Hello everyone new to Arthritis group but was with C25K for years.

[Oldgirl]

I'm new to this group but not new to HealthUnlocked, but the passed 8 months has seen me going from being able to run 10K to on some days hardly being able to walk 2K so here I am in Arthritis Group.

Over the years my fingers and knees have been painful during winter months but this last winter was the worse one by far.

X-rays have shown arthritis in both knees and I now wear a splint to help stabilise the right knee when walking and doing gentle exercises. My biggest added problem is weight gain, After being extremely active all my life I now find I am unable to put any oomph into my exercise so few calories are burnt off these days.

I am battling a flare up in my left hand just now which is like permanent toothache through thumb and fore finger, sometimes the middle finger joins in too. 😬

I decided to join this group to see if there are any tips on remedies to ease the pain, knowing that there is no magical cures for this painful condition.

So hello to you all I hope your pain is manageable as I know it sometimes can be less bothersome. I sure this group is as supportive of its members as C25K was and still is.

I look forward to getting to know you as I'm sure I will.

[Jenharri]

I'm going through a bad flare at the moment. I have a mixture of both OA & Psoriatic arthritis strangly my left hand is giving me awful pain knees too. My eyes have come out in sympathy with conjunctivitis/Bletharitis this tend to happen when the psoriatic arthritis plays up. They are both painful & sore at the moment.

So sorry you have had to give up running, that's how I felt when I rode my bike for pleasure, at least that kept the strain of the joints - no more bike! My legs have suffered too doesn't take long to lose the firmness🤕

I now use crutches/walking cane & mobility scooter.

Waiting for some relief ATM not sure the weather isn't helping. Lots of humidity!

Hope your flare doesn't last long sending you my best wishes. I'm sure you'll find other peeps on here with same probs and have plenty of empathy

Jen X

[Oldgirl in reply to Jenharri]

Thank you Jen, I sorry to hear that arthritis has reduced you to mobility scooter use but I'm sure you are happy to use it to remain mobile as long as you can.

Take care and thank you.

[Jenharri in reply to Oldgirl]

Thank you - yes needs must 😉

[Nottobad]

Hi I am new to this group too. I was dx with OA in 2012. And last May I was dx with psoriatic arthritis. I have it in all my joints. My hands are the worst and at the moment my feet and ankles are very swollen. I just started a pulmonary rehab course on Monday because I have COPD too. X

[Oldgirl in reply to Nottobad]

Thank you for your reply Nottobad I do hope things settle down for you soon.

My hand flare up is new to me although during winter have had aches and pains for about 4 years. However this more recent flare up makes me think the arthritis is progressing as this is not just aches and pains but pain through joints like toothache. I'm guessing it's letting me know what to come. Feldene Gel prescribed by my doctor has had little effect on either reducing swelling and/or pain but happy to continue using it for a while longer.

I confess to not having even heard of psoriatic arthritis until I posted on here, it's just so cruel how our bodies let us down sometimes. I fear I'm rather frustrated with my body just now after treating it with respect doing exercise and good diet most of my life.

I hope things settle down soon for you and your pain is reduced to a more manageable level for you to enjoy being a little more active again before the winter months are upon us.

[Nottobad in reply to Oldgirl]

Hi oldgirl yes I had never heard of psoriatic arthritis. Before dx. I have been put on sulfasalazine and lefulamide. But I am more scared of the medication than the arthritis. It's not nice what life throws at you. But all we can do is do the best we can. I do try to go for a walk every day. I hope things settle down for you too. Xx

[arthritis_action Partner]

Welcome to our group to all new Members. We hope you find a helpful community of support here. If something is not covered, feel free to let us know or have a look at our website for information on upcoming events such as our Groups and Self-Management courses: arthritisaction.org.uk

All the best,

Despina

Communications Officer @ Arthritis Action