly very good, no fuss at all!
I have found that trying (although difficult at times) to be positive and not let it beat you helps!
There is alot of information about and reading will help you understand better.

I hope you get on ok.

elnafinn

I totally agree, trying to be positive does help and having a sense of humour can be of great benefit too. Personally, I find being positive does not perhaps use up as much energy as being negative and any energy saved is a bonus.

I wish you well,

Elna x

chris7

Hi Sylvia

In addition to the wise words above. One thing I quickly learned on joining this helpful site, is that it is ok and sometimes necessary to keep pestering your GP for answers and support either for the right meds or referrals. Only you know how difficult things are becoming.

I am lucky to still be working part time, but it is an increasing struggle and yes the tiredness and having to pace yourself we all understand to some degree or another. The lovely people on here helped me to understand so much about my OA and thanks to them I did pester my doc. after six years of thinking I just had to put up with things. I now see a physio and go to hydrotherapy which has really helped my mobility and confidence. This may not be of help in your situation but I hope it helps you to realise that people will offer their support or encouragement here when you need it.
take care
Chris

elnafinn

That is so true, Chris, we unfortunately do have to pester our gps sometimes and make them listen to us and take on board how we are really feeling. If we do not keep returning, if we feel we are not getting the correct treatment or help, the medics will not come to us. With the knowledge we acquire on here from others, we feel more confident to ask for referrals and such like, that perhaps the gp has not even thought about previously. After all, gps know a little about a lot of ailments and unless they choose to specialise in say, arthritis, we have to educate them!!

Love
Elna x

bertyboy

Hi Sylvia
it can be tuff at times but with the right meds and treatment things do get brighter , question your DR , as to what is avaliable , there are things that might help you now rather than later , not every thing will work the same for everybody x

skezier

Hi Sylvia,

I got oa in my knees but so far its the least active and the one I notice least of all the joints i have effected so I can't really help but just wanted to say a hi and welcome to the forum from me as well.
DLA.....well its not the easiest thing to get apparently though I have never tried for it . Take care Cris

only49

thanks everyone for the support and understanding you all shown me sine i found this forum, it a great comfort to me to know that you all seem to understand, even just that makes all the difference, i totally agree that you have to have a sense of humour where would we be without it, also i dont know if this is familar to anyone i try and block out what i used to be able to do and try not to think about it, but sometimes thats easier said than done when your in pain, i guess we are all different one thing that a friend of mine said to me one day is she has never heard me moan, and to her i just seem to get on with it, well i guess thats true i never really thought about, still nice of her to say so.

sylvia

elnafinn

Hi Sylvia

Yes, we are all different and we cope with our inner feelings about "arthur" in all kinds of ways that we find the most comfortable for us personally. It was good of your friend to let you know how she finds you when she does know what you are having to put up with and it was a compliment and we all like to receive those, don't we? They boost our morale no end. It does not cost anything either to praise someone but often that is last on many people's list of things to do or say.

Do keep in touch as often as you wish. I find this site quite addictive and have been on here around three years. A harmless addiction though

Luv
Elna x