Just me

[Freddie4eva]

I am a 71 Yr old Mam, grandma and great grandma, I live in Hull with my husband of 54 yrs!!! And our lovely yorkie, PoppyWe are retired, have had a relatively "normal" life.

Unfortunately, life is catching us up healthwise. Hubby has arthritis (awaiting hip replacements)

And I have both types of arthritis, and breaking my leg in Jan has really set me back. And it's given me another horrible affiction. It's called CRPS. another of people have never heard of it...( Google it) too long to explain. I am young at heart and a half full kind of person. So we shall overcome. Sing along.

Sounds like I am on a dating site, doesn't it. I'm not. I'm looking forward to hearing others comments

[Freddie4eva]

BTW. I have been prescribed AA. Feel doubtful about taking it, reading all the side effects people on here are talking about. Do I try it or take my chances on not falling and breaking any more bones???

[Fruitandnutcase]

Welcome to the group Freddie4eva, like you I have inflammatory arthritis with a bit of osteo thrown in and I know exactly what CRPS is - I developed it after I broke both bones in my wrist in January 2020 - I was 72.

It was a bit of a nightmare because covid was just kicking off and it was very difficult to get anything done. Eventually the osteoporosis physiotherapist phoned to see how I was getting on - I should have gone to her classes but of course all that sort of thing was cancelled - I told her my wrist was fine but that my hand was totally trashed. It felt as if someone had cut my hand off and substituted a giants hand.

I knew that I needed physio to sort it out but my GP said there was absolutely no way of having that and prescribed Lyrica which for me was awful and didn’t help. I had started on AA and calcium and vitamin D and I felt absolutely dreadful. The calcium I was prescribed (calcium carbonate) really upset my gut. I don’t know whether the Lyrica and the AA fought with each other but one way or another I had an awful lot of side effects.

Long story but I stopped the Lyrica and their calcium with my doctor’s blessing and after four months I decided to take the risk and stopped the AA - with no one’s blessing! Anyway I felt better - back to normal. I suppose taking your chances depends on what your T scores are and how much of a risk you are prepared to take as well as how you feel taking AA. nice.org.uk/guidance/ta464/...

If you have gut problems you could ask for infusions - that avoids gut problems.

The osteoporosis physio got me started on de-sensitisation exercises and arranged for a video call with a hand specialist who gave me more exercises and eventually things got better - for some reason though as I was finishing off with the hand physio I developed a very painful shoulder and ended up paying privately for more physio. I also found this article which is really interesting rsds.org/wp-content/uploads...

I’m pleased to say my body has now gone back to normal for me.

[Freddie4eva in reply to Fruitandnutcase]

Thanks for replying. My CRPS is just about under control, I am on gabapentin, which I know is working. Because my leg lets me know if I miss or am late for my meds. I get the burning and swelling and the pain. My orthopaedic surgeon, who saw me every 2 weeks in fracture clinic. Didn't know why I had so much pain and swelling, as my x ray showed the bones were healing well. He kept telling me to keep my leg elevated and ice it. One of his team saw me one week, and knew what it was immediately! He put me on the gabapentin, after 2 days it felt easier. I know my leg will never be as good as it was. But if I can keep going without too much pain. That will do. I feel OK so I don't think I will add to my meds. I am walking and driving again, I go swimming. At my age that will do.

[GMOI]

thank you ladies, I am 72 yrs old as well. You both shared how you are managing your diagnosis, albeit contrasting each others plan. I use a transdermal Hemp CBD salve, 2 soaks in an Epsom salt bath a day with a lathering of beneficial oils and essential oils for pain and inflammation. A heating pad that goes off on a timer for cold weather sleeps and do all my own house and garden chores taking a 20 minute lay down when needed to finish the day. Early to bed, a daily routine that includes a support group M-F and weekends are free for family and friends. Love your life! Moira

[Fruitandnutcase in reply to GMOI]

Hello Moira, I’ve often wondered about CBD salves. Like you I love my magnesium flake baths along with lavender and various different oils because I like how they smell. I used to buy Better You bags of magnesium flakes but now I just buy it by the bucketload from Amazon. I also use a BetterYou magnesium spray - the one for muscular aches and pains.

I’m like you I am a fairly early bedder, I find I sleep better that way. What I bought shortly after I broke my wrist is a PEMF mat and I have found that helps enormously with any pain - there are some contraindications but fortunately none of them apply to me. I’ve got a heated shoulder cape sort of thing my husband got me when my shoulder was a problem but my mattress is a Tempur one and I don’t think I could use an electric heating pad on that. I stick with good old hot water bottles for bed.

I know what you mean when you say you do the housework and gardening with a 20 minute lie down when you need to. Sometimes I come in and lie on the floor with my knees bent for a rest. Keeping moving is the way to go (for me) at any rate and our mantra in my Pilates class is ‘use it ir lose it’. Have a great day 😊

[Pte82]

I have arthritis in my hand and even touching the joint was painful. I found 12mg of boron a day eliminated the joint pain. Boron is also a bone builder. Consult a licensed dietition/nutritionist for a possible deficiency contributing to your CRPS like B vitamins and magnesium.