Diagnosed with OA in multiple joints
Posted , 5 users are following.
Hi everyone,I am new here i apologise for the long post.
I am 52 year old female and have always been quite active and of a good weight.
I've been having joint pains for about the last 5 years but in July I had an episode where I was so stiff in the mornings that I could hardly get out of bed and I had to go down the stairs sideways one at a time. My fingers and toes where swollen . I just felt so drained i thought I was getting the flu or something? This lasted for about 4 days which I mostly stayed in bed but the stiffness and tiredness in the mornings didn't let up. Then a few weeks later the same happened I felt like I had flu but it only lasted 2 days. I then started to get awful joint pains in my feet, knees, hips , lower back , hands and my shoulders. My gp sent me for xrays of my shoulders and hands which showed I have OA in both shoulders and both clavicles, and in the first and second joints of my fingers.
I then started to get very dry eyes, sore and itchy. Gp referred me to see rheumatologist which was a 6 year waiting list on NHS so I went privately.
The rheumatologist did an ultrasound of fingers and toes he said its all osteoarthritis and all my other symptoms are probably down to menopause .
I said about the pain in my lower back, hips and knees and he didn't look at them but said it was OA because if you have it in your hands it mostly always also occurs in lower back.
I asked him if it was normal to have it in so many joints at my age and he replied it was probably down to genetics. He has advised me to start on celecoxib and to get an injection in the shoulder I have the most pain in.
I feel so frustrated that this is something I can't really do anything about and am I going to have to be on painkillers for the rest of my life. I have horses and am finding it difficult looking after them, mucking out etc never ming the riding side of it.
Should I push for more answers or just learn to live with it
1 like, 3 replies
barbara66703 joanne73947
Edited
Your story is very familiar... all my joints have osteo. Some joints have been replaced and the other joints are always a pain when over used aggressively. It's important to wear correct shoes with good arch supports and it all matters and helps support joints now more than ever before. So whatever you decide to do or not do, to help make your joints feel better and cope works for you is key. Everyone is different and it's difficult to adjust to coping period.
Just a couple things I have learned ... I wear knee, ankle, wrist and back supports when doing things that I know will stress my joints . Staying in shape keeping muscles strong really does take a lot of pressure off joints. l never lift anything over 4 pounds and no pushing pulling heavy objects like vacuuming, things that are repetitious that cause joint stress can cause pain. The idea is to try to eliminate the things you can't do and rethink on how to do the things you can. Think ahead of tasks and practice "Mindfulness". In my experience the idea is to save what joints are in good condition that are not totally worn but useful enough to maintain a good quality of life. Learning to slow down and taking better care by adopting the necessary precautions to be kind to your remaining joints and cautious when using them for a longer lasting mobility for the future.
Leucadlover joanne73947
Posted
Thank you for writing this, I was going crazy wondering if it was just me. Sore joints I can handle, but the days of feeling ill and bedridden is torture, especially as a surfer.
I was thinking about trying Venaflaxine to combat the osteoarthritis-menopause-migraine torture. Let me know if you figure anything out.
barbara66703 joanne73947
Edited
joanne73947 just want to add that many , many around the world have osteo and we are not all on pain killers for the rest of our lives once diagnosed. docs dont give them out period for osteo long term for obvious reasons. there are many ways to help control the pain and the best thing when hips are to painful is to have hip joint replacement a wonderful surgery for hips and knees to eliminate the extreme pain. in the long run we have improved the value and mobility of our lives thru joint replacement surgeries.
i resent the fact that newbies diagnosed with osteo give up and assume pain meds is going to treat osteo. it will not ...this is a progressive disease...it's important to educate yourself its easy by just going online learn how its treated and accept this is the next next stage of life thousands face daily . By understanding this disease exploring the best surgeons / treatments and exercises to stay strong is how you can over come debilitating pain and osteo disease. many of us all do it every day.
good grief to read your going to give up and be on pain pills the rest of your life is totally a mistaken belief. i am well into my 70's and osteo since my 40's...one replaced hip joint is over 25 years old and the other hip and knee have been replaced as needed. same organized treatment plan for other joints how to keep what i have and maintain strength. falling into a belief of a life of pain meds and sitting in a rocker the rest of a good productive life is wasting so much of your potential.
i'll always be my own self advocate and never let this disease change what i love doing.
i still ride horses, garden, hike and daily routines are done .
listen to your body be mindful of your movements . be your own self advocate and educate. ask for a therapy specialist to work with you to teach movements to better understand how you can control your pain and life still goes on...just differently .
you will not always be in pain... it does get a whole lot better. understanding this disease is key to maintaining a healthy outlook and mental stability. sending blessings your way,