"Wear and tear" Grrrr! You have to laugh...

aucuparia

I received a text form a GP yesterday. I have never seen this person face to face. It reads "your recent hand x-ray shows wide spread wear-and-tear arthritis…." It also adds "there is no easy fix for this."

It has taken a day to calm down. ( well calm down enough to rant rather than just fume) Why do some some professionals call osteoarthritis "wear and tear" when there is no evidence that that was the cause and doesn't correctly explain it. It is patronising at least. I am not a medic, but had been sent the radiology report and, through my own profession and experience, understand enough to ask the pertinent questions. It does not reflect the radiology report which ( surprise surprise) doesn't mention wear and tear at all.

And why do most doctors seem to look at only one bit of the body.

And of course I know there is no quick fix . I have never asked for one and how dare you assume that is what I am asking for. I just want to have enough information and support to manage my body so that I can keep active and live reasonably well. God willing, I should have at least another 25 -30 years if I live as long as my parents. ( I've got a savings account to pay for my super trendy mobility scooter should the need arise in future)

And ( even when I burst into tears in front of the nurse to get to see a GP ) no there is nothing wrong with my mental health other than I am sick, tired and fed up with being fobbed off and treated like an ignorant fussy old woman. ( to be fair that's my perception and only true of the minority of professionals. But the next person who calls me "deary" or "lovely" will be treated to a very hard stare)

Just reading through some of your posts has made me laugh. It's like reading my own story.

Thanks again. And thanks for the opportunity to rant/vent when I can't at home.

Now I can think of the positives. At least I got an text. The last x-ray on my right knee was just filed by the GP. This one was persuaded to do another x-ray and stop just focussing on one knee. I now have it confirmed that I have arthritis in, probably, every joint. I've been on about it for the last year or so.

I have confirmation that the arthritis in my right knee has progressed in the space of a year from mild to severe. No one seems to be able to explain why. Especially when I've followed all the advice, gone on a Mediterranean diet, lost weight and followed the various exercise programmes

But weirdly it is now much less painful then it was. ( maybe it was because I followed the advice etc…)

I knew it was worse; the knee was very swollen and I needed a stick to balance . The medic didn't really seem to believe me "its what you said a year ago, It's arthritis" and I had to push for further investigation.

The assumption is osteoarthritis but I have another bank of blood tests booked.

I've been able to get access back to an NHS physio therapist. The new exercises are ones I've been doing for ages except for the "use the stairs" changing to "avoid stairs". But it gives me the opportunity to get access to services.

I've finally been give an chest x-ray and ECG for a cough which was dismissed which has lasted 5 months ( GP advice take a few antihistamines)

I have also been diagnosed with lymphoedema by a different doctor who was amazing. Similar story to the, different, but equally wonderful, doctor who originally diagnosed arthritis. "The understanding of the condition is limited, the research also limited. There is no cure, it is not life threatening in itself but living with it is a pain in more ways than one. Here is a link to the charity where you can find support and information."

Except this time the good news on that is that I've been referred to a specialist lymphoedema clinic. So someone might know the answer to "are any, if not all, of these condition connected"

The next step on the arthritis was "keep in touch and come back if it gets worse or you are still worried." Which used to get me through the door.

I used to wonder why some people seemed to spend time in cafes and on buses discussing their medical conditions. Now I am one of those people. It's because they seem to be the main focus of everyday life.

I think I just need a plan.

😊

Ellen

Well hello @aucuparia a very warm welcome to the online community.

I really loved your post you have just summed up the feelings of so many here.. You've said it all - what can I say other than that you are so welcome. I suspect you will gain a lot from talking to people here and they will gain a huge amount from you too.

The plan you already have - keeping your weight down, eating healthily and exercising is a really good one. Talking is also really helpful in coping with Arthritis. Someone used to say here 'We all get it because we've all got it' how spot on is that?

Do take a look around and join in wherever you fancy the titles of the categories are self explanatory; chit chat for chat other than Arthritis, Living with Arthritis for almost anything arthritis related.

Finally have you checked out our main site, (just in case), but I imagine you've already found it?

https://www.versusarthritis.org/

and yes "wear and tear" Dear🙄. You have actually made me smile today thank you so much. I really hope you'll decide to keep posting.

Best wishes

Ellen.

frogmorton

You made me laugh too!!! Do these people not realise one day they too will likely have OA unless someone invents a cure for it?!!🤬

@aucuparia you are very welcome here I am sorry you had to find us but I am glad you have.

Personally I have a few conditions much like yourself (actually we have got people here with OA and lymphoedema I'm sure I remember it.

Here's one:

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/54872/osteoarthritis-and-primary-lymphoedema

and @Jewels1973 I'm sure she has it too. Wonder whether there is any link🤔

There are a few of us grumpy old women who lurk in Val's cafe if you are interested. To be fair we are all a bit odd in there, but it can be a good bit of distraction and (very slight) use of the brain cells. We do moan a bit about our arthritis and other health issues, but we usually stop short at discussing our bowel movements online😉

anyway I'll let you go I hope you enjoy the forum with or without the café.

Take care

Toni x

jamieA

Hi @aucuparia

Funnily enough after 4 years since being diagnosed with inflammatory arthritis and seeing far too many rheumatology and orthopaedics staff regularly I've just received a letter from a nurse specialist in rheumatology who has never treated me - or seen me - telling me that x-rays taken in September of my wrist and elbow 'demostrated early wear and tear(osteoarthritis)' and I 'should manage it with pain killers'. This despite two rheumatology consultants telling me in 2022 and 2023 that these issues were being caused by enthesitis. Like you I was really annoyed at the term, it's minimising a condition where at times I can't even pick up a coffee cup. I've had some really good care from some NHS staff over the last 4 years but I have to say there have been many times that the service has been less than satisfactorily. The only thing I could suggest is you need to be as assertive as possible - it's you who is suffering not the medical staff.

@frogmorton there are a few of us grumpy old men on the site as well😉

aucuparia

Thanks everyone. 🤗I might even nip into Val's café sometime

aucuparia

You have all made me smile too. 😊

frogmorton

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/728184#Comment_728184

I'm so glad!

Grumpy old men are always welcome too very very welcome😊 We've earned the right to be grumpy😂