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Making peace with my osteoarthritis

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Posted 3/27/2009 6:29 PM (GMT 0)

Hi,

A frew days ago I was told that I have osteoarthritis all over my spine.  It started with a herniated disk in my lower back (L5).  Once I had this done, my back became full of arthritis.  I have buldges and spurs and all this causes me to me in constant pain.  Not only my back my legs hurts too.  When I wake up in the morning I can't walk and I cry out of pain.  The same thing happened in the late afternoon.  None of the medication helps me.  They make me sick to my stomach.

I am still in the "why me" and "what did I do to deserve this" period.  I am glad that I still have a job because the alternative is not very good.  I could not sit at home all day.

How do I get over these feelings.

Thanks

Hannab

Posted 3/30/2009 1:12 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Hannab, I guess you try to find help and support around you whether its a doctor, friend , partner, someone who can listen when everything gets you down. Pain is a terrible thing to live with but there are Doctors that deal with just pain, Rheumy's help with cortisone injections or other drugs, my OT helps me with splints for swelling or when limbs need support. I've even seen a psychologist at one stage to help with the stress of living with arthritis and trying to provide for my kids, work parttime etc. I think we all go through days where you just keep putting one foot in front of the other because the big picture is too daunting to take in. I try and walk every week with a friend to just unload, we have a good old moan together! If I'm in too much pain we go for coffee. I try and keep my mind busy so I'm not dwelling on myself all the time, I'm not saying it is easy. Heat seems to help get me moving but I'd visit someone to ask about pain management. Friends with bad backs have had all sorts of different treatments to help, there must be some thing out there to help you. Good luck.
Posted 3/30/2009 3:02 AM (GMT 0)
Hi Golitho,
I did not think anyone would answer me. Thank you so much. The one thing that helps me is my work. I am very lucky to have this job. Everyone is so nice to me and they still remember when I was able to walk. Well, it was not long ago actually since the middle of October. I want to work as long as I can. It's horrible to be in a one be in a one bedroom apt all day and all night. Yesterday I did not cry at night but I do cry in the morning. But this cry is from so much pain. I am 64 and did not think that I will end my life being handicap. I guess I need to give myself time.
Thank you so much for your words of wisdom.
Take care
Hanna
Posted 3/30/2009 4:49 PM (GMT 0)
I agree that making sure that you have a support network is a key part in keeping yourself on a healthy level.  One other thing I would add is to become part of a team for someone else.  One of the best ways for me to keep from focusing on myself is to focus my attention on someone else that needs my help.  It's one thing to be able to complain about yourself and how you feel (a needed activity when you are dealing with pain) but what makes me feel better is that when I am done getting my feelings off my chest I can then focus my attention on helping someone else.

It is a good thing that you understand that you are in the "why me" stage.  Be aware that you will fall in and out of this stage. Sometimes I think I am over it, hen I am right back into complaining "why me".  I don't know if you are into the Bible, but I compare it with David hiding in the wilderness.  He had lots of psalms where he complained about the situation he was in, complained that it wasn't fair, and in the end came around and made peace with the situation.  Reading these psalms, and putting my complaints into my own psalms, has helped me come to grips with how I feel.  It also helps me see just what I am complaining about.

My biggest complaint was that I felt my future had been taken away from me.  I was 29 when I got the diagnosis of RA.  My health went way downhill, and I had to give up many of the plans I had made for my future.  I have since realized that I did still have a future (and a good one) but it was going to be a diffrent one than I had ever imagined.  I hope this helps you some.

 

Posted 3/30/2009 5:24 PM (GMT 0)

Hi Christina and Golitho,

Thank you so much for caring how I feel.  Sometime when I am at work all of the sudden I am overcome with emotion and all I want is to scream.  The fact that I am still in pain all the time is a big part of it.  We don't seem to find a pill that will halp me and not make me sick.  Right now I am the pain.  It's such a big part of me that I am the pain.  We can't separate us.  I didn't tell any of my friends.  I told only my sons and few other people.  There are so many emotions that surfaced and not all of them are the pain.  But the pain brought it to the surface. 

I guess time will help me heal.

Thank you both

Hanna

Posted 3/30/2009 11:43 PM (GMT 0)
Hi Hanna, I was just listening to a talk back radio station that was talking about managing chronic pain, there was a physio who talked about various ways to use the body or relearn to use the body to minimise pain, a psychologist, who spoke of sometimes the solution is not a pill but an attitiude. It was really interesting. They were talking about a chronic pain group forum and how important it is to share with people who are also in chronic pain... so there you go. A few new ideas to explore, try the forum here, see a physio, speak to a pain psychologist and see if someone can help you.

Posted 3/31/2009 12:30 AM (GMT 0)
Hi,
My next appointment is with a specialist in arthritis. I also need to find in my area a pain clinic to help me deal with the pain. Last Sat I fell down the stairs because I lost my balance. It seems like I am falling apart and so fast.
Thank you so much for caring
Hanna
Posted 3/31/2009 10:44 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry to hear you fell down the stairs, falls always result in a flare for me. Hope you're ok? Lets hope the rheumy has some answers for you. It's such a run a round with specialists sometimes. My rheumy is very sympathetic and I find just having her listen helps me enormously. keep your spirits up and keep looking for help. There will be some sort of help out there. Jacqui

Posted 6/15/2009 11:46 PM (GMT 0)
hannab

Hello and welcome to HealingWell and the Osteoarthritis Forum.

I am sorry to hear you are newly dx and I understand how you must feel at this time.  I remember thinking "I have an old person's disorder" when I first heard the words arthritis as I  connected it to my Grandmother. So not true. smhair

Medications and other treatments are key to managing pain and disability, but another major component to treatment is your own attitude. Your ability to cope despite pain and disability caused by osteoarthritis often determines how much of an impact osteoarthritis will have on your everyday life.  Coming here and sharing your feelings is a wonderful way to find support and caring.

The members of HW are warm and caring and you will find support in this forum as well as in the other forums on the board. 

So stick with us and let us help you.  I look forward to getting to know you better.

Kitt


 

Posted 4/14/2011 5:07 PM (GMT 0)
I am 53 years old and have had Osteoarthritis for 2 years. I have pain in all my joints, bones, bottom of feet.
I have had to buy thick soles to protect the bones. When I wear the shoes without the soles, it feels like I am walking on the road without shoes and can feel every bone.
There is no family history in this except my mother has it (not as bad as me) and she is 80!!
I can hardly work but I am determined to continue. I do not tell my work people about it in case it gos against me.
I am one stone overweight . I hve just read that 'not to be overweight' is important because less strain on joints.
I will do my best to loose the stone within the next few months.
Has anyone found anything that my help?
Posted 4/14/2011 9:25 PM (GMT 0)
Have you tried any of the non prescription arthritis medications? I'm not sure of the brand names in your country. Many people with OA find that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines like Ibuprofen, Naproxen and Diclofenac [UK meds] work well.

You are correct that losing weight helps OA. I was obese and then lost 65 pounds bringing me to a normal weight. The pain in my knees went away. I wish you much success in your effort to lose weight! Let us know how it goes.

Also, it is important to keep moving. Exercise in moderation helps. It was recommended to me that water exercise classes would put help keep me moving without overly stressing my joints.
Posted 4/14/2011 9:32 PM (GMT 0)
Thanks for your reply.
I was contemplating on joining a water aerobic class, how did that go for you. Did it ease the pain?
Posted 5/3/2011 2:17 PM (GMT 0)
I was born with dislocation of the hip and hammer toes. My feet have given up on me but I can still swim. It is very helpful to move in the water.
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