Struggling walk

JanineL
JanineL Member Posts: 3
in Living with arthritis

Hi all. I have been having difficulties walking for probably about eight years or more .it started with pain in my foot.ball of foot. My knee I fell on and had slight problem with it giving way this was x rayed and found to have slight arthritis seven years later I now find they are saying arthritis in knee and hip .I found last year my walking ability had deteriorated I asked to see a physio had exercises given told my walking problem was from being out of condition need to exercise and strengthen my back muscles and legs. Neither of these have helped. I now find that I am struggling to walk and it's not that I am in pain.doesn't hurt to walk I just feel unsteady and light headed and nauseous..I have started using a stick and just getting out the house is an ordeal I always loved walking .I know I have arthritis in knee joint and hip and hand now. But to me it doesn't feel right I think it's a neurological problem maybe .But finding it difficult at the moment .doesn't hurt to walk I just can't very well and exhausting .I am 68 .feeling bit down about this as I could never see a Dr and have been trying to get things investigated . Also have had a chronic sinusitis attack two weeks ago. A gp just suggested might be viral and I have felt awful ever since and walking has become worse. .is this arthritis. .

Comments

  • Naomi33
    Naomi33 Moderator Posts: 540

    Hello @JanineL

    Welcome to the community we are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that will be your experience aswell.

    I understand you think you have arthritis in knee and hip.

    Our website has a lot of useful information please see link below.

    Knee pain | Causes, treatments and self-management (versusarthritis.org)

    What helps hip pain? | Versus Arthritis

    Please keep posting and let us know how you are getting on.

    Best Wishes

    Naomi33

    Need more help? - call our Helpline on 0800 5200 520 Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm


  • Baloo
    Baloo Member Posts: 545

    Hi @JanineL Thats a lot of maladies to get you down, but if its arthritis its not going away any time soon whatever you do. Better maybe to take care how your walking and balancing with or without a stick, and get some real confidence that the stick is helping.

  • Rea
    Rea Member Posts: 3

    Hi, sorry to hear your having a lot of problems. I wonder if you might be on some strong pain killers that can affect your ballance and sometimes make you feel dizzy. I had been taking Pregabalin for nerve pain but now coming off it gradually I feel my mind is a lot clearer and more alert. Just a thought. Good luck x

  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764

    iI'd agree with the previous replies. Use a walking aid - stick, zimmer or rollator - whatever does it for you. You can try them out in local shops. But also strong pain relief can cause problems so maybe get all this checked out wiith your GP. At least with your localpharmacist who can tell you if you're getting interactions with meds.

    But mostly, do persevere with the exercises. They won't cure arthritis and may take some time to improve your muscle strength at all but they really do help, though not immediately.

    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • JanineL
    JanineL Member Posts: 3

    Hi everyone thanks for replies. Sorry I haven't been on quite a while a lot as been happening since. When I posted I had had a operation on my gallbladder a gallstone had gone they my bowel wall I felt well and was recovering. Feeling better than had years then July I as severe pain head that affected by walking badly I went to a and e by September but they wouldn't check it out as I managed to walk in supported and with hubby it's been a battle since no changed my gp.surgery outcome was the new Dr thought it was underactive thyroid causing it I asked why he wasn't investigating my walking problem and he said it might come back once thyroid levels are corrected I have been taking thyroxine year now and there was slight improvement January but has now deteriorated knee left side swollen and have had tingling numbness left leg thigh the right one has mild sciatica. And can just give way which is making me very nervous have felt very unwell on thyroid med Drs are now saying it's normal. Which it isn't going chilled tired washed out. The arthritic part is the MrI results that showed arthritic changes knee hip spine nothing that bad moderate no further action required. The Drs are now latching onto the arthritis theory as the cause of everything. So very hard to be taken seriously . As so much going on they don't refer me when others would be. .after my last visit I have now got referral to endocrine specialist and Mr I neck tomorrow I have got nerve pain back neck th a started with cramping left side then toothache upper back and back neck pain that's stayed ever since . Shooting electric pain face neck hard to cope with. Am thinking a lot of scary things esp.as walking affected. .the first Dr thought thyroid would imp rove things I trusted that opinion. Now the other Drs have said don't agree or laughed or just said we know you have arthritis hip knee more likEly its that . My feeling is that after the operation I was fine head pain started me holding onto walls furniture and poor balance feet I wasn't aware of arthritis.before that . And doesn't sound right to me. Am getting very upset about it all. Not knowing really. See.what scan shows neck suppose thanks sorry long message x

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