Weighty Issue

angie1973

Hello all!

Hope you don't mind me dropping in. I've been on the Helpteam section a fair bit, as I've now got my diagnosis for OA.

I have it in my hands, knees, neck and probably lower back too.

I've got a couple of questions to ask if that's OK (don't want to be a nuisance!).

From what I have read about OA, lots of the articles say being overweight is a contributing factor to OA. I've been a fairly normal weight for a long time, but am now classed as overweight, as I got weighed recently and was not best pleased to learn I'd put on nearly two stone over a period of years.

I've always had issues with my knee regardless of my weight, and my neck has always been painful, my hands followed, but then I got fibro which I think was brought on by the car accident I had, and stressful periods I had following that.

Has anyone here had OA diagnosed, lost weight and seen an improvement in the pain and rate of their OA?

Also, I've seen people talking about the lumps they get on their hands with OA on the bone ends and middle joints, but mine is appearing on my actual knuckles? Is this also a typical place to get this? It causes the worst pain in my hands, particularly during the damp colder weather. I have to wear gloves inside to just keep the pain levels down.

Sorry to banter on, just trying to get as much info as possible to help me manage. I work full time and I love what I do, two young kids so want to be as useful as possible!!

Thank you all!
Ange

dorcas

Hi Ange and nice to meet you

I'm glad you've finally got a diagnosis but sorry the OA is affecting so many joints especially with kids to look after too.

they do say that for any of the arthers losing weight can help as it reduces the 'load' and pressure on the joints.

we unfortunately can find ourselves in a vicious circle with arther and weight gain...some drugs & the pain and immobility of inflamed joints stops us from moving and exercising as we would want...and so the weight rises, not reduces!. rotten isn't it :roll:

I have PA mostly and could do with losing a couple of stones too...so not the best person to offer words of wisdom about this.

I'm sure there'll be others around soon who will answer your question.

nice to see you posting...and hope to see you popping in on other threads soon.

Iris x

angie1973

Iris!

Thanks so much for the reply.

I do need to lose a couple of stone. I know it would no doubt help the load on my joints, but like you say, easier said than done isn't it. I work full time mainly desk / office based, so not a mad place to exercise for sure! I do a once round the block at lunchtimes to get some exercise when I can.

Because I have fibro too, I have real sleep issues, so get 2-3 hours on a good night, so am always fighting the fatigue, which is so motivating for exercise! I spent two weeks in Cornwall recently hill climbing, swimming every other day and felt great for it, restless legs got much worse, but felt good.

Just impossible to keep up at home, I am done for by the time I get back home after work, and then fight all night with restless legs, then don't sleep.

I'd love some tips of losing weight with fatigue and pains, and a very dodgy knee!

It's lovely to meet you too!
Ange

dreamdaisy

Hi. I lost a shed load of weight, without really trying, and it made absolutely no difference to the pain and inflammation of my PA. OA, being different in its root cause, may well react differently to weight loss. There's only one way to find out! As dorcas said, weight gain is a side-efffect of quite a few meds that many of us take, and that doesn't help. I think those with RA and PA are on some pretty poisonous drugs that OAers seem to avoid, so hopefully losing weight may be slightly easier for you. I wish you well. DD

angie1973

Thank you DD.

You are right of course, need to see by actually losing it. I know I've been a size ten before and still felt just as bad so not entirely sure I can blame it on weight, but it's not going to hurt my general health full stop either way.

Thank you for your advice, I feel lucky just to have OA and fibro. My one aunt has RA and my other aunt has PA and they suffer a lot.

Does anyone with OA have the lumps on their hands? I'm 36 now, and although I'm not vain about things like that, just hoping that it doesn't cause me too many mobility issues. Currently it's my right hand that is worst effected, and it's the hand I hold my stick on to support my right knee which is also worse, so wondering when I have to use it again (winters are bad for me), if it will cause issues.

Thank you so much for the advice!

dreamdaisy

Firstly, you are holding the stick in the wrong hand: this was on a thread yesterday on LWA, (Things you should know or summat like that it's called, started by tonesp) you should use the support on the opposite side of the body to the problem. It will feel odd if you are not naturally left-handed or have any degree of ampidextrous skills, but work at it because your right knee will be better supported and thus protected. Secondly, losing weight is beneficial so have a bash! I've currently given up trying as I'm on oral steroids, 15mg per day, so that spoils things. DD

frogmorton

Hi Ange

Hello

Good to meet you.

My sis has OA and she lost 6 and half stone!!! I know I know those of you who know me have heard this before but I AM proud of her.

Some of her joints are way better on the whole however some are damaged too much such as her ankles

Think if you can you should - it helps the wieght bearing jonts for definite.

Sorry to hear you have the fibro too

Love

Toni xx

angie1973

Thank you for your replies, I appreciate it.

It's day like today when everything aches and crunches and I feel so tired that it's good to know there are peeps out there that understand.

Thank you xx

skezier

Hi Angie,

Its an interesting question this cus its got to be better for the bones with less weight but the oa in my back was if anything less happy though my knees were less painful. The 'padding' sometimes can hold it all in place..... but tis got to be better to not have so much on it all..... Nice to meet you Cris x

dorcas

Hi ange

you need never feel your on your own with this great forum. always someone around to listen when you're having a difficult time and to share the upbeat moments too....and to have a laugh

join in with us on any forum or topic...helps you to get to know us and vice versa.

look forward to seeing you around the forum.

Iris

elainebadknee

Hi Angie

When I was diagnosed with oesteochondritis dissecans at age of 18 i weighed around 10 stone. After removal of first loose body I was told by a dietician to lose weight and did, lost a stone and in the years that came from ages of 20-27, my condition actually got worse when I lost the weight.
Ive never been a lightweight, at lightest was 9 stone, heaviest 14 stone.....I was also told to give up retail work, standing on my feet all day, but as didnt have any other skills couldnt........
Aged 41 now my leg has finally had enough...I cant say weight loss did help my condition as when I first got it I never had any accident or fall to create loose body.........Id say of course healthy weight is good but sometimes its easier said than done when every step is painful and as my doctor says every human is a weight bearing person......

Elainex

angie1973

Elaine,

Thank you so much for your reply. When I first had my car accident I was about 8 stone 10, healthy for my height, a size 10 clothes etc. At my heaviest I've been 14.5 (but that was post pregnancy).

I had years of being really fit, I was a runner, 3 miles a day every day, running around after kids, climbing hills and even did snowdon, and I was in a bad way with my neck etc, but it's just got so much worse lately, and I've put on the weight gradually so not a yo yo effect like they say can be really bad.

I do have trouble though shifting the weight. One, time for exercise, two fatigue because of the sleep issues, three, working full time, two young kids etc, but I am trying. I am hoping slowly but surely will be the game. I've lost 3 pounds so far, but need to lose 28!

My knee was also badly injured as a youngster (19) when I fell down some steps and badly hurt it, it's never recovered which is why I think I have OA there. I have strained ligaments in my feet, a d really tight achelies as well which is a pain as it threatens to cramp all the time despite stretches.

But you learn to get on with things don't you. I just appreciate having some good folks here to talk to.

sorry to have gone on again, I can really talk!!!
Ange..

tkachev

I lost 2 stone with my R.A and felt just as bad and have since gained 4 stone and have got better, but due to medication. i am always being told to lose weight and I am finding it incredibly difficult. I have got some OA in a couple of joints and i am sure there is more pressure on them. i just wish i could lose some weight too.
I have the same staff now telling me to lose weight who used to say theres nothing of me !


elizabeth

dreamdaisy

I'm off to open a packet of biscuits, a small reward for the meth jab this morning. Foxes Butter Crinkle crunch. Anybody want one? DD


A little later: I have eaten three. And I want some more. :oops:


A little later after last post: I have resisited temptation!

dippydoodah

angie1973 wrote:

Hello all!

Hope you don't mind me dropping in. I've been on the Helpteam section a fair bit, as I've now got my diagnosis for OA.

I have it in my hands, knees, neck and probably lower back too.

I've got a couple of questions to ask if that's OK (don't want to be a nuisance!).

From what I have read about OA, lots of the articles say being overweight is a contributing factor to OA. I've been a fairly normal weight for a long time, but am now classed as overweight, as I got weighed recently and was not best pleased to learn I'd put on nearly two stone over a period of years.

I've always had issues with my knee regardless of my weight, and my neck has always been painful, my hands followed, but then I got fibro which I think was brought on by the car accident I had, and stressful periods I had following that.

Has anyone here had OA diagnosed, lost weight and seen an improvement in the pain and rate of their OA?

Also, I've seen people talking about the lumps they get on their hands with OA on the bone ends and middle joints, but mine is appearing on my actual knuckles? Is this also a typical place to get this? It causes the worst pain in my hands, particularly during the damp colder weather. I have to wear gloves inside to just keep the pain levels down.

Sorry to banter on, just trying to get as much info as possible to help me manage. I work full time and I love what I do, two young kids so want to be as useful as possible!!

Thank you all!
Ange

Hi Angie,
Im sorry to hear about your diagnosis, your situation sounds very familiar to mine. I am 32 years old with 3 little boys and was diagnosed with OA in february this year. I have not been overweight my whole life, in fact 2 years ago I lost a further 3 stone for my wedding and kept it off, I was loving life and gaining so much confidence. Unfortunately, my OA has gotten so bad I rarely exercise and have put on an awful lot of weight. Im back to a size 18. I eat well, brown rice, pasta and bread, no potatoes, I eat salads and chicken and keep my portions small but because of the lack of exercise, it's not helping. I also suffer from hypothyroidism so find losing weight anyway very hard. Im due back at my GP this week after having bloods done.

I have OA everywhere basically, toes, knees, left hip, elbows, shoulders, hands and neck and I find it extremely hard to look after my little lads the way I used to but you do adapt. Ive learnt over the last 6 months to do things in different ways.

I don't know if there is any truth in this but Im sure I was told for every pound you put on, it puts 3lb of pressure on the knees so for every pound you lose, you lose 3lb of pressure on the knees... Im sure someone will correct me if im wrong... :?

With regard to the hands, I have bumps on my middle joints of my fingers, they look like two little hills with a dent in the middle, if that makes sense i get terrible pains in my knuckles and wrists and my fingers are so swollen I cannot get my rings off anymore (i actually dont want to as theyre my wedding rings and I wouldnt feel right without them...)

Im sorry Ive not really been much help, just wanted you to know you're not alone and I hope you find a way to get through the days as painfree as possible.

Caroline x