just been diagnosed

coco67

hi, i have just been told by the dr at the hospital that i have arthritis in my neck, arms/hands feet and knees, dont leave much does it. i really dont know to much about this condition apart from it hurts like hell and drives me mad as i struggle to open things, lift things, walk like im 90 not 42 and am exhausted. any help or advice on where to start with understanding this condition more. plzzzzzzzzzzz

fran

Wonkylegs

coco67 wrote:

hi, i have just been told by the dr at the hospital that i have arthritis in my neck, arms/hands feet and knees, dont leave much does it. i really dont know to much about this condition apart from it hurts like hell and drives me mad as i struggle to open things, lift things, walk like im 90 not 42 and am exhausted. any help or advice on where to start with understanding this condition more. plzzzzzzzzzzz

fran

HI Fran, & welcome to the forum!!

so sorry that you need us though :roll: arthur has no respect I'm afraid, and likes to get his own way, but we try to frustrate him at every turn

I am 42, and know well that 'I feel more like 90' feeling when my RA is out of control. DOn't worry - when they get some treatment sorted out for you, you should get plenty of days when you can feel more like yourself, although that can take a bit of time to get right.

for info this site is a great start - Arthritis Care have a load of different information booklets. If you don't know what type of arthritis you have (you don't mention, and maybe they didn't say) then there is one about the main different kinds (there are more than 200 :shock: ) if you click on publications and resources tab at the top of this page you will find it there.

If you can ring them between 10am & 4pm , the free helpline is a great source of support too - everyone there has arthritis so they know just how hard it can be living with it.

hope that helps a bit. I hope you'll keep posting and let us all support you.
hugs
WOnky

valval

coco67 wrote:

hi, i have just been told by the dr at the hospital that i have arthritis in my neck, arms/hands feet and knees, dont leave much does it. i really dont know to much about this condition apart from it hurts like hell and drives me mad as i struggle to open things, lift things, walk like im 90 not 42 and am exhausted. any help or advice on where to start with understanding this condition more. plzzzzzzzzzzz

fran

hi fran what type did they tell you you have??? if it ra the meds do help but take months to kick in what have they given you . welcome you will find lots of friends here for the good and bad times good luck. by the way last year felt like that but meds are working and feel like the 49 i am i have to listen to body and not go to mad but do feel less exhausted and in much less pain val

suncatcher

Im sorry you have had your news. its devestating such a scary time take things one day at a time. I hope you have good support and understanding people to help you through this. remember there are a lot of good people on this sight who are hear to listen and help you were we can.
The site has a lot of information to help you so you are in a good place all ready. My Artheritis effects me all over i have had RA over 5 years.
I was 35 when mine came i had a sixmonth and a 11 year old. It was hard and painful. They are 5 and 16 now. I have good nurses doctors who have helped so much. I hope you have a good hospital gp good support this will help so much. Arthertis care have good leaflets. Read and learn as much when you are ready too much info at once will overwelm you take it easy.
One day at a time there is allways someone on site to listen and answer quereies. I want to welcome you to the site and send you huggs joanne price

coco67

thankyou for the lovely welcome,

the dr didnt say what kind of arthur ( i luv the way you have named it arthur) i have and told me to keep using ibrufen, paracetomol and codydromol when required even though i said they dont take the pain away. i have to go back and see him in 3 months but may get called back sooner as i have low calcium and vitamin D also and they took more bloods today to see how low they are now. im under a dr who does general medicine and sadly wasnt to helpfull. im wondering if i should go back to my gp and see if they can offer some other pain help

skezier

Hi Fran,

Welcome from me as well, this lot are a good lot.

I can think of a few things but not sure how helpful they will be.... First I am sorry you got the diagnosis and I now its like being scat with a pounder so a ((( ))) for you.

You say your under a general medicine unit, I wonder have they done xrays and tested for an inflammatory type of arthritis? see I think maybe you should see a rumo for this one as well.

I wonder if you have a good gp it might be worth making a double appointment and talking it all through with them? You must have so many questions and I also think Wonky's right about checking the site at the top about arthritis. The helpline are incredibly good as well if ringing them would help then do that.

Your tablets aren't working so maybe you gp could try you on a different medication? You need something for inflammation and something for pain relief.

Flower the one thing I promise you is it does get easier and well though sorry about your diagnosis it is nice to meet you. Hang in there and hopefully you will get sorted. Cris x

Wonkylegs

if you feel that the pain killers that you currently take do net help, then certainly go back to see your GP.

they can prescribe better things for you, or can telephone your specialist for an emergency appointment

coco67

Thankyou xx

Although i wouldnt wish this on anyone one it is reasuring to know im not alone, {{{{{{{{{hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

i have had x-rays and he said thats where he picked up the arthur in my neck etc and buckets full of blood tests so i dont know if that sheds any light on what type i have.

im not a quitter by nature but have to admit i feel like ive been hit by a bus with this one. still one more check point on lifes road trip, just need to find the right visa to get through and continue forward. i think im lucky and have found a lovely group to acompany me on my lifes road trip, thankyou xx

minky67

Hi Coco, You sound quite possive about this & thats a good start.
The bloods will (or should) show any inflammation that could suggest RA & if thats the case then they will quickily sort some meds out for that.
I dont have Ra so cant tell you about meds.
If you painkillers arent working then im afraid you have to be a nuisance & keep going back to your GP til you get something that works. Ive had to do that for over 2yrs. Im now under pain management clinic having gone through loads of different meds,now trying alternative things plus different meds on trail.
Everyone on this site have been amazing to me & its got to be an addiction to me now.
Anything you need to know this is the place to be.
Take care & hope to see you around.
debs

dippydoodah

hi fran and welcome to the forum from me too

you couldn't be in a better place for advice, support and sometimes just a good chat. there are an amazing bunch of people here, so welcoming its unreal. im a bit of a newbie myself, being diagnosed this february/march so im still learning myself so im not sure how much help i can be but i wanted to say hi anyway.

im sorry to hear that arthur has found you too. its certainly a shock and alot to take in. im 32 and have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis pretty much everywhere like you, neck, wrists, fingers, knees and feet :shock:

as a newbie i dont really have the great advice that others can provide only to reiterate what they have said by going back to your gp to sort out meds that work for you. ive been back 3 times and you kinda have to pester them a bit. i hope you manage to get the help you need to make life a little easier. ive found lots of ways of adapting things in my home to make me feel a little more independant but i am learning that its ok to ask for help when you need it. its a case of learning the balance between keeping mobile and rest, something which ive unfortunately not quite mastered yet :oops:

sorry i cant be much help but just wanted to show my support and say welcome from me too. ive received a wonderful welcome from other arthur sufferers here and its really great knowing there are so many people in the same position who can offer advice.

caroline x

hileena111

Hi Fran, Welcome to the forum...sorry to hear how much pain you have and like others say we all have different ki nds of arthur.
If wear and tear is ever mentioned you can be sure its O.A.
Let us know when you find out....sorry not much help......this is just to say welcome

speedalong

Hi Fran
welcome to the forum. Defin get back to the GP to find out more about what type of arther you have and also to find out a combo of meds that best work for you ... this can take a bit of time and experiementation. Write out a list of questions to ask him.

Have you seen any specialists, had any x rays, tests etc?

Have you had any physio?

Keep reading and posting.

Speedalong

coco67

hi, i have been seen by a dr in general meds, had loads of bloods and x-rays which showed arthur in my neck etc , low calcium and vit d. then told i would see him again in 3 months keep taking pain killers i.e brufen/paracetomol which dont touch it on a bad day.

thankyou for the lovely welcome

dreamdaisy

There are different types of arthritis, do you still not know which one? I believe that osteo (OA) shows bone damage, rheumatoid (RA) and psoriatic (PA) are inflammatory, RA can be diagnosed by a blood test, but there is a form of it which cannot. Treatments differ too. It's a shame that no-one appears to be able to specify what you have, but anyway, it's one hell of a blow and it takes time to adjust. At least you are on the right path now - if the current meds regime proves to have little benefit get referred to a rheumatology unit, they know their stuff and may be able to provide more help and info. Good luck with it all and I hope you start feeling better soon. Dreamdaisy

woodbon

Hello, Just to welcome you to the forum and hope that you find it as helpful as I do. I am sorry that you need to join though! :? I have OA in my spine, neck and a few other joints. They keep testing me for RA, but so far I've been clear.
Love Sue

sanmar63

coco67 wrote:

hi, i have just been told by the dr at the hospital that i have arthritis in my neck, arms/hands feet and knees, dont leave much does it. i really dont know to much about this condition apart from it hurts like hell and drives me mad as i struggle to open things, lift things, walk like im 90 not 42 and am exhausted. any help or advice on where to start with understanding this condition more. plzzzzzzzzzzz

fran

Hi Fran,

I've had RA in all of my joints since the age of one year. The worse one being my neck, which is completely fused. I know its excruciating sometimes, but please make sure that you keep your neck and head moving - otherwise you'll end up like me.
I can move my head about 2 inches to the left and 1 to the right, and my jaw only opens about 3/4 of an inch.
I can cope with the swollen hands/feed/wrists etc, because I have gadgets etc to help me, and you WILL manage - because you've GOT to. Be strong, and work out what help you need - and find out how and where you can get that help.
Love and ((()))'s, Sandra xxx

coco67

im guessing by what has been said on here i definatly have oa as my xrays showed it in my neck etc, went to the drs today they gave me more paracetomal, brufen and codydromol. ive been takin them but she wouldnt give me anything else just yet. so dont feel like i got anywhere. im so glad i popped on here and found you lovely people or i think iwould be dispondant by now.

hileena111

Hi Coco
Keep at your doc if the meds are not working....A lot of us have been through that {inc me} where they dont believe anything is wrong with you at all....then when they do get a diagnosis they puyt you on the mildest drugs possible that are useless {talking about myself here}
Keep posting here and in my group and let us kn ow what you find out.

Love
Hileena