some one to talk to

tinatot · 25. Sep 2012, 02:21

hello everyone, just been looking at some posts & feel over whelmed by how lovely you all are & im glad i found u . Now i dont have a clue if im posting in the right place or the right & wrong spelling so once again please stick with me thanks. Some may remember if not here goes. Iwas diagnosed with OA in may in both knees while on another visit to A&E.I was see by a rhemotologist who i thought very nice he injectes my knees with steroids & for a while it was great when i got home i could see a change in my finger how unlucky was that. Since then ive been to the hospital loads of times & going back on thursday. Im worried because i now feel this in my back & my hands hurt alot i just dont feel they listen to me.Im only 41 forgive me but im angry & wish this was all a bad dream. I just know theres more to come i feel they dont understand what happening to me either there top Doc thought it was brought on by the menopause but since proved her wrong. The worst thing of all is having no one to talk to its differcult for me dont really use PC s but will keep coming back here thank god for this but most of all u guys who understand. Been awake all night going to try & sleep now . NITE nite . Tinatot x

dreamdaisy · 25. Sep 2012, 03:48

Hello, it's good to hear from you again, I've beeen wondering how you are getting on. Hospital trips? Tell me about it, I swear I could save a lot of time if I just moved in.

Arthritis can (and does) spread but the rate of that spread is very individual. It's taken me fifteen years to reach thirty-eight joints but then I have two forms of this, an auto-immune version (I see a rheumatologist for that) and OA (which is dealt with by my GP).

I think doctors don't truly understand the impact this has on our lives but then why should they? Sometimes we don't and we're the ones living with it. The docs do what they can with meds and pain relief, and that is all they can do. We are the ones who have to deal with this on a daily basis, we are the ones who have to manage the conditions we have - and one of the management tools we have is this forum. This is where we can talk to other people who are in very similar boats to us and will therefore have some idea of what is going on and how one might be feeling. Life with Arthritis can be overwhelming at times, overwhelming with tiredness, pain, frustration, anger etc but it can also have its positive side - and this forum is one of those positives.

As for your spelling - don't worry about that. We will understand what you are saying. I hope your appointment on Thursday goes OK, let us know what happens, yes? DD

stickywicket · 25. Sep 2012, 04:23

Hello Tinatot. You are posting in the right place, your spelling is fine and there is no need to feel alone as we are always here.

If you were only diagnosed in May, and things have got worse since then, you must still be in a state of shock. You don't sound angry but you do sound worried and frustrated and anxious - and who wouldn't be?

It sounds as if the hospital are really trying to get to the bottom of things. It can be a long haul so try not to get too discouraged. Meanwhile, keep taking the paindullers and talk to us whenever you want. We can't diagnose but we can empathise.

julie47 · 25. Sep 2012, 05:48

Hi Tinatot

I hope you managed to go back to sleep and hope that you feel a little better when you wake.

I am sorry that you are having a rough at the moment that you seem to be endlessly visiting the hospital. It is hard doing all the appointments and also very draining but hopefully quite soon you will be on the right medication and have the right advice from your rhummy to manage your pain.

Meanwhile keep posting to us and take care

Love Juliepf x

Ps Hope thursdays app goes well

elnafinn · 25. Sep 2012, 05:53

Hi Tina

I hope you are feeling a little brighter this morning. You must not put yourself down so - your spelling/typing is fine,you are posting in the right place and your pc skills are good.

At least you are being looked after even if the top person misdiagnosed re the menopause. You have been told you have osteo arthritis and no doubt have been prescribed meds. Have you been referred to physio or to a pain clinic? It is best to try to exercise (nothing too robust) some every day to keep everything ticking over. Steroid injections can help too as you found out when you had them in your knees. Unfortunately, as you know, it is not a permanent fix.

Try to keep positive and think of three positives every day, not so difficult, when you think about it and continue to talk with us.

Gentle hugs
Elna x

knuckleduster · 25. Sep 2012, 06:11

Hello Tinatot

I can understand totally how you are feeling and sometimes getting the diagnosis is half the battle. Once you know what is wrong, then medication and treatment can be sorted out to treat and help you.

I've got OA practically from top to toe and have had one hip replacement, which was the best thing I could have done. Sometimes I feel so angry with myself and think "why me", but I do know it hasn't been caused by anything I have or haven't done. It's just rotten bad luck. I've got two doctors at my surgery - one for any other problems because he isn't at all sympathetic towards OA sufferers and takes the view it's only a twinge so get on with it woman, but my female doctor is super with my OA (blood tests, x-rays, different medication, etc).

Any time you want to rant and rave, then do it here on the forum and we will all support you. Good luck with your next appointment.

Janet x

ps your typing and spelling is fine - don't worry about that.

barbara12 · 25. Sep 2012, 06:36

Hi tinatot
Hello and a warm welcome from me
Your story sound so familiar...we have many on this forum including myself that have had a longish battle with our GPs...
These appointments are a pain, but sometimes necessary..I have recently put a post up about having three different consultants at different hospitals, but bit by bit I am getting there.
Im not sure if you have been referred to a pain clinic yet, but they are helpful in getting you the right meds.....
I do hope you managed some sleep, and hopefully you will have a goodish day....dont worry we do get them...

Like you say talking to people that understand some of what we are going through is a big help..
You take care and I do wish you well with everything xx

earthspirit · 25. Sep 2012, 09:11

hi tinatot, hope you are feeling a bit better and on a more calm and even keel today.

the apps at doctors hospitals etc seem to have a major disruption on normal daily life and then the time spent waiting when you get there and the time waiting for the results all to get back to doctor who then sends you back to consultants.

i dont have OA i have RA and when i first came on here i was really surprised at how many scans xrays etc people were getting when my own condition was really bad and i hardly got any. im a way im glad as its less apps to go to.

you have a lot to take on board and obviously worrying you a lot as the disease appears to be spreading. getting the pain under control is the first step in your treatment, allows you the space to think and absorb what is happening to you. speak to your doctor and take your time. i used to try to get it all done, aware of a room full of waiting patients. then i realised that some people were getting 30 mins in the surgery and thought hey i want that too. it made a major difference in my treatment and in how the doctors treated me.

another thing you can do for yourself is bring what food you eat under your control and choose right now to opt for the healthier choices. none of it will cure your disease but getting the correct nutrients into your body will make you function a bit better and also help the mind think more straight.

use cold cloths on the sore joints to ease any swelling and take a few warm baths and just soak. both usually play a good part in helping with pain. be easy on yourself because stressing and not slowing down wont help your disease. we all live life at pace that is usually far more hectic than it needs to be. slow down and look after yourself and hope that you are soon feeling stronger and more able to deal with whatever this awful disease has thrown at you.

bubbadog · 26. Sep 2012, 10:33

Hi Tina, Firstly welcome to Arthritis Care, you are in the right place. All of us have felt like you do at the moment. I'm a similar age to you I'm 39 and my problems started when I was 12yrs old! My legs kept giving way and I had to stop P.E lessons (Wow that makes me feel old saying that!

) I wasn't diagnoised till I was about 25-28ish and right through between those ages I thought I was going mad! But since I found this place (site) I have found answers to questions, support, and it's brought out the real me again because I know I'm not alone. I hope it does the same to you in time. Consultants and Dr's appt are stressful and you will see on here the words 'pocket duties' that's our way of saying we're with you for your appts as support. And crazy as it sounds it does work it makes you feel everyones with you. So when you have an appt ask for pocket duties! Welcome again Tina!

dreamdaisy · 26. Sep 2012, 10:40

Hello tinatot, how are you today? I hope you are feeling a little better about things. DD

some one to talk to

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