New member

Doxens1

Hi, I am Katherine. I have had arthritis since I was 19. I will be 69 in July. I injured my left knee when I was 13 and had 3 surgeries before I was 19. When I was 19 and having my 3rd knee surgery they removed my kneecap and cleaned out the arthritis. My knee was replaced when I was 43. Since then I have had my right hip replaced twice. The arthritis has spread to my feet, back, neck, shoulders and hands. I have monthly infusion treatments that have helped. Although with this pandemic I am not having them. I have had 25 surgeries on my feet, shoulder and various other surgeries. I am in constant pain and have trouble walking and climbing stairs. Thankfully we were able to install an elevator. I look forward to hearing about what has helped others.

Brynmor

Hi @Doxens1 welcome to the online Community, its lovely to have you here.

I'm so sorry you have experience of arthritis for 50 years - that's quite an extraordinary tale of operations you have had. With all that I'm sure you have a lot to contribute for those coming here asking for help.

Do join in across the Community. Ask questions, give support or call in for a chat to let us know how you are getting on. You will be most welcome.

All best wishes

Brynmor

Doxens1

Thank you. Life with arthritis is not for the faint of heart. While I have a pretty high threshold for pain but when I have a flair it is crippled. Thankfully since I started infusions they are pretty rare.

dreamdaisy

Hello, I have psoriatic arthritis, for which I inject meth and humira, osteoarthritis, which I manage by exercise, rest and pain dullers and fibromyalgia (when that strikes, I just have to wait for it to go). I have not had any joint replacements and won't be bothering either. I needed knees when I was 52, was refused due to youth (!) and now my ankles and hips have succumbed to OA and all my toes have PsA I don't see the point.

My parents passed to me the dross they missed, Ma supplied the asthma and eczema, Pa the psoriasis so I didn't stand a chance. 😁 Meds have played a vital role in helping me to live my life to its best and so it continues. I have no qualms about taking them, no fears, no worries: to me it's about making the best of what I have now even though that continues to steadily dwindle thanks to the depredations of the disease.

Life itself is not for the faint-hearted and being challlenged with poor health adds to its complexities. Arthritis has changed how I physically live my life but it has not changed what I get from it. DD