Living with arthritis

haleylou77
haleylou77 Member Posts: 1
edited 11. Aug 2025, 11:15 in Living with arthritis

Hi all thank you for letting me join the group I suffer with osteoarthritis in both knees my hips and spine thankfully only mild in spine but due to my age am 47 I've had 3 operations on my left knee to try and help but nothing has worked and they won't do a replacement till am 50 they have basically told me nothing more they can do and pain management can't help anymore and I feel so alone as my husband trys to understand but he doesn't understand the pain am in sorry for the long post and thanks for the rant

Haley

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  • PJoanne
    PJoanne Moderator Posts: 339
    edited 3. Jul 2025, 07:43

    Hello @haleylou77

    Welcome to the community. We hope that you find it a friendly and informative space.

    It's really great that you have someone to support you who is trying to understand how you feel. I do agree that sometimes only yourself will know how it really feels and I'm sure that lots of people with long term pain would say the same. We just have to accept the limitations of what someone else can understand about what we are going through. Perhaps he'd like to do practical things like running you an epsom salt's bath or joining you in some guided breathing ? Both of those things are good for helping managing pain.

    Have a look at this link. At the bottom there's a stretching exercise video which is really good to do (exercise has been proven to help manage pain) : Meditation and mindfulness and how it might help you

    Also, please do call the helpline team if you would like to speak to someone 'live', it's free and they are fantastic.

    Hoping you are feeling a bit better today, all the best Joanne

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

  • hellonski
    hellonski Member Posts: 1

    Like you I am new here. So welcome. This group seems very knowledgeable and supportive. I have oa of the knee and shoulder. I am finding it difficult to be mobile. Stairs are a nightmare. I can be walk and be mobile for half and hour then sit a bit before I continue. How do I manage this ??

  • Naomi33
    Naomi33 Moderator Posts: 593

    Morning @hellonski

    Just like me but little and often is good keep up the good work 🙌🙌🙌

    Best wishes @Naomi33

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


  • Naomi33
    Naomi33 Moderator Posts: 593

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


  • Baloo
    Baloo Member Posts: 548

    @haleylou77 there is so much to understand about arthritis. They do say that some movement is helpful, but so is some rest as well so you can recover. Finding some other activity you can do might be important such as gym or bicycle or swimming. We need that little bit of wow I can still do something.

  • ellmesclan
    ellmesclan Member Posts: 1
    edited 11. Aug 2025, 10:52

    I have had osteoarthritis over 30 years. I have also had several operations for Haglunds on both heals. I had both knees replaced in 2010 as was not able to walk at all. They are now becoming painful. I also have a kyphosis and slight Scoliosis and arthritis in the spine, hips, neck, probably all aggravated over the years of nursing in the days of lifting and caring for children and young people with complex medical needs while fostering. I have spoken to my GP about chronic pain, his response "its what happens as you get older and have to live with it" he offered antidepressants and Zapain and Amitriptyline to help at night. I told him I was not depressed! I have not seen my GP for at least 3 years now.I have learnt over the years to use distraction with the pain, crafting, photography, gardening and it has been successful most of the time. There seems to be little help for chronic pain suffers we all know we have to live with it! I use a tens machine, heat and ice and exercise when I can and rest also when my body says enough sit down.

  • noddingtonpete
    noddingtonpete Moderator Posts: 1,462

    Hello @ellmesclan and welcome to the Online Community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that will be your experience as well.

    I have put a link in below which I hope might be of some use and it might be worth going back to your GP as some time has elapsed and maybe there is more they can offer.

    https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/managing-your-pain/

    I hope you get something that helps you

    Best wishes

    Peter

    Need more help? - call our Helpline on0800 5200 520Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm

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