Pain and Arthritis

Morning Pollyanna.  If you think rheunatologists, doctors, nurses will listen to us, you are on the wrong track.  They believe in juvenile arthritis but not in old age OA - after all, ALL old people have aches and pains, they just learn to get on with it - or SHOULD!!😡  Until they themselves start to suffer from it they just don't believe it can possibly be as bad as their patients think.

Luckily there are quite a number of doctors who DO take it seriously - not many rheunies though - as we can WALK into their surgeries we obviously aren't that bad!??  

Ah well!  It's good to know it's all in our heads, we just need a good night's sleep and all will be well!

🌲🍾🍸. Have a great, pain free (well you know what I mean) Christmas.

Regards from Constance

Hello Pollyanna, I have had Arthritis since the age of 11, starting with Septic Arthritis and now Osteo Arthritis. I can say that Arthritis is very painful. Most of my life i have tried various treatments including drugs and acupunture. I am 60 and have already had my left knee replaced twice and this Wed i am having a partial knee done. If there was no pain from Arthritis then why when the knee is replaced you are virtually pain free. My friend had a hip replacement recently,he was in agony and could barely walk, he is now pain free. I have never come across any consultants or surgeons that have disputed my pain. My GP as always understood and believed me also. 

I am sorry that you have so much pain in so many joints. I wish you all the best.

Elizabeth

Hi Pollyanna, I had osteoartritis for 5yrs in my foot, I had a brace made by prostetetics specifically to fit my foot which I wore for 3 yrs. This took my pain from a 9/10 to 7/10. I worked 12 hr days, it was horrible. I had cortizoze with no help, was going to try PRCP but I had no cartlige. I had surgery on 6/29/16, immediately after surgery I had NO pain! Oh but there is no such thing as artritis when we age, then why did I instantly after surgery have NO pain. If a Orthopedic Dr does not believe you have arthritis, demand an Xray. That will show the facts! For now, best of luck, ice seems to help. What is the vow Dr's take "Thou shall do NO harm". Good luck to you & Happy Hollidays!

Mary

I'm in pain all time

I know what you are feeling

Hi Pollyanna!

Osteoarthritis surely IS painful! Deterioration of cartilage and subsequent bone-on-bone rubbing makes for substantial pain.

I suffered for five years as I followed insurance protocols ( X-rays, PT, cortisone shot, pain medications, more X-RAYS etc.) which only briefly handled my pain.

I became frustrated and stopped seeing doctors entirely for awhile.

Severe stabbing pain in May 2015 forced me back to see an orthopedic surgeon. I THOUGHT he would say, "Time to do arthroscopic surgery." Instead I was told that I was FINALLY a candidate for KNEE REPLACEMENTS!

Some people may have been devastated hearing that news, but I was THRILLED! I just KNEW that all of the dog and pony show I had been experiencing was like putting a bandaid on a broken arm. I needed new knees.

In June and October of 2015 I GOT my new knees! Sure there was some discomfort with surgery and subsequent recovery, but I finally have my life back. I can stand, walk, shop for hours, enjoy my garden, and SLEEP without agonizing knee pain.

I have arthritis in other joints (hips, back, fingers, shoulders, ankles, elbows), but those knees were really bad. SO HAPPY I finally could get them replaced!

Pain with arthritis is REAL.

Ignore ignorant people who discount your pain.

Focus on relieving your pain. Find sympathetic doctors who want to help you rather than those who want to play down your concerns.

Wishing you pain relief for the VERY REAL pain you are experiencing!

I'm 64 and had both hips replaced due to arthritis. I also have arthritis in my lumbar spine and cervical spine. Not to mention the bone spurs that hurt like crazy. My whole body hurts 24/7. Oh and I have arthritis in my thoracic spine.

I think that whoever thinks arthritis doesn't hurt has never had it. A lot of people who have arthritis also has rheumatoid arthritis which also causes pain and disfigured bones.

I commiserate with you and hope you find relief soon.

Thanks for all your replies. I knew the pain was not just in my mind but apparently 'some' physios and other professionals do not agree. I shall print these answers and show her at my next appointment. It does seem to be a school of thought though lately with some people. As you say, they've obviously NOT got Arthritis! Probably young, unexperienced students or post grads who think they know everything better than us, the patients. Thanks again, Pollyanna. X  Keep em coming, the more people who respond, the better for all!

Hi ive got osteoarthritis in both knees and hands. Anyone that says it's not painful is talking rubbish. I now can't walk without a stick cos my knees give way. My ot got me a wet room and anything thing else I need I'm only 39 and all ready my my joints are out of shape myour pinkie sticks right out.

Hi Pollyanna,

I was diagnosed on new year’s eve with osteoarthritis in my hip and lower back so I’m new to this .

When I attended the hospital I told them that I could only compare the pain I was in to the same as giving birth to my second son which took 27 hours in labour and with a dry birth as a result.

I’m sure that the doctors are aware of the Pain this disease can cause as on my description they had no problem  sending me straight away for an x-ray and making a diagnosis.

I think that some medical staff find it easier to pretend that no pain is involved so as to lighten their work load. Sadly they still get paid either way.  Although  if you want to put in a complaint about an employee of a company such as the NHS or any other company for that matter. You are entitled to and once the complaint has been made, the company are legally obliged to investigate.  If people in our position were to do this every time it happened then the staff may think twice about the way in which they treat people with osteoarthritis. 

Regards Rozie

Hi Pollyanna, for me this is a topic of immense importance and frustration as it seems that mostly for every person who sympathizes with sufferers of OA,there are far more who tend to have that opinion that it's something age related and inevitable, therefore it just has to be accepted and causes only mild symptoms. I often wonder how those people (especially the consultants) would cope with the constant pain,stiffness,frustration of fingers not working like they used to (when trying to pick up something small for example) and the fatigue.....fatigue like you never imagined you could feel before this cruel disease struck. Just received a letter from my Neurosurgeon today about an MRI scan I had 4 months ago!! This was to rule out MS as I've had balance issues and constant pains,numbness and pins and needles in both arms and hands since last February. I have arthritis of spine and neck and if I turn my head it sounds like a cement mixer churning! I have multiple bulging discs and possible nerve root compression, but he states in the letter all of these are age related (I'm 49) and mild in nature!.... Arthritis has taken my life away! My job and my cheerful personality! Some days I stay in bed until lunchtime as the pain is so consuming. I'm going to ask to see a different consultant as I'm insulted by his words.