Fed up with pain

Midnight

Hi I'm new to this I'm 54 waiting for a knee op my life has changed so much I'm in pain in my hips my other knee it affects my work and my everyday life I'm on naproxen and paracetamol how does everyone cope it makes me feel so down

[Deleted User]

Hi @Midnight, welcome to the online community! It's lovely to have you here.

I see that you have arthritis of the knees and hips and are dealing with pain at work and in daily life, and that you're waiting for a knee operation. It's understandable that this is getting you down, you'll find many here can empathise, the best advice I've heard is to focus on the things you can do rather than what you can't - easier said than done but worth a try. Another bit of advice is that if you can, swimming and cycling are great ways of keeping your joints lubricates and strong (really important for arthritis) without impacting the bone/cartilage too much. I've included some links that I think you might find helpful:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2021/november/ways-to-help-manage-hip-pain/

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

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2022/february/meditation-and-mindfulness-and-how-it-might-help-you/

Please do stick around in the online community :)

Best wishes, Sarah (moderator)

Midnight

Hey Sarah thank you for your message only problem I have is both my knees (you need to c them to understand) r not normal they r like knock kneed but worse so I can bend my left one much so i can't ride my bike anymore and I can't walk very far and climbing stairs is really painful

Lilymary

I do understand how you feel about your OA affecting your work and leisure activities. I had the same problem with my hip before surgery last year, and the constant pain and giving up favourite activities it can be depressing. I found I had to adapt how I did things, and for hobbies/sports I could no longer do I tried to find something new I enjoyed to replace them.

I found distraction really helpful too, ie absorb yourself in something you enjoy to take your focus away from the pain. It could be reading, watching Netflix, a coffee with friends, a gentle potter in the garden, or crafting, for example. You may find some of the tips in this link helpful.

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

It may be worth speaking with your GP to review your pain meds, or ask for a referral to the pain clinic. It may also be worth seeing a physio who can give you a course of gentle exercises that will help build the muscles around your affected joints. The waiting list for NHS physios is pretty long and limited in the number of consultations you can have, so if you can afford it a private physio will be quicker and they can give you as many review sessions and treatments as you need.

Saxophone

I have arthritis in neck - how do you manage pain without medicstion

Moira

Hi. I have arthritis in most joints and have one artificial knee (the other needs doing). It's not a cure all. There are certain things you can't do - kneeling, plies (dance move), breast stroke. I've jiggered mine - but there you go! Not sure what I did to it.

Physio is my life saver. With exercises from the website (many years ago when it was "Arthritis Care" I did them). My physio at rhumatology said they were the correct ones. So each morning I do my exercises and it loosens up the joints. Keep moving and don't sit for too long - even wander around the room. I now live with pain. But honestly simple movements help and loosen the joints.

Comments from Sarah are bang on.

I try not to use pain killers. Mine are strong mine as "normal" painkillers do nothing with me. But unless I'm going out or I really, really can't cope, I only use them at night. You do get used to a modicum of pain, believe me. I've had it for over 30 years now. Keep active. I found "Water Workout" brilliant as the weight is off the joints and our tutor is an ex-orthopaedic nurse. Keep busy - learn a langauge with Duolingo to keep your mind busy, do crosswords, write a book but keep occupied.

Good luck and keep smiling - even through gritted teeth.