At my wits end.....

Lenalove

I am a 49 year old female, not overweight, quite active until recently (used to go horse riging regularly) diagnosed with OA in neck at c5-c7 several years ago. I work part time in a shop, and recently symptoms have gotten bad with intense pain in my neck, shooting pains in my back and hips and horrific back spasms. Was struggling with work so am now on a sick line for the past 8 weeks.

My doctor did send me to an osteopath and he has referred me for an MRI of my hips, which I will have to wait 7 months for thanks to long waiting list in my area. I also had a recent DEXA scan showing low bone density in lower spine (score of -1.8) and am now taking calcium supplement. Also seeing physio once every two weeks.

The problem is that meanwhile the pain and spasms are driving me insane. I am trying to keep active walking my dog and taking care of housework..... but I am struggling, to be honest. I seem to pay for being active with pain and weakness hours later or the next day. A couple of hours of activity leaves me drained and sore for days. I dont sleep well at night, and have no quality of life during the day.

I take Naproxen, Amytripiline and Co-codomol. Only the co-codomol gives me any kind of relief. I cant see myself being able to go back to work (not very understanding or sympathetic bosses). Doctor keeps extending my sickline on request, but thats it at the moment. I feel like I am in limbo with no hope of improvement anytime soon.

I guess I just want to ask is there something I should be doing or taking to help? Should I push my doctor for more tests or something? I just dont know what to do!!!!

[Deleted User]

Hi Lenalove & welcome to the Arthritis Care forums.

I'm sorry you are having such difficulties at the moment. As mods we are here to help with any problems you may have on the message boards.

You may like to take a look at the website which has a section on "Coping with pain" and a booklet that you can download with more information and advice: https://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/managing-arthritis/coping-with-pain

A member of the Helpline Team will be responding to you in better detail.

Do post elsewhere on the forums where you will find a lot of people all with similar experiences.

All best wishes.
Mod Bryn

helpline_team

Lenalove wrote:

I am a 49 year old female, not overweight, quite active until recently (used to go horse riging regularly) diagnosed with OA in neck at c5-c7 several years ago. I work part time in a shop, and recently symptoms have gotten bad with intense pain in my neck, shooting pains in my back and hips and horrific back spasms. Was struggling with work so am now on a sick line for the past 8 weeks.

My doctor did send me to an osteopath and he has referred me for an MRI of my hips, which I will have to wait 7 months for thanks to long waiting list in my area. I also had a recent DEXA scan showing low bone density in lower spine (score of -1.8) and am now taking calcium supplement. Also seeing physio once every two weeks.

The problem is that meanwhile the pain and spasms are driving me insane. I am trying to keep active walking my dog and taking care of housework..... but I am struggling, to be honest. I seem to pay for being active with pain and weakness hours later or the next day. A couple of hours of activity leaves me drained and sore for days. I dont sleep well at night, and have no quality of life during the day.

I take Naproxen, Amytripiline and Co-codomol. Only the co-codomol gives me any kind of relief. I cant see myself being able to go back to work (not very understanding or sympathetic bosses). Doctor keeps extending my sickline on request, but thats it at the moment. I feel like I am in limbo with no hope of improvement anytime soon.

I guess I just want to ask is there something I should be doing or taking to help? Should I push my doctor for more tests or something? I just dont know what to do!!!!

Dear Lenalove

Thank you for your posting on the forum. I am sorry to hear that things have been so difficult for you. You would need to speak to your doctor about how you are feeling and that the pain you are in is not being managed by your medication so that you can have a review of this. You may also speak to them about a possible referral to a pain clinic who specialise in the treatment of pain. I see that my colleague has already signposted you to the booklet ‘Coping with pain’ which provides different information on ways to help you to manage pain. We have a factsheet on Osteoarthritis of the neck that has information on managing this condition. You can access this on the https://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/what-is-arthritis/resources/448-osteoarthritis-of-the-neck
You have spoken about your job in your posting. Our booklet ‘Working with arthritis’ provides lots of information about your rights at work when you have this condition as well as organisations that you can contact for support. You can access this on https://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/what-is-arthritis/resources/225-working-with-arthritis
I would also like to encourage you to call us here on the helpline. The call is free and confidential and you can talk to us informally about your condition and its impact. You can speak to one of our helpline team on 0808 800 4050 (weekdays 10am – 4pm). I hope this response and information has been helpful.

Best Wishes
Dawn

dreamdaisy

Hello, I am not a member of the Helplines, just an ordinary forum member. I empathise with feeling pain after being active, balancing the demands of life with the demands of arthritis is not easy. I hope you will post again on the Living with Arthritis board here so more members see your post and reply.

I wish you well. DD

Lenalove

Thank you all for your support, I will be talking to my doctor again next week. I have read all the relevent documents and I fully aware of what rights I have regarding employment. The problem there is that my employer has no respect for my condition. He was once told me, and I quote word for word- "if you cant do any lifting, you are no good to me!" And no, he wasnt joking.

So you can understand that I wish to leave work if I can, and claim benefits. :?

dreamdaisy

I hope you have spotted the board on here called Benefits and Working Matters - that may well be worth a read through as it's there that people tend to relate their work experiences (usually difficult) and benefits troubles (ditto). DD

helpline_team

Dear Lenalove,

Do consider giving us a call at the Helpline. Sometimes it's really helpful to talk about what you are experiencing - especially if your feelings are very strong. You also might want to try posting on the forum Living with arthritis too. Managing arthritis may involve a range of different options, sharing support with people who are understanding, adapting your daily routines to work around things which set off additional pain, doing your stretches and physiotherapy exercises at a regular times each day.

For example with neck pain, you may need to see if lessening the amount of leaning forward and lifting you do can help you. And if your job is a very physical one, it might be a particular area of your life that might need some extra thought or support.

I appreciate that this might seem a lot to think about if you are feeling tired and in pain, but I just want you to know that we are here if you would like a chat.

Kind regards

Guy