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Arthur-itis

(38 Posts)
Newquay Mon 28-Mar-16 16:23:10

Anyone here got experience of arthritis? Out of the blue I needed a hip replacement a couple of years ago which was brilliant-without it I would have now been in a wheelchair the pain was so bad.
However. . . . Since then I seem to have developed arthritis in every joint. The pain come and goes, is sometimes v sharp. Continual Lower back pain since surgery is miserable-That's there all the time, makes turning in bed painful as well as getting up from chair and loo. I do the exercises given me, keep walking and keep my keep fit classes going. Also after a scan I now have osteopenia toosad so taking calcium tablets. My DM and her DM had osteoporosis before there was any treatment-not nice at all!
I asked GP if I could be referred to a Rheumotologist to keep an eye on things but he says not.

Stansgran Mon 28-Mar-16 16:32:29

I'm in the same or similar boat. I had a hip replacement in November last year but now the other hip is causing me problems. I'm still not able to cut toenails which is really bothering me. I'm afraid there is no advice I can give.

Liz46 Mon 28-Mar-16 16:34:57

My husband takes turmeric (available as small pills) and also omega 3 fish oil. He feels better since he started taking these supplements but doesn't know which one is effective as he started both at the same time! His main problem is osteo arthritis in his knees and he is now finding stairs less of a problem.

obieone Mon 28-Mar-16 16:51:04

My tips. None of them I have done myself, but I have seen the benefits in others.

Oily fish
Omega 3 fish oil tablets
Twice a week a week rubbing olive oil onto affected places.

Cherrytree59 Mon 28-Mar-16 16:52:48

Hi my DH had elbow op three years ago. After it healed he started to get a arthritic type pain in the joint especially when weather was damp and cold.
He has been taking glucosamine hydrochloride (HCI). I get them from Health Span much cheaper than Holland + Barrett
He says he can't manage without them.

trisher Mon 28-Mar-16 21:22:04

I go to a Tai Chi class with a lot of ladies who have arthritis. They are all members of an arthritis support group. They seem to have regular events including coffee mornings and a swimming group. They all discuss treatment and what caused their arthritis. It might be worthwhile looking to see if there is a group in your area.

Bellanonna Mon 28-Mar-16 22:29:22

Liz46. I take turmeric too. I first read about it on here and my knee pain certainly seems to have lessened.

LullyDully Tue 29-Mar-16 07:29:35

I did advise turmeric a while back. It stopped helping my bad leg pain it worked at first.
My arthritis is bad again so I'm on strong pain killers. I have had some physio but it makes the pain worse.
.I have some romantic notion that an operation on my hip is the only answer....seems it may not be. The pain is awful and I can't sit for long or travel for long in a car. It is miserable. But can't give in.

Sorry to moan. Bloody leg.

Nannylovesshopping Tue 29-Mar-16 07:55:45

Hyaluronic acid high strength works for me, recommended by pharmacist, its a b...... getting old

annsixty Tue 29-Mar-16 07:59:48

What does that translate to NannyLS as in a brand? I have only heard of it in moisture type creams.

Nannylovesshopping Tue 29-Mar-16 08:12:40

annsixty I buy this on line, would tell you where from, but don't think I am allowed to advertise, am new to gransnet, it's just called Hyaluronic Acid high strength dietary supplement, been taking it for eighteen months, it has helped me tremendously, hope it helps you if you try itsmile

Alea Tue 29-Mar-16 08:44:45

Just to add it always makes me smile when I hear of people's "Arthur-itis" smile - no lack of sympathy intended!

Gagagran Tue 29-Mar-16 09:17:40

Another pain-racked Gran here and I'm trying Rosehip tablets which are another reckoned to help. Only started 10 days ago and no discernible difference yet. Paracetamol does nothing for me and I don't like to take NSAIs more than absolutely necessary so not sure what else to do. I have tried glucosamine and fish oil over long periods but they didn't help me.

annsixty Tue 29-Mar-16 09:34:10

I am on the 12th day of Naproxen with no improvement at all. My problem seems to be a combination of an arthritic knee and something which GP says is coming from my back.
I can't take Ibuprofen while on Naproxen and paracetamol isn't touching it at all.
Sympathy to everyone else because it's b****y awful.

LullyDully Tue 29-Mar-16 09:39:02

Alea I do hope you never get arthritis. It is worse pain than you can imagine.

Newquay Tue 29-Mar-16 13:33:03

I heard arthritis described as Arthur ritis some years ago-apparently he never comes alone-which is my experience now. I heard the term about 20 years ago when DD2 went down with rheumatoid arthritis as a teenager. There then followed what can only be described as nightmare years. However a few years ago a new, biological, treatment became available and although she is not free of this dreadful disease life is easier for her. Roll on a cure say I!
So I can''t really complain about wear and tear arthritis now I'm 67 can I? I have had v good use of my joints; DD2 certainly hasn't.
Really must try fish oils and other supplements although Arthritis Research say their help has not been clinically proven. It works for some and not for others.

tanith Tue 29-Mar-16 14:10:16

I'm a sufferer also with multi-joint Authur, I've had one hip replaced and have an app tomorrow with my newish GP to request a referral back to the surgeon who did my first hip as now my other hip is at a level I can no longer tolerate. I take Naproxen highest dose and have done for over 10yrs I could not function without it and believe me I've tried, I also take fish oil every day and have tried most other alternative meds and treatments nothing else helps.
Its got to the stage I know will make the difference when requesting a referral with my hip, resting pain, disturbed sleep, can't put my socks on any more without dear OH's help and now every step is excruciating I've had 2/3 bouts of painful Sciatica this year and I can no longer do the stretching excercises I need to do to help with the Sciatica as my range of movement in the hip is so limited , my hip has been deteriorating since I retired but in the last 2mths its got to the point of no return.

I have great sympathy for anyone who suffers with this dreadful disease, people sometimes don't realise just what a debilitating and dreadfully painful condition it is..

Alea Tue 29-Mar-16 14:12:39

Not mocking , I swear by my Naproxen, just have to smile at Arthur.

tanith Tue 29-Mar-16 14:12:53

Sorry my spelling is awful I meant Arthur of course..

Alea Tue 29-Mar-16 14:20:16

Actually Lullydully my DD has suffered from a particularly aggressive type, Psoriatic Arthritis since before her 30th birthday and is currently on a 5 year antibody drugs trial at Barts. I have seen her coping with a demanding job involving business trips to the Far East, limping into work in central London, crippled by it, so don't worry we don't appreciate the pain. I take Naproxen for the common or garden wear and tear type of osteoarthritis, so you don't need to hope I never ger arthritis. Been there, got that. hmm

annsixty Tue 29-Mar-16 14:36:45

I certainly didn't tanith.
I had a trapped sciatic nerve over 25 years ago which was acute but in my memory didn't last very long ie weeks rather than months
I have my current problem for ages now and am quite incapacitated apart from the dreadful pain. I wish you well and and a very understanding GP.

tanith Tue 29-Mar-16 14:47:30

Thanks annsixty I hope he is too I shall make my case forcefully for sure. Do try persevering with the Naproxen its really the only thing that's helped me, my old GP told me last year that the next thing for my pain would be an opiate drug, a route down which I do not want to go, so I've managed to hobble on for another year but the time has come now, OH says if they won't refer me he's going to make me go private and as much as I want to resist doing so I'm beginning to think I could be persuaded if I don't get some hope of relief soon.

I wish you well too.

Newquay Tue 29-Mar-16 16:52:15

This getting old ain't a barrel of laughs is it-although I do realise this awful illness strikes the young too as Alea has said.
I honestly, I realise now naively, thought it would be years before I would start to creak and groan. I didn't think it would be this painful this soonsad
I don't think there's anyone in my keep fit classes that doesn't have to pop pills for something or other though. Watching us getting up and down from the floor is v entertaining!

tanith Wed 30-Mar-16 10:28:03

Just got back from my GP app in a bit of shock, as I described my symptoms he called for all my old notes re back surgery and THR , and I just mentioned casually I had some numbness that comes and goes and he straight away said I need to examine you as that could be serious. Calls in a chaperone and does what needs to be done and then says I'm referring you for an urgent CT at Charing X as a precaution. I have to wait for a letter.
He also checked my reflexes and ROM in the hip and I'm glad that he took that seriously and I have to go get an xray at the local hospital to access my eligibility for THR so hopefully he will do a referral as soon as he gets the results of that. So things are moving on the hip front I just hope the 'numbness' thing comes to nothing and is just the result of the Sciatica.
Hey Ho! Arthritis/Sciatica is not to be taken lightly its definitely a pain in the @rse for sure. blush

LullyDully Wed 30-Mar-16 12:57:00

Sounds bad tanith but got a bit confused with your acronyms.is THO a hip replacement ? Is ROM rheumatism?