Recently diagnosed

Ayr

I was diagnosed with Osteoarthritis after having knee trouble since the age of 15. My GP is changing my medication as it keeps making ill. In the past few days I have noticed that my hip is starting to play up in the same way that my knee does.

I can't leave the house without a walking stick, and at times this really gets me down as I feel that everyone is just staring at me, and on the buses people yell at me and say that I don't really need a stick, I'm just using it to make sure I get a seat. :-x

I feel so depressed most of the time, and I try not to leave the house unless I really have to. I'm only 28 and I feel like this condition has taken over my life.

I'm also dyspraxic and that doesn't exactly help things either.

Sorry to rant, but I feel like I have no one to turn to

LolaCrayola

Hello. I have to ask for a chair to sit in and often get asked why. Welcome here. It is an unpleasant thing to have to live with. At least people here understand. I look okay, I can't carry anything, I often need a seat. Often I wonder what it is going to take from me next. I am on the waiting list for NHS pain clinic.

valval

welcome, people do not realise because we look so normal (what ever that is) so they do not understand and who can blame them we live with it and nine times out of ten we do not get it at all either. so forgive them being selfish they will understand one day. you could always tell them to mind there own buisness why should they comment on your use of a stick it non of there buisness you know you need it so ignore them they not worth worrying about val

stickywicket

Hello Ayr and welcome to the forum though it’s a pity you had to find us. For a start, you must never feel you ‘have no-one to turn to’ because now you have us. We understand all too well about the difficulties of life with arthritis so there’s no need to apologise for ‘a rant’. It’s necessary from time to time.

You say your medication keeps making you ill. What medication is this? Some form of paindullers/anti-inflammatories I guess. If the ‘making you ill’ bit is that they upset your stomach, do you also have a stomach protector prescribed?

It is possible that the hip is hurting because you are walking awkwardly due to the knee problem. Maybe you could ask for it to be x-rayed or for a consultation with a physiotherapist who would be better able to tell.

Depression is a different illness. Naturally, we all get down sometimes – who wouldn’t? – but, if you’ve reached the point of trying not to leave the house, that sounds more serious. You have nothing to be ashamed of. Arthritis is a disease, not a moral defect. Those who should be ashamed are the ones who yell at you that you don’t really need a stick. As if anyone would carry one for fun! Don’t become a prisoner in your own home, Ayr. If you are depressed, tell your GP. You have enough to deal with without that.

Please keep us informed about how things are with you. I hope they will soon improve.

valval

i have problem with my knee and when it is bad it makes my hip hurt had it xrayed (both) hip nothing wrong with knee shows long term inflimation so know it coming from there ask your gp val

tillytop

Hello and welcome from me too.

I am so sorry things are difficult for you but I hope that you will feel less alone by sharing on here.

Thinking of you.

Love Tillyxxx

zechariah

Hi,
I have had knee problems since I was in my early twenties, I am now 44.

Your hip is hurting because of what they call associated pain, you will walk differently with that leg and so that affects the hip and it will also hurt your foot and maybe your back.

I am on a whole heap of meds and yet I am in pain 24/7, I think we all have been through a stage of depression to some degree at one time and cared about what people think. I was even accused by my parish priest of faking it and some family members have accused me of not being unwell and just fiddling benefits, but now I really don't care what people think. Its the same old all the time and I couldnt give a ####!

I now use a wheelchair when I go out and people stare and by going out and trying to do something that I enjoy, I end up in more pain, but its important to keep trying as it keeps you going.

If you have a pain management team at the hospital, go and see them, the not only help with the pain but with the psychological aspect of being in pain and also there is help from Arthritis care.
I use Twitter a lot and it keeps me going, if you or anyone else is on there, add me i am @zecrich

Remember, you are not alone, we are a community!

bubbadog

Welcome Ayr, And don't think your alone with getting the looks and horrible things said at you hun, I'm 38yrs old and when my OH takes me out and we park in a blue badge space, I have the blue rinse brigade attack me even though I have a blue badge! They call me a fraud and a benifits cheat! Even though I'm only young it doesn't mean I don't have Osteoporosis! I feel like I need a doctor constently with me saying yes she really does have this disease and young people can get it! Just because you can't see your bones it doesn't mean they can't deteriorate.
Does your council have a dial-a-ride service? that's what I used to use until we had a falling out over not taking wheelchair people to hospital appointments, but if you do you should use that, they are good espicially if your disabled. You should ask your council about it, alot of councils do run some sort of service for disabled people, and they don't discriminate about age on them! It is so sickening that people really do type cast arthritis as an old peoples illness when people any age can get it. It's a shame that no one has ever brought it up on television in either an advert or on a television programme. That would soon shut up these discusting people.

Hibee

Hi

Nice to meet you. I was just recently diagnosed with probable ankylosing spondylitis I am 36. I am glad you have posted here as you will meet others who are in the same situation.

I would go and speak with your GP about the depression as there are lots of things out there which can help such as medication and therapy. I have various anxiety disorders and depression and it is hard to deal with. I hope things get better for you soon.

Hibee

Ayr

Hi all,

Thank you for your kind words. It feels better to able to speak to others who are in the same position as me.

I went back to see my GP, and he sent me off to get my hips x-rayed. Its already at the stage where standing up is painful, plus it feels like its bleeding although there is nothing there.

I've got a follow up Appointment on 12th Jan. This is both for the x ray results plus to get advice on how my condition may be affect by pregnancy. I'm not up the duff yet, its just something myself and my fiancée have been talking about

hileena111

Hi Ayr,
You aren't alone getting all these comments etc.
Loads of posts I have read people are complaining of the same thing.
I'm lucky in one respect.....I'm old I'm in my 60's and was in my early 50's when diagnosed with OA.
My mind says I'm in my 30's but my body argues now and again and puts me right Because of this I suppose I have never had these remarks.
Sit and think of things to reply back.....so that it doesnt take you unawares. Tell them to mind their own business but there are others.I'm sure some people on here could help you out with that :P
Use every aid possible to make life easier for yourself......dont let pride get in your way. {Or these ignorant people} We have a very large shopping center and no way could I manage that {in fact now I can only do about 10 mins one way and then 10 mins back} Quite a few years ago my daughter {late 20's then} said hire a scooter mam.....I wouldnt even consider it...that was for old people. She said "you aren't giving in think of it as a coping mechanism that lets you do things you couldnt do without it.} Talk about role reversal but she was so right.....now I go round that shopping center sometimes I'm in thee for about 3 hours.
Anyway enough about me......just think of the things people have said to you, think up a smart reply for when someone says it again Be prepared the next time but DONT let them keep you in the house.....you are so young....what will life be like?
As for your tablets....did you get those sorted? There are a lot of different tablets for OA so if one doesnt work get the doc to try something else. If its an antiinflammatory......you should be on a stomach protector eg Omneprozol or something like that.
Sorry should have said. I have OA in my hips spine ankle and neck....also got kypho scoliosis. I've had one hip replaement. So I do know what you are talking about except I drive.....but people who drive have the same thing when they use a blue bage :x
You have us here to talk to so keep coming back
Love
Hileena

Ayr

Hi Hileena

I do use a walking stick whenever I leave the house, I have to. I do go to college 4 days a week, and the staff there are very helpful. I have special permission to use the lifts they have there.

I'm hoping to go to Uni next year, but that depends on how my OA develops. I would have to get a train to travel, but to get to my local station, it would mean me trying to struggle up a steep flight of stairs.

When it comes to anti inflammatorys I can't take them as they interact with my antidepressants and give me chest pains. I do take tablets to stop me from being sick, but they don't always work.

I'm back at my docs in a couple of weeks, so I'll find out about my meds then

hileena111

Hi Ayr
The train station......the stairs.....are they from platform to platform or into the station? I understand what you mean about struggling up them but surely they must have some sort of lift....It might not be obvious but I bet if you asked they would find some way......is it not the law that everyone has to be able to access places.
I know when I got to places on my scooter it looks like nothing but stairs or escalators which are no use....I havent taught it to climb stairs yet but I know to ask now and sometimes its a goods lift and I have to have a member of staff accompanying me but it gets me upstairs.
Ask and see what they say....you dont know what might be hidden away
Its a pity you cant take anti inflamms.
Good luck when you see your doc.......if you tell them the tablets aren't working they'll probably try something else.....I'm on paracetamol and naproxen {but thats an anti inflamm}
Let us know what happens
Love
Hileena

Ayr

Hileena

The stairs are to get to the actual station and there is no lift as the station is basically a bridge over the road. (I live in the back end of beyond so the station isn't even manned lol)

Will let you know what happens with the doctor