Problems with mobility

[vondel12]

Hi, I have had back problems on and off for many years but not continuously like now. I have osteoarthritis in many places and had a TKR but my back and foot are the worse, then, what was my good foot went the same way and it's now really so painful walking, standing still, getting up from sitting or in the morning after tossing and turning after being woken up with the pain and having to change positions on and off all night. I went to the doctor and ask for some help and to see a Podiatrist on the NHS to hopefully get some custom inserts for my shoes. He told me to get some arch supports (which I told him I already had) he also told me to keep moving and take my co-codamol (which make me dizzy and sick) I'm opiate intolerant. He also told me I had to be over 75 years old to get free NHS Podiatrist treatment on the NHS through Age Concern. This does not seem correct from what I've read on the internet. He then told me it will get worse every year and I must learn to cope with it. Some days I can barely walk from room to room and I feel so very tired with it all. Has anyone any knowledge or ideas as to what my next step should be I cannot afford to go private or I would. It's no good just paying for a first appointment if I cannot afford to follow up

thank you for listening

[Sunseaandsand]

Hi Vondel,

Sorry to hear of your pain and the reluctance of your doctor to help you.

Opiates would not be given anyway, they are only usually given for acute pain not chronic pain.

To see a podiatrist on the NHS you need a form from your surgery, doctors no longer refer you it has all been done by self referral now.

You could also go ack to your doctor and ask to be referred to orthapedics who then could send you to orthotics.

If your sleep is being disturbed this will make you very tired, is it possible to ask for something from your doctor to help you get a good nights sleep.

It seems very likely that your bak pain has got worse due to the problems with your feet.

If you are having trouble walking this will put an enormous strain on yor back.

Do you have a walking aid t help you,if not I would strongly suggest you get one or evn 2 sticks as this will take your weight when standing an rising from a sitting position.

Really hope you feel better soon.

[vondel12 in reply to Sunseaandsand]

Thank you for your response I will see if my surgery has these forms and if not as you say try and get referred to orthotics. The doctor didn't even look at my feet and because I've had an x -rays about 6 years ago on my back just referred to that. Again thank you for your reply as I was feeling as though I was of no importance (ready for the scrap heap) My husband who helped me to the surgery was disgusted but as it's our nearest surgery it's hard to say anything without causing problems

[Sunseaandsand in reply to vondel12]

Your doctor does not seem to be very supportive.

Is there another surgery near to you that you can change to.

You do not appear to be getting the help you need.

I know it isn't always easy to speak out but sometimes to get the results we need we have to make ourselves heard.

It can be very frustrating and it does get you down.

I was told years ago by a nurse that those that shout loudest get seen quickest, should not be like that though.

Take care and I hope you get seen quickly.

[vondel12 in reply to Sunseaandsand]

Thank you for your kind words it's only since I moved to this area some 5 years ago in my old area I had no problems and was under the hospital there too. I feel somewhat better having had your kind words.

[Stobban in reply to Sunseaandsand]

Afraid I disagree in that opioids are only given for acute pain; as many a person fighting against severe painful arthritis which is long term, do gladly take strong medication and are thankful for it. Other so called 'helpful' advice as, green tea, salads, health pills and other concoctions are all pie in the sky, with the exception of gentle exercise.

[Sunseaandsand in reply to Stobban]

Hi once more, much seems to effect the drugs that are given to us.

Opioids are not the preferred medication by prescribers for long term use because of the many other problems and side effects that come with them.

There are so many different opinions between Doctors, Consultants, Nurse, also the area we live in the UK.

There is also the importance of other health issues each person has.

In my own experience I was given Oxycodone last January 2019.

This was when I had my 4th spinal fracture due to Osteoporosis I also have Osteoarthritis in the spine, stenosis, bulging discs to name a few.

Unfortunately I know what both excrutiating and Chronic pain is like.

I was attending a pain managment clinic for 2 years and it was a pain consultant who put me on the Oxycodone, I became tolerant to the dose I was on and it was no longer controlling my pain it was also adding to some other existing health problems.

I was weaned off, it as only weighing 6 stone could not have the dose increased.

I was weaned off it extremely slowly and even then it was not a pleasant experience.

I do not know which opiate medication you take but Oxycodone is from what I have been told the strongest form. I was also told that with continued longterm use Opioids would cause other medical problems.

The pain managment team and Consultant I was seeing were fantastic, the support and advice were what brought me through Three of my spinal fractures and the Disability that came with them.

The reference you make to helpful advice I do agree with.

As for gentle excersise this is something that I am no longer able to take part in.

I hope you continue to have the good combination of meds you have found to work for you ( as mentioned on a different post to another of my replies ) without ill effects.

Take care and keep safe in these difficult times.