Osteoarthritis

I am pleased I am 82 and not 28.

We are not shuffling off this mortal coil quickly enough, and not in large enough numbers to make a difference.

Another trick is knowing one needs surgery, one is shuffled to yet another 6-monthly appointment to waste time.

I am still really concerned that lower back pain was dismissed as osteoarthritis without even an examination. Lower back pain can be a symptom of many things. The GP is not doing her job

I agree. I am wrong. I’m thinking back to when my niece was working with special needs children but I can’t remember the details.

Aveline

No. You are not correct in Romania being ahead of us in treatment if Autism.

I’m going back a long time. Decades in fact.

No. You are not correct in Romania being ahead of us in treatment if Autism.

Am I right in thinking that Romania was way ahead of the UK when it came to treatment for autism too? We tend to think our NHS is the best. And Australia is very good for sports injuries. And there’s one country, ScandinavianI think, that actually prescribes holidays for some problems.

Hi MayBee70,

Yes, in Europe these treatments are more common. I’m from Romania, and retired people with mobility issues can access them at reduced cost through the National Health Insurance.

What I love about them is that they work on the whole body – improving general wellbeing, sleep, and energy – using therapies and thermal mineral water, without relying on medication.

I saw a GP for painful hands, referred to physio, who took one look and said I cannot give you any exercises, they would be too painful for you. Knowing what the waits were like I asked for a private referral to a specialist hand surgeon. Lovely chap, showed me the x-rays, no cartilage left at all, joints were just bone rubbing on bone. He recommended replacing two PIP (finger) joints, the worst ones, one in forefinger and one in ring finger.

I had those done 16 months ago, and am now virtually pain free in that hand, only pain when something knocks against one of the other fingers. Excellent movement and have got my strength back in that hand.

I am now in trouble in the other hand, at the base of my thumb. On Friday I am going in to have two joint replacements there. Life is now more complicated in that I am a 24/7 carer for my husband, who has had a bleed on the brain, and therefore am having to employ a live in carer to look after him as I won't be able to, and in fact will need someone to look after me.

I would say, if you are in a lot of pain, don't hesitate to opt for surgery, it can transform your life, especially if you are having to haul your husband around on a transfer stand!

crazyH

MarieElla - the topic is Osteoarthritis , not Osteoporosis !!

I mentioned requesting a Dexa scan too because the pain could be caused by osteoporosis and Mazgg said
I saw the doctor yesterday because of pain in my lower back. Without examining me she said "I see your fingers are misshapen and you have osteoarthritis in your hands. It will be in your hips too

The GP made a cursory examination and sent her away with a suggestion of paracetamol and ibuprofen gel.

Really, this needs further investigation.

MarieElla - the topic is Osteoarthritis , not Osteoporosis !!

I’m afraid that our initial consultation will always be with a GP and in general they know nothing about joint problems.

Sorry several typos! Fingers bit stiff and swollen tonight and using phone, hope my post makes some sense!

I’m 67 and have widespread osteoarthritis, diagnosed by examination and X rays to knees and hips, I’ve also made a back MRI.

Nothing I take for pain does anything other than fill the sensation.

I have tried practically everything including morphine patched best thing ever, but were “removed” after a visit to both the pain clinic and rheumatologist
due to their fears of “addiction” I had them for almost a year, they were the best thing.

Since then I take neurofin at night and simply struggle through the day as the prescription pain killers I’ve tried all gave me chronic constipation.

I did try clinical cannabis oil, from a private clinic (they did notify and lease with my GP)

I tried this for around 8 months, I slept better, but had weird lucid dreams and horrible after taste from the oil.

I’ve tried physio, massage, chiropractor, walking, hot water therapy and now just try hard to keep moving regularly to stop getting too stiff and exercises the physio gave me and moan a lot!

It’s sooooo painful, I cannot walk far nor stand or sit for long and if driving for more than 30 minutes am very “bent” when I first get out of the jar.

Fully empathise with anyone who has this condition!

Will be nearly 5 years from first GP visit to actual surgery, if assessment deems necessary.

That is what adds to the waiting times, all the rigmarole in between seeing a Consultant and 🤞 being put on a list.
I think it's 6½ years now since I saw a GP re knee problem and 5+ years since I was told I was put on the waiting list for a PKR.
In the meantime, I have seen another Consultant with a torn meniscus, and suffered with severe sciatica.
🤷‍♀️

For two years I was treated for a muscle problem in my thigh. 4 months regular physio no help at all. Back to GP as pain wirse abd keg feeling hot and painful during night. Xray done, nothing. More physio, again no help. MRI done, some arthritis in upper spine but no compression to cause pain. Just take paracetamol. Leg worse, knee collapsing back to GP who also referred again to physio plus another x-ray. Result of x-ray severe arthritis in hip. Physio was amazed at how bad it was. Four exercises to help maintain movement whilst awaiting ortho assessment - 34 werks wait tgen if surgery required 14 month waiting list. Will be nearly 5 years from first GP visit to actual surgery, if assessment deems necessary. Absolutely awful state of NHS. Seems there is an we will do the smallest amount for as long as possible rather than address the problem

I was continuouslu told that I had osteoarthritis and I knewvit wasnt! No dr should make that assumption re back pain! Go back; ask for a second opinion etc. Keep asking. I saw four GPs and tge 4th was a young locum who really listened and referred me on. And no it wasntbosteoartgrigis! Please dont let the GP ignore what vlearly needs furtger investigation

Thank you all for your kind and helpful support . I'm going down the route of physiotherapist - which I know I will probably have to pay for - in the hope of getting exercise to strengthen my muscles. I'm not convinced that it is osteoarthritis because of where the pain is and both sides starting simultaneously. I suppose I could go back to G.P. and say that I want an x ray. Who knows, she might go along with it..

As arthritis affects so many of us as we age, GP's aren't too bothered by it. My GP would not send me for an x-ray of my neck and shoulders because I have arthritis in my lower back, both knees and right hand, so she assumed it has now settled in my neck and shoulders. Is she right? Who knows?
I have 2 heart conditions so I cannot take anti-inflammatory medication of any sort, including gels and creams to rub on the skin. Ask your GP if there are Escape Pain clinics at a hospital near you. I have been to these and found them excellent with advice on food, medication and tips to help alleviate pain and also 30-45 minutes of exercises. I recommend them.

I tried all the supplements I could find and also attended physio to try to stave off my various joint replacements. The bottom line is that when the cartilage is gone and you're down to bone on bone there's no alternative.
On the way to this I did find that I tended to have flare ups of pain which would gradually reduce over a few days.

Charleygirl5

I find that "treatment" unbelievable without asking you questions or examining you.

Is the pain mainly at the base of your spine? Usually, but not always, that is untreatable. If you have pain radiating down one or both legs that is usually treatable either conservatively or with surgery, depending on the cause.

Can you refer yourself to a physio? I think that may be your plan of action.

You can go to a physio privately. Six years ago my DH had terrible pain in his shoulder, he couldn’t raise his arm far and it was preventing him from sleeping. He went to the GP and she said it was probably arthritis and recommended pain killers, I persuaded him to go to a physiotherapist who has treated our son which he did. The physio was brilliant, she diagnosed a frozen shoulder (there is a fancy name which escapes me), wrote to the GP recommending a cortisone injection, she gave him some exercises and he had one follow up visit. Soon after he had an x Ray followed by the cortisone injection and the pain was gone almost immediately, he now has slight pain in that shoulder so it may be returning, it it gets worse he will go to the physio again. The cost was £30 a session six years ago but it was worth every penny.

Any chance you could push for an Xray? See what degree your hip arthritis is? They won't add you to any replacement list until it Severe,.
I have had both Hips and a knee replacements, starred in my early 50's and had my first Hip replaced at 60. Tried everything to reduce the pain, nothing really works but the more you take your stomach needs protecting with Omeprazol or something like that.
What does helps is exercise to the muscles around that joint. Sounds counter intuitive but it helps.
Good luck

I find that "treatment" unbelievable without asking you questions or examining you.

Is the pain mainly at the base of your spine? Usually, but not always, that is untreatable. If you have pain radiating down one or both legs that is usually treatable either conservatively or with surgery, depending on the cause.

Can you refer yourself to a physio? I think that may be your plan of action.

VP64

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.

I find saunas help me but stopped going to my local one for fear of catching covid. I have a sauna bag that I plug myself into though. I also use a tens machine on my knee. I think we’re way behind other countries when it comes to alternative treatments for arthritis.

Sorry - Mazgg!

^Rub in ibuprofen gel and take 2 paracetamol 4 times a day^"

Seems to be the standard answer for anything now, Mazzg.
I've just been advised the same for acute sciatica.

I was not allowed a prescription for Naproxen, even although I know it works, and advised not to take ibuprofen orally.

Voltarol gel is better than ibuprofen gel imo but it is expensive.

It sounds as if you need a referral to a consultant rheumatologist but first an X Ray and/or a Dexa scan.