New to the group

joeran69

Hello everyone. I'm Joseph and I've just been told by my GP that both my shoulders have severe osteoarthritis. I've been in pain for a couple of years but over the past 2 months the pain has got to a point where I couldn't ignore it anymore.

I can't sleep well and every night wake up In agony. I really.hope the steroid injections will help though my doctor has also said I need a shoulder replacement.

It's all a bit of a shock to me and I'm finding it.hard to adjust to all the restrictions my joints are now unable to do

I hope to find help and friendship here

Thanks for reading

Joseph

Poppyjane

Hello @joeran69 welcome to the online community,

You have been told that you have severe OA in your shoulders and find that this is having quite an impact on your life especially your sleep. Like many of us when we are first diagnosed it takes a while to adjust to living with arthritis and all that this entails. We hope that this first post to the community will be one of many and that we can offer you friendship and support as you adjust to your condition.

I attach some links which I hope you will find helpful

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis-oa-of-the-elbow-and-shoulder/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2021/august/how-to-adapt-when-you-ve-been-diagnosed-with-arthritis/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2022/december/top-tips-for-swimming-with-arthritis/

We are all encouraged to exercise to keep our joints and muscles as flexible and as mobile as possible, so I have included the swimming link because a pool can be a place in which to try gentle movement whilst supported by the warm water. I am not suggesting lots of lengths of front crawl! Finally I have added some information about sleep.

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

Our members have a wealth of experiences to share to support others with arthritis so do get in touch again and let us know how you are getting on.

Take care

Poppyjane

Cathykins

Hi Joseph

Yes, it takes some adjustment when you receive a diagnosis. There are lots of members on here who are trying to do just that. I am newly diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis, although, like yourself I have been in pain for some time. I have found it helpful to read other people's stories and advice on the different treatments available. I hope you find it as helpful as I have.

Take care