Hi I'm new I have Oestioarthritus

karenza

Hi
Just wondered how other cope
I have it in my ankles
Knees
Hips
Fingers
Wrists
And one shoulder
I wonder how others manage and how you cope with pain specially at nite as I can't sleep because of the pain,
My legs jump
And I've compared it to Labour Pains!!!
Any replies welcomed thank you .

scozzie

Welcome to the family Karenza, sorry you had to find us.

I too have OA, from the knees down and both hands. I cope by taking paindullers at regular intervals along with keeping as active as feasible and trying to keep my weight down. As my pain is manageable and I'm still mobile enough I like to get for walks ... I avoid steep hills (both directions) where possible.

Personally, I have found it's not worth avoiding the paindullers, as two good days where I don't take them generally come back to bite, and then it takes a few days to bring things under control again.

Are your "jumpy legs" anything like restless legs? If so see your GP, as there may be something he can prescribe for them. I'm on a low dose of Nortryptolin which helps immensely.

Good luck
Scozzie

karenza

thank you, my legs jump, its like Labour pains, no other way to describe it.

stickywicket

Hi Karenza. It's good to meet you but I'm sorry you're in so much pain. What pain relief do you take? Have you ever tried physio and a Pain Clinic?

I don't haVe the twitchy legs so can't help there.

hileena111

Hi
Welcome to the forum.
I have OA in one ankle, hips lower back, neck. Also spinal problems
My mobility isn't good. I just rely on pain killers {dullers}
and various aids to help me walk. Also heat helps me and distraction.
I don't sleep well either.....does your GP know this because there are muscle relaxants to help you sleep....I cant take them
Love
Hileena

frogmorton

Hi Karenza

It's lovely to meet you and welcome you to our forums

When things are bad for me I resort to taking anything I have prescribed (to the safe limit of course!!). There isn't much worse than being awake in pain when eveyone else is Zzzing away

Oh yes I have amitriptyline rescribed for night times too??

Love

Toni xxx

constable

A big welcome to you. You have found a wonderful place here with people that will listen and help where ever possible.

I have oa in numerous places now. And I am much the same as the rest. Painkillers all the way. When you have kids there is no point in being in pain all the time. Well, even without kids. I have started taking diazepam for my neck now. Try and stop the muscles from knotting up all the time. And, as has already been said, ask you're dr about tabs to relax you're muscles for night time.

bubbadog

I welcome to the Arthritis Care family! You have joined the right place and we all take care of each other. I have the ol'jumping legs I also jump pretty much all over! It's like getting spasms is the only way I can explain it. It is annoying you can't stop it and it can be dangerous! Especially when it happens in my arms if I'm holding a hot drink or a plate of hot food! It annoys my OH if he's watching telly and my legs start jumping as he can see them out of the corner of his eye bouncing!!
When I get bad pain at night and it effects my sleep I keep my Kindle and word search book on my bed side table so I can either read or do word searches.

karenza

Thank you all for replying
I'm trying to juggle
Family
Work
Etc
With the bad pain it very tiring
I applied for DLA but was turned down twice .

villier

Hi Karenza.

Welcome to the forum and pleased to meet you, I have OA in my hands and a few other things going on so I now what it is like living with chronic pain. Have you spoke with your GP about getting something to help you sleep, you mentioned family are they old enough to give you a hand around the house as you trying to hold a job down as well, as for DLA keep applying get as much information as you can from GP, consultant, physio anyone you have seen, also say it as it is on the worst days.

Take care and hope to see you around...........Marie xx

woodbon

Hi
I'm sorry you have so much arthritis. I have it in my fingers hips and wrists. If your hands are weak it makes things hard, I know, I have an electric can opener and jar opener - they are good, but I know that these days money can be tight for buying the extras that help.

Also I have a plastic washing basket on a stand and I find that helps so much not having to keep bending. I use it for ironing too.
Glad you found the site and hope you find it friendly and useful!
Love Sue

karenza

thank for replies, ive been working up to ten hours a day last few months as i live on coast and its busiest time, im now seeling a physio, having ultr sound, but it did nothing at all, in two weeks im see a lady for acu punture, worth a try.

stickywicket

Thanks for the update, karenza. I hope the acupuncture helps.

frogmorton

Hi Karenza

Nice to hear from you again

You must be exhausted 10 hours a day is a lot of work.

I tried acupuncture in the past and one or two on here swear by it. Best of luck and let us know how it goes

Love

Toni xx

hileena111

Hi
I tried acupuncture on the NHS...had it once a week for 6 weeks and then a gap of a couple of months then once a week for another 6 weeks
It helped me {eased the pain 5 out of the 7 days} for me that was a result but for the NHS it wasnt
I didn't try a private one.
The NHS suggested it a few months ago and we had just started the first part of it and then the back specialist started giving me back injections......they decided to stop the acupuncture otherwise they wouldn't know if the injections were helping. :roll:
They didn't help at all so one of these days I will go back and ask for it again
Good luck...hope it works for you
Love
Hileena