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osteoarthritis .

Posted , 6 users are following.

pete51
pete51

i used to have stiff legs and hips after driving for approx 90 - 120 minutes around 12-18 months ago. This gradually changed to getting pains in legs and hips over a drive of that length. Now i get pains and stiffness after 15 minutes sitting in my van.

Ive just been diagnosed as having osteoarthritis this week. The doctor says they dont know too much about this arthritis. What i was told is that i am too young to be considered for a hip replacement ( I am 43 ), so i just have to work my way up through the different strengths of painkillers and they recommended i take Glucosamine sulphate.

Can anyone else on this forum give me any more advise or tips please

0 likes, 21 replies

21 Replies

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  • lindsay92252
    lindsay92252 pete51

    Posted

    Hi, same age and in the same boat! Exercise is great, take your pain killers but also do a lot of walking and stretching exercises. My limp has nearly gone and the pain killers ease the pain.  Hope that helps.x
    • pete51
      pete51 lindsay92252

      Posted

      Hi Lindsay thanks for the reply. Even thoughi drive a lot, my job also requires me to be quite active ie walking and bending. I also play football once a week. along with playing with my six year old son and normally on the go at the weekend without over doing it. I am just concerned at how fast the pain has come round. 

      I do hope the painkillers help. Ive just started taking them yesterday.

      Whats your thoughts on the Glucosamine sulphate?

       

    • lindsay92252
      lindsay92252 pete51

      Posted

      Apparently it's good, I gave it to my dog when she had arthritis and it worked for a little while. I power walk now as jogging hurts my spine too much so make sure your activity isn't making the pain worse. 
  • eileen64__UK
    eileen64__UK pete51

    Posted

    Hi Pete,

    Was it your GP that gave you the diagnosis? If so go back and ask him for a referral to the hospital. Have x rays etc and see what he says. I always ask to be copied into all the letters so I can see what he is saying to the GP.  Then from there go to the Occupational Therapy.....you can self refer.....you dont need a docs letter. I'm lucky that the physiotherapy dept and OT dept are in rooms next door to each other.

    The OT gave me a cushion for driving {when I was working and driving a lot} that helps.

    I'm no doctor but the consultant may sugest physiotherapy....who knows.....ask for a referral anyway and see what happens.

    There are also TENS machines which help some people {cant use it while driving if I remember rightly} Lots of hospitals lend these out to see if they are suitable then you can buy them.

    Heat??? have you tried that.....

    See what happens and come back and let us know

    Love

    Hileena

    • pete51
      pete51 eileen64__UK

      Posted

      Hi Eileen, it was an x-ray that confirmed it. I dont think i asked the relevan questions it was all a bit " oh ok. and she talked me through that i would work my way through the painkillers for the pain management also that they dont know too much about osteoarthritis.

      I want to now know how badly my hips are affected and if my knees are affected. 

      I think i am best writing any questions down and asking them on my next visit.

      Hopefully my memory isnt affected lol

    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK pete51

      Posted

      Hi

      I belong to Arthritis Care and thats the one thing we always advise....go with a list. You {anyone} are bound to forget and get outside and think Oh why didnt I mention that LOL

      My GP gives you 10 mins and thats it although GP's deal with OA whereas the hospital deal with RA. Mine knows little about it because they are GENERAL Practioners...they know a little about everything  LOL  Are you in the UK? if so have a look at the arthritis care forum...you get loads of advise on that _____ (link broken)  There are forums as well. No medical people on it....just people with arthritis that have gone through or are going through the same thing. Its good. Living with Arthritis is the best forum to get information.

      As for glucosamine.......give it a try....works for some but not for others but you need to give it 3 months before deciding yes or no.

      I've got an appointment tomorrow with the consultant  and am about to sit down and write out my list of questions  LOL

      I've had 2 hip replacements {also got arthritis in my spine} the 2nd hip replacement.....4 weeks into the recovery I was doing an NHS exercise and there was a crack.....ambulance took me to hospital and they x rayed it and told me I had fractured my greater trochantor bone.....frown

      They said there was nothing they could do about it, it would heal itself but would take a long long time....whatever that is ???? 17 weeks later I'm still on 2 crutches so thats what this appointment is for.....3 months since I had the last X Ray for it....so wish me luck for tomorrow

      Love

      Hileena

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    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK pete51

      Posted

      Hi

      I have replied to your post and it saysit is waiting to be moderated?????????? Never had that on here before...if the reply {2nd one} doesnt come through I'll try again

      Love

      Hileena

  • eileen64__UK
    eileen64__UK pete51

    Posted

    Hi

    I have replied to your post and it saysit is waiting to be moderated?????????? Never had that on here before...if the reply {2nd one} doesnt come through I'll try again

    Love

    Hileena

  • angie95127
    angie95127 pete51

    Posted

    Hi Pete I to have osteoarthritis of the hips , spine , neck and foot , I am also 43 , osteoarthritis is not only a old age decease it can happen in young people , I had a hip replacement 5 weeks ago on my right hip , keep going back to your docs and ask to be seen by a specialist , I've had to give up work because of the stiffness and pain . The meds I am on is morphine slow release and oramorph as well as gabapreglin and amitriptyline and that don't even take the pain away , anyway am being sent to a cronic pain clinic next month so I hope they can give me something more to help . Good luck with everything ,, Angie 
  • eileen64__UK
    eileen64__UK pete51

    Posted

    Hi

    I have replied to your post and it saysit is waiting to be moderated?????????? Never had that on here before...if the reply {2nd one} doesnt come through I'll try again

    Love

    Hileena

  • eileen64__UK
    eileen64__UK pete51

    Posted

    Hi Pete

    Here goes again.....I cant see that the moderated reply went through.

    I belong to Arthritis Care...if you are in the UK have a look at it.

    We always say before you go to an appointment make a list......we are all bound to forget something we meant to ask LOL

    Dont forget the Occupational Therapist that you can self refer to.....they have a lot of info and various gadgets.

    As for glucosamine.....it helps some but not others so if you want to give it a try....try it for 3 months...I think thats the length of time it advises before you will see any results

    Lets see if this one goes through

    Love

    Hileena

  • CelsB
    CelsB pete51

    Posted

    I'm afraid painkillers, anti-inflammatories and physiotherapy (if appropriate) are about all you get until you get to the stage of needing a hip replacement.  There are people younger than you who have had it though.  I'm 66 but haven't been referred yet for a hip replacement.  I have been told you can ask for a private referral but then go on the NHS waiting list.  I'm going to ask my GP about this on my next visit if she doesn't refer me herself.  I take cod liver oil as well as glucosamine and find a walking stick helps to relieve the stress on my bad hip.I also use Biofreeze for topical pain relief as I'm unable to use Iboprufen,  Good luck.
  • eileen64__UK
    eileen64__UK pete51

    Posted

    That reminds me.....I use Pernaton Gel......because I cant use the ones with anti inflammatory in them......I'm already on tablets so would be over dosing!!

    I find it quite good......My NHS also does acupuncture.....I've had it a few times.

    Yes you use any aids that help....you might have a fight with yourself {I know I did} but its worth it in the end

    Love

    Hileena

    • CelsB
      CelsB eileen64__UK

      Posted

      Pernaton Gel...I hadn't heard of that but just looked it up and the reviews are good.  I'll give it a go, thanks smile
    • eileen64__UK
      eileen64__UK CelsB

      Posted

      Hi

      The pernaton......buy it online....not in a shop. Its much cheaper biggrin

      Just have a look at the different ones and see the difference in prices.

      I saw an advert for it and sent away for a trial size.

      I dont think there is such a thing as a pain killer....they are pain dullers wink   but it does help a bit

      Good luck

      Love

      Eileen

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