Advice new sufferer

Janique45
Janique45 Member Posts: 2
edited 3. Oct 2019, 05:46 in Chat to our Helpline Team
Recently been diagnosed after fall and X-ray with osteoarthritis shoulder , neck and head. Sometimes excruciating pain when reaching for something in kitchen or stretching for something. Noticed top of wrist is very swollen and looks permanently bruised. Also pain in other body parts. Came to bed last night with terrible knee pain and the area is bright red this morning inner knee and travelling up inside leg. I am in a lot of pain but paracetamol don't help. Any advice will be welcome...doctors words....wear and tear normal at your age! Yet this didn't start gradually. Just wham and its here....why

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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 3,635
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Good morning Janique45,

    Lovely to meet you, welcome to the forum, I hope the fall didn’t leave you too incapacitated and you are improving now. Perhaps that’s why your wrist is bruised?

    Your x-ray showed osteoarthritis of the neck and shoulder area, there are things that can help. Personally I like warmth, I have a long wheat bag which I can heat in the microwave and wrap around my neck, gentle exercises keep as much movement as possible and maybe for a time keep essentials on low shelves or on the worktop.

    You can self refer to a physio now and they tailor exercises to your needs, and your gp can help with medication and any other investigations you need to clarify diagnosis and treatment

    Here’s the information we have on osteoarthritis

    https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis/

    And here’s our information specifically on shoulder pain

    https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/shoulder-pain/

    Do let us know how you get on and what works well for you

    Take care

    Yvonne x
  • helpline_team
    helpline_team Posts: 3,944
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Dear Janique45

    Thank you for your posting on the forum. I see that Yvonne has already signposted you to information that may help with your osteoarthritis. I wanted to add that if you are concerned about any of the symptoms you have described such as your wrist bruising and increased pain in your leg then it may be best to speak to your GP to check out any new or different symptoms. Also you could speak to your GP about reviewing your pain relief if the paracetamol is not currently reducing your pain.

    We have information on managing pain on the link https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/managing-your-pain/

    There is also information on our website about tips for managing in your home that you may find helpful including products and financial help for aids and adaptations. You can find this on the link https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/living-with-arthritis/your-home/

    I hope this information is helpful to you. If you feel you would like to speak to one of our helpline team for a confidential talk about your arthritis you are welcome to call us here. Our freephone helpline number is 0800 5200 520 (9am – 8pm weekdays).

    Best Wishes

    Dawn - Helpline Advisor

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