Once you get Osteoarthritis in Back,neck,hands. Do you go down hill fast?

[Mykoes]

I have osteoarthritis in my lower back and neck and hands. I've been getting epidural shots in my lower back for awhile now. It does help but still I feel like I'm getting more crippled. Is this normal? And it seems like I'm aging faster. I notice it when I look at my picture, last year to this year. Could it be the pain that I've been in and the stress and sadness that pain as caused. Plus I'm hungry for sweets a lot and I used to not like sweets.

[Mykoes]

Its me Danette, How is it that I get know response?

[alnapier Partner in reply to Mykoes]

Hello! A new response will show upas a reply. This is a new and growing community so responses may be a little slow at this time.

Pain/stress can take a toll on your overall health so I am am sorry to hear it is causing you to feel you are aging faster. Hold on to those little victories on your lower pain days! I hope you hear from other community members soon who can speak about their own experience.

[Rachelvc in reply to Mykoes]

Hi Danette I’m new to Osteoporosis too. Well fairly new. My Grandmother and mother both suffered from it so I’m on HRT patches and I’m sure this is slowing the pain etc. You do not say your age but I’m retired now not fit but only get pain in the winter. Noticeably better in the summer. I also take a gastro gentle mini aspirin each day which reduces the inflammation. I’m told X-rays show it to be in my spine but no pain problems there yet.

Getting Old is not for sissies!

[Mykoes in reply to Rachelvc]

Hi Rachelvc.🌸 Hon, what I have is Degenerative Disc Disease and OA Arthritis . So nice hereing from you. To your question, I'm coming up on 60 in September. Anytime you want to talk I will be there. I still haven't got this site figured out yet. But I am learning. Hope all is well with you. Hugs.

[Rachelvc in reply to Mykoes]

That is all any of us can do. Share information and give hope. Knowing there are others with situations is somehow a little helpful. Xx

[Hurting2012 in reply to Mykoes]

i have the same thing, do you have severe pain in your sacroiliac area

[Skylane2 in reply to Rachelvc]

My son is a sleep disorder technologist and tests those persons the doctors sends to his hospital. He says SAD is a big problem for some people, who need the sun, for their bodies to be healthy . It’s SEASONAL AFFECTED DISORDER. They have a type of sun lamp that gives off the rays that make your brain feel at peace, and it warms you. A neurologist can test and prescribe

[kirstenra Administrator in reply to Mykoes]

I would add that OA varies for everyone. Some people may experience a noticeable decline in health with OA, whether due to rapid decline in joint health or due to comorbid conditions that set in (e.g., diabetes, obesity, high blood pressure) while others may feel the joint pain and stiffness but not progress very quickly or may not develop those other conditions.

The best course of action to slow progress is to stay physically active - keep joints moving even if it is uncomfortable or painful. Physical activity is vital to keeping your joints mobile and minimizing pain and stiffness. Maintaining a healthy weight, or losing weight if needed is another key factor. Even small amounts of weight loss will make a big difference in load on knees and hips; it will also help reduce inflammatory factors that can accompany overweight. Also, do what you can to stay engaged in those enjoyable activities with friends, family, even solo. It's easy for me to sit here and say this, but I can't say it strongly enough. Physical activity, managing a healthy weight, and maintaining a good quality of life are what will slow those declines, or at least help you through them.

[Skylane2 in reply to kirstenra]

That is so correct ! I went on a Paleo diet ( Hugh in protein low in carbs) and low and behold my osteoarthritis symptoms nearly cleared up! My joints were more flexible ( lots of coconut and olive oil) and of course no sugar or white flour, which is inflammatory.

[mrtiggs in reply to kirstenra]

Hi Kirstenra, please may I add my observation on arthritic conditions? Older embers of my family were in Japanese prisoner of war prison camps during the war. As the starvation increased, their arthritic conditions in many cases, disappeared.However, I am NOT recommending starvation but believe sensible dieting will make a difference.

[Missminga]

I've been feeling much the same and getting very depressed. I just retired a couple years ago with great plans. I was going to line dance and qigong and getting out with friends and then within the past three months I've gone downhill quickly. Pain all over my body.

[Mykoes in reply to Missminga]

Aww I'm sorry😟 You too. (((( Gentle Hugs ))))💖

[Rachelvc in reply to Missminga]

Thinking of you x

[Skylane2 in reply to Missminga]

Famous hotel in Huntington west Virginia

[Hidden in reply to Missminga]

Hi, I’m sorry but understand it really affects your quality of life I don’t think some professionals understand that especially when you work hard your whole life and have these dreams that you want to fulfil and can’t due to the agonising pain we suffer I’ve decided to grow old disgracefully and I’ve noticed I’m more bad tempered these days kinda puts people off me a bit but at least they social distance me 😊🤪Take care 💐

[Hidden]

Hi Danette, just joined this forum within the last few minutes.😊

I have Severe OA, diagnosed age 47, just about to turn 50.

Mine started with my neck & shoulders, with agonising pains in my head, which felt like someone was flicking all my nerves in my head!

OA is now throughout my body, more severe in my back.

At first when I was diagnosed, I was in absolute shock, upset & very emotional. Then started the meds, trial & error with a fair few of them, allergies to Tramadol.

Now settled with Gabapentin, it's helped me so far. I'm still trying to get used to this condition, but i'm taking the days as they come.

I know we're all different, but I try & keep myself busy & fairly active. I don't go to gyms, i'd rather go for a walk. But I don't over do it, otherwise i'll be paying for it the day after. We need to rest, & we know when we need to rest, & we shouldn't feel guilty about it.

Food wise, I find when i've over done it, walks, gardening etc, savoury food is what I crave for. Never did before. 😄

Anyway, sorry rambling away.

Hope your well as you can be?

Ruth

[Squirrel3 in reply to Hidden]

Hi Ruth, I’ve just been diagnosed with OA and it’s mainly in my right hand, wrist and shoulder. Consultant advised me about pain relief and referral to hand therapy but I didn’t get told much else about this condition. Can you share any knowledge you may have, as I noticed you’d joined a year ago. Thanks

[Hidden in reply to Squirrel3]

I have had oa in my neck for around 14 year and I'd say it's only effected me in about the last 2 years. I used to be into body building/weight training and that's the only thing I have had to give up because of it. I have it in my neck due to an accident.

I also now have it in my feet since about 18 months ago, in one foot I don't even notice it is there and I only notice it occasionally in the other, again I have it in my feet because of an accident.

I have recently taken up running and it is helping a lot, less discomfort etc.

I haven't been to bad with it overall, I think it is different for each person, some people go downhill and some don't.

[Peak in reply to Squirrel3]

Hi all. I started with osteoarthritis in my thumb joints about 30years ago. Since I still worked and was on a computer all the time I had surgery to take the thumb joint out and replace with half tendons in my arms. These surgeries were over a couple of years time. Followed by therapy I was ableb to work for 10 more years. Iam 76 years old no. After retirement 20 years ago I was diagnosed with OA in the back of my hands and wrists. I have had steroid injections numerous times but ultimately just deal with the pain.About 15 years ago I was diagnosed with degenerative disc disease in my spine. I also was told I had scoliosis. I had never known about the scoliosis but with the degenerative disc problem I guess it showed up more. I have had several injections in my spine and several ablations also. Nothing really helps. I take gabapentin for tingling down my right leg. Ialso have OA in my knees. A year and a half I had my right knee replaced In December 31 2019. After therapy and somewhat recovering in September of last year 2020 I ruptured the interior tendon in my right foot. This being the same side as my right knee replacement. I had to be in a cast then walking boot for six months in a wheel chair and not putting any weight on it. Then a brace for 6 months. I have now had therapy on my foot but still have 2 more months before I can start walking without it. The surgeon told me it would take a year to recover. Because ofalln the pain I had to endure I was sent to pain management where I was prescribed pain pills. I am taking arthritis medication, gabapentin and pain pills thru them as well as other medicines from my regular doctor. I will be so glad when in am able to walk again for exercise. I have gained several pounds because of my inability to exercise. I have also not been able to do my chair yoga, hike ,or other exercise. Following last year dealing with the pandemic it has really been hard. Hopefully I can be able to start walking normally in the next few months. One other thing I have started having steroid injections in my other knee. I will put off replacement in it for as long as I possibly can.

I have high hopes that I can get started being somewhat active again. I know that with OA that there is no cure but we need to stay active or we will not be able to move. Thinks for listening to me. I feel for all of you.

[Suegardner]

Hi. I have osteoarthritis in my back, hips hands and shoulder. I have just had two hip replacements which have been life changing but whenever I stop moving I stiffen up again but I look after my weight and make sure I keep walking and moving. I don’t take painkillers now as the side effects were worse than the pain. Bending is a problem that really aggravates but I use grabbers but otherwise I find I can walk through the pain to ease the stiffness

[sdds]

Hi, I don't remember how long I've had OA, over 10yrs I know. I also have degenerative disc disease. I've had 5 back surgeries and 1 neck surgery. The arthritis affects my hands,shoulders, neck,back, hips, knees, and feet. I'm in constant pain. I'm on fentanyl patches, oral painkillers, anti inflammatory drugs, muscle relaxer and I have a neurostimulator implant in my back. Due to all of this and the poor quality of life issues I am also on heavy antidepressants and antianxiety medications. I wish I could say that I no longer remember what life was like before all of this started. But I do. I'm so depressed over the things that I can no longer do or enjoy. I still try to stay as active as I can and stay in touch with friends and family. Sometimes it helps but sometimes the pain and frustration just reminds me more of what I can't do. I do feel that it's been all down hill since this began. Snowball effect. I have lost 30lbs in the last year and my hip and knee pain continues to worsen. I pray that you will not be cursed and suffering from these issues as I am. I do continue to have a strong faith in God and that gets me through. It's better than any meds or anything else I have tried. I encourage you to rely on Him as well. I wish you all the best.

[pepsilover]

It sure seems like it's downhill, I now have the excuse of the pandemic to do even less. I know that is sad, but I am still laughing a lot.

[Blackknight1989]

The recent onset of idiopathic peripheral neuropathy in combination with OA is what has put me on a course of a downward spiral. OA first diagnosed in 1997 with 4 knee scopes between ‘97-‘00. External high Tibial osteotomy in ‘00 that failed so internal HTO with 4 revisions in 2001. Knee replacement 2004, hip replacement 2008 and 2008, ankle fusion 2012 and 2013, knee replacement 2014. Got hooked on opioids after last surgery and once I kicked that issue in 2017, I decided no more surgeries. I lost the feeling in my lower legs and feet in 2020. The neuropathy with the OA issues in my shoulders, elbows, back (both lumbar and cervical), and hands, as well as stage 4 CKD finally caught up with me. I was unable to work, lost my small business and I am now in a wheelchair. Docs want to fix me with bilateral ankle replacements, lumbar disk fusion, cervical disk fusion and bilateral shoulder replacements. However, at 54 and with all afore mentioned issues, I will decline an additional 6 major surgeries that would take about 6 years to complete considering the lengthy recovery time of each surgery. I may have an additional 11-15 years to be around, I sure don’t want to spend half of those getting cut on buy orthopods with itchy surgery fingers.

My point is at the end of 2019/beginning of 2020 I was still going to the gym 5 times a week and playing golf at least twice a week. I cannot do either now and it has only been 10-12 months. So in my case, yes when I hit a certain age my OA finally caught up with me. I’ve had it a long time, 25 years, but it only became debilitating in the last year or so.

[Macblank]

Not always.

Thing is, there is no fixed answer to this question, as each person is different

I went years as a moderate sufferer, and then I had a back spasm 2009, and continue to get worse year by year. I had a good 20+ years before this as mild to quite annoying symptoms.

This is quite common from what little I know.

I have several conditions, some related to OA.

KEEPING AS FIT AS POSSIBLE WHILE YOU CAN OS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT.

I deliberately wrote that in caps, cos it's true.

Keeping as fit and strong as possible now, will help you later when things do decline ... And they will eventually

I'm able to do more than o should be able to. That's purely down to me being strong and fit at the time before I went downhill.

Strangely big actions don't hurt as much as small actions. A simple bending over to load the washing machine can hurt for hours, yet moving the sofa quote quite quickly... Well sometimes it comes back a day or so later, and wipe you out, and you forget what you'd done.

If your diagnosis is new, you could have decades before it claims you fully ... That what it was for me.

So keep doing what you do now, excercise lots, and try to maintain a good muscle definition, especially in your back, legs n arms.