Just been told I have osteoarthritis

[Clairemumov5]

I'm just wanting to know if anyone has this with their pbc I only found out in September iv got pbc I was sent from a bone scan n got my results yesterday so now I know why I get pain in my hips, back and knees I'm only 32 and finding all this a lot to take in I'd like to hear from anyone who has the same problems x

[mumofthree]

Hi Clairemumov5,

I was diagnosed with osteoporosis and osteoarthritis about a year before my PBC was diagnosed. I suffer with pain in all my joints but also in the bones and muscles. I was referred to the rheumatologist querying rheumatoid arthritis. I underwent numerous scans, x-rays, blood tests etc. and due to the results of blood tests carried out by the rheumatologist I was referred to a gastroenterologist who diagnosed the PBC in Jan 2011.

I am 53 now but first started experiencing the pains when I was 38 - 10 weeks after having my 3rd child. My GP thought I could possibly have viral arthritis and referred me to a rheumatologist back then, but it took 3 years for the appointment to come through. It was a complete waste of time, in 15 minutes with no tests, x-rays or blood tests he told me I did not have arthritis and could not give me a reason for the pain I was experiencing but just told me to try and loose a bit of weight, I was 11 stone and 5ft 7in so hardly obese, I was only 9 stone when the pains first started. I lost all faith in the medical profession after that and self medicated until August 2009 when I could not cope with the pain anymore and that's when I was referred to the rheumatology department for the 2nd time.

I manage to cope with the pain as best I can by taking pain killers but the pain in my hands, wrists, feet, ankles and knees causes me most problems. I was told I have osteoarthritis in my hands and feet. I have lumps (apparently called nodules) on my fingers which are very painful while they are developing but when the lumps come out the pain seems to ease but they can take weeks/months to come out. My hands get very stiff and my wrists weak. I have given up struggling to open packets and just cut them open with a scissors. I have to open bottles and jars with elastic bands tied around the tops for grip because I don't seem to have a grip these days. I have to use two hands when lifting saucepans. because they just slip from my hands or my wrists give out. My ankles are very weak and my painful. The pain in my feet is excruciating, I have lumps under my feet which makes it feel as if I am walking barefoot on pebbles and they burn so I have great difficulty walking far.

I read on here once about soaking in the bath in Epsom salts to help with pain relief. I can no longer take a bath as I find it is too much of a struggle and too painful to lower myself into the bath and raise myself back out again afterwards so tend to shower, but I have tried soaking my hands, elbows and feet in a bowl of warm water and epsom salts and it does seem to help, mind you the warmth of the water helps too, but anything is worth a try.

I hope you find what's most suitable to allow you to cope with your pain.

[Alley27]

Hi, I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis approx. a year before my diagnosis in 2012. Like many my joints hurt all the time and what drives me mad is the fact that on a morning my feet are so stiff and painful I have to stretch and move them a lot before I dare get out of bed or I can't walk. They are the same if I sit for too long as well.

xx

[1viv1]

Hi there I have not yet been diagnosed with PBC but am expecting to be when I see specialist in 2 weeks, and yes I have just been diagnosed osteoA in knees hips etc. It is one of the symptoms along with urinary infections which I suffer from. cheers V

[Eternallyoptimistic]

Hi everyone I've just seen this post which I realise is from months ago. However it's always worth sharing if you feel it might help. I have osteoarthritis and it was during investigation of my joint problems that they discovered I also have pbc. My rheumatologist prescribed a steroid injection for all over the body, rather than localised, and the first time I had it I felt I'd been given a miracle, not a single pain for 2 months and much reduced pain for 3 further months. After being virtually totally incapacitated before i was reffered to rheumatologist this relief was like heaven. You can't have very many in a year but any periods of pain relief, reduced stiffness and better function are most welcome.

As for my pbc my main debilitating symptom is fatigue. I'm currently taking part in a research study which is testing the drug Rituximab, usually used for rhuematoid arthritis sufferers, to try and help with this. Hopefully the study will have good results and those of us with fatigue as a main symptom will get some relief. (my AMA is very high >640 but I have no liver function impairment yet).

Hope some of you find this helpful.