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Arthritis now really bad .

Posted , 6 users are following.

elizabeth04821
elizabeth04821

I was diagnosed as having arthritis in both my knees, my hips and my lower back  2 years ago . I was sent for physio which helped a bit  but now it's unbearable , I can hardly walk . I was sent to physion again but have been twice now they want to discharge me , I asked if I could have one more appointment , which they granted . But I still can't walk properly , My knees are sounding like someone crunching ice cubes , I can't balance without holding onto something , stairs are a huge problem  and I can't sleep for the pain . But that seems to the end of their help - what happens now ??? 

1 like, 8 replies

8 Replies

  • Woodywhite
    Woodywhite elizabeth04821

    Posted

    Elizabeth sounds like your getting poor treatment from your hospital, if your knees are really bad physio will make them worse, I've had several joint replacements including both knees, I would demand to see a specialist. Your pain will only get worse as time goes on. My knees were operated on in Leeds by Mr Emmerton at Nuffields and best op I've had.

    Good luck on your treatment, don't take no for an answer.

    Ps only stayed over night in hospital

    Kevin

    • elizabeth04821
      elizabeth04821 Woodywhite

      Posted

      Yes, I think I need something else  as the physio IS making things worse . I dread surgery , but feel something major needs to be done . I'd hope that  they would re x ray me as something is out of place , but it wasn't offered . I go back on the 11th May so  hope something will happen . If not ,the next stop will be  Hotel Euthanasia ! 

       thanks for your reply 

  • cheryl90571
    cheryl90571 elizabeth04821

    Posted

    Hi Elizabeth!

    I certainly can relate to your knee and back pain! Prior to my two knee replacement surgeries (June and October 2015) I had HORRIFIC pain, crunching sounds which were pretty creepy 😨, and X-rays which showed that I was actually walking on just one-inch bone-on-bone parts of my knees! ( I FINALLY knew why the inner parts of my knees hurt so much! 😱 )

    Woody white is right on about Physical Therapy not helping when knees are really bad! I went through it prior to cortisone shots, and THREE physical therapists signed off on the final report which stated that I actually was better off PRIOR to the physical therapy!😩

    Balance was bad for me, too. In looking at my X-rays prior to surgery, it was easy to see why. I was walking, or TRYING to walk on one-inch bone-on-bone sections of both knees which were causing my legs to bow as well. Balance was BAD!

    I was expecting my surgeon to say that I was ready for the next typical step in the process-- arthroscopic surgery. I mentioned it, and my surgeon said, " Cheryl, that ship has SAILED! You are a candidate for having both knees REPLACED!" Honestly, I was RELIEVED! 😁 I just wanted to be DONE WITH PAIN!

    You may hear many different stories from many different people, but honestly, FOR ME, my two total knee replacements were the best two decisions I have made for myself! Yes, they produced discomfort and swelling and PLENTY of recovery time, BUT I personally had MORE PAIN prior to surgery!!!

    I guess I was ready to just STOP THE PAIN! My new knees now allow me to stand for hours at rallies and concerts, walk and shop as long as I want, play with our granddaughter, work in my garden, and ENJOY MY LIFE instead of being a sit-in-a-chair-in-pain person.

    Arthritis challenges my back, hips, elbows, fingers, and shoulders. These parts HURT, but are nowhere near as awful as my knees were. I take Ibuprofen as needed, roll on IcyHot, use a heating pad when needed, and KEEP MOVING which also helps. Through it all my KNEES feel GREAT!

    I hope you will seek help from a doctor who will help you with your pain. Pain sucks the life out of a person! Sometimes you just have to stand up for yourself and SCREAM and YELL until you find the right doctor who will LISTEN and help!

    Sending prayers of strength and HOPE to you today!??

    • elizabeth04821
      elizabeth04821 cheryl90571

      Posted

      Gosh Cheryl what a  hope bringing letter , I  was hoping for some more investigations but would now welcome surgery .   It , as you said , affects your whole life - I feel that I have no future , everything needs mobility ! You are my twin  ! I'm so glad you're feeling so good after being so bad !  

      Thank you for telling me your story  biggrin

    • cheryl90571
      cheryl90571 elizabeth04821

      Posted

      You are very welcome!😊

      Yes, pain makes you feel sad and depressed and really isolated from all the fun.😩

      It is easy to feel like there's no future--at least a future NOT filled with MORE PAIN!

      I kept a journal throughout, and I noticed how there were fewer and fewer things that I was able to do. I began to see myself as PAIN. I was losing who I was! Once I made the step of confronting my pain, scheduling surgery, HAVING the surgery, recovering, I had a new lease on life.

      The TKRs DID give me back my life!😁

      I will always be grateful for my surgeon, the nurses, my physical therapist, my husband who helped me through my recovery at home, and ESPECIALLY for God who was RIGHT THERE every moment for me!??

      You will do GREAT!

      Keep us posted on your progress, OK?

  • wknight
    wknight elizabeth04821

    Posted

    Joint replacement surgery is wonderful as in my case no pain and movement back. It's very important to do the physio, so no pain, no gain at the outset but after that look forward to a pain free life. There is nothing to fear from the surgery because you are asleep.

    never understand why so many people spend years in pain when surgery fixes the problem and you are asleep when it's done. 

    • tom86756
      tom86756 wknight

      Posted

      Though they do  also use  a spinal block anaesthetic, where you remain conscious throughout the procedure, they will if you ask sedate you, this reduces the recovery time needed, so a shorter stay in hospital is needed, which can be a good thing as it would mean a decreased risk of a secondary infection
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