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smillajasperson
smillajasperson Non-active member Posts: 37
edited 16. Jun 2009, 11:22 in Living with Arthritis archive
Hi everyone.
My doctor told me 2 hrs ago I have osteoarthritis in the lower lumbar region of my back and right knee. I am 49 yrs old. Its not really a surprise as I had a bad fall 18 yrs ago and have lived with considerable pain ever since. I have visited my chiropractor for the past 12 yrs, who I have to say has helped me considerably, but since this time last year things have got progressively worse. I don't usually bother with the doctor but as I was employed I needed a sick note last June and ended up having 4 months off work (before handing in my notice as I realised my back was always going to be unreliable). I was given a variety of medication including Tramadol and Morphine patches - none of which helped at all, and only succeeded in making me violently sick and wrenching my back further - until I refused to take anymore painkillers. My doctor's response was 'Well, you're not helping yourself by refusing to take them are you?!' Gradually that bout subsided and I decided to work for myself so I could do a lighter job and only work in short bursts with rest inbetween. 3 weeks ago I woke up and realised my back had 'gone' again. I decided to go return and see a different doctor and ask for x rays - the results came through this morning. I have now been prescribed Meloxicam and told to come back in a month. I'm usually an upbeat person but confess I'm feeling pretty low and weepy at the moment and wondering what the future holds. Sorry to be a misery - but I imagine you've all been there!

Comments

  • vonski
    vonski Non-active member Posts: 1,292
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi

    Welcome to the forum, sorry you've had to join though. You are probably still in shock from the diagnosis, it will take a while but you will come to terms with it and find a way to cope. I hadn't heard of Meloxicam so looked it up and as it's an anti inflam I wondered if your Dr. had given you tablets to protect your stomach. Don't want to alarm you but I think it's a must with these meds.

    I also have oa feet, ankles, knee, back and query neck now, I've had the first 3 over 20 yrs and have managed well until other things kicked in a few years ago so now going through various consultants.

    Once it settles down you should have good days as well as the bad and you can always come on here and moan or have a laugh on the chit chat forum. Sounds daft but it does help :) Something else that I find very helpful is a grabber thingy :roll: I think they are called helping hands and they pick things up without you having to bend over :)

    Hope this helps a bit.

    Love
    Vonski x
  • elnafinn
    elnafinn Member Posts: 7,412
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi there! :D

    Welcome to the forum. Sorry you had to find us, but there are many of us here, all trying to help each other and keep our and others heads above water, as and when needed. :lol::D

    It is understandable that you feel miserable so don't beat yourself up about that. People who have not experienced this kind of pain etc just don't seem to grasp it, but you are amongst peeps here who do know what it is all about.

    Why don't you ask your gp to refer you to a pain clinic. They can be very useful. Heat and ice packs can relieve pain but I expect you use them already.

    Hope you feel better soon, both physically and mentally.

    Chin up,

    Elna x

    ps Hi vonski

    sorry not been in touch a bit manic this end - all good though!! Hope you are ok
    The happiest people don't have the best of everything. They just make the best of everything.

    If you can lay down at night knowing in your heart that you made someone's day just a little bit better, you know you had a good day.
  • skezier
    skezier Non-active member Posts: 11,333
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi, can't add to the advise Vonski and Elna have said but just wanted to say hi and I hope you find the site helpful. Cris
  • breane
    breane Non-active member Posts: 392
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hi,Welcome to the forum. :) Sorry to hear you are feeling low at the moment. It does come as a shock when you are first diagnosed with arthritis.I was only diagnosed a few months ago with OA and now latest bloods show I have RA too but am waiting for the rheumy to confirm this next week.Getting the right meds takes a time,it's trial and error to see what suits you best.For the past three weeks I've been on steroids and they have definately helped with the pain and stiffness but at the moment my Gp is weaning me off them so no doubt the pain will return once I am off them completely.But it's been great to feel 'normal'for a while.This site has been a real help to me and I am sure you will find the same.Take care.Breane.x :P
  • valval
    valval Non-active member Posts: 14,911
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    welcome and yes we have all been there its the not knowing gets u down :cry: but u r in the right place for having a moan and help only been couple of months 4 me but much more upbeet :D now with all this help altered diet 8) and doing some of exercises anything to hold it off and keep going strong as long as possible so good luck come and have a moan when u need one (helps keep stress down) and let us know how u getting on :) :?:
    val
  • suzster
    suzster Non-active member Posts: 1,328
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    hi and welcome, sorry i'm having oine of those mad mornings to, chasing a toddler and trying to get her to drink, it's an up hill struggle!
    oh well, enough of my moans.
    i'm really glad you found this forum, people her are so friendly and helpful, a fantastic place to chat and moan if you need to!
    take care
    sue
  • woodbon
    woodbon Non-active member Posts: 4,969
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Hello This really is a very good forum, you can let of steam and have a good old moan! :roll: I think howevermuch we feel sure we know what the proplems are, being told is still a shock and takes a while to get used to. I have OA mainly in my neck ae spine.

    I hope you mange to cope with your problems quickly. Painkillers are strange things and take a bit of trial and error to find one that suits you. It may be worth thinking about trying something else soon, but it has to be in your own time. Hope you soon find something to help you. Love Sue
  • joyful164
    joyful164 Non-active member Posts: 2,401
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    Welcome to the forum. Sorry that you are just setting out on the same road that the rest of us are following. It will be a long journey, but we are here to listen to you and the helpline are really good.
    If you need to know what you should be doing or where to go for help and who you should be chasing for treatment, then we are all here to help, we hope.

    I know it has helped me a lot.
    You feel as if you have made a lot of friends in a way. Great bunch

    joyful
  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,425
    edited 30. Nov -0001, 00:00
    HI
    Welcome to the forum from me too.
    You have all my sympathy - backs are awful aren't they?
    Like Cris and some others i have had mine operated on which has done some good.
    Your original PG was a bit useless in my opinion! By rthe heck does heaving make your back worse!! I should know I have heaved so much with pain when mine was bad :shock: Hmmmph!
    I hope your new meds help you.
    I don't know them myself, but if they do make you feel queasy try them just before bed so you go to sleep and before food. Also maybe try a low dose at first. I built up to tramadol when I had it and then tried one years later (only 1!) and was sick all day!!
    You hang on in there and use us to sound off to while you try to get your head round it all
    Take care
    Toni x

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