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OceanView
OceanView Member Posts: 4
edited 28. Nov 2023, 14:04 in Living with arthritis
Hi, I am a 45 year old male and found out I had OA in my big toe 2 years ago. I was a keen marathon runner and this has stopped me in my tracks and made me very unhappy. I thought I was too young to have this. Does anyone else have this problem and how do you stop worrying about it.

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 3,635
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello and welcome OceanView to the Versus Arthritis Community Forum

    I'm sorry to read of your problems with OA (Osteoarthritis), unfortunately, age is no barrier for arthritis generally, it can affect all ages. I can understand how you feel when the arthritis affects past time of running, it has affected my pleasure of walking. You will find many of our forum users have OA who are only too willing to offer help, advice and support.

    I've found a link for you on OA which be of help:-
    https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis/

    Please feel free to call our Versus Arthritis Helpline 0800 520 0520 for further support.

    Enjoy the forum.

    John

    I like your username
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi OceanView and welcome from me too.

    I don't exactly have this problem but i think I've had similar ones. I started with arthritis at 15. I loved playing the piano but it began in my hands and I soon had to stop because I was playing all the wrong notes just because my fingers wouldn't stretch. I tried other instruments but that didn't work either. It was years later that I discovered the joys of composition and had some fun with an Open University course.

    I've had to give up lots of other beloved activities over the years and I've learned that they way to live, happily, with arthritis is not to look back, not to try to cling on to what can no longer be achieved but to let go, look forwards and find all the other, multiple pleasure activities still available.

    You are grieving for what is lost. It's a natural process but, for our own health and wellbeing, it has to stop eventually. Embrace the future. It can still be very good indeed.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • Jackie47
    Jackie47 Member Posts: 108
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Stickywicket.
    Gosh your post has given me a jolt and just what I needed to read. Like many of us I’ve had to give up so much. I still grieve those times but it’s easing. Can’t cling to the past it takes too much negative feelings. I will remember your words.

    Oceanview. It’s natural to worry. Stickywicket gave good advice but it takes time to go through the grieving process. I had CBT which got my head around life. I have long term Rheumatoid A,OA and Fibromyalgia. Just came out of a 3 day flare up . Life eh.
    I am getting there but long term illnesses. Ouch. Keep talking,find out if there’s any local support groups near you,get out and about as much as you can. Having a long term illness is not the end but the beginning of doing things differently.
  • OceanView
    OceanView Member Posts: 4
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Thank you both for your kind words and I’m sorry you’ve had to suffer.
  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 3,635
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi OceanView

    An extra welcome from me. Just to add there is quite an informative page on our site about OA in the foot :

    "There are 33 joints in the foot, but the big toe is the one that is most commonly affected by osteoarthritis."

    https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis-oa-of-the-foot-and-ankle/

    You don't need to face OA alone. You can talk confidentially to our Helpline 0800 5200 520 Monday–Friday, 9am–8pm to our advisors who will listen and support you as an individual.


    All best wishes
    Brynmor
  • OceanView
    OceanView Member Posts: 4
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Brynmor,
    Thanks for the information. I find it a bit confusing though as it says reassuringly that it’s important to know it probably won’t get any worse, then in the next paragraph it says if left untreated it can get much worse?. I have been told there is no treatment at my age?? apart from NSAIDS.
    I have orthotics but find them really uncomfortable and the Podiatrist said not to worry about wearing them if there uncomfortable as it won’t make it worse.
    Just wondering what treatment I’m supposed to take to prevent it getting worse. I know you can have steroid injections but that is just temporary relief apparently.

    Best Regards
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Like any form of arthritis osteo is progressive and degenerative. I began aged 37 and am now 60. Osteo resulted from the joint damage caused by my first arthritis, psoriatic. The pain and disruption to one's life caused by a big disease in a small joint is not to be under-estimated but I have never experienced arthritis in that way.

    I have always had to manage my life in ways you have never had consider to enable me to get the best out of what I have. I feel for you coming at this from a healthy background; no experience, no strategies, nothing but confusing information. Fundamentally the body has failure built-in and it is a shock when a previously well-behaved and obedient thing starts throwing its toys out of the pram. Mine did that at birth so for me it's no big deal. Good health is the crown on a well-man's head but only a sick man can see it. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,697
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    You're right about the steroids. They give the illusion of perfect health. But it doesn't last and it's dangerous to have too many.

    There is lots of info on the page that Brynmor suggested and all will help though none will cure.

    Here are a couple of pages about Paula Radcliffe and her foot arthritis. You will see that with lots of money and time (and a husband to massage the foot for an hour every night :wink: ) the worst excesses of OA can be delayed but I worry a bit when Paula says she has 'arthritis and osteoarthritis'. :shock: :? That's pure gobbledegook. She has OA, end of.

    https://rowlandsfootcare.com/paula-radcliffe-interview/

    https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/athletics/32407856

    Have you seen a physiotherapist who specialises in musculo-skeletal disorders? I'm a big believer in physio and a good one is a real treasure. They can't cure but they can help a lot.
    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright