Newbie with Arthritis

dani_39

Hello Everyone . I am new to this site and just recently diagnosed with OA in left hip after 6 months of considerable pain. I was in shock really with my diagnoses as I am 55 years of age and naively thought that OA was something that didn’t happen until later in life. The groin pain I am experiencing on trying to walk can get quite intense and strange that I thought the pain would be just in the hip itself but from posts I am reading I see I am not alone which is of great comfort . I am in the process of looking for full time work as on benefits currently due to shoulder issues but I am struggling with sleep disturbance and walking and unsure now what I should do in terms of employment …. I am scared as to what the future holds and just how bad this is going to get . I live alone and in a first floor flat and wonder how long I will be able to manage my stairs . Could anyone advise me how they have found staying in work and living with OA and how they have managed . Thank you so much

Naomi33

Good morning @dani_39 and welcome to the online community.

Sorry to hear your news and your concerns on the future.

Please let me know you are not alone in this ❤

The following links maybe of use to you….

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis-oa-of-the-hip/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/living-with-arthritis/financial-support/

I am sure others will be in touch with you soon.

Best wishes @Naomi33

frogmorton

Hi @dani_39

I am so sorry to hear you are suffering with your hip and shoulder. Sadly we hear of people with OA in their 20's or younger.

If your property is a local authority one it might be worth looking into housing options now before things get too bad.

Work can be tough especially when we have arthritis a lot of us have had to reduce our hours or give up work completely.

I wondered whether you've seen this?

https://versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/living-with-arthritis/working-well-with-arthritis/

Take care Dani I hope you'll keep posting

Toni x

jillj

Hi Dani, I am also new to the group today. Reading many of the comments this group seems so helpful and has lots of great advise for someone recently diagnosed with stage 4 OA of the knee. I'm 63 and like you I have lots of questions. Looking forward to engaging with everyone

KC1

hi @dani_39 and @jillj welcome to this amazing community. There’s so much help, advice, support and experience available, albeit virtual.
many of us have been diagnosed with OA and had surgery way before we thought, it is a bit of a shock and takes time to sink in - you can’t reverse it but it isn’t all bad news and with some adjustments you’ll be amazed at what you can achieve pre and post surgery. I can’t advise on the work front but others may be able to.
Each of us is different so it’s important you get support from your medical team as well as hearing about the journey of others. Exercise, physio etc are really important. For me going to the gym, trying the escape pain exercises, daily exercise at home, gardening and generally keeping active were really important. It sort of feels counter intuitive however I’m sure others will say the same - keep as active as you possibly can. You will know your own limits etc and, as I said, work with your medical team/physio, be kind to yourself and ask us lots of questions, we’ll happily share what we know from our own experience.

Welcome

ftracy_456

hello. I am new to this group. I am 65. I have OA right hip. Been living with it for three years and pain has progressively got worse. Been prescribed co codamol but rarely take it due to its dependency and constipation effects. GP won’t prescribe anything else as said co codamol is for long term use. Scares me long term use.??? Voltarol use to work. Paracetamol doesn’t touch the pain. I try and manage with cbd cream. And if I have an active day 1200 of ibruophen. Which isn’t that often. Due to the deterioration in my walking posture have now damaged my left knee and have recently been diagnosed with OA there to. I use a walking stick I am due to see a consultant in sept to discuss a hip op. But I am so scared. I practically live on my own and wonder how I will manage. I also have four small dogs. Who I do try and walk every day. Use to walk three miles last year. This year it’s literally round the block and what would take someone without OA 15 minutes takes me 40. Stop start stop start. Saw an OT who has frightened the life out of me. With can’t do this don’t do that. No aids given live in a bungalow. I’ve paid for my own rails outside my home as I have stairs. Friend given me a perching stool. Pressure cushion and commode. But I’m not sure I want to go ahead with the op. Any advice or reassurance would be welcomed Is it possible to live with OA longer. Can you do anything to help improve it without survey. I am paying for hydro therapy once a week. That helps. But always in agony the next day. Thank you for reading

PeterJ

Hello @jillj and @ftracy_456 and welcome to the Community. As you can see we are welcoming and friendly and always happy to help each other. If you have any specific questions then just ask, either start a new discussion or comment on an existing one.

Best wishes

Peter

colexelzie

Hi @dani_39,

I’m really sorry to hear that you’re struggling. I’m Cole, and I’m new here. I joined today because my 37-year-old mother has been dealing with arthritis for quite some time. I’ve been searching for the best solutions and focusing on managing her symptoms and improving her quality of life. Don’t worry, I’m here searching for help too, and it’s manageable. Take care and hang in there!

Best,
Cole

Poppyjane

Welcome @colexelzie to the online community

We are here to help anyone who is affected by arthritis and so you and your mother are very welcome. There are so many questions when one first hears the diagnosis and so many emotions that go with them. We hope that we will be able to offer you both information, advice and tips with how we cope with everyday living with arthritis.

You don't say what sort of arthritis your mother is experiencing so I will send a general information page and a link to our exercise videos which many of us have found very useful to keep muscles and joints as flexible as possible. The videos can be followed by everyone so it is a great way to encourage each other, to take time together to do them. Leon and his mother make it fun doing the exercises together.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/arthritis/

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

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/lets-move-with-leon/

Do get in touch with any questions you have, we look forward to hearing from you again soon.

Take care

Poppyjane