Do I have Arthritus?

Notty79

Hi Everyone, my names Vicky and I have been concerned for sometime that I have something causing my pain. I am 40yrs old and overweight so have put all my aches and pains down to my weight for a long time, thinking my body was just under strain causing it to ache. However I'm wondering now whether it could be more arthritis pain than anything else. I suffer with pains in my shoulders if I sit at a desk for too long. And pains in the top of my feet from standing. But my worst time of day is through the night and when waking. My upper arms and shoulders wake me through the night enough that I need to reposition, and when waking I have lower back stiffness and pain, with a weakened left leg sometimes meaning I need to be very careful getting to my feet or It gives way with the pain and numbness. It lasts for around 15minutes each morning and then gradually eases. I do have aching through the day but nothing like in the morning. I'm not sure if this could be Arthritus or not and my doctors have referred me to the rheumatologist for assessment however with the situation at the moment my appointment has been cancelled so I dont know when it will happen now.
Does anyone have any advice for me to reduce my pains? Does it sound like Arthritus? Should I take regular pain killers? if so which? Just need some relief right now and if there is anything I could do to help this getting worse than now.
Many thanks.

Ellen

Hello Notty79

Welcome to the Versus Arthritis Online Community from me. I am glad you have found us and can receive support whilst getting to the bottom of your pain. Unfortunately none of us are medically trained to give a diagnosis it is good that your GP has referred you or rheumatology. I am so sorry that COVID is delaying a diagnosis.

I can however give you some reliable information about Arthritis:

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

This has information about coping with pain:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/managing-your-pain/

I will leave you now to meet some of our members who will I am sure do their best to help.

Best wishes

Ellen.

Notty79

Many thanks Ellen, I thought that would be the case. I had a read of the articles and I fit a few of the possible types, I will try the advice and see what happens.
Take care, 😊

dreamdaisy

Hello, I have no idea if you have arthritis or not because I am not a doc but I know I do. 😉 I began psoriatic arthritis when I was 37 then osteo was diagnosed when I was 52. That is worsening at the moment because I am putting weight on due to the current circs and I must get myself under control before it gets worse! I know from past experience that losing weight does little for reducing the pain, because in my case the joint damage is done, but I need to do it for the sake of my entire body including my few remaining unaffcted joints.

I am retired but keeping myself very busy with making greetings cards for house-trapped neighbours. My neck, shoulders and back are awful at the moment, a combination of poor posture with being hunched over the dining room table, lack of exercise as I am no longer seeing my personal trainer (and not doing well at keeping myself motivated) and too many Doritos because they are gorgeous. I have to pay attention to how I move - like Gerald Ford I cannot walk and chew gum at the same time - but it's been like that for so long I cannot remember it being any different.

I am sorry this has all come at such a wrong time. Pain relief has a role to play, a very little on a regular basis is how I use it but I am years ahead of you with this and used to being in pain. Do not expect a complete cessation of pain if you take some paracetamol, pain is part and parcel of arthritis (and other conditions too) but letting it build before taking anything is not constructive. I have to go - I bargained with myself to vacuum the bedroom curtains before Escape to the Country and it's already 2.30pm! DD

Notty79

Thanks Dreamdaisy, I admit I'm concerned about taking painkillers regularly as I've always thought the healthiest bodies are chemical free but i may have to succumb to this. My food intake is not good however better currently than in the past when the weight gain was at its worst. It sounds like you have a good plan you live by normally? I hope you can get back to that as soon as possible once this terrible virus is under control.
Until then good luck with the curtains! 🙂
Thanks for taking the time to reply. 👍

dreamdaisy

As far as I am concerned the healthiest bodies, medically speaking, belong to the people who know what to do to make their circumstances better. Drugs have enabled me to function since the age of twelve, let those who sneer about being too busy to be ill or taking meds try living my life: I guarantee that within ten minutes they'd be begging for every med under the sun. Thinking patterns are key here, you are not succumbing - that hints at weakness, being beaten down, a swooning Victorian lady on a chaise longue. i doubt that is you, it certainly isn't me. By taking a couple of paracetamol every six or eight hours you are doing the right thing to help your body be the best it can be. Nowt wrong with that. DD

PS Thanks to pain relief taken around noon I was able to vac the curtains, sort out cobwebs, haul out and clean behind both bedside cabinets and dust the bedroom. Without that I wouldn't have managed any of it.