Thank You

Fleur

Hello my name is Jane, I am 66 years old and I have recently been diagnosed with Osteoarthritis. Well I say that but have been warned that it was starting up a long time ago, however, me being me didn't believe it. I am still trying my hardest to come to terms with it and although nowhere near as bad as some stories I have read cry every day at what is to become of me. I have been brought up believe that illness is something you get over so finding this challenging. I don't like to say too much to family and friends as feel it is very personal and just can't find the words. Finding this site has been a god send and I am working my way slowly through it reading and absorbing anything and everything I can. I am at the moment going down the route of eating more healthier, but due to also having diverticula (last year everything seemed to go wrong with me) should eat more brassicas but cannot due to starting up pains connected with arthritis. So I am this week going to try beans and pulses this week. Sorry to be a "pain", I am usually the fun person to be around but this last month feel I am back in isolation.

I wish you all well and thank you for reading this. I will try not to post anymore like this and hope to get back to normal once full accepted my situation. x

Poppyjane

Hello @Fleur , Jane welcome to the online community,

It is great to read that someone new to the site has been reading and absorbing anything and everything available. It is also not surprising to read that you are struggling to come to terms with your diagnosis. Many of us living with arthritis go through a series of stages whilst coming to terms with our condition. So writing to share your experience with us is a brave step forward towards acceptance and the next stage of accommodating "where you are" and "what you are going to do next". Healthy eating is a great route to wellbeing as is exercise to strengthen and support your muscles and joints.

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

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/lets-move-with-leon/

Many of us enjoy the exercise You Tube videos and I hope you will too, it may just bring out that fun person who has been in isolation for a while. Let us know how you get on and as you will have seen during your browsing, if you want to post a "I 'm not having a good day comment" Do so, we are here to support you.

Thank you for your thanks.

Take care

Poppyjane

Fran54

Hello @Fleur

I had similar feelings that you have when I was first diagnosed with osteoarthritis. Like you I felt that after an illness you would recover and it took a while for me to realise that this will be with me for the rest of my life.

Some days I feel frustrated and fed up, not thinking I can cope with this. I then try and give myself a good talking too (does not always work!)

Saying that, today with the sun shining I felt more positive and managed to do some tidying up in my garden. I then thought to myself 'I can beat this'😊

Keep positive and take care.

nicholaj

I really empathise as I was affected very quickly by OA and felt a great sense of loss at what I can no longer do. For instance I was walking 5/6 miles up hill and down dale a year ago and now find it hurts even to go up and down stairs.

However my mood has improved recently for a number of reasons, one of which is accepting the situation instead of grieving what is gone,

I am trying to feel positive about what I can do such as reading a lot more and watching things on iplayer which are relaxing. Also I have become part of a local Women's Theatre Group and we did our first production last night, something that until recently I wouldn’t have imagined doing.

I do the exercises daily which the physio has given me and they seem to improve my mood. I also like watching the videos of the exercises on this website and find them helpful.