HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

New To this- again.

Support Forums
>
Osteoarthritis
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 9/2/2010 9:46 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone! I am not new to Healingwell just new to this part of it! I am normally on the Fibromyalgia forum but this week changed all that. On Monday I had an MRI because I have been having symptoms beyond the normal fibro stuff. And it was scary. Fibro is scary enough but I have learned to deal with that, but for example I began waking up and from the waist down I haven't had any feeling at all! And then when I started to move around I would get the feeling back and it would be SO PAINFUL. And about a week ago I was walking and for no reason the bridge of my foot just began to have constant pain as if someone had dropped something on it. And then it began to swell and all of my toes as well- like I got stung by a wasp and then my toes contort. And I couldn't walk- this lasted for four or five days. And it happens in both legs and both feet. So my family doctor, because all of the specialists did nothing since my labs came back normal except for my inflammation factors, ordered an MRI. Which I had on Monday. I am on Robaxin, Vicodin and Topamax for my Fibromyalgia so when I called the doctor to get the refills I asked if the results had come back for the MRI. That's when the nurse told me that I had "quite a bit of arthritis" in my back, legs, ankles and feet. And she was sending me a brochure of exercises to do. My questions are: is it normal to just be given a brochure of exercises as the next step of treatment? She said that the reason was because the insurance wouldn't pay for anything more until exercise was at least tried normally- that I believe. I know that my RA is negative so I most likely have osteoarthritis since she didn't specify- does that sound right? I have read the basics but still feel really lost so any beginner's advice I would really appreciate!!!! Thanks so much Healingwell family!
Posted 9/3/2010 8:25 AM (GMT 0)
I don't know why insurance always makes us try exercises first, even when it's obvious that only surgery will cure stuff. I went through two sets of exercises last year for my torn medial meniscus. I'm just now getting to have the surgery - Tuesday.
Posted 9/3/2010 9:02 AM (GMT 0)
Really??? Well I feel better hearing that Alcie! I got felt like I was getting a little bit of a brush off with the whole "we'll mail you some exercises" but if that's actually an answer that people get I feel a little better! Like I haven't been exercising the whole time I have been dx'd with fibromyalgia?! I even bought a DVD called "Yoga for Fibromyalgia" Um not so much with the help. But that way I can honestly tell my doctors that I am trying absolutely everything - everything. EVERYONE else- all advice welcome! :)
Posted 9/3/2010 11:16 PM (GMT 0)
Hey there,  Sorry to hear of your new pain.  I am not sure what kind of insurance you have  but your Dr. should do a follow up with you giving you the results of your tests and advising you as to what kind of arthritis you have.  You paid for the tests and I know the cost of an MRI so do call and get your dx.

I wish you the best and stick with us as we are always open for support and venting.

Kindly,

Kitt

Posted 9/16/2010 12:51 PM (GMT 0)
It is odd that you did not have a follow up on the MRI. I have had MRI's on both knees and had them call me to schedule follow ups.
I fully agree with other about the "excersise" cure. I think it is a must to keep moving, but I found the PT exercise did more harm than good. There is a reason you have pain, and working those muscles/joints more isn't going to take it away. Just my opinion.
Posted 9/17/2010 1:36 AM (GMT 0)
I also had worsening of my knee on trying some of the exercises I had to do. I refused to do the ones that hurt. Some core strengthening exercises were useful, especially getting me in shape for surgery. Anything twisting the knee I couldn't do.

Funny thing - when he operated the meniscus that showed torn on the MRI wasn't. There was loose cartilage and arthritis that I didn't know about, which he fixed. I don't understand. The knee's been hurting since the accident where it got clobbered a year ago June, enough for me to limp and the thigh muscles to atrophy.

I only postponed going to the ortho this long because of all the other injuries that needed to be fixed first. I've still got teeth to be tested, another consult on the spine, and I've got another sinus infection from the deviated nasal septum in the same spot as always.

I'm back in PT again, and it's helping. Getting off vicodin helped too. I'm down to tramadol, which I was taking for fibro and the back pain, which has gone on MRI from mild to moderate.

I had no arthritis a year ago except in my spine. I got my trigger fingers fixed 3 months ago and feel like maybe they've developped arthritis in that time. Can it do that? I had 2 little spots pre-op. Moving a lot, especially in hot water, helps.
Posted 10/24/2010 1:30 PM (GMT 0)
this is all such complicated stuff. i did find a wonderful physical therapist after my total knee surgery. had a horrible group before that. am very sorry for you. since i have ibs/c i can not tolerate any opiates as they contribute to constipation.

whatever helps is what you should go by. take care of yourself.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply