new on here

PaulyC

hi everyone,

im new on here not yet been confirmed whether i have OA or Ra very scary not knowing, feel like lots of my joints are just useless, cant walk cant dress myself and need my food cut up, feels like im ready for the scrap heap! any hint or tips very welcome

Baloo

@PaulyC that symptom sound acute, but perhaps be ready that any solutions take a while to find, and become part of a new lifestyle. One thing that changed for me was arthritis needs a lot of nursing, and this became a normal part of life.

Mollbhan

Try not to worry too much, before I was diagnosed with RA 5 years ago I couldnt even pick up a biscuit or hold a cup of tea, I had to be helped downstairs, I was completely helpless. Prednisolone medication cleared most of that fairly quickly and although I still have RA it is not too much of a handicap I swim, cycle, do gardening, cut firewood, walk the dog and lead an active life, and I will be 75 this year.

Naomi33

Hello @PaulyC and welcome to the online community.

Sorry to hear your concerns about awaiting results.

I was diagnosed with RA and still learning to live it but there is hope and support out there you are not alone.

Recently diagnosed with OA so new challenges but again local support brilliant.

Joined local Arthritis group and walking group.

In the past I did the following courses which gave me confidence to.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2020/january/moving-more-with-the-escape-pain-programme/

https://www.nuffieldhealth.com/about-us/our-impact/healthy-life/joint-pain-programme

Best wishes @Naomi33