Calling all Osteoarthritis suffers or medics who know about it?

[mousettes]

Hi everyone, apologies for long post but felt I needed to tell you everything for you to help me...

Around 2 months ago I was diagnosed with OA of my left knee and my right knee is on it's way too. I'm only 47yrs YOUNG!

I have had an MRI and it's conclusive that I have OA and that I am bone on bone on one half of my knee and very little left on the other side. Also numerous cysts both inside my knee and on my bones... Saw a knee specialist who basically couldn't get me out quick enough just saying ...yes you have OA, you are too young to do anything about it and you will need to learn to live with it. He would refer me to physio in hope that helped a little...

I was devastated to feel I was being left to just "get on with it" my physio is lovely but I'm not sure it's going to help much. My GP saw me and said I needed to go on painkillers as I have been in lots of pain for months before knowing what was wrong with me. I really don't like taking meds and said this to them. I agreed to have them for as and when I felt I needed them. I was given Naproxen 500g twice a day and a very strong codeine based pill for night to help with pain but also they said to help me sleep.

I have taken very little of them and they don't seem to touch my pain. Having researched now it seems Naproxen needs to be taken regular to work and my physio has asked me to take it fully for two weeks and see how I get on as she said she can't work with me when I'm in pain like I am.

I have also heard about BioFreeze and recently purchased some. I have used it 3 times and twice felt it worked and once not. When I say worked it makes it feel so cold that you seem to forget about the pain and focus on the freeze affect.

Today (which prompted me to write this post) I have read up a lot on the possibility of Magnesium Oil being massaged in to the knee? Anyone done this or had any experiences with it be it good or bad?

I intend to wait a while and see how I go on and then perhaps go back to GP to ask for a second opinion with a different specialist.

So can anyone help me with any other ideas, things I can do or try. People who live with it, how do you cope? Any posts I welcome as I'm so very new to this.

Thank you

[Universal VR]

Not in my knees but I have it in my back. I was diagnosed with it at 51. I take cocodamol 30/500 twice a day now. I was taking 8 (2 x 4 times) a day at one point and although I was virtually pain free, I felt they had a couple of unwelcome side effects. I've now found a balance between manageable pain and the side effects (fuzzy headed, poor memory and the dreaded constipation). I don't wish to be rude but how is your weight? I have lost two stone and can already feel a difference. I'd like to lose another stone. Sorry, I can't be any more help with knees though.

[plutofan1]

Similar response from specialist at the same age
You need a knee replacement but you are too young so just get on with it
To be fair - I have done just that
It is affecting my life but at the moment I don't have the fight to go back and argue
Daughter is getting married next year and I will look at it again after that.

[Mexy02]

I'm 45 I suffer with it in my shoulder and toes. My consultants advised if they operate they will do more damage than good long term as they prefer you to be over 60 to benefit . I would need another op later onor once they mess with bones they don't like it so can cause other problems .
I now swim, go to the gym and lost weight as above , still losing . It really does help and does relieve pain although I swore it would be no good for me. X

[mousettes]

Originally Posted by Universal VR

Not in my knees but I have it in my back. I was diagnosed with it at 51. I take cocodamol 30/500 twice a day now. I was taking 8 (2 x 4 times) a day at one point and although I was virtually pain free, I felt they had a couple of unwelcome side effects. I've now found a balance between manageable pain and the side effects (fuzzy headed, poor memory and the dreaded constipation). I don't wish to be rude but how is your weight? I have lost two stone and can already feel a difference. I'd like to lose another stone. Sorry, I can't be any more help with knees though.

See more...

In 2012 I started to lose weight and have lost 7.5 stones. I guess years of being so heavy didn't help and then the last few years I am very active, I used to walk up to 10 miles 5 times a week, cycle too. Now I can only manage 3/4 with the pain. Have you tried any alternative meds at all, herbal or gels etc?

[MEZZA]

Hi I'm 49 (just ) i don't have OA but I have the beginings of psoriatic arthritis and because of my severe psoriasis I'm now on methotrexate medication, this helps massively with the joint pains I was experiencing, I also have a naproxen prescription but hardly touch it now.
In the last 4 months I have also lost 11kg and taken up swimming and Aqua aeorbics all of which were recommended by the rheumatologist and I'm sure have helped with the pain, in the past I've also used acupuncture which was also good, never tried magnesium supplements but have heard some positives from it.

[mousettes]

Originally Posted by MEZZA

Hi I'm 49 (just ) i don't have OA but I have the beginings of psoriatic arthritis and because of my severe psoriasis I'm now on methotrexate medication, this helps massively with the joint pains I was experiencing, I also have a naproxen prescription but hardly touch it now.
In the last 4 months I have also lost 11kg and taken up swimming and Aqua aeorbics all of which were recommended by the rheumatologist and I'm sure have helped with the pain, in the past I've also used acupuncture which was also good, never tried magnesium supplements but have heard some positives from it.

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I also have a rare condition called Thoracic Outlet Syndrome and I had a course of acupuncture for that and it was fantastic the first time and a coup,e after not so good and then I started to faint whilst needles were in. They refuse to do it on me anymore now.

[mousettes]

Originally Posted by plutofan1

Similar response from specialist at the same age
You need a knee replacement but you are too young so just get on with it
To be fair - I have done just that
It is affecting my life but at the moment I don't have the fight to go back and argue
Daughter is getting married next year and I will look at it again after that.

See more...

I know what you mean, my DD is special needs and I am constantly fighting for things for her. So for me I have to choose my fights as I get drained... x

[mousettes]

Originally Posted by Mexy02

I'm 45 I suffer with it in my shoulder and toes. My consultants advised if they operate they will do more damage than good long term as they prefer you to be over 60 to benefit . I would need another op later onor once they mess with bones they don't like it so can cause other problems .
I now swim, go to the gym and lost weight as above , still losing . It really does help and does relieve pain although I swore it would be no good for me. X

See more...

Back in 2012 I started loosing weight, it was well documented on here... I also set up the fasting diet group on here too due to popular demand. Iv lost a total of 7.5 stones. Think damage was already done back when I was big x

[signtalker]

Thankyou for your post, I have been diagnosed last week with this in my left knee also and possibly my hip( confirmed by MRI) currently using voltarol gel to rub on the area. I can't be given stronger pain killers apparently due to my medication I take for my asthma which has been incredibly bad this year.
I've been referred to physio( appointment next week) and referee to the ostheo deaprtment at the hospital, which I've been told is an 18 week waiting list.
I'm 49 and a front line police officer so I'm dreading what effect is going to have if they've told you they can't do anything due to your age!, I struggle to walk some days I walk forwards but my knee wants to go sideways!

Good luck let me know how you get on, I'm off work at present and have a meeting with work next week, not holding out much hope

Jules