So fed up

[AngelicUpstart]

Hi, I've got osteoarthritis and it's getting to the point where the can't enjoy everyday things. I can't walk far without both hips burning. My ankles aching. Can't pick things up without dropping them. Back aches, neck aches, knee pain and now I can't use my right arm as my shoulder joint is extremely painful.

I've tried cod liver oil along with other supplements which the name of them escapes me at the mo, yes I'm also losing my memory.

Doctors haven't been helpful, just offering painkillers.

In two years I've gone from very active to totally inactive, gained weight, nearly 2 stone and seriously lost my passion for life.

In addition to above I'm post menopausal with definite brain deterioration, can't think, focus for more than 30 seconds. And also have hypothyroidism with extreme fatigue, exhaustion.

Can't, don't, have the energy to talk to anyone, even talking exhausts me.

Please help.

[RCHD]

you can powerfully change arthritic symptoms with diet. I have severe oA due to my dysplasia and because i keep such a clean diet i never even use painkillers. Please don’t underestimate the power of food. Fish oil is also super helpful. It’s the best place to start 🙏🏾

[Chris21]

Hi, when you say doctors, are you talking GP or consultant? i would hope a rheumatologist would be helping! Have you had any scans or blood tests taken to see exactly whats going on? seen a physio? all this can help as well as pain killers if needed and also certain foods that can help.

you also have to bear in mind that you are post menopausal and it could be this thats making you feel miserable/unwell, as well as making your OA worse than usual. Theres a lot of help out there now, if not already done, speak to your GP. x

[Happyrosie]

As well as what’s been said.

I’m sure you know that if you are overweight you are putting an additional strain on your joints, which gives extra pain, but that if you don’t exercise your muscles then these muscles cannot support your joints properly.

So along with careful eating which should include plenty of veggies, you do need to exercise. By which I don’t mean running. Seated exercises to start with then build up.

A very good website is Versus Arthritis, which is what my consultant referred me to, also Arthritis Action.

[Ludo1010]

I have arthritis in my spine which is exacerbated by a narrow spinal column and in both knees. I have found that water aerobics works wonders and I go 5 times a week. I just had a steroid injection into one of my knees which seems to working so far and I can walk again. I am two years in to get to this point and I feel better than I have in ages.

My local pool has a special pool which is very heated to help people with stiff joints. The class is called aquarom.

Hope this helps

[Sugaree]

hi,just read your post. You sound like me. I have arthritis in my spine, neck, knees hands,etc. My doctor also has me on painkillers, nothing too strong so pain is constant. I am also post menopausal and have gained weight over the last few years due to lack of exercise. The arthritis has caused multiple pinched nerves in neck and spine. I have been to arthritis specialist once, so I know a bit about pinched nerves, she was a great doctor. But she moved out of my area. It is nearly 6 am here, sleeping well is impossible. I have to sleep in on one side due to my flare up of nerve compression which has been going on for three weeks. I understand your frustration, it has changed my lifestyle. I can barely walk long enough to consider it exercise. My insurance wouldn’t cover mri, it’s not necessary unless I consider spinal injections. The treatments sound awfully painful and not necessarily effective .

Sorry to go on about myself, I just want you to know that I understand and hope to hear you are having a better day today.