Bit new to this

Cabernat
Cabernat Member Posts: 4
edited 28. Nov 2023, 14:07 in Living with arthritis

Hi. I have arthritis in both knees. Think I may have it in my right hip now. Had this for some years but only had injections in my knee & painkillers so far. See an orthopaedic consultant in February. Resisted seeing anyone medical as my husband is poorly so I need to be able to do things. Since covid can’t even get to see gp. Finding it really hard now as I can’t get to do things I enjoy like gardening, cooking & doing things with the grandchildren. Find it hard to get up in the morning & spend a lot of time just sitting. Sorry it sounds like a sob story which really isn’t me.

Comments

  • ToneBlues
    ToneBlues Member Posts: 94

    Hi @Cabernat

    Welcome to the online community and thank you for asking for our support.

    You tell us that you have arthritis in both knees and likely in your right hip, but have had no significant treatment beyond steroid injections and pain medication. You now have an appointment to see an orthopaedic consultant in February. You are worried and concerned about your ability to care for your husband and have time to do "things for you". You are struggling to motivate yourself a lot of the time.

    Firstly what you have told us absolutely doesn't sound like any kind of sob story - your situation sounds very difficult, and very like what a lot of of us on this online community experience - you can always tell us and we won't judge you.

    Hopefully at your appointment in February you will find out about what your options are for future treatment, and it is worth making it clear to whoever you see what the pressures on you are - particularly caring for an ill partner. Have you talked to you GP recently about all this - maybe a telephone appointment would be a good thing?

    Our website has a useful page on the things we can do to deal with difficult feelings -

    I hope that this has helped if only a little bit - you can always come to this online community to let off some steam, and find support. Please come back regularly and let us know how you are getting on.

    Very best wishes

    @ToneBlues

  • Cabernat
    Cabernat Member Posts: 4

    Thank you. I have read some of the chats & it’s good to know that there are others around. Being 69yrs old I’ve been used to coping & just getting on with things. I find it hard to ask for help but knowing I can come here will help.

  • Lilymary
    Lilymary Member Posts: 1,749

    Hi @Cabernat , I'm sorry you're having such a tough time. It can be miserable accepting limitations when we're so used to doing things without thinking. Do try to keep moving - even though my hip was torture I found a bit of pottering about in the garden did me no end of good mentally, and gave me a bit of a physical work out too just reaching and stretching, even if I did do a bit of unscheduled crashing into the undergrowth occasionally. Sometimes we just need to find different ways of doing things to adapt around our bodies, including playing with the grandchildren, or replace other things we can no longer do with other things that we enjoy. Are you able to get some support in looking after your husband?

    I found some of the advice in this link really helpful.

    I hope your visit to the ortho doc next month goes well. Keep us posted, and keep coming on here if it helps, even if it's just for a moan. There's lots of good experience and advice on here, and we all know how rubbish this can get. LM x

  • Cabernat
    Cabernat Member Posts: 4

    Morning. I saw my consultant a few weeks ago & on list for knee replacement. Told it might be 18mths-2yrs wait. Then I was phoned a couple of weeks ago to say I may only have to wait 2-3mths. They also said I was going to have a knee resurfacing but the lady who phoned didn’t know what that meant & neither do I. Does anyone know how long I might be in hospital for? I’ve looked online but but not very informative. I’m in the UK & nearly 70yrs old.