Sylvia W
I'm Izzie, I'm 21 years old and I was diagnosed with arthritis 12 years ago, affecting my ankles, knees, shoulder, elbow, wrists and fingers. Because of my age I don't know anybody with arthritis and unfortunately there aren't any support groups in my area for young people with arthritis (yet!) so I'd love to chat to people like me about living with this illness.
Despite my illness I've still been through my GCSEs, A Levels and a university degree, and I'm active in every way that I can be. I really want other children/young people with arthritis to know that your diagnosis does not have to define your life, so I'm always happy to talk to other people like me or their parents about getting through school/college/uni with this illness.
m0150
65 years old, a retired Airline Pilot who enjoyed excellent health and mobility until a year ago when in September I went out to mow the lawn. After overdoing it with a petrol hover mower on wet grass I came in with a pain in my left knee. Thinking that I’d ‘just pulled something’ I ignored it and carried on walking my two dogs up to two miles a day over open farmland. The pain didn’t subside, it got worse, a lot worse, until by Christmas I was in agony and not able to function normally anymore.
Consulting my GP brought up the subject of Arthritis. He felt that it might be worth X-raying the joint and sure enough a week or so later some very graphic evidence showed that I had no cartilage left on the inside of my knee. Referral to a physiotherapist saw me waste an hour answering questions on a computer about my quality of life and level of depression. After not even examining the knee I was handed a leaflet and told to do some exercises (as if walking two miles with Labradors wasn’t enough!) so not a lot of help there sadly.
Referral to a Private Consultant working for the NHS confirmed that I had severe Osteoarthritis and that little if anything can be done for me other than a total knee replacement. Not what I was expecting to hear after simply mowing the lawn! However the conclusion was that a motorcycle accident in 1971 that resulted in a fractured tibia had not been accurately reset. That left me with a legacy of extra wear on that part of my knee and it was payback time.
Since I was not convinced that a total knee replacement was the only option I took a second opinion and the new consultant confirmed that as the outer portion of the knee is in good condition I am an ideal candidate for a partial replacement. A cortisone injection was given at that meeting but didn’t offer relief beyond a couple of days, which in fairness is what I was told to expect. So now I am wondering whether to go for the operation or hang on as long as possible.
My present state is that when resting or sleeping I have zero pain or discomfort. I manage most days without any medication but resort to NSAID’s if needed. I use a support bandage/sock over the knee to walk the dogs, and using a walking pole for support I can still manage a mile or so. In the house I use a stick for comfort rather than dependency, and when out and about using orthotic insoles and sock can manage to walk unaided, and with very little interference to my gait (limping). I do use the walking stick for comfort though.
Those that know me who’ve had knee replacements say that I am nowhere near ready for surgery and to hang on a lot longer before considering it. That said, living with the pain of walking each day, and the effect that is having on my spirit, which at times can be very low knowing that I’ve gone from fine to bad overnight makes looking at all options worthwhile.
Not helping is that I’ve also had to go through treatment for Prostate Cancer (Hormone/Radio Route) this summer and I even managed a dose of Shingles recently, so keeping my chin up and trying to stay cheerful has been hard to say the least, but I know that in comparison to many I am still very lucky and in many ways nowhere near as bad as I may think.
Looking to the future it would be easy to rush into surgery but I’m aware that it carries risks and might leave me worse off. I am particularly interested in waiting to see what new treatments might emerge before I’m forced into a choice and in particular stem cell technology might offer hope, but perhaps I’m too far gone for that to work.
So, if you’re still with me here (and thanks for being so) I would value your opinions on what surgery might offer and what treatments might be coming in the next ten years that might be worth waiting for.
Thanks for reading this, and thanks for your help.
David.
After operation I was in PLaster of Paris cast for 10 days. Arm kept in foam sling. Wound healing nicely so redressed and plaster bandage applied for 3 weeks. I had to have corner of this cast cut as rubbing on little finger. Fingers dud not swell but cast round thumb felt tight. On removal wound well healed but wrist bruised as plaster had been tight. Started physio following day.thumb felt numb and intermittent tingling in arm. Wrist even more bruised looking and painful to touch. Told result of tight plaster. Exercises to do. Strength in hand measured and to return next week. Physio pleased with progress and huge increase in strength. More exercises and to return in another 2 weeks. However since this visit exercises have made wrist more painful and I can’t lift anything of any weight. Thumb and hand very stiff ion waking. Told to soak in hot water which does help. Just want to know if progress is normal and any advice folk can give. I am a 72 year old fairly fit woman.
I have had to leave work now which is depressing in itself. Nowadays I spend my time colouring in and watching daytime tele. The nearest support group to me is a 26 mile round trip which would be impossible. My doctors keep dishing out the drugs with no suggestions of support etc etc.
I am only 49 and have had this for 10 years gradually getting worse.
Sorry to be so depressing but that’s about as interesting as my life currently gets at the moment, thanks for reading.
Is anyone else having this problem
Has anyone gone through a full knee replacement? I have heard/read good and bad, every ones experience is different I guess.
Can anyone recommend any orthopaedic consultants who are well known in their industries and have happy clients?
Look forward to hearing from you.
I am a set-dresser and props maker by trade, so I guess I’ve always demanded a lot from my hands and now they are rebelling. I’m left handed, so this just gets better and better. I have a small insurance policy that gives me approximately 3 months cover, but I am wanting to know if I will be able to go back to my work.i use needle and thread a lot, so it’s often a combination of fine motor skills and heavy grappling to hang lighting or manoeuvre big stuff into position. When I got a copy of the letter of intent sent from my consultant to my doctor, I got the impression that he hadn’t really grasped the importance of my questions. He wrote that he felt I wasn’t able to do ‘crafting’! Granted I sometimes have to create a bit of knitting or embroidery, but I don’t think he realised it’s my bread and butter, not just something I do when the telly is broken! I’m totally committed to tackling the physio and rehabilitation it will take afterwards, I just wish someone could give me a better gauge of what I can expect... if I knew people have this procedure and then can knit, sew, stick down carpet and model clay, I’d feel less apprehensive. Am I asking for the moon on a stick? I really just wanted to ask the surgeon, would he go for it, based on the requirements of his job. Basically my skeleton hates me. Thank you so much for any pointers.
This is my first post on the board so first of all, hello
I had results of a lower back MRI today and they said I have arthritis. They didn’t say type. But she mentioned wear & tear. We talked about the neck and shoulder pain I have too. She said due to the severity of my symptoms I have been referred to the specialist at the spinal team. It as a telephone conversation and in hindsight I wish I had asked more but I’ll have to make an appt.
I have been using a crutch occasionally as sometimes my lower back pain is awful, it’s permanent but at times my back goes and I have incredible pain that radiates across my back and at times I need help to get up. Something to hold to keep balance. I don’t drive. I work full time and have two school age children. I do a lot on foot. I am going to try and overcome the embarrassment I feel when using crutches and just get on with it.
Does anyone have experience of using crutches with spinal arthritis and find it helpful? (I know the importance of using them properly)
Thanks
On the downside, I have had issues with my left knee, the diagnosis is osteoarthritis - if it wasn't for bad luck....
I felt like starting this post off as a happy one, since recently times have not been so for myself.
I have suffered with psoriasis my whole life (I'm now 34), and 9 years ago was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis. I knew of the disease and was never taken seriously by doctors due to my age and fitness activities (I used to run, which was originally blamed for my joint problems). However being sent to a specialist was the real turning point.
I have tried 3 DMARDS in the past, and am now on csimzia. Due to recent events this seemed to have stopped working. As an active woman with a fairly hectic full time job, a husband who I'd like to have a child with and a carer for my father, this is the cherry on top
I would like to know if anyone has tried alternative therapies (yoga or meditation), or if they have tried working with a therapist? And if this has worked for them?
I feel that stress is the major factor in my case and pills/potions just don't cut it anymore.
Namaste (if that's how you say it
)
My name's actually Stuart, though I chose a dumb user name - your choice to use Stuart or Gaz; I'll answer to both. I have hip and knee arthritis in my right leg.
I managed to survive to retirement without too many problems, but these days I need a stick to get around outside. I can still drive. My consultant showed me an x-ray with my upper leg bone resting firmly on my hip bone without any tissue in the way, but we didn't feel that I needed a new hip - yet.
It's more inconvenient than painful, though little personal things like cutting toenails get increasingly hard. I bought a snazzy little gadget that helps me put socks on. That right foot seems to be getting further away...
Major resolutions this year - lose weight / hit the gym / get some flexibility back - (not necessarily in that order).
My one current regret - I used to be an active photographer, but you need to be able to walk around, be fairly flexible and carry lots of gear. I still have some gear, but no current ability to use it.
My family is supportive, though I increasingly feel like the world is zipping past me while I stomp slowly towards the next stop. I'm hoping to find some help and support here - and maybe get some practical tips from others in the same state!
Best
Gaz (Stuart)
About 6 weeks ago I noticed my feet were hurting when I got up in the morning, but just put it down to ‘one of those things’. Then one evening I felt a lot of pain in my hip, plus one of my fingers had swollen up and very sore. Since then things have gone downhill rapidly, I have pain just about everywhere, my knees, shoulders, hands, feet, wrists. I went to see my GP, she sent me for bloods and this week I had X-rays done. She says she can’t give me anything without a formal diagnosis from a Consultant, so I’ve just been taking Ibuprofen and Paracetamol to help with the pain. She suspects RA, but I’m worried about the damage being done while I wait for an appointment to be sent through, could be months?
I’m also under a huge amount of stress, I’ve been separated for 2 and a half years and my OH is pressurising me to sell the house/divorce - I also want to sell up, but now I feel so vulnerable with an illness too. My son is at Uni, so I’m on my own. My car broke down the other day, still waiting for it to be fixed, so having to walk everywhere with painful feet, plus work. I feel very depressed at the moment - I’m hoping once I get an official diagnosis and the right meds, life can get a bit better. I’m 56 and still have lots to give, but with the combination of feeling in pain, plus the stress of a divorce, I’m feeling awful.