Readers Say Hi

Hello Yvonne,

thanks for your message. I have already checked the links, thanks. it does feels like side effects. unfortunately won't be able to see my rheumatologist as we are going back to stricter lockdown and interprovincial travel is not allowed, but trying to contact her online. I am already taking folic acid (and lots of ginger tea!) and unfortunately medical aid won't cover meth injections, that's why I am curious to know more from other people who may have experienced the same. will check the other groups ! thanks again. have a good week x

Hi MarieSouthAfrica

I'm sorry to hear of your problems with MTX

I tried methotrexate twice and couldn't handle it at all,15mg per week gave me bad nausea,headaches and made me feel really down and "off".I tried to stick with it,tried folic acid every day apart from mtx day,ate crystallised ginger etc but then I developed cough and breathlessness so was taken off it for a while then restarted at only 7.5mg which made me feel just as bad.

I had to come off it,I felt a bit of a failure as I know of 2 other people in my village who take it with only minimal discomfort but the rheumatology nurse said it doesn't suit everybody, 1 in 10 can't take it.

Hopefully as time passes the side effects will ease for you as you say it is helping your arthritis.

Do let me know how you get on.

Hi All,

May I share my story, of hip problems.

I am a 42yr old electrician and for the past few years hip pain has slowed my extremely active lifestyle down and affected my work. I would always be running around, dancing, gardening and cycling everywhere. To be honest I have used exercise, over the years, to deal with low mood. 3 Weeks ago while lifting a large heavy box I experienced sudden pain my right hip. I got checked out at hospital and the x ray showed slight progression in osteoarthritis from an x ray 4 years back. I was prescribed exercises and pain relief. I continued working and on Friday while lifting, I had another sudden pain incident in the right hip, which felt far worse than the previous one. I went to A+E, where the prescribed more exercise and pain relief.

The early hours of the next morning I woke in great pain, got up to relieve myself and my partner found me passed out in the toilet. An ambulance team arrived, they ran some obs tests and took me to the hospital. This time they took several x rays and blood tests. The young nurse shared how she believed fainting is a thing with severe hip pain.

The doctor in the hospital said that because I could ambulate (walk) and my pain (whilst not moving was moderate) they would have no choice but to discharge with a referral request sent to my GP albeit an urgent one. So I may get an specialist osteo appointment in a couple of weeks rather than a few months which I had been told after the first incident.

I have built my whole life and career around being physically fit and now this last week I am now wondering what I will be able to do.

I am disappointed that I was referred back to the GP as my business and therefore whole life are on hold. The hospital doctor said that joint problems are one of their most common patient complaint and that criteria for immediate referral are;

-severely restricted joint movement

-high level pain etc.

but not the need to make a living seemingly!

From my perspective I argued that, yes the phsio could manipulate the joint, and I am able to hobble with crutches, but the severe pain comes when under load, particularly when bending. I am unable to resume actively running my business and as the last 3 weeks experience has demonstrated, carrying on as usual with supplementary exercises and pain relief has not helped and in fact brought the issue to a head.

As I said to the doctor, it seems you have to be practically crippled to qualify for treatment, ie an MRI and who knows then possibly, surgery, yet wouldn't prevention be better than cure? Or do I now throw away my business, all the training, let my apprentice go, and try to start a new career which accommodates limited mobility? Desk work etc?

I will wait and see what the GP says in the next week or two, and make use of this forced rest to do my tax return.

I know it is early days but my gut instinct is telling me this is not a rest and recover situation now.

Thanks for hearing my story and I look forward to learning about these conditions with others.

Duncan

.

Hi I’m Alex and I’m 26. I have arthritis in my hip and spine still going through diagnosis. My dad and nan have severe arthritis which has led to wheelchair use and joint replacements and honestly I am a little scared I am going the same way because I have a 9 year old and I want to be a fun mum. I’m hoping to talk to people who can support and help each other 😊

Hey Everybody,

I am 64 years old, had arthritis in both my hips and both hands for over 15 years. It has been not only painful but debilitating as I am sure you all understand.

I am going to keep this short and sweet, I have tried many different treatments over the years and nothing has really taken even the edge off. 3 months ago my son was talking with his naturopath, he told her about my arthritis and she told him that I should try cannabis oil. From the first day I tried the oil within 2 hours the pains in both my hands were gone, however I put that down to me wanting it to work (placebo I have just been told is what thats called). However, I have now been taking the oil for 3 months and it has changed my life. I don't feel any pain at all now (touch wood) and I have not slept like this for years. My brother now takes the oil and so does his daughter (both also have arthritis in different areas) and they would tell you that what I am saying here is gospel.

I wanted to share that because, I am sure there are people who have had enough of the constant bleeding nagging pains it causes, my moods have been so much better (my wife will testify to). I could not recommend the oil highly enough.

Hey Chris,

Thank you for your message.

I just wanted to share my experience as I felt obliged to.

cheers

Hi @Bex and welcome to the online community.

There's a lot going on here, and the members are friendly and wonderfully helpful. Would you be able to tell us a little more about yourself and how arthritis affects you?

Shell

Hello everyone pleased to have joined 🐶

Hi @Jillsewing

Lovely to meet you. let me take a guess....is your name Jill and do you love to sew?☺️

🐱