Date: 03.11.2010
From: Green
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Subject: Osteoarthritus at 40 & exercising
Im new here - would appr comments.
40 years old, female, been very active with sport all of my life which has been tough on my body. Everything from running, swimming, gym, circuit training, weight training etc. Im ex-RAF and always carried on through pain.
Now my body is seeing the damage. I still train, swim a lot and go spinning (bike) I also stay active with kids and full time work.
Ankles - gone over a couple of times on each, ended up in a cast twice (in the last 5 years) X-rays revealed very advanced arth, consultant let me know I had ankles of a 60 year old.
Knees - Very very painful, even walking. Pain all of the time. Had arthoscopy in both, not done much good. Consultant says I have grade 4 arth in both kneecaps.
Back - Painful a LOT of the time, find it difficult in the mornings. Training doesnt help.
Chest/shoulders - Painful all the time. Went swimming 50 lengths yesterday as knees are so bad now cant spin, and chest aching so bad in the morning it worries me. Does anyone else feel this bad with osteoarth? Should I go back to the Dr's? Should I be getting a proper disgnosis and taking more advice? What more can the Doctors do for me?
Should I be training? If I stop training - I'll put on weight, already overweight but not excessively. I enjoy training?
I can't walk properly a lot of the time, but some days - if im not bad I could manage a long bike ride of walk with the kids, but goodness I will feel it the next day!!
Am I disabled? Or a whinger?
Really appr feedback Thanks
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Date: 12.11.2010
From: Green
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Subject: Re: Osteoarthritus at 40 & exercising
Hello?
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Date: 12.11.2010
From: Lynn B
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Subject: Re: Osteoarthritus at 40 & exercising
Hi Green, sorry I havent got osteo arthritis I have psoriatic arthritis. But I suppose Its all arthritis and you have to start listening to your body and slow down a wee bit. I realy think you should go back to your GP and get a referal to a rheumy who will give you the right diagnosis and put you on the right meds, and also give you the right advise. you take care and let us know how you get on.
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Date: 03.01.2011
From: John
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Subject: Re: Osteoarthritus at 40 & exercising
Hi Green, I have chronic osteoarthritis in both knees exacerbated by serious injuries received in a car crash 14 years ago which resulted in serious damage to the L/L and additional stress and weight being carried by the R/L which accelerated my original O A damage,and at one time during my recovery I experienced similar symptoms and after effects that you describe, you can turn it around I no longer endure any effects or limitations forced on me by O/A and this has been achieved without drugs of any kind,all though exercise,diet weight loss,and natural supplements and a burning determination not to allow my O/A dictate what I could do with my life.Just been called for dinner will continue if you feel it might help,very best to you.
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Date: 17.07.2011
From: Green
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Subject: Re: Osteoarthritus at 40 & exercising
Hi all. Thanks for your replies. Would be interested in what John had to say. I hope you enjoyed your dinner! LOL
I have been back to specialist who offered me a cortisone injection, which Icancelled. I figured that I would do more damagae not feeling the pain or swelling. You see since i posted the last post the pain and swelling is a hell of a lot worse.
I have continued spinning, swimming and walking. I can achieve a walk of 8 miles and cycle 25 miles but the pain after is undiscribable and the swelling and stiffness is bad.
Its got to the point where I really do want to give up work, I dread the stairs, I dread standing up. I cant kneel down comfortably and am very slow at getting up or getting out of a car.
Thing is I will persevere with the activity. The specialists - all they can do is this injection and physio. The rest is up to me.
Would I be entitled to a disability living allowance or a disabled badge? Perhaps this is all I can look forward to :-(
I hope to hear from someone soon
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Date: 18.07.2011
From: kirst
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Subject: Re: Osteoarthritus at 40 & exercising
im sorry to say but i doupt you would ever get the DLA or a blue badge with the amount of activity you do. (you do a lot so personally i want to say well done and good for you). I know that seems harsh but the way it will be looked as is, if you can do so much activity you are capable of personal care tasks (such as washing yourself, cooking a meal, getting into and out of bed), and being mobile (being able to walk 200meters), if you ever get to the point you cannot do these things then yes you maby be able to get it but with all your activity you wont.
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Date: 18.07.2011
From: Green
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Subject: Re: Osteoarthritus at 40 & exercising
The blue badge was just a closing sentence really, it feels that bad.
What else can I do? Ive booked a Drs appointment today, but I feel like I'll be sent away and told to just keep taking the brufen.
I keep active deliberately cos if I stop, i will stiffen up and get worse, or perhaps the exercise is making it worse
Should I get another x-ray? Will I get some crutches? Does physio help, all my physio seemed to do is strip me and look at me, then told me some bending exercises. I know im relatively fit
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Date: 18.07.2011
From: kirst
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Subject: Re: Osteoarthritus at 40 & exercising
if i were you id ask for things to be looked at again because you are right exercise should be helping as it will stop you stiffening up. Perhaps you have a bit more going on than first thought? Keep with the swimming but ease off a bit on the things that cause you the most problems with your knees, walking and cycling do put more strain on those joints where swimming is more gentle in terms of joint stress. but dont give up on the cycleing and walking as you obviously enjoy it :)
I think you need to be going to the GP and saying you have difficulty and need to speak to the pain clinic and a physio who knows about OA, maby that will help you find a ballance between doing the things you love without over doing it.
I honestly understand how frusterated you will be feeling so keep posting on here. even if its just for a really good moan because everyone needs time to vent :)
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