Newly diagnosed and asking for advice

FatherFurlong
FatherFurlong Member Posts: 3
edited 28. Nov 2023, 14:09 in Living with arthritis

Hi,

About 6 years ago I was diagnosed with arthritis in my foot but apart from occasional twinge wasn’t troublesome. Since I went through the menopause(I am well and truly through it now) I feel like I have aged another 20 years. I have now been diagnosed with arthritic changes in my hands and spondylosis( arthritis in back). I shave been put on Naproxen, given exercises, seeing an osteopath etc, purchased a TENS machine, use heat pads etc. I am pain most of the day to some degree. Best time for me is after I have been up an hour or so and had a bath. I then have a good 3 or 4 hours when I can walk the dog and do a few exercises without pain. If I sit longer than 15-20 minutes I can feel my spine compressing and feel a terrible leaden feeling.


Just wanted to ask others what they find useful in the way of exercises, analgesia and about the relationship between the menopause and arthritis. Whether it is simply the fact that the menopause comes later in life when you have had the wear and tear on your joints or if your body’s depletion of female hormones speeds up the arthritic process?

Comments

  • Poppyjane
    Poppyjane Moderator Posts: 846

    Hello @FatherFurlong welcome to the online community

    You have arthritis in your hands and your back and are asking our members for their tips on exercises, analgesia and the relationship between the menopause and arthritis. We are all encouraged to exercise and the Versus Arthritis site has a number of exercise videos which have been well received by our members so I hope you will be able to look at them and give them a try. There are also Yoga and Tai Chi videos.

    https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2021/october/new-stretching-videos-to-help-keep-moving-and-manage-your-arthritis/

    I attach another link about arthritis and the menopause which as you will see has links to research in this area, which I hope you will find interesting.

    https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2021/august/i-wanted-to-get-my-arthritis-pain-under-control-i-wasn-t-thinking-about-the-menopause/


    This is a safe and friendly place to share your experiences of living with arthritis and we look forward to hearing from you again soon.

    Take care

    Poppyjane

    If it would be helpful to talk to someone ring the Helpline 0800 5200 520

    Monday - Friday 9.00a.m. - 6.00p.m.

  • FatherFurlong
    FatherFurlong Member Posts: 3

    Many thanks for the links.

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,027

    Hello @FatherFurlong

    Nice to meet you 😊

    I get my exercise in early if possible especially with this hotter weather. I walk pretty well every day. My back needs me to walk - if i miss 3 days in a row it gets worse and that is definite.

    On days when I have more energy I do some of the 'let's move' exercises Poppyjane mentioned. The stretches are good nice and gentle. I did the whole of the 'let's move with Leon' sessions too. I am happy to and do rest when i need to. I am still doing the menopause malarkey should be through it by now but hot flushes seem to continue🙄

    I have probably tried most medications over the years from diazepam to gabapentin, amitriptyline to patches you name it I've probably tried it. Trouble is I get used to them all pretty quickly.

    I also use things like my microwavable wheatbag and tens to buy time between meds I have a wedge cusion which helps with sitting but some days my leg 'dies' pretty quickly after sitting so I give up and lie down after taking an anti-inflammatory my current one is Arcoxia.

    Keep posting and talking it helps

    Toni x

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