Hello from Plymouth

socoolnanny

Hello, I have read the posts frequently and decided it was time to join in. The forum is friendly and upbeat, just what I need to motivate me when feeling. low. There is always someone with bigger problems. I have had fibromyalgia for over 6 years and have now been diagnosed with multi level disc degeneration, facet joint osteoarthritis, bilateral trochanteric bursitis, osteoarthritis in hands, knees ankles and left big toe I also get reactive arthritis. Because I am asthmatic I am finding it difficult to get good pain relief; I take 1800mg gabapentin daily with tramadol, codydramol and paracetamol as needed. I am waiting for pain clinic appointment as I hope to get an injection to help with constant pain although I have been told they help more with pain management than relief. We'll see. I am usually upbeat but have not worked for nearly two years. I am a secondary SEN teacher and feel pretty useless at the moment. Would like to get back into it, teaching no problem, physically getting around school is :{
Anyone from Plymouth? Debra.

julie47

Hi debra

Sounds like you have a fair few symptoms there and I hope your pain clinic can help you get them under control.

I welcome you to the forum and hope you enjoy taking part.

Take care.....will look forward to reading your posts.

Juliepf x

jayneys

Hallo ,they are a lovely bunch of people ,i was so pleased to have found them ,and i am sure you will be too. WELLCOME. ALL THE BEST JAYNE X

elnafinn

Hi Debra

Welcome to the forum. My word, that is some shopping list you have there. I do hope the pain clinic can help you. They did me! With a couple of injections under xray direction, the horrid sciatica pain that I had had for a year, left me and has not returned since 9 December 2009. (touch wood). I do not live near plymouth.

See you around the forum,

Elna x

barbara12

Hi Debra
And a very welcome to this lovely forum, I have just found out that I have multiple level disc degeneration, on top of two very wonky hips....you will get lots of support,and yes we do like to have a laugh.....come into chit chat and see for yourself.
I wish I did live in Plymouth....I love it there
Barbara x

bertyboy

Hi Debra
welcome from me to , you have come to a good place to find support and a laugh along the way , sounds as if you have a few issues to deal with , hope the clinic can help , i have oa of the knees ones had a tkr which is causing a bit of a problem ,

speedalong

Hi Debra and welcome,

this is a fab forum and it really was my life line in the lead up and following my latest hip op. I'm back at work now and juggling home, caring duties and work so am on the forum less.

I teach too in a special needs school and I battled on and struggled as I got more and more crippled over the years. Following my op I finally had time to consider all the advice I had, had on the forum and I contacted the disability officer at Job Centre plus, found out I was covered by DDA (now replaced by soemthing else,) and had an access to work assessment which resulted in me receiving equipment and "reasonable adjustments" at work. These have made a massive difference - and the whole point I'm telling you all this - I wish I'd known about it all years ago. Could well be the help you need to return to work on reduced hours etc

Speedy

kneegirl

Welcome Debra :-) great to meet you xx

socoolnanny

Thank you all, especially Speedy, for the welcome and advice. I don't join in much to forums but I do like reading them when I get the chance. You all sound really upbeat and positive. Waiting for tribunal to get ESA having failed last medical. Apparantly I look really well because I am well presented with make up and did not look tired. Next time I will not wear any and go in a track suit :{ Debra.

caterina57

Welcome Debra - but sorry you have had to find us, You will find lots of support here I know I have!
Join us in the cafe on chit chat for a cuppa a natter and a giggle.
Cath

constable

Hi Debra,

I am late in saying welcome to the forum, as you've propably seen for yourself, everyone tries to help with advise. As already mentioned to you try the vals cafe on the Chit Chat forum, there you can have a laugh and eat and drink whatever your heart's desire.

I think that I could be one of the nearer ones to you, I live in Tunbridge Wells Kent.

Karen xx

bubbadog

Hi Debra, Sorry for replying abit late! Welcome to Arthritis Care Forum, You have done the right thing joining! Everyone on here supports each other these are a great bunch of people, we all do our best for each other when needed. Joining here was the best thing I ever did! Look forward to catching up with you on here! Welcome again! Amanda (bubbadog).

beano

hello debra,
as in the title i too live in plymouth and would also like a friend in the same type of situation as me

MissKat

Hi Debra,

Welcome! I'm from Torquay... but lived in London the last 11 years or so...

Hope you find some help on here,

Hugs, MissKat x

skezier

Hi Debra,

Late in saying welcome but they are a good lot here.

I think it depends on the pain clinic you see. I am over the Tamma and T has quite a good pain clinic... which was a surprise over all..... They have done everything it is possible to do to help keep my neck as controlled pain wise as possible so they don;t do the management with me though after all these years i guess I do manage my own quite well.

Arthritis care run pain management challenge pain courses as well. I think though your nearest is Torbay..... I know when I looked that was the nearest for us but they may now have a opened one in Plymouth since then? Might be worth looking.

I use meditation and visualisation as distraction to great benefit. There are some bits on the AC site in the about arthritis section and some ideas and techniques for getting on with the life even with the pain. Might be worth looking.

I hope your appointment goes well and i have the pregabalin not the gabs and its much better as it as its the second generation but the same drug. Its there as a reserve for you so hang in there. nice to meet you. Cris x