New Member

Row

Good afternoon everyone,

I have joined today as a new member, I have just turned 55 and been suffering with knee issues for a few years but just ignored it 🙄. In December I suddenly had a problem with my back and thought I had just lifted something badly, this went on for months with spasms, loss of movement and sleepless nights and compensatng also made my knees worse. I reluctantly went to the doctors who after examining my back sent me for an Xray and I am now awaiting an appt with MSK specialist. I would really appreciate anyone's help or advise on how to help myself in the meantime as finding exercise rather painful, but know I need to lose weight and don't want to rely on painkillers.

Thank you for letting me join

Row.

Ellen

Good Morning @Row and a warm welcome to the Online Community.

I see from your post that you are struggling with your knees and your back. You sound as though you very much want to be proactive in anticipation of your MSK appointment.

You mention both exercise and weight management in your post so will attach a couple of links worth a read while you wait for our members to come along with their own tips:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2022/march/five-ways-to-help-manage-back-pain/

There are links to strengthening exercises in the article. which are very gentle.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2021/september/top-tips-to-manage-your-weight/

You are quite right that keeping our weight down helps with Arthritis, but it can be a challenge when we struggle to move.

Now that you've introduced yourself do have a look around the Community Living with Arthritis is very popular and you might be interested in Let's move.

Best wishes

Ellen.

frogmorton

Hi @Row

Nice to meet you.

It is really tough losing weight when you are less mobile than you used to be but it can be done we have had people here who are wheelchair users lost stones.. It's a good idea to get started, as you want to, ASAP because often people here have to wait for surgery if their BMI is too high and you don't want that to be you.

I have done some of the 'Let's move' stuff I do the stretches and did the whole of Let's Move with Leon. They are so gentle and I enjoyed the challenge.

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/55264/stretching-videos-to-help-people-with-arthritis-to-keep-mobile

this was let's move with Leon there are seated exercises too

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/lets-move-with-leon/?_ga=2.120123214.710600455.1655615866-1855638952.1594146193

Some of us have in the past started a weight loss thread which has helped because you get cheered on by us lot and don't want to let us down. Also sometimes people join in.

Best of luck

Toni x

Row

Hi Toni,

Thank you so much for your advise, I will look at all of this and digest it but it sounds really good. I have started doing some gentle exercise and I am going to join a programme for weight loss as it helps me to have some discipline. So kind of you to take time to answer, it is much appreciated especially when it is all new to me and quite scary at first. Row

frogmorton

Well done @Row

Do keep posting your progress really might help someone else who thinks they can't lose weight ☺️

It is all very scary at first, but remember you are 100% not alone you have us lot. Any questions no matter how silly they might seem do ask us we'll help if we can.

Take care

Toni xx

Row

Hi everyone,

So I had my very first physio at MSK last week and I was a bit shocked when she advised that one of my knees was bone on bone and knee cap and joint were beyond help other than and op in time, but my other knee was the joint only at present. My back is from middle to the lower back but I knew that. The physios manipulations were painful I won't lie as apparently my thigh muscles are not existent 🤷‍♀️. Anyway I came away feeling quite down and worried about what I could do and how it will affect my life going forward as she said walking for more than 20 mins was not advised and using my exercise bike was a no no. So I started my home physio exercises and then a couple of days ago I plucked up the courage to find a local gym with pool and I am going for my first swimming session tomorrow I do like swimming so all's good. I say plucked up the courage as I am at least 4 stone overweight and I am not exactly comfortable in my own body and confidence is low so this is a big deal to me but I know the weight is not helping my sistuation.

Sorry to waffle on, but I don't really have anyone else to share this with, so thanks in advance to all that read and understand or are going through the same. I wish us all a lot of luck and pain free days hopefully. Will keep you posted and thanks again for listening and all the best to everyone on here.. x

Sunnyside_12

Hi you should be very proud, because you are facing it, going forward, swimming is really good, try and keep positive and take negative ones away, we worry to much about what other people think. ( no we should not worry) its trying to ease the pain. I'm in pain constantly, had it for few years Osteoarthritis in both hips one is bone on bone, the other side isn't much better. I started looking for other exercises I'm doing physio exercises very painful. Last night I looked at Tai Chi, good for mind and body, haven't tried it yet, still looking.

All the best Ruth

Row

Hi Ruth,

Thank you for your kind words and support, Tai Chi sounds interesting I hope you can find a class near to you and hope it helps would be interested to know.

Take care Row

stickywicket

@Row I think you're doing brilliantly. You have taken charge and made your own decisions which can be very difficult when we're in a lot of pain.

Build up slowly with the exercises. No boom and bust😆 as it can be very discouraging if we feel our efforts to improve things are just making them worse.

Remember that exercise is essential for arthritis but losing weight is another matter. Mostly it's diet that controls weight.

Please keep us updated on your progress and, if you have a bad day - or days - we're there for them too.

Good luck.

Row

Thank you for your support, I will keep at it and I think once I start to feel more mobile it will encourage me on the weight loss journey as well 😊I hope everyone else is managing okay and have a good weekend. I am also here to support anyone who needs an ear or shoulder.