What TIPS would you give to someone else with Osteoarthritis to help them live their best life?

[nicholasberesic]

To encourage discussion within our group, what TIPS would you give to someone else with Osteoarthritis to help them live their best life? (for example, think about your everyday habits, how you seek entertainment, how your diet may have changed, etc.). Thank you!

[Bcol]

Hi all. I have had OA for around 30 years now and life was really difficult for quite a while. So, my first tip is to recognise, understand and accept that your life will change as there will be some things that you cannot do or sensibly have to avoid. My OA is mainly knees, hands and feet. So that is all I can really comment on. I had a TKR in 1999 and that did change my life again. Relief from pain, ability to exercise and rely on a lot less medication. My TKR is fab although with an anticipated life of 15years my next tip is to treat any replacement with care, yes lead as normal a life as possible, exercise is really important, but don't put undue strain on it or any other joints. I'm not sedentary and walk 2 or 3 times a day with the bowwows. I have made no changes to my diet as I have always eaten and drunk fairly sensibly, well after my rugby playing days anyway. However that is a tip, weight is really important as the heavier you are the more strain there is on your joints, and defacto the more pain/problems you are likely to have. I am about 5ft 8ins and try to keep my weight to around 11stone. For my OA I generally just take 2 Co-Codamols a day . 30/500 which tend to keep things under control. I'm sure there's more I could say, but over the years it has just become part of my way of life so doesn't seem strange. Peter

[Hidden in reply to Bcol]

Thank You, just knowing others have same issues. I was very active at one time so this is painful. Was 5’8, now 5’6. 134# thx again

[deejames]

Keep as active as possible and exercise in some way every day. Healthy diet and healthy weight really help.

[Hidden in reply to deejames]

It hit me along with Lyme disease which was missed initially. Chronic pain is extremely difficult to deal with when it’s spine to hip to knees and in hands. Getting ready to try cbd or Medical marijuana as my Dr suggested. Trying to find advice and give on topics

[Bcol in reply to Hidden]

I can't comment on Lyne disease but chronic pain is really, really debilitating, particularly when it continues over a long period of time. It took myself and my doctor an agonisingly (quite literally) long time to convince the surgeons that I wasn't too young to have the TKR, sometimes it could take me a couple of hours just to get out of bed. My sister described me as being gray with pain. Those were the days of many, many tablets and more than the odd drink. 😭. Back to tip time, if you are on the list for or planning to have a replacement joint then the fitter you can get yourself and the stronger you can get those knee or hip muscles then the quicker you will recover, hopefully, near full mobility. Yes, I do know that is not easy when you are probably struggling with normal life. It does pay off in the end. As with Jannie happy to answer any queries or questions. Peter

[Hidden in reply to Bcol]

Thank You. I feel like Drs have abandoned me. Tired of pain meds. To see another neurosurgeon. Hope is low,

[Hidden in reply to deejames]

Thx for sharing and support

[jannie21]

Hi there all, I too have had OA for a long time, I would say about 40+ years. Life has been very difficult at times in the past due to the pain. I had my first TKR on the left in 2008 and that is still going strong, then last year I had the right one done. I would not say I was running about as I am now nearly 72 (next month) but the pain has all gone. As Bcol says they really have changed my life, I rarely take any pain medication now, even though I have OA in other places, wrist, neck, back etc, but as they are not load bearing they are bearable. I too did not need to change my diet but I will say that I could now do with losing a bit of weight but I am not obese.

I am of the same mind that I have had OA for so long it is difficult to remember the small changes I made all those years ago, they have just become part of my life.

I am happy to answer any queries that I can if anyone has any, please feel free to ask.

Good wishes to you all, Jannie,

[Hidden in reply to jannie21]

Thank you. Knee surgeon did not want to do TKR. I am tired of second opinions. I am not obese. Actually dropping weight, so that is not an issue. They won’t use bihosphonate group as I had gastric ulcer in my 50’s thank you again. Sometimes support for whatever is helpful

[Bcol in reply to Hidden]

What reason have they given you for no TKR or other? surgery? I can fully understand your frustration and annoyance.

[Hidden in reply to Bcol]

Took a quick look at X-rays, gave me cumbersome braces which I cannot put on due to hand/ joint disease. I was supposed to have neurosurgery either Dec 12, or 2019. My mother-in law was dying & did Dec 27. So he asked to wait a month. I went back & he changed his mind and sent me back to pain management. I am frustrated. I don’t think they want to touch knees, until back is fixed. Thank You for sharing and support.

[Bcol in reply to Hidden]

I'm really sorry to hear all that, you are having a rough time. I think you are just going to have to keep nagging and/or try and find a more sympathetic Ortho. It's hard I know but stay positive and there will always be someone on here to listen and help. Peter

[Hidden in reply to Bcol]

Thank You-I am trying to push & seem to be “ not worth it” or in too bad shape for surgery. The neurosurgeon really confused both me and wife. He went from 80% to 30% help in 1 months time-I hope you are well- it is rough thank you again

[Bcol in reply to Hidden]

Is your doctor being supportive, and if so perhaps he/she can help move things on. I'm OK with the OA but have PMR so still on fairly high dose steroids which provide their own "entertainment" Peter

[Hidden in reply to Bcol]

I had steroid injections, back(epidurals x4. I would prefer steroids to pain meds, but one has to be careful. They can cause a host of problems (steroid induced diabetes) and so on as you know. I just think based on my age(70) they are afraid to risk it. I actually told pain management who he sent me back to- I would even try 30%. I still am not sure in 1 month it went from 80% to 30%. I think he only specializes in robotics, yet he did a relative 3 years younger who was diabetic-who knows-to see another neurosurgeon tomorrow. Thank You for sharing and support

[Bcol in reply to Hidden]

Good luck tomorrow.

[Hidden in reply to Bcol]

Thank You for support and encouragement. Gets to a point that you just have to give in. 1 added issue-I broke my wrist and it was missed on x-ray. I saw 2 hand surgeons. Both confirmed the break. One may fix if cleared by a 2nd rheumatologist. So on & on. Drs can be wrong-have to educate self & as you I thank you again for support to keep pushing with respect

[Bcol in reply to Hidden]

Xx

[nicholasberesic Partner]

Thank you everyone for sharing!

[Hidden]

Keep stressing your bones if possible beforehand. Make sure your calcium & vitamin D is normal. I have had almost every injection available.