Newbie

Janwhy

Hi, my name is Jan and I live in South Wales, I have posted on the new member part, but have been advised I might get more of a response from here.

I have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in hands and feet and told yesterday by Rheumy that I have calcification in my shoulders, does anyone
Have any ideas on this? My joint pain has been attributed to my sarcoidosis in my lungs. I am now waiting for tests for osteoporosis !!! Due to numerous other medical conditions and meds I am not able to take or tolerate certain meds.!!! Strong pain meds being one.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

Janwhy

barbara12

Hello Jan
And a warm welcome from me
I have OA in multiple joints, and now my shoulder has joined in the fun,so I do feel for you...
Sorry I cant help with your questions, but I am so glad you have joined us, at least now you can talk to people that understand some of what you are going through...there are a couple of people that have been diagnosed with OP, so hope fully they will be along soon.
Maybe it would be worth you asking to be referred to a pain clinic, depending on were you live they vary what they can offer, but its a thought.
You take care x

Janwhy

Thanks Barbara12 for your comments, sorry you are suffering too with OA.

Look forward to hearing from you and others soon.

Janwhy

dreamdaisy

Hello, it's nice to meet you and I hope we can help with information and support. I have an auto-immune arthritis which my rheumatologist deals with and OA which is the remit of my GP; both leave the other to the other. My OA is in my ankles, knees, my right hip is a recent recruit and it's also moving into my neck. It's not fun. My auto meds don't ease the OA in any way but then why would they?

I am fortunate in that I can tolerate most drugs but I keep my pain relief to a minimum so that I have somewhere to turn when things are really tough. I take four co-codamol per day (30/500 strength) but I have tramadol in my arsenal for times of need. Every one of us is individual in our situations and choices and it can take some time to establish what works for you. I wish you well. DD

Numptydumpty

Hi, I just want to welcome you to the forum.
I'm afraid I can't help much, I have RA, not Osteoarthritis.
You have come to the right place for help and support.
I wish you well,
Numpty

stickywicket

I'm sorry I misunderstood you on the 'Hello' thread, Jan. Calcification is another thing I know nothing about - the list grows :oops: Do you take anti-inflammatories? (You might have mentioned this before but I can't remember.) It's unfortunate if you can't take any decent pain meds.

Janwhy

Thank you all for the welcome,

I can only take anti -inflammatories for one week at a time due to having asthma and GERD. I don't think this is long enough to make any difference.

I take 8 paracetamol a day for my fibromyalgia, together with pregabalin i am also diabetic type 2.

Thanks again

Jan

stickywicket

I understand about the anti-inflamms if you have GERD though, with a stomach protecting med, such as lansoprazole or omeprazole, you might be able to manage longer use.

I have it too, and mild asthma, but I can take pain relief. Co-codamol usually though, when in hospital, I've had tramadol or codeine.

Janwhy

Hi Stickywicket, thanks for the meds info, I have been on omeprazol for many years, 20mg twice daily, I also take metocoplramide three times a day as the acid tends to rise and get into the lungs and therefore give me infections. I think the GP is being a bit overly cautious at the mo. will go back and see if I can take naproxen for longer. Cannot tolerate any strong pain meds what so ever, make me very ill.

stickywicket

That's a bit of a bummer. If you're already on twice daily omep (Me too) I doubt he'd be happy to let you have long term anti-inflamms. It's a pity about the pain dullers though.

Janwhy

Thanks Stickywicket, have had to deal with this for a long time, just wish there was something I could tolerate, even if it was for a short while, oramorph is one i have had previously for other probs. but only for a short period of time as it has so many side effects, which all seem to affect me. As you said what bummer!!!

Will have to keep going as I am for now and hope they can come up with something soon that will be tolerated.

Jan

villier

Hi Jan

Welcome to the forum I'm sure you have realised you have come to a great place. Hopefully some of the others that have OP will be along soon it is OA in my hands that I have and suspect a few other places, just had a finger fusion done and looks like maybe a thumb op soon as well. I sypathise with you about the strong meds, I am lucky I can tolerate sevredol although I only take it if I totally need it, hope you can get something sorted out soon as living with chronic paint aint a barrel 'o laughs but we like to keep our spirits up on chit-chat, nice to meet you hope to see you around...........Marie x

Janwhy

Hello Marie, thanks for your reply and welcome. I too wish I could tolerate the stronger pain meds. I did attend a pain clinic my years ago for my fibromyalgia, but everything I tried made me very ill.

Hope your finger fusion has turned out ok.

Look forward to getting to know all the very kind and helpful people here in time.

Jan

bubbadog

Hi, Jan welcome to Arthritis Care, I have Osteoporosis and Inflammatory Arthritis. The forum will help you and we do try and help each other as much as we can. We support each other, we are like one big family. If I can help you with anything I will.

Janwhy

Hi bubbadog, thanks for the welcome,

My hands, feet, knees and hips are giving me jip at the moment, have had steroid injection in my right knee end of January and is slightly better, at least I'm off the crutches for now.

My shoulders ache a lot and the Rheumy told me that I have calcification in them. Not been diagnosed with osteoporosis as of yet, but waiting for an appointment for tests, I assume this will be a scan! Not sure as he didn't say.

Just have to keep taking the tablets and see what comes next.

I am thinking of getting a wax bath for my hands and feet, have you tried one of these and do they help?

Thanks again

Jan

constable

A late welcome from me. Sorry to hear you are suffering so much. And you are unable to tolerate stronger meds. I have OA in many areas now. Had a THR nearly 2 years ago now. I've always made sure that I take the weaker tabs first, as pain gets worse, I increase to tramadol, if thats not enough, I do use patches. But I never stay on them. Once I feel the pain is easing I will go down to lesser ones.

You will find that this forum is very supportive and a mind of information. So, keep on posting. Shall look forward to seeing you around the forum.

Janwhy

Hi Karen,

Thanks for the welcome, I am glad that you have found a way of using the pain meds to your advantage.

Sorry to sound ignorant, but what is a THR? Not used to all the abbreviations or terminology yet.

Look forward to seeing you on the forum again.

Thanks again

Jan

dreamdaisy

THR is a total hip replacement and TKR is total knee replacement. There's a list of medical abbreviations at the top of the forum, it's in the same area as the Simple Ideas sticky (also worth a read!) DD

constable

I am sorry Jan. With you being a Newbie I should have realised. I See that Dreamdaisy has filled you in. Thanks Dreamdaisy.

Janwhy

thank you both for the abbreviation list, will have a look, sorry for my ignorance, I am sure that I will get the hang of it in time.

Jan

stickywicket

We are all ignorant, Jan There's stuff I still can't do on the forum :oops: Never be afraid to ask.

dreamdaisy

There is no need to apologise whatosever, Janwhy. The arthritic world is confusing as well as painful and like all 'professions' we get used to our shorthand.

Thanks for the thanks, constable, I hope you don't mind that I answered. DD

Teapot

Hello Jan and a warm welcome
I am newly diagnosed with RA and am finding this forum so helpful and understanding.
I am sure you will also find the help you need here I know I do.
Best wishes....Valde

Janwhy

Thank you all for the welcome and advice, all greatly appreciated.

Can anyone tell me if they use a wax bath for OA in their hands and feet? If so are they any good and where do you get them from ?

Jan

dreamdaisy

I've never used one but people on here do and find them helpful. Argos used to sell them but my instinct would be to google along the lines of 'wax treatment' - I bet Am*z*n do 'em! DD

Janwhy

Thanks DD,

Will try Amazon, need something as my hands and feet are very hot and painful at the mo.

Jan