Osteoarthritis

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.

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

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.

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 !

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

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

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!

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.

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 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.

^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.

Sorry - Mazgg!

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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..

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

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

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.
🤷‍♀️

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!

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