Hello :)

emmaadams
emmaadams Member Posts: 140
edited 5. Aug 2015, 07:04 in Say Hello Archive
hi all im a 30 year old woman with 2 children , i have recently been diagnosed with arthritis.im self employed but have been out of work for around 3 months now , as im finding it difficult just to get out of bed in the morning . my arthritis affects both my knees. i've recently had surgery on my right knee and had a full lateral release . i'm currently waiting to have my left knee done. however both my legs keep going Numb, i have told my specialist about this and he has since referred me back to my GP. i love to read, which helps me alot. with the school holidays coming up i'm worried that i'm not going to be able to do anything with my children as it's a struggle each day . i'm currently on Paracetamol/Dihydrocodeine for the pain but feel as though it's not as effective as it was when i first was prescribed it at Christmas .i don't really want to be on really strong painkillers for the rest of my life. in the area that i live there doesn't seem to be many support groups and i'm a bit confused as to what is going to happen now and in the future ?.. how can i help myself and stop as many flare up ?

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 3,635
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello emmaadams, welcome to Arthritis Care Forums.

    As mods we are here to help with any problems you may have using the forums.

    There are many lovely people who use the forums with a wide range of experiences in regards to having and living with arthritis. Have a good look through the different forums and pick the ones you feel are best for you.

    Best wishes,

    Modonfriday
  • Saltdog
    Saltdog Member Posts: 30
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi,

    I've just joined too and think I'm in a similar situation to yourself. I'm 38 and yet to be diagnosed but can't think what else it could be. Different from you though, I have it in my shoulders and my right foot.

    I have 2 kids as well. I know what you mean about not being able to do anything with them. I've been trying to keep exercising to keep my strength up but it's a struggle with the constant pain. That said, it does feel much better for a few hours after exercise. I'm still not sure if it's the right thing to do though. I'm normally a fairly active person but there are times now where I just want to sit still and let the world pass me by. I'm going to do everything I can not to let that happen though. My kids need me to be a proper dad who can play with them. If I have to do that with gritted teeth I will.

    I had to come off dihydracodeine(sp?) in order to go back to work. I'm now on Naproxen for the inflammation and Paracetamol for the pain with the occasional Codeine when the pain gets too much.

    I hope that coming here gives you (and me) the support needed to learn to live with this.

    Kev
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello, it's nice to meet you but I am sorry you have had to find us. Is your trouble osteoarthritis? I have that in a number of joints and another kind in others; it's not fun. :wink:

    I do not have children but many on here do and I hope they spot your post. Not many look in on this bit of the forum but if you have a look through the Living with Arthritis board and maybe post again they might spot you. They are busy people though, and with the school holidays arriving they may not be around too much. it is possible to combine arthritis with parenthood but it makes a hard job far harder. Do you have friends or family nearby who might be able to help out? DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,280
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello emmaadams welcome to the forum
    Sorry I am late seeing this, I am a lot older at 65 so I do feel for you having young children..like DD says there are quite a few people on here in the same position talking to people that understand can be a great help,so I hope you will find the forum helpful.. :)
    Love
    Barbara
  • emmaadams
    emmaadams Member Posts: 140
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you all for your kind words and warm welcomes..i have since been referred to a specialist for an mri scan to find out what's going on in my back,as they think there maybe some O.A in there as well as what is in my knees... ive been a little busy over the last week or so going to and from hospital and physio appointments so i do apologise for the delay in replying. i have also been put on gabapentin to try and see if that helps with the pain . i have finally had a good few nights sleep since i have been taking these pills. i'm just concerned that i will need to be taking these for a long period of time as i really dont want to have to take them permanently .

    many thanks x emma x
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Believe me, none of us wants to be taking pills long term. I still, after all these years, keep mine to a minimum especially the pain dullers but some are necessary. Life with arthritis is all about compromise - working out which battles are most important to us and giving way on the lesser ones.

    I hope the MRI helps one way or another. Please let's know the outcome.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • Rebeccarockchick
    Rebeccarockchick Member Posts: 50
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Emma, I wanted to say hi and say I understand what your having to deal with. I am a 34 year old mum. I have a 6 year old boy and a 16 year old boy. I have osteoarthritis in my feet, knees, back, hands and jaw. I have other medical issues that cause me pain and mobility problems. The start of school holidays has also been a time where I have had to take a step back and think realistically about what I will or won't be able to do. I have been through the stages of feeling a bit panicked and guilty for not being this super energetic and super fit mum who can run around the park like some other parents. What I have done is kept the physical activity to a minimum or have enlisted the help of my mother in law to take the younger one to the park for me as she is better at running around. I know I am lucky to have that support and don't take it for granted. I am only planning one reasonable trip a week that I know I can manage, for example visit the library...we can sit down in there and read/colour..also have invested in a 6 in 1 board games set so we can play bingo/snakes and ladders etc. I do hear myself saying I'm sorry mummy cant do this mummy cant do that and that is hard but you have to focus on what you can do. I didn't want to rely on pain killers either but sometimes you need them as i have discovered on my journey xx becks
  • emmaadams
    emmaadams Member Posts: 140
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    thank you Becks i'm quite lucky myself as i have a rather large family who live close by. so they help out every now and then. i'm having to rely on my husband for most things .he will take the boys to the park , swimming etc.. im still waiting on my MRI but should hopefully hear something soon. I've tried to plan some stuff for the holidays that are low activity wise for me but are fun for the boys they are aged 9 and 5. meeting/Speaking to people on here has really helped out a lot as i now don't feel alone , and its great to know that someone finally understands how painful this can be . i know my husband is sympathetic towards me and understands that i'm not able to do certain things but sometimes i get the feeling that he just doesn't really get IT , and that sometimes i'm just to tired to do anything as its really painful and exhausting . but on the other hand i feel like i'm just moaning a lot and that there are people who are worse off than me

    Emma x
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    The fact that there may be others who are 'worse off' than you is immaterial. We all have our limits which we reach at time to time and this is one of the 'joys' of the forum, you can turn to the folk on here who will understand the frustrations etc. because they are in very similar boats.

    There is much ignorance and misunderstanding about the daily impact of arthritis on our lives and how it affects those around us. It is a debilitating, demoralising and draining disease (both physically and emotionally) and unpredictable in its predictability. I don't know if anyone has referred you to two internet articles, if they have I apologise for doing so again: have a read of The Spoon Theory and There's a Gorilla in my House. Both explain in a very clear and succinct way the trials and tribulations of living with a chronic condition. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • emmaadams
    emmaadams Member Posts: 140
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    DD thankyou for posting about those great stories for me to read. they were brilliant and im definitely going to show them to the husband and anyone else who doesn't quite understand how debilitating our Arthritis is.

    hope you have a great day thank you

    Emma xx