arthritis: Hi everyone I have not posted on here... - Thyroid UK

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arthritis

Trina profile image
17 Replies

Hi everyone

I have not posted on here for a long time however things have been going on that requires a little bit of help and support.

Firstly I am type 2 Diabetic but that is by the by I was referred to the Orthopaedic clinic in 2013 with arthritis in the left knee at that time I was given physiotherapy which only exascipated the pain however this was defined as surgery was not essential, plus I was having gall Bladder problems and evntually this was removed in July 2014.

Since then the arthritis has continued to get worse and I was referred back to the hospital in 209 where xrays were taken and it was decided knee replacements were required due to deteioration, the consultant placed me on the waiting list since then I have no less than 6 pre-op assessments and a downright refusal to operate because the consultant stated I had Bilateral Lymphodeema.

I have attended the lymphdeema clinic and was advised this is not Lymphodeema as I would not be able to walk because the condition is extremely painful which proved that it was an excuse not to operate the arthritis is getting worse daily I am taking 120mg pain killers per day and using Ibuprofen 5%gel 3x per day.

I have a 2nd opinion on 08/04/24 for the knee replacement of the left leg and due to the joint protruding I hope this will be in my favour

As I am Diabetic another excuse used about poor diabetes control which was a total fabrication as my blood sugars were the best they could be at 7.01 for an under active thyroid person I was told by my endo that aslong as my blood sugars were 8.00 and below there should not be a problem so what would like to know is there any connection to the problems with Hypothyroidism to everything I have posted about

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Trina profile image
Trina
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17 Replies
greygoose profile image
greygoose

If it's not Lymphodeema did they say what it was? Being hypo can cause swollen legs, but I don't know what it would be called.

Dryski profile image
Dryski in reply to greygoose

Myexedema I think is what they might have meant.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Dryski

Yes, that's right! Just couldn't think of the word. :) Thank you.

Trina profile image
Trina in reply to greygoose

yes It is swollen legs which I have had since the birth of my daughter in 1981 it is connected to pregnancy in women that never rights itself, also my blood gets very hot which has always been the same from very young, however it does not cause me pain.

When I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism at six weeks old I was in Great Ormond Street hospital being treated for measles as you can imagine I was very ill and it was touch and go as I was told by my late mum and dad.

My late mum was told I would be retarded never able to crawl, walk, talk, feed myself or attend mainstream school. which I have proved these doctors very wrong as I passed all my o'level exams at comprehensive school , I was also a competetive swimmer for the school and the city I live in.

Who would have meant Myexedema as I was not given a name for the problemat the lymphodeema clinic on 21/03/24 it was the consultant at the hospital who was adamant that I had Bilateral Lymphodeema although he did not offer to confirm this plus he never offered me painkillers for the arthritis.

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Trina

Pretibial myxedema is swelling of the legs when hypo. But doctors are so vague about symptoms, I'm not surprised he insisted it was lymphodema. Doubt he knows the difference.

Trina profile image
Trina in reply to greygoose

I am sure if thats what the condition is they would have told however like I have said previously that I believe thearthritis is the main cause of the problem and it will not improve until I get a knee replacement thats why I have requested a 2nd opinion which is 08/04/24 at the Orthorpaedic clinic with a different consultant the Lymphodeema clinic are also going to advise the consultant as well as my GP as they have stated I would not be able to walk without being in excruciating pain in my legs if the case was bilateral Lymphodeema, the pain is in the knee joints and they are protruding

greygoose profile image
greygoose in reply to Trina

OK, but you asked if between hypo and your problems. Just saying that there is a connection with swollen legs. If you don't agree, fine. :)

CallMeSunny profile image
CallMeSunny in reply to Trina

Try looking on the Rheumatoid Arthritis: many members there have lymphoedema and because of arthritis causing major issues, require knee replacements. Good luck going forward

janeroar profile image
janeroar

Hi Trina

Have you tried a gluten free paleo tyoe diet? Its good for autoimmune diseases such as thyroid and also diabetes

Hectorsmum2 profile image
Hectorsmum2

Hi Trina. I also have arthritic knees and I have found they flare when my thryoid hormones are not optimal. it might be worth you posting your latest blood results. I have prebital mixodeoma on both legs and my GP wont even reffer me for surgery is spite of alarming x rays I need to lose weight first. The way the NHS is at the moment not sure I would trust an operation from them anyway. I have however found the injections of steriods really helpful.

Trina profile image
Trina in reply to Hectorsmum2

my last test result was 1.2 which is classed as stable, however the nurse at the clinic on 21/03/24 feels that this has more to do with the arthritis as I am in excruciating pain and the joint is protruding, as you have read my post you will see that I have always tried to be active but this is causing me a great deal of distress . If I go out shopping after 15 minutes I am in absolute agony with the pain in my knees

Hectorsmum2 profile image
Hectorsmum2 in reply to Trina

I was in loads of pain a couple of years ago, couldnt even swimming anymore but the injections made a huge difference. I am now walking in the park again and swimming like a fish. There is a help line at verses arthritus.

Trina profile image
Trina in reply to Hectorsmum2

Hi

I have never been offered steroid injections so I cannot say whether they would work or not however like I have said in my post this has been stopping my activity, we cannot even go on holiday as I cannot walk very far due to the arthritis, In 2011 I weighed 26 stone now I weigh 15st 9lbs yes I have still got to lose more weight but it is not impossible.

I cut down on the quantity of food I put on my plate ate more salads and cut out snacks I very rarely drink alcohol so if we do go out it is a treat and I am always careful about the quantity I drink so that my blood sugars are kept in check I drink a lot of water so I do not dehydrate

As they have not stated the diagnosis as Myxodema I can not be sure this is the case as I have had the fluid in my legs from when I was pregnant with my eldest child who is 42 years old now so if this is anything to go by it should have been picked up at the time of pregnancy.

My Thyroid conditional is congenital and I inherited it from my maternal side of the family where it was in my late mums paternal side this was very complicated as mum was estranged from her father until 1980's and was unaware of the condition in her family as my father always blamed himself because it was very rife in Africa where he was serving in the army at the time I was conceived when he was on leave.

Hectorsmum2 profile image
Hectorsmum2 in reply to Trina

You should have been offerred injections if they wont operate. They dont always work but are amazing when they do. I could hardly walk a couple of years ago, every step was painful. Well done for losing all that weight. I was 29 stone now down to 22 with a long way to go. I have like you cut down on portions and I avoid refined sugar. I am also fasting for Ramadan now.

Buxon profile image
Buxon in reply to Trina

First of all, congratulations on your weight reduction. I have resigned myself to the fact my weight will never be as I wished, me being being panhypopituitarism.Steroid injection really works. For 5 months I had no pain in my right hip after having the injection; It was bliss. The flare up has returned - greater trochanteric pain syndrome plus arthritis in the right hip. I am having physiotherapy instead also for arthritic knees, lumbar spondylosis and plantar faciitis in both heels. And most recently I am experiencing electric shocks down right hand and right leg. There hasn't been one day when I am pain free. Best wishes.

Batty1 profile image
Batty1

What has been your recent thyroid labs?

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK5...

Trina profile image
Trina in reply to Batty1

I am due to have a blood test very soon so I will post the results when I get them however my last was 1.2 TSH

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