New diagnosis

Julie73
Julie73 Member Posts: 2
edited 28. Nov 2023, 14:08 in Living with arthritis

Hi just had a recent diagnosis of osteoarthritis in both hips and both knees! I’m 48 and really struggling with pain and really trying to get my head around! Any advice would be grateful 😊

Comments

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 29,835

    Bless you @Julie73 it's tough when you are first diagnosed.

    I liken it to a kind of bereavement? You have to grieve for the future you thought you'd have whatever that was - an active lifestyle hiking, running etc or being a physically involved active grandparent, or taking holidays all over the world for instance.

    Then once you've done that you are able to move forwards and adjust to your new (different) life which should be an awful lot better than you fear.

    I was a real misery at first honestly and Arthritis was all I talked about I must have done my friend's and family's heads in. I wouldn't plan anything or do anything in case I couldn't manage it. I was so pessimistic honestly! then I came here chatted to other people and got reliable advice. I took control of what i could control; I ate better, I took better care of my health and got informed about my condition.

    I am here now something like 14 years later still standing, more or less, and life is good. Not the same as it was but still good.

    Take care Julie ((())) for you

    we are here and happy to help and listen

    Toni x

  • YvonneH
    YvonneH Member Posts: 1,075

    Hi @Julie73

    It's lovey to see you here, it's great to welcome so many new members.

    I guess you have been managing for a little while now if you have a 4 joint diagnosis all at once! Well done for doing as well as you have so far. Now though it's getting to you, mentally and pain wise, and no wonder.

    First of all here is our information on OA, osteoarthritis of knees and hips. They will take a little while to digest and the generality of them is the same but I have included both because they will give you the options for each as you move along with OA and maybe need to look at an operation in the future. I have widespread OA and my consultant told me that if both need replacing the hip is best done first.

    You can see that lifestyle is key to maintaining the joints in their best condition. We have a section on moving 'Let's Move' found in the Living with arthritis section of this community

    https://community.versusarthritis.org/categories/letsmove

    Versus Arthritis has published lots of videos to help in keeping ourselves moving and they are really good.

    We have had quite a few new members with OA for knees and hips. Introduce yourself to @Rennatisawesome - her welcome was given by Mod Ellen and she has posted some good links there, it's great to find someone who will understand exactly how you are feeling

    https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/56711/stiff-sore-knees

    Looking forward to your next post

    Yvonne

  • Sharryaudrey
    Sharryaudrey Member Posts: 12
    https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/691931#Comment_691931

    I just love your analogy about grieving. That is so true and sums it up in a nutshell. Brilliant wise words and advice. Now, just to get to the move forward and adjusting bit...

    @Julie73, don't be disheartened. We are all in this together and will get through it.

    Sharry

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