From one joint to another when does it end

Posted , 12 users are following.

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

4 likes, 56 replies

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  • Posted

    Wow..laura.. My original doc diagnosed me with piraformis syndrome and went to physical therapy..i ..they did exrays but never got back to me.. I think therapy made it worse.. Eventually had cortisone injection last yr..did not really help..got another doc after getting on medicaid..had to take 4 months off work because of the pain.. Went back to work..but pain was worse..new doc referred me to my ortho doc..and 8 days ago had anterior arthroplasty.. Im doing better..nobpain..only surgical pain.. Have arthritis in both knees..but hopefully wont be that affected ... Hope the best in youth recovery
    • Posted

      Thanks Tammy l wll be ok l just had to get that out. When l 1st joined this forum l got lots of help and advice and met so many lovely people. I hate to sound like l am saying poor me as l know there ere worse people than me from the people l.met on here.

      I hope everything goes ok for you to and l hope it never comes to knee replacements. In saying that though if you need it done best doing it as it takes pain away. Its just a very hard operation to go through.

      Laura x

    • Posted

      Thank you... I blew out my left knee when i was 16..surprised ihave not needed it by now.. But i am with you...i have met some great people and got great advice..
  • Posted

    What terrible luck you have had, Laura! It will all end, as you will definitely run out of joints at some point! Hope it ends with the ankle and the other knee. Sorry you have had so much trouble, and hope life returns to normal as soon as possible.

    It's true that when you are in pain in one joint, that the other weight-bearing joints have to do more work and can be stressed and then progress more quickly to full-blown bone-on-bone pain problems. I know that happened with me, when I had a fall and hurt my left knee badly enough that I had to use a walker for a month.  Within a couple of months of that fall, my right hip really started bothering me, and an x-ray showed bone-on-bone. Previously I had no idea that was the case. My surgeon couldn't believe I was walking on that hip because it was so damaged. And it was the injury to the knee on the other leg that pushed me to this point.

    • Posted

      Hi annie

      Yeah my surgeon said that to me as well he could not understand how l was still walking and not in a wheelchair as he said the state of my hips were a mess.

      I hope so much it ends here too as l have had 3 years of pain and surgery.

      Sorry about your fall too must have been a bad one.

      Thanks for your kind words

      Laura

      X

    • Posted

      Oh Lors I feel for you, I am in the same boat, I'm afraid, found out just after Xmas this year that my knees have given it away as well, left one worse than right, surprise surprise, thats the leg they gave me extra length in when they did my hip, and GP said that wouldnt be helping any.

      And this week finally mentioned to Dr that my right shoulder has been giving it to me as well, cannot lie on left shoulder, just too painful, and what do you know, its gone as well, hes surprised I can even lift my arm, have torn a whole lot of things in my shoulder, not just rotator cuff, he tells me the damage is in the high end range, first suggestion is an injection into my shoulder to see if it will help.  HELP, i believe this injection is up there in the very painful range, so not looking foward to that, put him off today, i just cannot face that sort of pain just yet, and then he goes on to suggest maybe surgery will be necesary if the injection doesn't help.  AAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

    • Posted

      Hey lyn

      Aww jeeeze hun you sound like you are going through as much hell as l am sorry to hear that. Its hard and its only really you that understands how much pain it causes and how much it destroys your life while you have it. I am dreading getting it on top half but l know l an going to as l get sore shoulders some ways l lift my arm. I try to think oh its just muscular but l know in myself it won't be because of the luck l have had. Best of luck to you lyn l hope things get better

      Laura

      Xx

    • Posted

      Sounds just like mine, sore shoulders for some time, diffuculity lifting arms, like trying to peg washing, but have been telling myself must keep moving those shoulders joints even if they do hurt, and when I have been on pain killers for my hips and lower back playing up, been disgusing the damage i have been doing to my shoulders.   GRRRRR.

      Going to physio today to try and learn if some exercises will help, the right exercises. Will let you know.

      Best wishes Lyn

  • Posted

    Gosh. Laura this is so sad . You must feel so fed up ! I have had one hip done and my greatest fear is having to have more surgery . My

    Mother had both knees done and said it was agony. All I can suggest is make sure you have the correct pain killers , maybe see if you can have anti depressants to lift your mood , and just keep on keeping on. What has happened to you is awful .. but when I feel this way I sometimes look around and see others worse off . My brother in law is dying a painful death from bone cancer, I know someone who lost their son and husband in a car crash last year . I know it's not much help to you

    But even though we suffer agonies it could be worse. Sorry if that sounds insensitive . Try to take each day as it comes . When your ankle is done try to think I have no other leg joints to attack arthritis so get lost ! I really feel for you but one day it will be over . Stay strong and lots of love xx

    • Posted

      Hi Hazel

      I have been on every painkiller under the sun but have finally got the right mix. I am on oxy and co-codamol but even now they are not working that great with my ankle as the pain is so bad.

      Thanks for your kind words l am trying my best to stay strong. Going to be like the bionic woman lol

      Love

      Laura x

  • Posted

    dearest Laura, 

    you are such a trooper - I am so sorry to hear that you are still in a lot of pain - 

    what a blessing that you have private insurance through your job - 

    I wish I had the right words to comfort you, darling -

    keeping you in my healing circle -

    big warm hug

    renee

  • Posted

    Dear Laura

    How absolutely horrible for you...very big hugs! What can I but I really feel for you and what you are having to cope with.

    I see from your profile that you live in Scotland. It is nearly fifty years since I visited and absolutely loved the north west coast such wonderful scenery.

    Cheers Richard

    • Posted

      Thanks Richard hopefully l will get there.

      Yeah a stay in nearer the west of scotland inbetweem glasgow and edinburgh its too cold lol but there are some lovely places in scotland. ☺

  • Posted

    Dear Laura,

    I'm so sorry to hear about your pain, and I hope that eventually your life will start to get easier. I wish you the very best.

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