Osteoarthritis

Hi Ruth,

I know exactly what you mean. I have arthritis everywhere and my new joint in my knee is playing up. The swimming pool where I did brilliant water workout classes is closed now and I can't get to the others by public transport! Some days are awful. But I have had this now for over 30 years (I'm 70 now).

My GP changed my pain killers recently because I had been on them for so long (although I didn't always take full dose as I didn't want to be hooked) and that has made a huge difference.

I do gentle exercise ( the videos on VA are great and you can just do what you can cope with) and my garden has been a huge blessing. I also write a diary each day and try to find one positive thing to to put in it. I often set myself a tiny goal e.g. tidy the laundry cupboard or bash the cushions (good for frustration|) etc. per day. Gives you something to look back at and say that you achieved something - even a small thing.

I'm also learning Welsh. You could try a language. Duo-lingo is brilliant and doesn't cost anything and it helps focus and take your mind off things. I can no longer play the instruments I used to but do listen to music instead on radio and CDs.

I have found SKPE/Zoom useful for keeping in touch with folks I can no longer visit.

Hope this might give you some ideas about what to try out that might work for you.

I just need a new skeleton 5'3" in good condition. You don't have a spare in your cupboard, do you?

Anyway, good luck.

@kenbo I am aware you might be a can't stop jet set type of person. A comment from a fellow high speed person might help, but meanwhile have you tried mindfulness.

Im natural slow speed. Mindfulness can teach to how to slow up on demand, in a round about sort of way. I found myself rather sceptical of slowing down even slower, but gave it a go using a mindfulness app to assist.

The breathing thing was strange to learn about, but I will have to say the first time I tried to calm down in the midst of a crisis, just by breathing, it worked wonders. The system remembered what to do and just got on with it.

I'm 70 next year,I have severe arthritis in both knees. 5 Years ago I spoke to my GP and he said lose 3 stone and I'll put you on the list for knee replacements.I lost the 3 stone and my knees felt better so I didn't go on the list. Now my knees feel really bad so I went to the doctor's and they are all new ones. I spoke to a female GP and she asked if I do exercise,I said I take my dog out three times a day, she said if I can walk a mile I'll never get new knees.I have took up crown green bowling and my knees feel better while I'm playing. I used to go swimming but now I'm to busy playing bowls.

Hello everyone. I have osteoarthritis in my knees and shoulders. I found out after a fall I had about three years ago.

But it only started flaring up badly over the last year. Sometimes the aching and any sharp movements can feel almost unbearable. It's relentless.

I'm taking co-codamol for it at the moment, but it doesn't do much apart from knock me out and make me want to sleep all the time.

I work, so I have to rely on Voltarol which doesn't do a lot. Is there anyone here who has found pain relief that doesn't make you drowsy?

Hello everyone, like Kenbo I have just joined . I and am a little confused about what is going on, have I had a flare or is this something else .

For years I have had a problem standing up for long and was diagnosed with a VitD deficiency, I take VD3 on prescription.

Then came pain in my right hip 2 years ago, no NHS physiotherapy available for 3 months so I saw a private phiso who was wonderful and got me moving and advised an x ray . She gave me a programme of stretching exercises which I continued after the treatment ended .The X ray revealed a degree of scoliosis/ severe OArthritis in my right hip and lower spine, and moderate OArthritis in my left hip. I carried on with my daily walks 2 miles + a day every day.

Over the following 2 years I experienced more difficulty walking and standing, but I carried on with my 2 miles a day with difficulty but determination. I also have Atrial Fibrillation which leaves me exhausted .Last autumn I had a cardiac ablation for the AF, wires through tiny holes in the groin to the heart. Afterwards my right leg from top to knee was black and excessive bleeding from the groin meant I had to have pressure applied to my upper thigh for 5 hours, the pain was excruciating. The thigh healed in a couple of weeks.

Next came pain in my right thigh and my right leg giving way , luckily I use a stick which prevented my falling most of the time .

I have had 2.5 months of nightmare pain in my right thigh, I couldn't lift my right leg more than an inch , couldn't sit down because the back of my thigh was too painful, took ages to get into bed, couldn't bend without great difficulty, couldn't have a bath or shower because I can't lift my leg into the bath, standing only possible for a few moments, walking reduced to a short stagger . I am on medication for me Atrial Fibrillation which restricts painkillers to paracetamol which don't do much . I really didn't know how I was going to exist like this . I had to stop the excercise programme because of the pain in my right thigh, it was unbearable and I really wanted to scream and had to bite my lip. I also have pain in my hips and lower spine but that is bearable.

I had another x ray which showed a deterioration in my right hip, I saw a Muscular Skeletal lead who said I need a right hip replacement but can't have one until my heart condition is stable (the ablation was not successful I need a second one) .

My confusion is this, the last couple of days the pain in my right thigh has improved and I can walk better and climb the stairs bending my leg...

Why the improvement after 2.5 months of hell, what this a 'flare up'

Did inflammation from the cardiac ablation affect my thigh casing the pain,.

I am now walking a bit up to half a mile a day when I can but scared to begin my stretching exercise programme again for fear of bringing back the pain .I have applied for NHS physiotherapy and have been waiting 2 months so far . I use hot and cold pads daily .

Any comments welcome , thank you.