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mandymc
mandymc Member Posts: 12
edited 16. Jan 2012, 16:52 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi everyone, i was diagnosised with oa in Sepetember in my hips,
Right knee and ankles in October i had steroid injection into my right hip and
for 5 weeks it worked well. Then i was put on tramadol, diclofenic & paracetamol.
But in December i could barely put any weight on my right leg because my hip was so painful. I had an xray and my ortho said my hip had got progressively worse since my previous xrays 4 months ago. He wont operate until ive lost some weight 4-5 stone then he said he will operate. Im now on zomorph & oramorph for the pain and using crutches. I cant exercise because of the pain and all i do is cry. Ive read loads on here tonight so thought id share my story with you all

Amanda xxx

Comments

  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Amanda
    Welcome
    There are others on the forums that are in the same position.....cant get operations until they lose some weight.
    Its a catch 22 situation isnt it....lose weight but cant exercise because of pain.
    Hope others will be along soon to help
    Love
    Hileena
  • kellerman
    kellerman Member Posts: 741
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Amanda,
    Welcome to the forum.
    I'm sorry I can't help but I do know of posters on here who are in the same predicament as you.
    I can only suggest that you walk as much as possible..don't overdo it and also diet.
    I know this is hard on you.Maybe your GP can help...worth a try.
    May
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,896
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Amanda

    Welcome to the forums from me

    l am so so sorry your hip has deteriorated so very quickly.

    If you can you can probably have he hip jab again about 3 months+ after the last one which might give you more mobility. A fair few of us on here use swimming as an exercise which really can help, research pools in your area and see if they do anything to help disabled people.

    I suggest if you have to loose weight you could try joining a club?? WW or one of the other ones and look to making small changes such as less/ no sugar in drinks...reduce alcohol if you do. When we are less mobile it is so hard to loose weight :sad:

    Can you do any exercise on the top half of you to try to burn some calories as well?? Oh l do wish there was an easy answer to this....it must seem such a long way off your op :sad:

    Love

    Toni xxx
  • purplesparkle
    purplesparkle Member Posts: 38
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Amanda, Im new too :smile:
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello mandymc, it's lovely to meet you though I am sorry you have had to find us. I am in a similar boat to you, both of my knees and ankles are affected by OA (as a result of the other arthritis I have) and I saw an ortho chappie in August who told me to go away and lose a few stone and/or be 55. It is not easy to lose weight when one has mobility issues, I have been on crutches since 2002 and have now graduated to a four-wheeled rollator, but I am hoping that the 'carrot' that is now being dangled in front of me (new knees = greatly reduced pain and much better mobility, hopefully) will spur me on. We have a lady here who is in a wheelchair and has lost over five stone now (I think) so it can be done, but it takes time, determination and a whole re-education of oneself in regards to food and treats. It's not a mattrer of thinking 'I deserve this little treat as I am in pain.' it's more a case of 'Yes, a treat would be nice but as it will only add to the pain it won't help me in the long-run.' It's hard to do though, bl**dy hard.

    I am very lucky in that I have managed to lose over a stone in the past few weeks simply by stopping the oral steroids I was taking. I was just under sixteen of the blighters, now I'm about fourteen and a half. This has given me a head start and, much to my surprise, last night I found myself pouring my second glass of wine back into the bottle. (Those on here who know me well will now be choking on their cuppas/biccies/passed out on the kitchen floor in shock!) We were given a couple of baskets of goodies over Christmas by very kind friends and so far I have not tasted any of them (apart from some Wasabi peanuts, cor they were lovely!) I've accidentally given myself a head start and I want to keep going. Gawd knows if I will, but I will do my best: if I can wean myself off the very helpful pills that I loved then I can do anything - well, that's the theory!

    Any joint replacement surgery is tough, but I think as patients we owe it to our surgeons to be as physically fit as we can manage beforehand, and to do our part in the post-op recovery. As my chap quite reasonably explained, excess weight puts a huge burden on sawn bones and shiny new joints, and I fully agreed with him that I have to do my bit so he can do his. It can be done, mandymc, and we will cheer you on every step of the way - we know how hard it is, many of us are on that road at the moment, you are not alone in fighting this very tough battle. I wish you well. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Mandymc and welcome from me too. You are in a very difficult situation. All of us here understand about arthritic pain all too well.

    As others have said, losing weight does make sense as replacement joints don't last if they are supporting a lot of weight. I know exercise hurts (I know it all too well right now :lol: ) but it not only helps with the weight loss, it also strengthens the muscles that support the joints so making them stronger and the joints less painful. AC have a good booklet on exercises (Top right of the page). Most of the leg exercises are done sitting or lying down which doesn't put stress on other joints.

    As DD says, we have a lady in a wheelchair who has been truly inspiring in her determination to lose weight. Me? I just don't have biscuits, cake, sweets etc in the house then I can't be tempted. I promise you, if DD can pour a glass of wine back into the bottle :shock: :shock: :shock: , you can lose weight.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I even used a funnel to ensure not a drop was spilled. Roll on Kerching! tonight, all the more left for me to play with. :smile: DD

    PS Kerching! = The Antiques Road Show, listen to the professional waffle, state your value before he does and if you are within £100 or £1000 of his estimation a suitable reward can be supped. It's fun and works with tea/coke/juice/whatever-tickles-your-fancy drink.
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • mandymc
    mandymc Member Posts: 12
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thankyou for the lovely replies.

    I was on a right downer through the night with.pain and came accross this group and some lovely words of encouragement. I didnt know there was anything like this about.

    I have already managed to lose 1st 8lb through my doctor seeing a health trainer, i just felt downhearted when i saw the surgeon in december as he said he would have operated now but wanted me to lose further weight. He said he will then do both my hips, my right one first (which is the painful) then also my left.

    Dreamdaisy i had a giggle reading your reply, i very rarely drink my last drink was last may but my friend does the same, she never spills a single drop of her wine haha.

    I do like swimming but stopped going in november as it was so painful getting in and out of the pool. But i will start going again as they are getting disabled steps for tje pool.

    Would i be able to contact the lady who is in the wheelchair for any advise because not being able to to much activity is a problem trying to lose weight?


    Thank you again and its lovely to be in contact with people who understand

    Amanda xxx
  • rugbygirl
    rugbygirl Member Posts: 691
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Amanda

    I hope that you find things get easier for you soon.

    I have got membership for my local swimming pool which is free as I am registered disabled and in receipt of DLA. This also allows someone else to come with me if I need help so it might be worth asking about that if you havent already done that.

    You might be able to talk to them about using the lift to get you in and out of the pool if they have one. I have learnt that stressing about things will only cause you more pain in the long run but I fully understand that you are lost and confused about the situation.

    We are all here to support you so dont be afraid to ask.
    Jakib0644.gif
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    It's nice to hear from you again mandymc, and so quickly too. I am pleased to hear you are feeling a little better about things - and congratulations on the weight you have lost already - good girl! I will contact the lady and let her know you are about, I am sure she will post on this thread or maybe PM you ( that means 'private message', at the top where it says logout, forum, profiles etc there's a message bit too.) I found this forum after fourteen years on my 'own' with this, and AC changed my life. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hey Mandymc that’s a big achievement already. You should be very proud of yourself. I can understand your disappointment when you saw the surgeon, especially having done so well, but you have a real incentive there to lose even more.

    Pain, especially in the wee hours, gets us all down but we can bounce back up again and you’ll get all the encouragement you need here, I promise you.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • hileena111
    hileena111 Member Posts: 7,099
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi
    What a great loss already......you know you can do that so that must spur you on.
    Keep thinking of the lack of pain when you get new joint/s if you need any encouragement.
    We all know about pain during the night....so much worse than pain during the day.
    Your surgeon might not even want you to lose the 4 to 5 stone that he first mentioned. If he sees you are working hard towards losing it he might make it earlier......you never know.....be positive :lol:
    Love
    Hileena
  • jillyb1
    jillyb1 Member Posts: 1,725
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Welcome , mandymc , I'm the wheelchair weight loser ! Have sent you a pm and wishing you luck with achieving your goals ; not easy but outlined how I went about it . Jillyb
  • tjt6768
    tjt6768 Member Posts: 12,170
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi, and welcome from me too Amanda.. I hope that you are not suffering too much tonight...
    This place is a Godsend... It has helped me more than anyone will know..
    So, keep posting, we'll all be here to support and advise you as much as we can..


    And DD.......... :eek: :eek: :eek: :shock: :shock: :shock: What more can I say? Pouring wine back, ye Gads... Lol
    :grin:
    e050.gifMe-Tony
    n035.gifRa-1996 -2013 RIP...
    k040.gif
    Cleo - 1996 to 2011. RIP
  • Colin1
    Colin1 Member Posts: 1,769
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Amanda wish i had a magic wand for you guys
    welcome to the forum
    Colin
    WHEN GOD GIVES YOU LEMONS MAKE LEMONADE
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Amanda from another Amanda!! Welcome to the forum, you have come to the best place for support and advice. Well done with the weight loss already! that will be your new motivation for the new year I guess! And you know we are all behind you! Keep it up Amanda and keep on posting!! :wink:
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello my lovely, how are things today? I hope you are as well as you can be. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • traluvie
    traluvie Member Posts: 2,579
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi,

    Welcome from me too..
    I see you have already had some great advice from people and met some of the crazy bunch?? lol :lol::lol:
    All i can add is that i can understand your pain as i have OA in my hips too and it is very painful, you have done so well already with your weight loss, keep up the good work..xx
    th_tn_TisFORTIGGER.jpgxxTracyxx
  • mandymc
    mandymc Member Posts: 12
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hiya everyone,

    Had a couple of sleepless nights, and today had a busy day came home a slept for 4 hours. I had doctors appointment for my medication and hand therapy straight after. I broke my finger last march and it took months for the bone to heal. They are very rough at hand therapy but the excercises really help.
    I also nipped to work as im going part time as i cant cope fulltime at the im a support worker for challenging behaviour. I dont want to give up my job but it gets harder & harder to cope working. I also have a son that is autistic, he 21 but hes really good sometime.

    Is anyone struggling with the frost and slippy surefaces. I walk so slow because im scared of falling.

    Hope everyone is ok?

    Amanda xxx
  • jillyb1
    jillyb1 Member Posts: 1,725
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi , Amanda , hope appointment went ok ; don't give in with the weight loss you're doing so well and it will be worth it in the end . Jillyb