am waiting to see a physio-should I go ahead??

nickynysmon08

I was wondering of anyone could offer me advice and such, suggestions. The doctor has written for an appointment for me to see the nhs physio, I am wondering if I am wasting their time though. my osteo is a lot better, by very careful management though a few days ago I was taking tramodol because of my hip and knee. i managed some heavy work in the garden yesterday and to my amazement suffered no side effects.
my concern mainly, is long term prognosis, will the arthritis deteriorate or will it simply stabilize and be manageable, we must all have this concern I think,

I am wondering if my seeing the physio is superfluous after all the work I have done studying arthritis, and after being a part of this forum. is there anything concrete they can do, offer advice maybe, or I wonder if it might end up my canceling the appointment.
any thoughts on this would be most welcome,

Nick

nearlybionic

Hi
It may still be worth a trip as they can advise you on strengthening exercises to build up your muscles. Keeping your muscles strong is important in OA, so you might learn some new things.
Have you got an appointment through yet? If not or if it is a while away, it may be worth waiting until nearer the time to see how your OA is then.
Well done on manageing it ( the OA)
NB

caravancollie

hi Nick,
I would still keep the appointment, they may have some ideas for you, however don't expect too much, when I saw them 2 years ago they just said I was doing all the right things and did'nt offer anything new. Still it was reassring to know I was on the right lines. I believe it's very much a case of doing what your body tells you, goiing by instinct and if you get it wrong up the pain killers until it settles again. Good luck
cc

lindalegs

Hi Nick,

I think you should go. Even if you're managing your arthritis well at the moment the nature of the beast is that it does come and go. A physio should assess you and give you exercises to do to keep the maximum range of movement in your joints for as long as possible. These are exercises we do daily even when the arthritis is quiet.

I'm sure they won't think you're wasting their time.

Luv Legs

joanlawson

Hi Nick

I don't think your doctor would have referred you for physio if he thought it wasn't appropriate for you. I would definitely keep the appointment, and they won't think you are wasting their time. I have recently had physio, and it has benefitted me a lot. The therapist also suggested acupuncture, which has also been a good thing. Sometimes arthritis pain comes and goes, so you will be more prepared if you have a bad patch.I also found that the physiotherapist had more time than the doctor to answer any questions I wanted to ask.

Joan

mistywillow

joanlawson wrote:

Hi Nick

I don't think your doctor would have referred you for physio if he thought it wasn't appropriate for you. I would definitely keep the appointment, and they won't think you are wasting their time. I have recently had physio, and it has benefitted me a lot. The therapist also suggested acupuncture, which has also been a good thing. Sometimes arthritis pain comes and goes, so you will be more prepared if you have a bad patch.I also found that the physiotherapist had more time than the doctor to answer any questions I wanted to ask.

Joan

Hi Nick
You should go still. No one will think you are wasting their time and something useful may come of it. Also you would feel pretty miffed if you cancelled and then had a bit of a bad day afterwards.

Gillx

elnafinn

Hi Nick

As the gp has only just set the ball rolling with this, you could easily have to wait 6 weeks, if the physios have a full work load at the moment.

It would perhaps be a better idea to wait for the appointment date and then reassess.

Even so, if you have plenty of time, go even if you feel ok at the time. As said, you should be offered an exercise plan which is always useful to know and be able to fall back on should you need to do so. You should be examined at the appointment and also chat about what has/is the problem.

Look after yourself and try not to overdo things, easier said than done, I know!

Best wishes,
Elna

nickynysmon08

lindalegs wrote:

Hi Nick,

I think you should go. Even if you're managing your arthritis well at the moment the nature of the beast is that it does come and go. A physio should assess you and give you exercises to do to keep the maximum range of movement in your joints for as long as possible. These are exercises we do daily even when the arthritis is quiet.

I'm sure they won't think you're wasting their time.

Luv Legs

many thanks for all your reassuring replies, they have been enormously helpful, and I am going ahead seeing the physio, as there are many questions I wish to ask.

as an aside, i went to near bedgellert this morning and discovered one of the footpaths to snowdon. but, I was poorly equipped. being of a positive spirit, and having the benefit now of my knee protectors to strengthen the joints., which have worked wonders for me, I am hoping to go out again tomorrow, and try the walk. at least it will tell me what can be done and what cannot be done.
my fear is always making things worse, which is why I wish to see the physio for proper advice. your help has been wonderful in this.
let you know how I went on, or if I limp down the mountain!!!!

Nick

woodbon

Hi, I think you've answered your own question!

Seriously, though, arthritis is a very funny (strange, not ha, ha,) thing. I get days when I feel a fraud, and can do lots - then, oh, no! - it pops up its ugly head again :!: . My physio helps me with exercises designed to strenthen the muscles and reduce the pain.

I hope you get sorted out quickly! Love Sue

nickynysmon08

woodbon wrote:

Hi, I think you've answered your own question!

Seriously, though, arthritis is a very funny (strange, not ha, ha,) thing. I get days when I feel a fraud, and can do lots - then, oh, no! - it pops up its ugly head again :!: . My physio helps me with exercises designed to strenthen the muscles and reduce the pain.

I hope you get sorted out quickly! Love Sue

reply,

I too, have often felt something of a fake. when I first came on to this forum, I had days of aches, pains, sometimes quite nasty, during winter, then... they would all go.
seeing what others have gone through and go through, I almost wanted my symptoms to come back, just to feel justified, maybe others have these feelings.
I need not have worried, they always come back, sadly all too regularly now. my knees are starting to burn right now, so, sit back, and watch the tv, I think,

whether i do a walk Monday or Tuesday, I will let you know... hopefully not after acquiring a permanent limp!!!


Nick

greyheron

nickynysmon08 wrote:

woodbon wrote:

Hi, I think you've answered your own question!

Seriously, though, arthritis is a very funny (strange, not ha, ha,) thing. I get days when I feel a fraud, and can do lots - then, oh, no! - it pops up its ugly head again :!: . My physio helps me with exercises designed to strenthen the muscles and reduce the pain.

I hope you get sorted out quickly! Love Sue

reply,

I too, have often felt something of a fake. when I first came on to this forum, I had days of aches, pains, sometimes quite nasty, during winter, then... they would all go.
seeing what others have gone through and go through, I almost wanted my symptoms to come back, just to feel justified, maybe others have these feelings.
I need not have worried, they always come back, sadly all too regularly now. my knees are starting to burn right now, so, sit back, and watch the tv, I think,

whether i do a walk Monday or Tuesday, I will let you know... hopefully not after acquiring a permanent limp!!!


Nick

Hi Nick and Sue and everyone

I hope no-one feels a fraud or a fake coming on this forum. I do understand what you mean as I am so much better pain-wise since my TKR - but I hope that I can now help people as other people helped me through my difficult times - as I know you do.

And none of us know what the future may bring except that there will be some 'ups' and some 'downs'.

B the way I agree with what has been said earlier re physio - go along with an open mind, take a list with you of any exercises you currently do on a regular basis and discuss them with the physio, listen to what's advised - and then decide for yourself - you know your own body but we can benefit from the professionals too.

All the best

Wendy

bluecrim

greyheron wrote:

nickynysmon08 wrote:

woodbon wrote:

Hi, I think you've answered your own question!

Seriously, though, arthritis is a very funny (strange, not ha, ha,) thing. I get days when I feel a fraud, and can do lots - then, oh, no! - it pops up its ugly head again :!: . My physio helps me with exercises designed to strenthen the muscles and reduce the pain.

I hope you get sorted out quickly! Love Sue

reply,

I too, have often felt something of a fake. when I first came on to this forum, I had days of aches, pains, sometimes quite nasty, during winter, then... they would all go.
seeing what others have gone through and go through, I almost wanted my symptoms to come back, just to feel justified, maybe others have these feelings.
I need not have worried, they always come back, sadly all too regularly now. my knees are starting to burn right now, so, sit back, and watch the tv, I think,

whether i do a walk Monday or Tuesday, I will let you know... hopefully not after acquiring a permanent limp!!!


Nick

Hi Nick and Sue and everyone

I hope no-one feels a fraud or a fake coming on this forum. I do understand what you mean as I am so much better pain-wise since my TKR - but I hope that I can now help people as other people helped me through my difficult times - as I know you do.

And none of us know what the future may bring except that there will be some 'ups' and some 'downs'.

B the way I agree with what has been said earlier re physio - go along with an open mind, take a list with you of any exercises you currently do on a regular basis and discuss them with the physio, listen to what's advised - and then decide for yourself - you know your own body but we can benefit from the professionals too.

All the best

Wendy

I too feel a fraud at times, being new to arthritis having been diagnosed only last year and surprised at the speed of increased pain.

I saw a physio three times and he made me feel good although he could not help my condition.

My OA is in the knees and I find I can cycle literally for miles and find the joints are quite free afterwards.

I recommend seeing the Physio, you can then take a view about going back!

denpen

Hi Nick
Yeah you should go and see the physio anything is worth a try if it helps.
I was never a great believer in what physiotherapists could do for you because over the years I have had a few disapointments with them with a couple of problems I had, but I saw one last year who was really good and knew his stuff.
So go for it you will probably only regret not going, and like I said if it will help you its got to be worth it.
Denise