just spent a fortune on knee braces

nickynysmon08

it saddens me that the GPs are not always up to form when to comes to arthritis. no so much treatment, but in the various devices, that can be used to ease the wearing away of joints. my sadness is not having gone into this in detail when my osteo began to develop. now, after what may be too late??, I have bought some knee braces. these are the vulcan closed type, a sleeve that fits over the knee.


again, there is absolutely no help here as to what type to buy, nor more important as to what size to buy. I gave a link earlier where these may be found, but tell others there are cheaper and alternative websites that sell them though the price is much the same. do a google on all this.
so, after using two of these braces very briefly, I find the one with the velcro fastens the least effective, but the one which s simply a sleeve is best for me. I have spent over a hundred pounds so far, and it comes down to doing it all yourself.

my GP even asked that I inform him how effective these things are, and he confessed he was no expert on arthritis. I am much bemused by all this. it seesm to come down to 'take the tablets, rest and do whatever works best for you' but then you are on your own.
there was never any suggestion of seeing a specialist, or x rays, when I had diverticluar disease i was almost rushed into hospital, when anything else happens we are persuaded to go and see someone else, but when it is arthritis they seem so complacent about referring us for more tests? even the physio may be weeks away, unless I go private.

I am resting now, having decided to take my legs and hips out of commission!!! if i was a car I would have put the keys away, made a cup of tea and done some work around the house. I am not a car but am sticking to work around the house etc., the small walk, but basically letting nature heal by lots of rest. then I will try the braces, the two sizes, and see of they really help. I love walking, 55 is still very young, but nature must be obeyed here.

If the velcro brace I have is of no use to me, I will offer it to others, as it has only been used once and is basically brand new, so we will see.

these are just some passing thoughts that may or may not be of interest to some. but in the end we need to listen to others, think for ourselves and try different ways of dealing with arthur. doctors only go so far but if we ignore the signs of nature, nature quickly makes its response felt, and there is so much we can do, take the tablets, then sit down at the computer, watch television, and why not take up painting? I would happily help others start painting, it is a wonderful hobby. and quite simply, just relax.

best wishes,

Nick

frogmorton

Hi Nick
I do know the feeling. I reckon GPs do know very little.
That's why you've had to buy your own knee brace. I am glad it has helped you and hopit continues to.
So you've 'put the keys away', hopefully only for now?
On the postivie side you are right to say there is lots you CAN still do like painting reading, music etc.
I reckon it is just posssible that this arthur malarky has made me a better (how could that possibly be? ) person. I take a bit more time to look around me and for people now. That has to be a good thing doesn't it?!
You have been positive and sorted yourself out - I hope the physio comes up soon and then you have someone else on your side to help.
Good luck Nick and take care
Toni x

lindalegs

Hi Nick,

It's often the case that GP's do know very little about arthritis and some Rheumys have a lot to learn too :roll:

The trouble is arthritis is different in everyone and what works well for someone may be useless to another and at the end of the day we have to find our own level of coping. As the disease is progressive all the consultat aims to do is to slow it down.

This is why this site is excellent because you have a cross-range of opinions and advice to throw into the melting pot and you take from it what you need and also add your own help too.

(I've also been told I'm a better person for having RA - makes me feel I was a helluva b**ch before )

Luv Legs

joanlawson

Hi Nick
I'm sorry to hear that you got so little help from your doctor, and that you have spent so much money on knee supports. I think I have mentioned previously that my doctor referred me to the occupational therapy dept. at the hospital,which was very helpful. I have been given two different knee supports, both of which are good. If I had bought these, they would have cost a lot of money, but I've got them free because of going to the hospital.

I have found sometimes that services are not offered unless you know to ask for them.Besides the knee supports, I have received physiotherapy and acupuncture,all on the NHS, but they weren't suggested to me by my doctor. It was only when I asked whether I could benefit from them, that the doctor said yes,and he could refer me. Then I was left wondering why he hadn't suggested them before because my OA was diagnosed two years ago. All these things have benefitted me considerably.

I think the answer is to get yourself as well-informed as possible, through A.Care and from the experience of other people on this site,and then don't be afraid to ask for things. If you are not satisfied, you can ask for a second opinion.

Joan