What additional support could I get

ChrisG9

Hi all.
I have OA in my hands and feet with Hallux Rigidus and bone spurs on my right foot.
I have been undergoing hand therapy and have been referred to a clinician for my foot issue. I have been taken of Naproxen due to issues with my kidneys so have no pain relief apart from paracetamol
I've been getting on with life, keeping active, I work full time and married and have two active boys.
However this week has been a real challenge. My left hand is so stiff, I can't really use it, my foot is painful and I've been extremely fatigued. I'm still going to my office yet I am finding it hard to function at work and at home which has also resulted on my emotional wellbeing. I'm started to feel quite low.
I've been thinking of contacting my GP again as a cry for help, yet not sure what to ask for (I just want to feel a little better physically and emotionally) as I'm undergoing treatment/referral already.

Baloo

@ChrisG9 yes, your joints can adjust to arthritis, but somehow the brain support has to give it some time as well.

One thing is I like paracetamol, even at full dose its possible to tell where the hot spots are and the situations are that needs more care and nursing, I sometimes like to quit painkillers altogether for a while so my system can tell me exactly where the pain is, and exactly when it hurts, so I can just decide to make some changes to the way I move around.

Its not pie in the sky. I just had two weeks free of painkillers with no pain and its like, wow, glad I listened.

SoniaR

I could not cope with my OA pain (knees) without my painkillers. It would be excruciating. I would return to your GP with a request for help with the pain. Less pain will mean you will be more comfortable and able to cope more with life. I have been through a few and am now on Co-proxamol. It can cause constipation but other than that I don’t have any other side effects. It is an opioid and my GPs surgery keep wanting to reduce my dose but I’m having none of it! I only take 6-8 a day anyway and I’m not going to live in agony. The meds help with the pain but they don’t get rid of it completely.

Can I just ask, has an Orthopaedic surgeon diagnosed your hand OA, or just the GP? Just that I was diagnosed with OA in my hand by a Physio, and after 2 years of increasing pain I decided to see an Orthopaedic surgeon privately and it turns out pain was not OA but Carpal Tunnel Syndrome! Had an op and all good now, pain gone!

I do hope you can find the right treatment and pain relief to help you get on with your life.

ChrisG9

Thanks @Sonia, I'll attempt to find my assertive hat when speaking with my GP

As for my hands, it's been confirmed as OA through a few clinicians as I've been undergoing assessments for RA