advice

maggsy
maggsy Member Posts: 25
edited 9. Feb 2013, 06:26 in Living with Arthritis archive
hi im new to the forum, I was orginally diagnosed with OA in 2011 in both my feet and was told that i also had it in my hands and knees. i had previously had a MRI scan done on my right knee back in 1994 which showed then that i would need a knee replacement but as i was only 27 so this was not an option. i have had shoe inserts made which still to this day hurt, since october my feet have got worse and since January both of my knees and hands have also got very painful making it very painful to walk and do normal daily tasks im lucky that my husband is very supportive as he now has to do most of the housework and also cook all the meals as i have noticed that i have problems with gripping things and also opening jars and bottles and even crisp packets. i have been back to my GP and was told theres not anything that can be done just take vitamins and use capisan cream and co codamol and also morphine as the pain is so bad which is not good as i still have to go to work. I returned to my doctors two weeks later and saw a different GP who sent me for a xray for my right knee but not for any of the other joints so now have to wait till nxt week for results, i spoke to the mobility centre that made my inserts to see if they could rec anything to help, they advised me to use crutches to try and take some of the pressure off my joints, and to ask GP to re refer me backto the hospital i dropped a letter into the doctors asking if they could refer me but i still have not had a reply, has anyone else had these sort of problems with getting help and treatment
sorry to be so miserable but the pain is making me very grumpy
regards Maggsy

Comments

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Maggsy, it's nice to meet you but I am so sorry you have had to find us. I have two sorts of arthritis, an auto-immune type which has led to OA in my ankles, knees and now my right hip. I think the latter has occurred thanks to years of dodgy knees and ankles but having the other sort is a complication.

    Age is a factor with replacements and OA (this is a frequent plaint on the Lliving with Arthritis part of the forum), I was turned down in August 2011 because I was only 52 and needed to be 55. (Roll on March 2014 :lol: ) In the meantime life continues to deteriorate with both pain and mobility issues - I've used crutches since 2002 and now a rollator which has had a positive impact on my life - I can queue again (it's amazing what can make one happy :wink: ).

    I am on some nasty meds for the auto-immune arthritis, for the OA I use pain relief (not much help) anti-inflammatories (some help) massage (a great help) and I would exercise but tha tis out of the question at the moment. (PUASU is another coping mechanism, viz put up and shut up.) I now routinely cook, iron and clean sitting down whenever possible as standing for any length of time is not possible. My husband cooks at the week-end but currently I'm dong the lot as he is recovering from an appendectomy and is poorly himself.

    There is not much to be done for OA until surgery becomes an option - it can be done earlier if circumstances are particularly arduous but it is unusual. This is most likely because new knees have a lifespan and revision surgery is much tougher on both the surgeon and the patient. There is one lady on here whose TKR has lasted thirty years plus but she has taken care of it.

    Don't be surprised if you come back to your thread and find it's been moved, just click on it and it will take you to the the LWA part of the forum where these things are usually discussed. You are not alone in dealing with this age question and it is very unfair. My cousin's wife is on her third knee having had her first one aged 18 (she had bone cancer in her knee and age was therefore not a factor). I wish you well. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,281
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Maggsy
    Dont you apologise for being so down,you are so young and having them say they cant do much till you are older...there are other young ones on here some have got there new parts..
    Like DD says this would be better in LWA...you will get more reply's, now you have found us lot to talk to, and that in itself can be a big help.
    You take care x
    Love
    Barbara
  • chookgate
    chookgate Member Posts: 146
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Maggsy, I do sympathise with your pain and mobility problems. I have only had OA diagnosed in my knees, but I get pains in my right shoulder, elbow and wrist too that are probably also OA. I'm only 52 (a bit older than you) and I was also told I needed new knees but I was too young. It was getting worse and worse, so much so I could only walk a few yards, and all the NHS could offer was physio and steroids. The problem wasn't so much the pain (though that was increasing), but the lack of mobility, I couldn't straighten either leg enough to stand upright, let alone walk, and couldn't bend them enough to sit down comfortably either. Anyway, my husband said "enough is enough" and dragged me along to a local private clinic. 7 months later I have two new knees (one 6 months old and one 11 weeks old), and I haven't looked back. So, I don't know your financial situation, but if you can even remotely afford it, get yourself a private consultation - you don't need a referral, just phone and make an appointment. The NHS will wait until your in a wheelchair and rehabilitation from that point will just be so difficult, new knees might not benefit you.
  • bubbadog
    bubbadog Member Posts: 5,544
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Maggsy, Welcome to Arthritis Care Forum, I have Osteo-porosis and Inflammatory Arthritis. I'm on pain management which includes Steroid Injections every 3 months and meds including 40mg of M.S.T which is slow release morphine as a array of different pain meds! I use walking crutches in the house and a wheelchair when I go out doors.
    Don't appologises for feeling grumpy or miserable!
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,884
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    HI Maggsy

    I am so sorry you are suffering so much and no apology necessary - we all feel that way at times and are used to supporting each other.

    Sadly it IS often a bit of a battle at first trying to get the help you need and it can make you feel rather isolated and frightened.

    Coming on here really helps because you realise others are in the same boat and we can give each other tips in coping and how to get what we need.

    Re GPs letter maybe you need to chase that via a telephone call now if it's be a while.

    Oops sorry I forgot to say welcome to the forums :oops:

    Love

    Toni xx
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello, how are you feeling today? DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • maggsy
    maggsy Member Posts: 25
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    dreamdaisy wrote:
    Hello, how are you feeling today? DD

    Hi DD
    Still in a lot of pain doctor left me a message has refered me back to mobility centre to re look at my insoles incase they need to be changed still awaiting results of xray should be back at GP's next week. GP is going to call me next week to discuss everything as i have also asked her advice on claiming DLA but after reading all the probs everyone has had tryng to claim it idon't know if i would be eligable for it. I have also got COPD and i have not long started a eight week physio course for it which is also hard to do when im in so much pain with my joints. But i count my self lucky now as my brother has just been diagnosed with motor neurome disease so on the whole things could be a lot worse
    thanks for everyones support it helps to talk to people who know what it is like to be constantly in pain
    well must go Meds Time then hopefully get some sleep

    Maggsy
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I hope the Mobility Centre and the GP will both be able to help you, maggsy. Please let us know how you get on.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright