feel so out of my depth and fed up

KitMcF

as some of you know, got told on Friday my months of ankle pain are becasue of osteoarthritis.

My doc said I need to lose weight ( I do) and I can take pain killers and nothing else they can do.

Should i have been referred to a physio? Or anything?

Nothing was said about how this will affect me in the fututre , if it will get worse, what measures I can take myself eg supplements, strengtheneing excercise and so on, heat and cold treatments...

I feel like I was shoved out the door and just dont know if I sould make another appointment to ask my questions. Is this wasting the doctor's time? Do doctor's answer questions by phone.

Feeling really down. Yesterday I was on my feet a lot, ou and about, and pain was very minimal. Today after doing some light cleaning it hurts worst than yesterday.

Sorry, I know I am posting a lot - just trying to figure it all out.

valval

firstly there is no posting to much on here post as much as you need. my gp will phone me back when i need it so give them a call explaine why you need to talk to them and ask can not do any harm if not make an appointment and ask for physio app. they can give you exercises to help strenthen muscles around dammaged joint also ask if they run any clubs for helping you loose some weight most gps do good luck val

skezier

Hi Kit,

As I said the other day I think you should see a different doc and maybe try and get a double appointment and run through your questions. I also wonder if getting an orthopedic opinion would help? Might be a bit early for one but its not a bad idea to ask for one.

Physio could help in some instances, not sure about ankles but keeping it moving is a very good idea. Just be a bit gentle to it if it starts to hurt.

I used to push mine to the point it paid me back for hours, thats not the best idea but some discomfort that ends fairly quickly after exercise isn't so bad.... thats where your dancing comes in... how much does it hurt t do it?

Loosing weight is never easy.. and like Val I wonder if you joined a group if the extra help from the members would be good for you to have? I have dieted on the siege diets all my life and now, cus I have become so slow, the only way I lose weight is to actually stop eating... a diet I used to use when i was younger as well :roll:

I must shed a couple of stone Kit and like you i get so despondent at times. I am trying now to get the body to do some kind of work out 2x a day... it used to up till 2 year ago and i think its got to try a bit cus thats the only way i can lose the weight and eat anything.....

A sensible diet is a better way forward though ..... Just cus i have done the siege thing all my life its sort of messes up diets completely....

Kit oa burns for a while than stops for a while in the earlier stages so it might be it will leave you alone for some considerable time and thats something that helps to know..... It does progress but it can do it at varying speeds so its not gong to be tomorrow.

I have 3rd and 4th stage all over me and for that pain killers and anti inflammatories are the only answer but they d help so don't be too fearful of the future. It is never as bad as you fear it will be. Hang in there and no one minds you asking questions here. Cris x

dreamdaisy

How about ringing the Helpline here and having a chat to someone? AC also produce a range of very good, informative and helpful leaflets which can be sent to you. I guess your GP appeared to be so off-hand as he no doubt deals with many cases of OA and to him it's no big deal (it WILL be when he gets it!)

There are about ten million arthritics in the UK, it's a growing number, it's a common problem and its effects on one are hugely underestimated by those who don't have it. Arthritis can strike at any age, it is not the sole preserve of the elderly. You need to be researching RELIABLE information, so ignore the net (apart from us!) and contact AC, you can trust their info. One question, however, that cannot be answered by anyone is how your arthritic future will pan out - everyone's is different and for all you know this could be as bad as it gets for you. Take care, and keep in touch. DD

traluvie

Sorry to hear about your OA.. i have inflammatory in my ankles and i use hot and cold compress on mine when they play up, i also use deep heat and ankle supports if i am going out..
I would talk through things with your GP see if they can help some more..xx