New to all this - angry and fed up!

lissy45

Hi everyone, I was diagnosed with OA in both hips three weeks ago and since then have been feeling very angry. I am in quite a lot of pain at the moment and have been for the last two months. About 18 months ago I lost 5 stone and started on a fitness campaign. I went from couch potato to runner. After 14 years spending all of my time on my lovely family I finally found something that I really enjoyed and was actually quite good at. My GP has advised me not to run and although I have carried on with some fitness sessions I feel really fed up. I suppose this is the first big step for me admitting how I feel and trying to just get on with things. I am only 45 and just did'nt see this one coming.

Thanks for listening

valval

it is one of them many feelings you have to cope with it a bit of a rollercoster while getting your head around it swimming good for you and less impact than running do not give up exercise as you need to keep those joints strong (muscles and tendons) we are here if you need anything val

lissy45

Thanks Val, It good to know that there are people out there who understand.

arfaitis

Hello and welcome, and well done to you for losing 5 stone, but it was the extra weight you were carrying, that wore you hips away, pounding away on the road or pavement hasn't helped.
You might like water aerobics as a suggestion, but play it by ear.
Sorry to hear you have OA, but you are doing the right thing, keeping up with some exercise, you just have to work around you hips, difficult I know.
There will be others on AC that will have a better idea than I, I have RA.

God luck take care.

Arfa

tillytop

Hi Lissy and welcome to the forum (although, as one of our "standard phrases" goes, sorry you have had to find us).

I am pleased that you have felt able to admit how you are feeling Lissy - we are a friendly bunch, with pretty much the whole gamut of "arthritises" between us and the feelings you describe will be familiar to most of us.

It must have been a huge blow to you, finding out that you have OA, after your impressive weightloss and now facing giving up the running which you enjoy so much. Have you thought about seeing a physio for advice on exercise you can do without causing more problems with your hips? It may well be that you can find something you enjoy just as much, but which is less high impact than running. Others here may also be able to give you some ideas. No wonder you feel fed up. My only real advice is to try to be patient with yourself while you adjust - and you WILL adjust, but you have to allow yourself time - and not to try to analyse your feelings too much or to "beat yourself up" for the way you are feeling about it at the moment. Easier said than done I know (being probably one of the world's worst worriers :roll: ).

Please do keep sharing Lissy - we do understand.

Tillyxxx

Numptydumpty

Welcome to the forum.
Like Val says, there's a lot to get your head around.
It's quite understandable that you feel angry. It's early days yet. You will come to terms with it all. You won't ever like it, but you will learn to live with it.
I am sure you will find the lovely people on this forum very helpful and understanding.
Wishing you well,
Numpty

LignumVitae

Hi Lissy and welcome to the forum, sorry you had to find us.

It sounds like you've had a double whammy there, finding something you enjoy only to lose it and have it replaced with pain
The good news is that over time you will find something you can do, I know I find cycling a lot more possible than running. As Val said, swimming is also a good alternative.
I think this early on with your diagnosis it is quite normal to feel a bit fed up and quite angry about things. I'm 33 now and I got my version of arthritis quite a while back so I've kind of learned to live with it now, beat it when I can and enjoy doing the things I can do rather than even thinking about the things you can't do. Easier said than done and frustration still gets me. What I think I'm trying to say is that as you get settled on a course of treatment and as you learn to manage it all, it does get much easier, make you less fed up and less angry!
For now, keep coming back to us, we'll give you as much support as we can along with a few giggles along the way and heaps of understanding. Arthritis Care do some good publications on how to exercise, the links are at the top of the page but most of all, keep going, you're dealing with something tough but you'll eventually find it easier to deal with.
Big hugs, LV xx

stickywicket

Hello Lissy45 and welcome to the forum. That's a double whammy, isn't it? Not just OA but OA that seems intent on destroying the new life you'd carved out for yourself. It's a bummer and no mistake about it. Of course you are angry and fed up. Well done for facing facts and naming the beast.

Well done also on losing 5 stone That's an amazing achievement and you must be very proud of yourself.

On the plus side, losing the weight and having strong muscles will help with the OA. On the minus side, running is a high impact activity and OA doesn't like high impact stuff. However, all is not lost. If you can find a similar enthusiasm for cycling or swimming (Breast stroke is best avoided) you can still keep fit while helping the hips to stay as good as possible.

This must all have come as a real shock. Give yourself time to accept it and get used to it. We do understand how things are and we'll be here anytime you need to get stuff off your chest. There is life with OA and it can be a good one - just not the one we had planned.

earthspirit

hi lissy and well done for your amazing success in regaining your body and health. sorry to hear of how its gone downhill. dont give up though. i dont have OA but am commenting to urge you to continue with whatever excercise you are able to do. it will pay off in the long run if you dont let it lapse and it might be for now that you cant do very much.
is swimming out of the question?
how about simple yoga as you can do these on floor bed or sitting so would keep the stain off your lower joints.

extreme pain creates anger in the best of people and i dont think anyone can escape this twofold headache.

it must be great that you found a new activity and i totally understand how you feel about being stopped from doing this. i was a long distance sea swimmer and now i cant actually swim at all. i just sink lol

you sound like you want an activity that is maybe outside the home and best have a look for beginners classes in something that isnt going to be too hard or painful and then at least you still can find any socialising part of what you have lost.

hope things look up for you soon

lissy45

Thanks everyone, its great to know that I have your support and thanks for the ideas. Lis x

dreamdaisy

Hello, ye gods life sucks at times, doesn't it? You turn your life around and this is your 'reward'. :roll: Exercise is important because it will help to keep the muscles that support the affected joints stronger and better able to do their supportive role. It won't, however, reduce the discomfort you are feeling - it may even at times add to it; the secret is to stop when you feel you can do more. OA is the most common form of arthritis, there is not a great deal that can be done for it apart from doing suitable exercise, using pain relief and your GP may also prescibe anti-inflammatories if he thinks they may help. I'm glad you have found us, we know what it's like and I hope we will be able to offer you information and support. I wish you well. DD

hileena111

Hi and welcome to the forum.
What a blow.....to have to stop your running. I have OA un ankle, hips lower spine and neck and cannot run. Cycling yould be much better {this is a very hilly place and if your not that fit....like me...out of the question } Swimming I detest.......but you might love it.
So its...... go for the low impact exercises rather than the high impact
ones.
As for pain killers / dullers there tend to be 3 "families"....your ordinary pain killer, anti inflammatory, and codeine or one of those but those ones can be very addictive if your not careful.
You need to build a team up and get advice....your GP, physiotherapist, consultant {orthopaedic} and anyone else that you can think of apart from us and your family.
By the way well done on the weight loss...that will be a def. help
The usual comment ...we aren't doctors but just speak from our own experience
Keep posting
Love
Hileena

kellerman

Hi Lissy, Of course your angry and fed up. Your doc is right in so far that running isn't a good idea. Its been years since I ran anywhere.
I enjoy my swimming and its keeping me going but I know I'd be fed up if I had to give that up.
You've done extremely well to lose 5 stone and you should be very proud of yourself.
Its all a case of adjusting our lifestyles but not giving in completely and just a case of doing as much as you can but knowing when to stop.

This is a very friendly and helpful forum with some amazing people so just come and join us anytime you want to talk. May

barbara12

Hi Issy
I do understand what you are feeling, I was going to the gym and feeling very fit, when I started with OA....it is so hard to get your head round, but you will I promise.
We are always here when you want to talk or have a rant.
You take care xx

frogmella

Hi Issy, I am sure you do feel fed up. It is rotten that you have to stop doing something you enjoy. I think the advice given so far is good. I too developed my spinal probs after I lost weight and started doing quite a bit of gym stuff and swiming. Thankfully, I enjoyed the swimming most and haven't had to give up my favourite exercise, but it is still annoying not being able to do the classes I used to enjoy.

Swimming is a good idea, what about walking instead of running - you are still out and about. I don't know if you can manage it though?

pinkbritishstars

thinking of you - it's good that you are still doing some fitness xxx