Waiting results OA or cancer , muscle spasms ?

Hev34

Hi everyone I have no idea if I’m doing this right . I’m new to this and of the older age that finds some to difficult .i find a lot of things difficult . I had a breakdown and although I am better . I have anxiety about making calls or taking them so if it’s not my family I don’t answer the phone . It makes drs app hard

I have OA it quite widespread from feet , my ankle is worn out I wear a brace and walk with crutches . I have patella femoral arthritis in both knees . Also compartment OA .I have a lump on my knee . I am told a flare up from OA . My cancer team is looking at X-rays to make sure it’s not cancer back . I have been in remission 5 years now . my question is do any of you get severe muscle spasms they can last 20 mins or more . They make me cry . I can’t move I also get fidgety legs I can’t keep still it keeps me awake . I don’t sleep well because of pain . I have OA in my hands too and this week I have struggled with my back .
if it wasn’t for my dogs I don’t know what I’d do . I have to get out of bed in the morning to feed them .

spcasey1

Yes I have sleepless nights and severe cramps during the night as well now it's starting to happen during the day too and like you the doctor is only interested in one thing ar a time which makes me feel like a hydrocondriac fingers crossed that it's not your cancer back

MaryL44

Hello  @Hev34 and welcome to the Community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that will be your experience as well.

I'm so sorry to hear about your many issues. I'm sure you're finding it quite overwhelming. I'm sure other members of our community will have areas of experience that they can share with you.

I have referred your message to our Helpline team - although they are not medically qualified they will have a lot of experience.

Please keep posting now you are here and let us know how you are getting on.

Best wishes

Mary

Hev34

thank you but I do not do phone calls am are now anxious someone may call me . I can’t speak it’s like I am dumb . I stutter and stumble over words it’s very restrictive . I can’t even talk to my dr and most of the appointments are calls . Life is difficult

MaryL44

Hi @Hev34 Please don't worry - they won't call you. They will reply to you in this chat you won't need to speak to anyone.

I'm so sorry if I made you feel anxious.

Mary

helpline_team

Hi @Hev34

Sorry to hear of the osteoarthritis pain and muscle spasms you are experiencing and the lack of sleep too. It’s understandable that you are finding things difficult, with osteoarthritis in multiple joints and uncertainly around the cancer returning. Thank you @MaryL44 for referring on and to @spcasey1 for your kind words.

Managing pain in the daytime can feel harder when you haven’t had much sleep as it affects the ability to cope with pain. Sleep is also the time when our body recharges and tissues repair themselves. Warm baths or a shower can relax the muscles before bed. Putting a pillow under the knees and feet if you lie on your back, or between the knees and ankles if you sleep on your side can aid comfort.

There are different types and causes of muscle spasms (dystonia). As we are not medically trained on the helpline, you should seek medical advice and follow up the communication sent to your doctor. If your GP thinks you could have dystonia, they may refer you to a Neurologist for tests. Treatment can help relieve the symptoms of dystonia but the best option for you depends on the type of dystonia you have.

Some people with osteoarthritis find a lump appears at the back of their knee. This is called a Baker’s cyst or popliteal cyst. A Baker’s cyst is fluid-filled swelling at the back of the knee that happens when part of the joint lining bulges through a small tear in the joint capsule. This can then cause joint fluid to be trapped in the bulge.It can happen on its own, but is more likely in a knee that’s already affected by arthritis. A Baker’s cyst doesn’t always cause pain, but sometimes they can burst so the fluid leaks down into your calf, causing sharp pain, swelling and redness in the calf.

There are some self-management techniques that can be very helpful in managing symptoms including using complementary and alternative medicines, ice packs, hot baths or showers to relieve pain, making sure you get plenty of rest and gentle stretching and strengthening exercises to help relieve symptoms. We suggest Flexiseq, which is a gel containing very small particles but no drug. It's used for osteoarthritis.

We are here to support you whenever you require it. I have put links below to our information on managing pain and sleep that you may find helpful.

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

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

Warm Wishes

Nicky - Helpline Advisor