Arthritis

[alexis]

Hi, I am really worried as a few weeks ago I was diagnosed with arthritis following xrays. Im not 50 until the end of this year , the year before I was 40 I was diagnosed with an incurable eye problem which will lead to blindness.
Will dread any big birthday now!!
I never ever got to the Drs unless Im really in agony or think Im going to die and of course the anxiety / depression has caused me more visits than ever before.
The worst part is my hand joints, especially my thumb, I cannot move it at all now, I have a support which I bought, but dont wear it out due to the fact people will think Im a hypocondriac, its obvious by looking Im not as things are very red but very very swollen, why should i care what others think, but I do, I was told by the GPs receptionist when she gave me my results that I needed to go back and discuss my options, I havent but know I need to, also know I wont, there are many people out there who need the appointments more than me.
I never used to have health anxiety but do feel its creeping up on me now.I just visualise myself in a few years not walking etc.
Just lost a dear friend suddenly too, he was only early 50s so also worrying about that!
Anyway just wanted to write it down, then hopefully it wont seem such a big problem?????

[cattttt]

You really should go back to the doc. There are many forms of arthritis and help is available in many cases. None of them can be cured, but it is possible to keep you moving so you won't end up not being able to walk. You have a genuine problem, please go back to the doc and see what he/she has to offer.

[manmoor]

Hi Alexis hun sorry you lost a dear friend and are feeling down at the mo. I'd just like to give you a big hug or two hun xxx

[alexis]

Hi Catt many thanks for replying i have osteoarthritis , had swelling for almost a year, just kept thinking will mention it to GP when I go, but never went, at Xmas I had to go as the pain was awful and I couldnt even bend my thumb, was sent for Xray , I eventually went a couple of weeks ago,and was diagnosed.
I just keep sending my mind into overdive, I havent got it in my lower limbs and may never do so, but I keep thinking silly thoughts, because my knee "clicks" it has to be this, my knee has clicked for years so I also know it isnt, maybe the shock of having it diagnosed and loosing a friend suddenly??
I will perhaps go back, as im using supports I have bought myself,but they are not what I need, they are no good really.I just think GPs are so busy and always people a lot worse than me.
Hi Mandy, thanks for your hugs and thoughts they really do mean a lot to me.Hope you are doing OK? xxxxx

[sheba2]

Hi Alexis.

Be good to yourself and go back to the docs. From the age of 45 (I'm now 52) I began to have problems using my hands and my legs hurt so much. After many blood test and several years I was diagnosed with Polymyalgia Rheumatica. This sounds like a harry potter spell but is in actual fact a type of arthiritis that affects the soft tissues. I was 47 when diagnosed and told that it is quite unusual to get it at my age as it is usually seen in women aged 70 and above. I was put on steroids and have been on a reducing dose ever since. Lately the steroids haven't been very effective and my blood tests show an increase in the rhematoid factor. I am due to see a specialist in a couple of weeks. Why I am telling you this is because I have been told there are over 400 types of arthiritis and although they can't be cured there is lots of treatment out there. However the one type that is less debilitating depending on where you get it is osteoarthiritis. This is often caused by over use of a joint ie the hips and knees wrist and fingers. It is the wear and tear arthirits. Because you have it in one joint doesn't mean that you will get it anywhere else. It can also be treated with steroids either by injection or by tablet. Nobody wants to have something wrong with them and I understand your worry about becoming disabled. This is actually happening to me and strangely although I don't like it I don't panic about it as much as I do about the things that I worry I might have. I hope this helps and that you return to the docs for some treatment. If you have the treatment now it will give you more movement and much pain relief plus it will help minimize any further damage to the joint for as long as is possible. Good luck

[Piglet]

I think as we get older and things start dropping to the floor it's natural that we worry about our health more but as has been said there are loads of forms of arthritis and pretty well most of them are managable. Don't put off going to the docs my lovely and do wear any supports you are given ok!!

Big hugs

Love Piglet