Hello

Jan1968

I was diagnosed with OA of the ACJ in my shoulder last year. I had put up with it cracking and snapping for over a year until the pain started waking me up, and off to the Dr I went. I also have a knee cap which likes to displace at times. My mother suffered with bad knees for decades but refused to have them replaced, so it is hereditary. At only 48 at the time of diagnosis and confirmation of my fears, I’ve felt so down, I wasn’t ready and on top of my depression I already have, I actually hate taking any meds I am prescribed. But if I don’t during a bad flare up I get very little sleep. I have started taking COD liver oil tablets and invested in a tens machine which seems to help. I wear a walking belt now with my dogs, but if I have to reel them closer then it irritates it, so the joy of taking my dogs out is now marred. At moment it doesn’t interfere with work, but after a medical they have now put a watch notice on file. (I am a school crossing Patrol Officer). Anyway hello and any tips you can give me, are most welcome.

[Deleted User]

Hello Jan1968 and a very warm welcome to the forums, you have certainly come to the right place for support.
I was sorry to read that you had been diagnose with OA, you didn't say in your post whether you had been referred to a specialist or not! If not then perhaps that might be a starting point to help with the pain. Or has your GP offered any pain relief?

Being tired and in pain can cause depression and you said that you dislike taking meds, there maybe an alternative for you, there are a lot of forum members who will help and support you giving you suggestions etc. At least you are being proactive and positive which is a huge help with depression. You will find that many of the forum members have been in the same position as you are right now and I feel quite confident that they will be in touch with you thorough our pages.

I did find this link which maybe of help
www.arthritisresearchuk.org/arthritis.../osteoarthritis.../self-help-and-daily-living

Do keep in touch on the forums and let us know how you are getting on and I do hope you can manage to keep exercising your dogs.

Warmest wishes

Denise x

stickywicket

Hello and welcome from me too

I don't know what the ACJ is but I do know, from far too much experience , that arthritis in the shoulders is very painful especially when one is trying to sleep on them.

It is a fact that depression can often go hand in hand with arthritis and no wonder. Pain can isolate us both physically and emotionally.

I'm sorry your Mum never had her knees replaced as you might view the experience more positively if she had. I've had both knees and hips replaced (I've had RA>OA since I was 15) and each one has been a very positive, life-enhancing experience.

I understand the not wanting to take meds thing. With the RA I have no choice but I keep pain relief for my OA to a minimum and, whenever I have to increase it, I ensure it's only temporary.

ARUK conducted a survey of complementary therapies and I think cod liver oil and turmeric came out as the best so they might help a bit. https://tinyurl.com/y7g6yv73

I know at least one person who takes her dog out using her disability scooter. You might not feel ready for such transport but it's something to bear in mind as a possibility. We have to look for alternative means of doing many things and they can work really well

There really is life - and good life - after diagnosis and i hope we can help you to find out how to make yours better t115006

dreamdaisy

Hello, I began my first arthritis in 1997 aged 37 (my auto-immune one, psoriatic) and the joint damage caused by that has led over time to osteo: some of my joints have one, some the other and others both. Having been dependent on medication since the age of twelve (designed to keep me breathing which is a handy thing) taking meds is a way of life so even though I might not like doling so I appreciate the necessity. I also have OA in my left shoulder but that is the result of my breaking it in 2014.

When my OA was first diagnosed in 2011 I plunged into depression because I naively thought one could have only one kind. My GP was relieved that I at last asked for anti-depressants and my rheumatologist said I should stay on them because being stronger mentally would help me cope better with life. They do and it does.

Over the years I have learned to live with the pain and not to let it frighten me (with forty affected joints it's my constant companion) because it does have a role to play: if I am overdoing things the rise in level lets me know it's time to stop. I have changed how I do things to help me cope better (we even moved house so stairs were no longer an issue) and I recently began working with a personal trainer to help me regain muscle strength and stamina. I will never be able to fully ditch the walking aids but that is not a problem because they enable me to go further, do more and enjoy life. I think they have also protected my hips from excess damage, although they are affected they still have a very good range of movement which is important.

I am in bed with a very sore throat so I shall say goodbye for now as there are others to talk to. I hope we hear from you again. DD

Jan1968

Thank you all for your replies. Bit of background, I have been diagnosed with depression and anxiety since my early 20s, I am what ppl call a survivor, but am not going more into that. Been on anti depressants one and off since, my Dr gets annoyed I break off but I felt like a zombie and they give me insomnia. I Tried different a/d meds and when bad I just take off to bed and my partner, who is understanding takes over household until I am in a better place. My mum bless her is 81 now and always hated hospitals, she says it’s where you go and die. Having lost my father and her husband last year in one it’s reinforced that belief. Anyway back to topic. I have Naproxen and Co Dydramol prescribed for my OA. like many others I have now got to a stage where I only take them when the pain is at a unbearable limit. I have adapted to not reaching for anything, I try avoid lifting shopping bags etc. My partner took over ironing. I cannot play pull games with my dogs 2 of which are huskies, so scooter and them would be amazing but not yet, I am not that bad in the knee that I need walking aid, I just have to avoid kneeling and tight spaces like a car can be. Just love Dr saying no cure, it will get worse and when it does we will look at surgical option. 🙄. (Trying to do things left armed/handed after 49 years sucks).

Hobble

Hi Jan and welcome to the forum

Only became a member of the forum a few months ago after being diagnosed with an autoimmune arthritis in autumn year. it's had great place for advice and support.

Hobble x

dreamdaisy

I haven't knelt since 1997 - I get others to do the kneeling for me. I suppose it is easier for me having had far longer to get used to the state of play, through my experience I have learned that it is better to stay on top of the pain by taking smaller but regular doses of pain relief rather than letting it build to such a pitch that nothing helps. I keep my pain relief to the minimum so that I still have somewhere to go when my PsA flares (my OA doesn't flare, it worsens when I overdo things so at least that is one thing I can control). Warmth can ease matters but if the joint is swollen and warm to the touch then icing it may be the way to go. TENs machines can help ease pain, personally I find them useless but others swear by them. There is a great deal of self-help and self-management in our conditions and why wouldn't there be? Docs can only do so much, the rest is down to us. Keeping on top of things is demanding but necessary work. I know I wouldn't be coping as well as I do without the aid of Citalopram, for me that is as essential as my inhalers, the injections for the PsA and my cocodamol. DD

barbara12

Hello Jan
And a warm welcome from me, so glad you have joined us..with all the may types of arthritis on here there is usually someone that can help, but also we have the search button at the top of the forum ..it is rotten when you cant do the things you love, but we do learn to live with it and adapt, it really will help you to talk about things..hopefully we will see you around the forum..