Hands, knees and bumpsy daisy

[MissKota]

Hi all, I hope this wet, windy weather isn’t making life too painful for you.

I have just got a confirmed diagnosis of osteoarthritis in elbows, knees, hands (which were also diagnosed as being combined with diabetic stiff hand syndrome) and my feet.

Hand and feet are almost constantly in pain for which I take gabapentin and I’ve recently started wearing arthritis gloves, although I’ve yet to see any benefit from them but it is early days.

The problems with my feet and ankles are the hardest to manage as I really have no idea what to do to help things and walking can be very painful. Can anyone out there with the same problems make any suggestions please.

[Hidden]

Well I've given up walking, but that's no help at all really.

[MissKota in reply to Hidden]

So sorry to hear that.

[arthritis_action Partner]

Hi MissKota , sorry to hear you're struggling to manage the symptoms in your feet and ankles.

Our website includes information on pain management that may have some useful tips on how to manage the pain you're feeling in your feet and ankles. We also have an online resource page, which gives information about managing the most common symptoms of arthritis including pain and fatigue. these can be found here:

arthritisaction.org.uk/livi...

arthritisaction.org.uk/onli...

Hope these are useful for you. Let us know how you get on!

[MissKota in reply to arthritis_action]

Thank you, they’re very helpful.

[Hidden]

I have OA, i take termeric and black pepper capsules for the pain and they help a lot. You cant use them if you are on blood thinners though.

It might be worth looking into.

I wish you well.

[MissKota]

Thank you, I’ll look into it. I take clopidogrel blood thinner so I’ll check with the pharmacist.

[JRHT]

Really sympathise as I live with very similar symptoms and it can be miserable . Pain in my ankles and feet is almost unbearable today. I use a wheeled walker to help me get about but today even with that a short walk to the local shop has been a struggle. The cold weather makes things worse.

I have, in the past, been prescribed most of usual pain relief meds such as gabapentin, Tramadol etc and they didn’t help at all. Currently I use patches which are renewed every four days then top up with 30/200 co codamol and ibuprofen but only when pain and stiffness is to much. I try just to manage the pain day to day I’m waiting for the warmer weather so at least I can go out into my garden. I used to be a very keen gardener but now content myself with just pottering about . Take care of yourself and hope you get some relief soon,

[MissKota]

Thank you for getting back to me. I’m so sorry to hear you are in so much pain.

I have been managing with one walking stick but today when I was out I noticed that I am staggering an almost tumbled a couple of times so I think I may need to speak with the occupational therapist about possibly using two sticks or a walker.

Be kind to yourself and stay warm.