New here and could do with OA advice

succotash

hi,

I was diagnosed with OA in my hands and base thumb joints a couple of years ago. I do manage the pain with ibuprofen gel and tablets when it flares up. It is painful but I rest my hands lots until the flare up passes.

However, recently both my knees and my right ankle have flared up, making it very difficult to move around. walking is limited, I really cannot walk far at the moment without my joints giving way or them aching so much that I have to stop and rest. I am getting lots of cricks and cracks in them too, which are excruciating. Even when I am resting I can still feel the pain!

What is getting me down is the fact that I am only 43years old and feel like I cannot keep up with my family. I dont want to grumble and moan but it really does get me down.

I am trying to keep my weight down which has gone up a bit since my movement has been limited.
I am also taking glucosomine and codroitin with MSM
My gp has said to take 400mg ibuprofen 4 times a day.
This really is having no effect so not sure where I go from here!

Any ideas to help my ease the pain, keep up mobility and to keep me motivated with diet will be greatly accepted.

elnafinn

Hi Herestinker

Welcome to the forum but sorry to hear that you are not doing so well at the moment.

I have oa of the thumbs and they look very unsightly but I do manage and now I do not get that much pain from them. I have had injections in the thumb joints which does help for a time but of course is not a permanent fix. I am 61 years old. My thumb problems started way back. I am not keen to go down the op route because the result it not always so good, one may lose the pain but the grip can be weak post op. I have never asked about having an op.

I was prescribed cocodamol which is a painkiller and an anti inflammatory called diclofenac. After a number of years this no longer agreed with me so I was prescribed Etoricoxib (arcoxia) instead.

I have had both knees replaced so do not need the painkillers anymore but I most definitely do need to take the anti inflammatories daily. A couple of times I have tried to come off them but the dreaded pain returns around my body in general, so I start them again and manage quite well.

It is very important to keep active. Use it or lose it as they say. I do stretching exercises and use an exercise bike for about 10 minutes daily, ride my bicycle locally and walk. Swimming is meant to be good but I do not do that.

I used to use wheat bags heated in the microwave to wrap around my knees and hands which was comforting. Also around my neck as I have a few problems in that area.

I hope you can pick up some tips that will help you from the forum.

I am going to mow the lawn now.

Elna x

woodbon

Hello, glad you've found the forum! Sorry you've needed too at your age, but I'm 57 and had it for a few years now, everyone thinks its an oldpeoples thing, but as you will see from here, people of all ages get it, though it is more common in older people.
I can understand the hands and wrist pain getting you down, I have that and its very frustrating and painful. I have splints, but although they help me, they are hot and itchy and the OT told me to only wear them for a short time, to keep the muscles strong. Also hot wax bath on the hands is nice, but it only lasts a short time and I didn't find it worth it. Having the walking problems must make it hard for you as you need your hands to help you. Also using a stick is not easy. Have you got a good GP to talk to, or seen the rheumy & physio ect.
I'm sorry I've nothing useful to add, I only wish I could. I hope you find something to help you more. Love Suexxx

succotash

Thank you for your replies,
I am glad to have found this forum, reading through some of the posts is proving to be useful. Its good to read it from people who are suffereing and finding good ideas to help relieve pain.
My GP has talked to me about pain management. I also saw the occupational therapist about my hands. She gave me good advice back then. I use splints for temporary relief but not too often because I dont want my muscles to stiffen.
I was thinking of asking for a re-referal to discuss my knees.
I have ordered a shock absorbing walking stick (which I think I will be very embarrassed using in public) I am waiting for it to arrive.

Any other ideas are welcome

dreamdaisy

Hello, it's lovely to meet you and I am glad you have found us. I am 53 and have OA in both knees and ankles so I cannot help too much with your areas of difficulty but I know all too well the difficulties of coping with this malarkey. It does seem very strange when first using a stick but believe you me no-one takes a blind bit of notice. I have been using various walking aids for a number of years and I have found that people are helpful and thoughtful - well, the majority are! I wish you well. DD

succotash

Its funny because I do not usually notice who is and who is not using a stick. But since I ordered one I have seen so many people using walking sticks!

I suppose I should think that most people would not notice. I just feel embarrassed by friends and family asking questions..... oh and my kids thinking I am a right old granny!!! lol

elainebadknee

Hi There and Welcome to AC

First of all can I just say that youre not alone...Im 43 and have osteochondritis dissecans of my knee and life has been restricted so much in the past 2.5years, cant work and dont keep up with the family like you say, very limited where and how long can walk....
I did have to seek a 2nd opinion on my knee as one surgeon basically didnt want to know me based on being too young and overweight...I changed the thing I could, lost over 3 stone and sought a 2nd opinion so will now get a new knee late this year or early 2013....Like you I hadnt used a stick but found I needed it for balance and suport, got a blue badge which is out of date this sept and they are clamping down on who can now get them....
I have to say reading your post brufen wont help you, you need stronger medication for the amount of pain youre in..Ask your doc again as this is just ineffective in my opinion..Also dont try to keep up with family, do what you can...I go to gym and hydrotherapy so do what exercises I can..
I can give you plenty of tips for diet/exercise if you like ....PM me?

Good luck and keep your pecker up!!

Elainex

herestinker wrote:

hi,

I was diagnosed with OA in my hands and base thumb joints a couple of years ago. I do manage the pain with ibuprofen gel and tablets when it flares up. It is painful but I rest my hands lots until the flare up passes.

However, recently both my knees and my right ankle have flared up, making it very difficult to move around. walking is limited, I really cannot walk far at the moment without my joints giving way or them aching so much that I have to stop and rest. I am getting lots of cricks and cracks in them too, which are excruciating. Even when I am resting I can still feel the pain!

What is getting me down is the fact that I am only 43years old and feel like I cannot keep up with my family. I dont want to grumble and moan but it really does get me down.

I am trying to keep my weight down which has gone up a bit since my movement has been limited.
I am also taking glucosomine and codroitin with MSM
My gp has said to take 400mg ibuprofen 4 times a day.
This really is having no effect so not sure where I go from here!

Any ideas to help my ease the pain, keep up mobility and to keep me motivated with diet will be greatly accepted.

frogmorton

Hi Herestinker

and welcome to the forums from me

I am sorry about the OA (is this all confirmed or just GP opinion). I totally undetsand the thing about yout age, but tehre are at least 2 folks on her who have had it earlier or in their 20's. My back first went poroperly in my early 20's and had surgery at 39. I have now added some inflammatory arthritis too.

If you haven't already l do think some diagnostic tests (MRI XRay ULTRAsound etc) might be an idea.

Glad you have seen OT they are great aren't they?

Love

Toni xx

succotash

thank you, my hand and thumb arthritis was confirmed by a specialist but the knee and ankle arthritis is my GP opinion.

Elaine, I would really like some diet and exercise advice. Anything that has helped you is great thanks.
I will pm you thanks.

succotash

Well my stick arrived today so I thought I would give it a test ride.
I folded it up in my bag to use when I got so far I thought my knee would give way!

I must have managed about 20 mins without it, not that I didnt feel the pain but I walked slowly and managed. I also did another 20 mins with the stick. Although I was very slow the stick did help. It took the pressure and weight off my knee, I am concerned that I am putting the extra weight onto my wrist and arm instead though.

I put it back into my bag as I got near to home as I am still embarrassed

dreamdaisy

Right, firstly hats off to you for getting a stick and then being brave enough to use it. One's maiden voyage is not an easy thing but you did it and sensibly too. Sticks are not an aid to speed but they do ease pain and that is what counts. I hope you were holding it on the opposite side to the affected joint? I sincerely hope your embarrassment fades - life is far too short and believe you me, those who notice should really be thanking their lucky stars they are not sharing your boat. DD

succotash

I held it in the opposite hand to the aching knee and swung it forward as my leg went forward, taking the weight from that leg.
I did swap it for a while to give my other knee some support for a while. They both hurt but I am not sure I want to use two sticks.
swapping from time to time seemed to work today.

tjt6768

Hi, welcome from me too... I'm also 43, soon to be 44.. Ahem, no presents nescessary but cash is always good
I've had oa in my knees for about thirty yrs now, although getting the specialists to confirm the diagnosis was a hard slog :roll:
Now have it in spine (since about '94) and more recently inflammatory arthritis in knees, hands, wrists and elbows....
As you say, it's not nice at any age but being young with it can be challenging.. I feel like an old fart most of the time but hey, if the crutches/sticks/wrist straps etc help, who cares what people think?
I would definitely be referred for your knees.. First guess would be orthopedics but you may end up down the rhuematology route? I guess it depends on what's going on inside the knee joints..

I wish you the very best of luck, keep posting, we are all here to help and support each other...

Be well mi dear

succotash

Thank you for your reply Tj,

I am in awe of you people who have lived with this condition for so many years.
I have been having aches and pains in my joints for a 2 or 3 years but only recently have had big flare ups and I am not happy.

I dont want to be a big misery but its the way I feel when I cant do as much as I used to do. My mind is telling me to keep going my legs wont budge!

My gp did discuss refering me for my knees but I do have other health issues going on that need sorting out too, one thing at a time!

Oh and I think 40mins walking yesterday was a big mistake, last night I felt like my legs didnt belong to me. I could not rest them on each other to lay on my side, the recovery position was a pain as my knees seem to be a bit twisted in that position so laying on my back with a pillow under my knees and a hot water bottle between them is the only way I could get comfy. Now.... I never sleep on my back so was awake for hours!

dreamdaisy

I'm a side sleeper and sleep with a pillow between my legs, running from groin to ankle. It's a bit of a faff when I want to turn over but I cannot manage without it. DD

tjt6768

another side sleeper here too but I've got a five foot bolster I use, it's something I can't be without..

Worth a try?

Best wishes

traluvie

Hi and welcome to the forum..

I am 32 with oa in thumb joints, lower back,hips and knees.
Like you i was very nervous and dubious about using sticks/crutches for fear of people looking at me and talking..
I had some lovely words from the forum and now i don'ty care, if i need them i need them and if i see people looking i will often ask what they are looking at, a few people may ask what you have done and i just give them an answer of arthritis as i cant be doing going in to all the details others just look away.. The more you use them the easier it gets, honest..
Exercises vary for each person, i would probably discuss this with your GP to make sure. Swimming is good for exercising and doesn't cause the joints too much pain in the water..
Also if you are stilll in lots of pain it may be worth talking to your GP to see if there is an alternative to your meds an anti flammatory maybe.
Hope things improve..

succotash

Thank you again for some more good replies.

I am thinking of going swimming or even water walking. Even though its my worst nightmare LOL

Oh how I regret my walk on Saturday. I spent 3 hours in a&e last night, my knees down to my ankles had swolen so much they were straight down! They were enflamed and really red around my knees. I couldnt stand unaided and I felt really wobbly. (oh how I loved that stick last night)
The doc suggested it was down to the walking and that the arthritis had flared up. He has made me an appointment with a bone person for this morning.

I will keep you all posted!

(ps it has actually gone down quite a lot but standing and walking around is still difficult)

dreamdaisy

I think that the trouble you were experiencing was attributable to the exercise on Saturday. When I was trying hydrotherapy to help matters I would spend between 10 and 20 minutes in the pool then 48 hours on the sofa with a grossly swollen knee. It is not an easy lesson to learn, the one about adjusting what we do and how long we do it for, but it is a necessary one. I hope that things are easing now, resting is important and I assure you that you are NOT being lazy in sitting around for a while! Please make sure your legs are supported - I always sit with mine up, a pillow under my knees. Good luck with the apppointment and please let us know what he says - is it an orthopaedic chap you are seeing? DD

succotash

Well I am back from the hospital.

No it was not the orthopeadic chap. I had been sent to see the wrong person, he was a general practicioner in a&e. He thoutht it was arthritis flare up but couldnt quite believe it. Apparently people my age just dont get OA!

So armed with a letter for my GP to refer me to a specialist and lots of strong pain killers I came away with not many answers.

Pain killers have completely wiped me out, I really cannot get up even if I wanted to so my knees are getting the rest they need.

I plan to take the week off from working and will look after myself until I see my GP next week.

dreamdaisy

Anyone of any age can have arthritis, it's an equal-opportunities disease but it is more associated with the older generations as it is very common in that age range. At least you know you are on the right path for help, I expect it will be orthopaedics next, usually it's GPs that treat OA in its early stages so you may not get that referral too soon. In the meantime rest, take gentle exercise, use your stick when you are out and about and I hope things are feeling easier. DD

CraftyDeb

Hi Herestinker
It sounds like you and me are at similar levels with this OA, I am 46, I too have it in my thumbs and some fingers, hips and knees and elbows.
I went into my local town this week and struggled so much after a little while walking around that I nearly bought a stick there and then. But then all these questions came to me, I would need one with an arthritis grip, which side should I buy it for, will it help with the pain. My worst pain is in my right knee and left hip and like you I don't think I could face two sticks just yet! One sounds scary enough for me and embarrassing :oops:
My daughter is already at that age where she doesn't really want to go to town with mum, so I think a stick might put her off altogether :? and I also worry if she is seen with me and a stick would she get bullied
I just dont know if getting a stick for me right now is giving in to OA or is it going to help.
Let me know how you get on with yours please.
Debx

dreamdaisy

I know it seems like a very big, retrograde step Craftydeb, but it really is not a case of 'giving in', it's much more a case of helping the sore joint by relieving it of some of the weight, thus easing the strain on it and thus lessening the risk of possible joint damage. The general rule is to use the stick on the opposite side but as you have trouble on both sides then yes, two may be more help than just one. That is, however, a very big jump to take so perhaps it's best to start with just the one for the worst side and see how you get on. The joy of sticks (unlike crutches and other aids) is that they now come in a wonderful range of colours and can be collapsible though the more specialised ones may be more sober-sides! Do you have a local disability aids shop? The staff there are usually very helpful in giving advice etc and you don't have anything to lose - just some comfort to gain.

I can understand your concern about your daughter's reaction - how old is she? My feeling is that she can probably already see that you are struggling so you never know, she might actually feel some relief to see you taking some positive action to help yourself. I wish you well. DD

succotash

Craftydeb,

I am really embarrassed about using the stick where there are people around I might know. Also my children are teens and I am sure they would also be embarrassed but then again they are totally embarrassed to be seen with me full stop! lol

In all honesty with this flare up I didnt care about being seen with it. I NEEDED it, I could barely stand and could not walk without it!

I got mine from amazon for £9.99 it is for both sides. Its a funky red colour and is one of those what the rubber stopper can be removed and used for hiking.

I am going to go out today and hope to be able to walk about without my stick. My knees have settled down a bit and I am rubbish at just doing resting.

It might be worth getting one and keeping it in the house incase you have a flare up and need it.

CraftyDeb

Thanks guys, it is so lovely having people on here that actually understand exactly what you are going through.
I think I will try one to start with when I have a flare up which I do at the moment
My daughter is 12 so not quite a teen my son however is older (20) and I don't think a stick would bother him although he does worry about me.
Yes I have seen a mobility shop in my local town but just thought that was for the larger items like a scooter etc but maybe I will pluck up the courage to go in there and ask advice.
Once again thank you
Deb x

dreamdaisy

Hello herestinker, how are things with you today? DD