Physio good and bad and nice GP!

PowerOn

Hello everyone,

thought I would update about latest GP appointment now that x-rays showed changes in my knees due to OA.

The GP who is usually so nasty that I really was not going to attend my latest appointment was actually human for once, she even looked at me and spoke to me like I am human.

I always felt she never believed me about my pain and symptoms but she seems to have believed the x-rays.

She was going to send me for blood tests but I said the other GP had sent me for a full blood test but she looked up the results (which I told her were all negative) and said she would send me to be tested to see what (I think she said antibodies) I have so she could see which type of arthur I have.

She also prescribed me cream to rub onto my knees and fingers as I don't like taking painkillers.


Then I went for my first physio appointment :-( physio was very good but he said I have muscle wastage particularly in my left quad (front thigh muscle) and gave me exercises to do.

He poked as they do and my knees hurt like....even today although he was poking at them yesterday-they sure do know what to press to get a reaction.

I need exercises to improve my memory to use the cream-never remember until I am in bed and then it's too late to go to the effort of getting it.

He said the knees giving way at times were due to the wastage so I am hoping the exercises build the muscles up again, will have to have a chat to him when I go back.

Anyone any experience with muscle wastage?

Why do words such as degenerative, muscle wastage, no cure just management of your condition, keep coming to the surface-so annoying.

dreamdaisy

Those words keep cropping up because they are true. We hurt, so we try to move less because we hurt, so our muscles lose their tone and waste and we hurt more. I regularly do the exercises I was given after my open synovectomies and they help to keep my quads etc in some sort of shape plus I use my walking aids to ease the strain on the affected joints (in my case toes, ankles, knees, sacro-iliacs and now my right hip). A good physio should know where to prod.

I can't help with the memory thing apart from maybe leave the cream near the kettle? DD

frogmorton

Funny how the poking pain lasts so long isn't it? :roll:

Well glad to see the GP is taking you seriously now and actually nice to you.

Isn't it dreadful how some of us feel like we are wasting our GPs time?

I think muscle wastage is a side-effect of us avoiding using certain parts bcause it hurts. Don't worry some of it can be recovered and teh physio is just teh person to help.

You take care and - I keep my gel by my bed

LOve

Toni xx

stickywicket

Exercises will definitely help. Use it or lose it, as they say.

Why not keep the cream by your bed - not as far to go to fetch it

PowerOn

Hi Everyone
I really am glad I kept at the GP even though it has taken years and finally got x-rays and physio and believed.
I have been doing my excercies to the point I wonder if they can be overdone, will take it a little easier. so worried about the effects of not doing them.
I think I have adapted my walk to give the sorer parts an easier time and that way have caused a problem.
Oh well at least I am on the right road, others who are having problems just keep on at the GP until you get a referral at least to physio.
I did insist I do not want a walking stick but may ask physio if one would make a difference and just use it-mobility is worth more then pride.
Oo I'm so old- a walking stick and standing in front or a good looking physio wishing I had shaved my legs you know your old when it never even occurs before hand.......
The cream is Oruvail Gel on prescription and it is good.
I have been told to use it 4 times a day which is the problem as I need it both up stairs and down, I will ask the GP for another tube or try the chemist it may be over the counter too, then I can have a tube as needed.

stickywicket

I'm sure it is possible to overdo the exercises but I've always found that, building up gradually plus taking them down a level or two when, and after, flaring keeps me on an even track. The physio is your best guide though.

PowerOn

Hi stickywicket
Yes it seems sensible not to overdo it, I do tend to go hell for leather at life-will learn to slow down yet.

lupin15

The excise bit appears to be the key if you can manage it.. must admit i do exercise and lucky enough to be able to manage this. Although i cannot do as much as i use to. Use to walk and run over 60 miles a week body just cant take the running and was told point blank not to even try anymore.
Had to accept my body is not what it use to be so walking it is for me but not as far. It is odd because i have noticed that my muscle tone has decreased but wonder if that was more to do with age and meds??? Shame we cant get new bodies on the NHS Hope your exercises go well and it improves.

PowerOn

Hi lupin15
Phew, 60 miles a week.
I agree with no more running it is tough on the joints, my back started to feel like each little bone had no cartledge at all just like hammers hitting each one-that stopped me!
Do you go to physio I think that is vital as early as possible to make sure you do not slip into bad habits and do more damage, more so if you are moving a lot as you can favour muscles and make things worse- that is what I have been doing with out noticing it, until physio pointed out to me even the way I stand is wrong :roll:
I shall have lovely dreams of the bodies I can choose on the future NHS.
We will be allowed superpowers to go with them of course.
Excuse the typos-I corrected quite a few-way past my bedtime.