Osteoarthritis update

[Goodwin69]

Hi everyone, i was diagnosed with OA a few weeks ago and just trying to regulate the pain with painkillers. I spoke to my GP this morning on telefone to discuss the rheumatologist results , and the way forward which is physio and pain relief, now i get all that but im quite disappointed in his attitude he kept refererring it to wear and tear and that he would give me a sick line for another 2 weeks and then that should be it.... i mean ive had to stop my cleaning business as its too hard just now and not sure if I'll return , honestly walking is like im standing on broken glass , even sitting / standing im in pain . I applied for PIP in July pretty sure i wont get it , if i cant even get my GP to give me a sick line , i mean what you ment to do , my life has changed dramatically since April , i haven't worked for 10 weeks , i have went from making good money at my work to £70 ESA a week , ive made loads of life changes exercise, diet to help myself but this wear n tear label he uses makes you feel terrible ...anyway sorry for the rant i just wondered if anyone with OA has experienced similar things ? Xxx

[Hidden]

You're right to be angry. You are not being helped by your GP's attitude. I was also told a couple of months ago that my knee and hand problems are OA. I've seen someone in rheumatology and an orthopaedic surgeon. The problem is that until your joints are so bad that surgery is justified, they have nothing but pain-killers and physio to offer you. I was told by a young doctor that if walking was difficult, I could use a stick! Thanks very much, I look forward to that and I'd never have thought of it myself!

I share your frustration. I steer clear of painkillers whenever possible. I have always been very active. I desperately want there to be some other answer to this, but there isn't. Keeping weight down and doing the exercises the physio gives you are the main things you can do.

About your GP saying after two weeks that should be it, I don't see how it's possible to predict that. OA doesn't go into reverse. Maybe he was trying to be encouraging, but it's hard to see a basis for it in the circumstances. Could you write to the GP and explain, as you have done so well in your post here, firstly that the pain is so bad and maybe you need stronger painkillers for a while, then also about your worries over work and benefits. A GP should look at all aspects of your illness and how it affects your life. As a last resort, are you able to see different GPs at your practice?

I hope you get some better answers from the medics soon. xx

[Goodwin69 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Bacharia, thankyou for replying, yea just got a bit frustrated there especially when I’ve been taking pain relief since April but all of a sudden 2weeks and I’ll be fine 🤪. Yea after my sick line runs out I’ll pop a letter into him as I’m better saying things on paper, and I’m sure I will be able to do another job in the not to distant future 🤞x

[Hidden in reply to Goodwin69]

Yes another GP sometimes helps whilst you wait re RA diagnosis I got fobbed off a lot and though I worked it nearly finished me off pre RA, my OA did, as no drugs were working to help the pain.

[Goodwin69 in reply to Hidden]

Thankyou Deeb2908, I also asked him if you get flares with OA as I’m sure that’s what I had earlier in year but he couldn’t answer x

[oldtimer]

Oh NO! That's all you need on top of everything else is someone who says without any empathy - "well, everyone gets that as they get older" type of response as if it isn't affecting every corner of your life! One GP did that to me (Yes I am "older"!) and I'm afraid he will never be the same again. I think the whole waiting room heard judging by the gaze aversion when I came out. I have seen him since (after a bit of a gap) and he was very tentative and humble...asking what I thought might be the best way forward.

If you are not up for exploding, try another doctor!

[Goodwin69 in reply to oldtimer]

Thankyou for replying....well done you 😂

[charisma]

The fact you have ESA should help you get PIP.

OA can be very disabling and painful even though it is far slower, usually, to cause need for joint replacements. I hope your GP can see the need for ongoing sick notes (fit notes these days) in order to keep ESA. Not necessary for PIP.

No matter a person’s income, they can apply for PIP if they need support to lead any kind of normal life.

Letters from doctors/specialist are good evidence. Best of luck.

[Goodwin69]

Thankyou x