From one joint to another when does it end

Hi all

Well l have been a member of this forum for nearly 2 years. I first joined when l found out l had. Ostioarthritis in both hips. I had no idea l was 42 at the time and it started with a pain in my left groin. I worked full time and was fairly active. I suffered the pain for almost a year visiting gp twice to be told its most likely a pulled muscle and given painkillers nope it never went away agai visit to gp as it was getting harder to move about and get dressed. Again another gp told me its a pulled tendon few months later l was in tears just trying to get my jeans on and l though no more. Went back and demanded they do xrays. A week later l was told l needed both hips replaced due to OA. Got first 1 done in dec 2015 and yes it was hard but l mamaged 4 to 6 weeks later l was great walking with no sticks driving again l was desperate to get other side done just so all the OA pain was gone. I had my 2nd in feb 2016 again an even easier recovery it seemed much easier tgan 1st and though brilliant that is me fixed. But not so long after it my left knee started getting really bad pain. At first l though it must be coming from my hip replacement but it got worse so l went back to see my surgeon who did more xrays and found out l had it in both knee's to. By this time OA took over my life l just seemed to be in constant pain. I had to go part time at work and my concentration levels were gone as all l could focus on was pain. I could not sleep in my bed a full night l was up and down and the couch became comfier for me to sleep. I had my lert knee replaced in august. This op was so much harder than my hips and much more painful. My surgeon did warn me that the knee replacement was not as good as hip and that l would always feel l had a metal knee. So true. I decided then l needed a break from surgery as l went through so much. Days of depression pain sleepless nights. I went back to work after being of a year and though l will suffer the other knee for as long as l can. I just needed some normalitly back and l finally started getting my confidence back when l got it in my left ankle and this time l could not suffer it. I can hardly walk the oain is awful l can't put much weight on it. I was at the doctors today and told l needed my ankle fused asap as l had it severe and the pain would get to much for me. Which it already has. I have an appointment to see the surgeon next week with hope to get the op done soon. Bearing in mind l still need my right knee done.

Where does it end? Thats nearly every joint in my lower half that has OA. I am so tired of being in pain and relying on painkillers to be able to move. I would say l am parcially disabled in my lower half now as l can't walk more than 20m. My life has been turned upsidedown. I can't do normal things l used to or go holidays. I spend a lot of time sleeping and when its my 3 working days it kills me now l can barely make it through a day and cone home and sleep. Somedays l am in so much pain at work l become withdrawen and hardky speak. I know l will be in surgery again in the next month for my ankle. Thankfully l am lucky enough to have private medical insurance as a benifit from work or god knows how long l would be waiting for.

But what l will say to everyone getting hip replacements go for it. They are the best things l have had done. I can't even feel that they have been done now and l would get a hip replacement in a minute instead of a knee or the ankle which l have not yet had done but have read about it.

I just wonder when it will end for me as it seems never just now. OA is my life now and its hard to live with and my husband must be so fed up at how much our life has changed. I know l am so he must be as he basicallly has to do everything for me.

Anyway thats my story so far.

When does this end......

Laura

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