newly diagnosed ostio arthritis

MILLYMOLLY

Hi
I've just found out that I have ostio arthritis. I have been having real problems with my back, neck, hand , thumb and recently had x-rays on my back. Doctor has gave diclofenec and sending me for physio.
Quite depressed about diagnosis, I know there's loads of people with far worse ailments, but I just need to get my head round it.

cattie

I have ostio arthritis & you learn to live with it & manage your daily life around it.

See if you can get an appointment with an occupational therapist as they are a great help regarding sourcing aids to help around the home etc & also in suggesting different ways of doing things to minimise stress on your joints.

daska

There are some wonderful gadgets out there for those of us who have problems with our hands - I've just got some good-grip cutlery which is fabulous

rogjen

So sorry to hear about your recent diagnosis, I also have the same complaint, I get it it in my neck, head, arms and hands, there is some great aids that do help, and also have a word with GP to see if she can refer you to hospital for some physio.:hello:.

allydowd

I would call the arthritis charity for info:

Arthritis Care link

Treadway1

I had a couple of xrays done a few weeks ago and finally got around to going to see my doctor to see what they showed yesterday. He said that my back was 'not in a good way for someone (my) age' (Im 27!).

I explained that I had had a number of car accidents at work (None my fault, I was passenger in all of them), and had come off my motorbike a while ago after someone pulled out on me. He said he wasnt surprised my back looked the way it did, considering all of that. He did say that I had what is known as stage 2 (I think) osteoarthritis, which isnt age related as it is normally, but more due to bumps and knocks, which would seem correct and hes referred me to a orthopedist.

The thing is that Ive had problems with my back, shoulders and hips for so long now, that I have kind of got used to not being able to sleep on my front anymore, or bend over to pick something up without making that 'old man' groaning noise, etc.. If it does get too bad, I often take 400mg cuprofen tablets, which are a mild muscle relxant aswell as painkiller. I find they help me sleep a little more comfortably.

I do feel for you though, because no matter how much you get used to the pain, its always that horrible split second debilitating pain that suddenly hits you when you turn to quickly, or jar yourself, that you can never get used to.

From one sufferer to another, I genuinely hope that you find some treatment to alleviate your pain.

chrissy100

I am also an arthritis sufferer. I am on a lot of tablets. - Tramadol, narpoxin (naprosyn), gabopentin & paracetamol. But still in lots of pain!
(The narproxin was a replacement for Diclofenec)

I need a shoulder replacement op, but due to always having post op infections, it is too much of risk. The new joint will have to be removed if I get an infection. I also have it in my, hands, wrists, thumbs. My back, hip and one knee. I am 55 and feel about 75 some days!

I do get IB and DLA, high motorbility, low care, but now have difficulty getting into the bath to have a shower and can't put certain items of clothing on. So if I don't see a friend or my partner for a few days, then I can't go out anywhere and some days I would go back to bed and just cry myself to sleep (pain permitting!).

The other thing that really is a pain, is the fact that it is a disability that can't be seen. So you get the funniest looks when doing things like, parking in disabled parking areas, (displaying badge of course). Also had someone tell me just last night, that we couldn't use the lift, it was for disabled people only. I said I had a disablity and could not use the stairs. He said, "You're disabled?" with and 'yeah right!' look. Eventually he let us use it, but very reluctently!

MILLYMOLLY

Thanks to everyone for your replies, I've been for a physio assessment today and now have an appointment for physio.
Thanks for your support