Osteoarthritis

I eventually went to GP recently. He organised an Xray very quickly. Once those results were back, Health Centre gave me appointment with physio. I thought physio would give me exercises, but no, it was a chat and a recommendation for op.

Listening to others, I'm also taking turmeric (with pepper) tablets and collagen supplements, an orange a day and trying to up my green vegetables. I dog-walk about 3 miles a day anyway, but now use a stick. Will these slow things down? No idea, but I'm trying.

Dear Mazgg,

I’m 61 and recently started having quite painful stiffness in my left hip and right knee. Walking became uncomfortable and it worried me a bit.

This reminded me of something from years ago. When my mother was around my age, she had a serious problem with her ankle and could barely walk for a while. After a balneotherapy (thermal spa) treatment her mobility improved and she didn’t seem to have the same problem again.

Because of that memory I recently tried a short thermal spa treatment myself and found the warm mineral water together with therapies such as hydrotherapy, hydro-kinesiotherapy and electrotherapy very relaxing and helpful for the joints. In many parts of Europe these treatments are still part of rehabilitation medicine and are commonly used for joint problems such as Osteoarthritis and general stiffness.

Has anyone else here has tried thermal spa treatments for joint pain or stiffness?

If you are curious and would like to hear more about my experience or how these treatments work, I’d be happy to share more details personally.

Arthritic hip pain is usually in the groin I believe? Please be careful with ibuprofen if you take the tablets; they can cause stomach ulcers.And while 8 paracetamol a day is within the safety limits to send you away virtually telling you to take that dose first the rest of your life is irresponsible. I must admit that my knee pain improved last week when I was taking a lot of things for my cold and I wondered if it was the paracetamol in the Boots cold and fly medication that was helping. I do several exercises to help my hands and they do work. Of all the gels my favourite is Voltarol.

My GP was going to refer me until she discovered the specialist physiotherapist. I was told that a referral to orthopaedics might well result in surgery to my hands. I was alarmed as I hadn't imagined that but it seems that things have moved on and actually they can do minor surgical work to correct joints that are or have become deformed, they can even replace thumb joints. I don't want that at the moment but I was surprised.

I have tried various supplements, turmeric didn't do much, CBD oil was definitely helpful. I am trying glucosamine and chondroitin with omega 3s. I do find that avoiding sugar in all its forms helps and notice that if I eat a sweet dessert or piece of cake, I often feel an immediate pain in my joints. Dammit!

CrazyH, I was not aware that osteoporosis came with age!
However, taking HRT help prevent it developing.

CrazyH is right - because it's degenerative, osteoarthritis is difficult to treat other than the normal painkiller/anti-inflammatory route.

I have it all over and quite honestly, I don't find Naproxen has much more affect than paracetamol. I sometimes use Voltarol gel but I've not really found anything that gives any long lasting relief from the pain.

I've spent a fortune on supplements and goodness knows what else that claim to ease the pain but they never do - well, not for me anyway.

Sorry

I don’t think much can be done for osteoarthritis…..it comes with old age.. Having said that, it was rather remiss of the GP not to give you a physical examination .
I take ibuprofen when my joints ache. I find Voltarol tablets are fantastic but I think they have discontinued them.
Good luck !

Mazgg I think it was presumptuous/careless of your GP to decide the source of your lower back pain based on the appearance of your arthritic fingers.

She should have taken the time to examine you and ask about your symptoms before jumping to conclusions.

Do be careful what anti inflams you take if you have a heart condition Physios can also help point you in the right direction

I have had a similar response from my GP though I have been referred to a hand specialist physiotherapist. I don’t like paracetamol, I don't think they work for me though a GP once said to me 'that's because you don't take enough'!

I feel there is much less care available now, the response from the GP, after a 6 week wait, is quite cursory. I requested Naproxen and was given a course but was told otherwise to take ibuprofen. I just heard on the radio, that there is a shortage of aspirin which I find helpful. I think different bodies react differently to different painkillers. I also find small dabs of voltarol good.
I go to a very good yoga class and that helps me a lot.