Doh! where do I start!!!!

kate3

Hi all
I have not been on here, I think since way back 2008.
Need some new info.
Brief run down on health.
Scoliosis,arthritic hips and knees,also small amount in hands/fingers and feet.
Done all the rounds orthop.Rhematology, Physio, Chiro, Acupuncture.Pain Clinic
Did get as far as seeing surgeon to replace HIp, he refused sent me back to Rheumy,who again said not rheumy definately ortho,
My own Doc thinks its the hip causing all the trouble.just had Bone density,but because of the scoliosis it is showing just above the red and in the red for one of the spinal discs.but hey ho, they tell me that is a false reading and really it should be in the red.

Have again just had a hip injection, but utterly useless and in fact now in more pain.

I lock up after sitting, eventually get moving,(limping badly) but cannot walk up steps or slants without excruciating pain.

I cannot take antinflammatories due to over acidity and only take paracetemol and codeine.

I am so fed up with being told there is nothing more that can be done.

Is there any good recommended creams that may help in massaging.
I use 'Tens' and find a little respite.
Sorry for the long blagg..
Kate

elnafinn

Hi Kate )

Have you changed your username? I have been on the forum since before 2008 but I do not remember you with that username.

We have some things in common, though! I have a slight scoliosis of the spine, I have had both knees replaced and I have oa in my thumbs. They are beautifully deformed now. Oh joy! Atm my hips are not bothering me. I am thankful for small mercies.

Why did the surgeon not wish to operate on your hip? Is it the "age" thing, that you are too young?

It is tough for you that you cannot take anti inflammatories. Can you take the painkiller cocodamol? Mind you, I never found them much help with the knees towards the end, before I had the TKRs.

Have you used wheatbags, the ones you heat up in the microwave? They can help for a while.

I am sorry that I cannot offer any good suggestions. Some peeps on here do use creams but whether they do any good, I am not sure. Hopefully someone will see your posting and call in to suggest any creams they find helpful.

Take care,
Luv
Elna x

tjt6768

Hi Kate, have you tried capscaisin cream, it's no miracle thing but it does help me enough to do my hand excersises so must do a bit of something.. It's made from chilli peppers..
Something you can get from your GP too as I get mine on prescription


Tony )

kate3

Thank you both so much for your replies.
@Elna. yes I had to rejoin as it kept refusing me.I think it may have been Drizzle...
Yep I take Co Codamol, it does give me some respite on getting to sleep(nap) Lol!!!
Surgeon, was having an off day and was quite dismissive really, he refused to confirm what his colleague diagnosed,I think because I can do a leg lift( I try to keep a few exercises going even through the pain).He thought the hip was not ready, I must agree that the xrays ( I paid he NHS for a copy) did not show considerable arthritis in the hip.
But the consultant recommending was aiming to work one by one around the joints.
Recent x rays, continue to show slow deterioration.
@Tony.Thank you so much I will ask GP if its possible to have the cream.
As we know we will try anything in this long battle.
forgot to confirm Elna, yep I make the wheaty bags and have 5 or 6 to hand using regularly,I also use 'Medicur'(natural magnetic field therapy).
Ice packs are uncomfortable and the benefit derived not worth this cold discomfort.Lol!!!!!!
I dont see the Gp until January,but will try to contact her by phone re the 'Cream'
Your kindness really appreciated.
Kate

hileena111

Hi,
I'm in a similar position......got kypho scoliosis, just had a THR {last Feb} was due to have one last oct but they decided my back needed treating first.
It must be hard not being able to take anti inflammatories.....can you use anti-inflam. creams do you think? If its due to over acidity you would think creams would be OK....Voltarol {name at the chemist} doc might call it diclofenic but I find that is good {or as good as any} i had a dexa scan and itcame up with.....osteopinia?? Hadnt heard of that before...apparantly not as bad as osteoporosis but bones not as good as they should be
Hope someone else comes along with some help
Love
Hileena

woodbon

Hi Kate, I'm in a similar position, but have not had surgery recommended for my hips (yet). My scoliosis, I saw from the Atos medical, is classed as 'severe'. I hadn't noticed it visually until the rheummy told me, now I it jumps out at me!

I can't take anti inflammatroies and the Chemist told me not to use some creams as they can still get into the stumch and effect it. Don't know if that is true, but I don't use them, one perforated ulcer is enough, so make very sure if you buy something that you ask the pharmasist first, if I were you. Heat helps most with very severe pain, for me but we are all different. I know some people prefer ice, have you tried that?
I hope you find some relief and sort out the situation, it sounds bad. Good luck, love Sue xxx

kate3

Thanks Sue and Hileena.
Isn't it comforting when you share your problems, with those who suffer similar problems.
As you will see from my above post, I've tried almost all combinations.
'Managing the pain' covers so much and always brings a smile,
as I say 'OK but which pain shall we concentrate on today@ Lol!!!

@Hileena. the osteopinia, is where you are just above osteoporsis,BUTTTT, if you have scoliosis then that could be a false reading and you are actually in the osteoporisis range.
As the curvature of the spine confuses the technology (amazing, so what is the point in the test for us) Doh!!

@Sue.I understand the creams you suggest do get into the stomach but not as severe as taking a pill.

@Tony. spoke to Doc she is more than willing to give me the cream and I started it yesterday,and last night I did sleep easier, she thought it may work on the knees but not on the Hip bursae or the back as they are too deep.
I apply it with medical gloves, as knowing me I would accidentally rub my eye.Lol!!!!

Ah well, onward we go,I am in Devon in the UK and today we are knee deep in snow grrr!!Lovely to look at but not so nice for getting about.
Take care and will let you know any earth changing aids I discover. x:)
Kate

speedalong

Hi Kate,

I have used max strength voltarol and iboprufen gels which helped somewhat on my knees. Not being able to take anti-inflamatories is a real shame as they are one of the best defences - the gp wouldn't let you take them with a strong stomach protector - some are easier on the stomach than others. You say you are using the heat.

Sounds like you are being shunted from dept to dept. Can I ask you how old you are? Worth having regular x rays and appointment with the ortho as deterioration can suddenly accelerate. No good getting the GP to send you for x rays as they will just come back with "wear and tear" as the diagnosis. You need them to be compared each time to the previous x rays. Might be worth asking to see a different ortho as none of them seem to "sing from the same songsheet."

Speedy

speedalong

Hi Hileena, where is the curve in your back?
What treatment are you having for it? Is the treatment helping?

When I went for physio for my back this week, the physio said my back was more curved at the top than a normal back and this compounded my problems. This was the first I time that I had been told this - but then this was the first time I had been referred specifically for my back. I have got poor posture and having my hip partially dislocated for so many years (til May this year) meant my back was forced to be "wonky."

Speedy

hileena111

Hi Speedy
In answer to your question......the scoliosis is a C shaped curve in the middle of your back {can go either way}
The kypho bit of it is the stoop at the top of your back. so kypho scoliosis,......this is how I understand it anyway....and until I was due for my 2nd THR nothing was said about it and 2 weeks before THR he sent me for an MRI.....decided it could be referred pain from my back {after going through the first THR!!!!!!} sent me to a back specialist who saw me once, discharged me to a physio....seen her twice.....3 gentle exercises is all thats happened so I dont really know whats happening.....see her again on Tuesday.
Love
Hileena

frogmorton

Hi kate

Drizzle? I bet I knew you then too - anyrate good to eother meet you or see you again

maybe something like amitrip to help relax muscles at night would be good - tehre are loads of gels to rub in from ibupfofen and movelat and volterol. I have some trouble with ati-infklams due to my belly, but like others have arcocia which is anti-inflam but way more gentle on the belly )

Good to meet you

Love

Toni xx

kate3

Hi all
Thanks for all your input.
I must say that I have been to Chiro now for 4 years, he is so gentle and understanding,he keeps the back pain under control,and is as confused and annoyed as everyone else, that he cannot ease the hips and knees.
I did a year also of acupuncture,till this last (explosion!!) of pain.
as I was just throwing good money away, as there was no improvement.
@speedalong.Re the xrays, agree as you say they come back as a little more deterioration, but my GP has agreed that we will do the rounds again,and see what they come up with this time Doh!!!!!!
I am 65 years,but even with all meeee aches and pains I keep active.
Take care all
Kate x:)

kate3

Hi all
Update!!!!Have an appointment to see Ortho on Wednesday this week,Yippee!!!
BUT when they rang to confirm I would be attending, I thought I would ask who I was seeing....You guessed correct...same as last time Doh!!! I must have sounded disappointed , as she asked if that was a problem, of course I gave her a potted history, saying I was hoping for a 2nd opinion, she was marvellous and said thats not a problem I will call you back with a different Ortho.
So now I just hope I will get some sense from this debacle.
Will let you know the outcome.
Take care
Kate

kate3

Well yippe for me!!!!
Should have had it done on the first visitGrrrr!!!!!,
but anyway they went to town today, did a full M.O.T x.rays blood tests etc etc.. and hope to have a date for early March.For replacement right Hip

Thank you all for your earlier comments they really helped.
Kate

dreamdaisy

That sounds more positive, please let us know what the results of your tests are, as and when you get them. I wish you well. DD

kate3

Bless you, will do if they let me know.......
Kate