How fast did your Arthur come on?

PollySid

I was diagnosed with OA in various parts of me about 4 years ago. It wasn't too bad at the time (compared to now) I only had to take a couple of 8/500 Coco occasionally on bad days.

This Summer everything suddenly changed. I developed bad nerve pain down my left leg and my lower back was aching constantly without medication. I get frequent bouts of pain around my shoulder blades and ribs area. One of the main problems is that I can't walk properly. It doesn't matter how I try to relax and walk smoothly, I am all jerky and hobble around with my legs feeling wobbly and weak after just a short walk from the car to the supermarket. I have had to start using a stick when out. Now the medication has to be one 30/500 Coco at least,(3 to 4 times a day) more on bad days. I also take Gabapentin once or twice a day.
I was working 3 days a week, 8 hour days, on my feet all the time before this kicked in. There is now way I can do this now and I am going to have to try to find a job where I am not on my feet so much.
I am 60 and only have one year to state retirement so don't fancy my chances of getting another job. Good job Hubby works!

I have been on the sick since July with no sign of things improving.
Does Arthur usually take a sudden surge forwards (or is it backwards?) like this? I was trying to remember how my Mum's progressed, but we were living away and I did not see her that often. My sister, who is 6 years older than me now uses a walker but can walk much farther than me. Even with a walker I couldn't keep up with her.

It is difficult as I have always been the active one - sports and athletics when I was younger and I've worked all my adult life.
Is this it? Will I never be able to walk properly again?

scozzie

Hi Polly,
My OA seemed to show itself rather quickly too. Up until late February this year I had one knee that made painless noises when walking upstairs and a right thumb joint that ached on a regular basis. But in late February all that changed when we got very busy at work and I was seconded to our sister company to help out - the work involved constant, repetitive lifting to feed the production machine. At this time my hands, every joint including my wrists, ached almost constantly with some stiffness, as did my fore feet (toes, etc), and my "quiet knee" started to hurt walking up stairs.
It didn't take long before I started taking "useless" paindullers - ibuprofen and cocos (8/500). After a month of this I decided to see my doctor as I knew this much constant soreness and stiffness wasn't right and couldn't just be down to the change in workload. He sent me for blood tests and x rays - which all proved nothing - so he referred me to a rheumy, who confirmed OA.
Since mid-October my heels and ankles have joined in the party. From the time I first noticed any soreness in my ankles until I had to visit a doctor for their excruciating pain was about three to four weeks - I am now on trammies instead of the cocos, which have helped a lot and I had a cortisone injection into my right ankle on Friday with my left scheduled for next Friday.
I am still working full time but I avoid, where possible, tasks that cause too many problems. Fortunately I'm not incapacitated by my OA, yet, although I do now give more consideration to what I can and can't do before attempting some activities.
I hope you manage some relief soon.
Take care
Scozzie

scozzie

Oh, I forgot to mention that like you I was involved in a lot sport, athletics and touring cycling - none which I do now, but I'll still walk a mile rather drive it although it takes more out of me now ... lol!
Scozzie

jez

Hi,
I find mine gets worse in jumps, I am waiting for my shoulder to be seen at present which is overloading other joints so my doctor has signed me off till it's done.
I have had OA for 30 years it was mild at first and dismissed by docs, It came as a shock to doc when they did an x-ray and saw the extent of the damage.
I was extremely fit in my youth being quite a gymnast i worked for a while as a free climber tree surgeon being able to climb some very difficult trees carrying a load of kit. i gave it up when my right knee failed, the wear causes it to dislocate which is exasperated by my tendonitis.
I have given up full time work as i get too tired to concentrate after 6/7 hours,
To sum up (OA) it's progressing but in fits and starts.
jez

dreamdaisy

Hi PollySid, now that is a difficult question to answer! Everyone's arthritis is unique to them, it develops differently, with different patterns and at differing speeds and although the same joints may be affected the effect on those concerned also varies. I began fifteen years ago with my left knee, now the number of joints is considerably more. We are all different and it takes time to establish what helps and hinders each of us. Don't be afraid to use a stick, it can be really helpful and try not to compare yourself to your sister: you aren't her and she isn't you. If the co-cos are helping then use them, I take two every six hours at the moment as I am struggling with both my psoriatic and osteo arthritis (I bl**dy hate Christmas now simply due to the extra work it brings). Rest as much as you can, take some pain relief before bed to help you get some decent sleep and perhaps ask your doctor about anti-inflammatory tablets: they can be used for further pain relief (if deemed suitable) and should also be taken with a stomach protector - but he can tell you about all that. I wish you well. DD

traluvie

Mine started in my finger last september and very quickly spread around my body..i have inflammatory and OA.
Not great at the mo so will post when i feel bit better..x

joanlawson

Hi Polly

I'm sorry to hear that you are suffering so badly with OA. In my case, the arthritis in my knees was triggered by a fall which I had. Before that, I had never had pain in my knees, although I had already got OA in one ankle. I went very quickly from being very active to having to use a stick to walk anywhere. It hit me very hard that I could no longer go on the long walks which I always enjoyed.

My sister, who is 5 years older than me, had no arthritis until very recently. She has quite suddenly started with OA in her knees, and I was shocked when I saw her recently as she is struggling to walk, and she can no longer drive he car. She has been told that she will need both knees replaced, and it all seems to have happened so suddenly.

Joan

bubbadog

Hi Polly, My Consultants came to the conclusion that my Osteoporosis started when I was still at school, because I was taken in to A & E several times with falls that where classed as just accidents, after discussing it with my consultant and explaining it to him how it happened he told me they where my legs giving way and 'flare ups' starting.
I was signed off from doing P.E when I was at school because of being in a cast for 2 months and the doctors saying my 'growing pains' could cause further damage to me. Doesn't that sound like the doctors know I had osteoporosis then but they just wouldn't admit it!
So my Osteoporosis came on when I was at school 22yrs ago now! Shocking!!

LolaCrayola

I had a whiplash accident, about 7 years ago, then episodes of pain. This year pain all year and a diagnosis.