Arthritis

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I have had arthritic knees & ankles for ages and recently my shoulders have been painful. I got offered tramadol a few years ago but I'm reluctant to take something so strong. My GP gave me 30mg codeine which is apparently less dangerous than tramadol. I rarely take it and tend to keep it for emergencies because it makes me very constipated but I take ibuprofen daily which takes the edge off.

I am wondering if there is anyone like me who has been turned down for knee replacements because of poor health?

I have been refused by two hospitals. I have a number of complex health issues including a dysfunctional immune system and for a different reason I cannot exercise, which is vital after the operation.

I am finding it harder and harder to cope with the pain and wondered how others might cope? I do take prescription only painkillers. I have had the OA in my knees for 12 years already and of course it just gets worse.

??

Yes, indeed, Tanith. KBO* as they say!

*keep b*gg*ring on.

Pippapips osteoarthritis is diagnosed in 4 stages- 0 being normal and 4 being bone rubbing on bone which does justify a new joint replacement. Ask your GP which number your OA falls under- he can tell by looking at the xray and if you knew that would give you a better idea of the way forward. If possible drugs are not the answer. (Admittedly it may only be the orthopaedic surgeon who can give you the number).

try to assess how far you can walk and how the pain affects your sleep. Do your homework re orthopaedic consultants- some I would not want clipping my toenails.

Thanks SueDonim I did read but missed that fingers crossed then lol

Pippapips, I'm 63 and have osteoarthritis in my hip, knee and wrist & thumb joints all on my right side. It has been developing over a number of years and is now starting to really affect my sleep as its much worse at night. My GP has been keen to refer me to a surgeon to discuss replacement but for various reasons, I don't yet want to go down that route. My physio pointed out that as only one side is affected, this is wear and tear rather than weight related (how I loved him for that!) Your age should be immaterial, a decision for surgery should be based purely on how your quality of life is affected. At the moment regular Ibuprofen seems fairly effective at keeping the pain tolerable.

Tanith, it must mean older implants, because they looked at records going back 25 years.

That’s good news but I’m wondering if that means new hips done now or includes older implants my first ones over 15 yrs now and I was told it should last 15/20 it’s fine thus far be great to get another 10 yrs if I’m around that long ?

I have osteoarthritis although not severe enough for joint replacements, thankfully.

The latest news is that most new joints will last much longer than expected, up to 25 years. www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-47238523

I had bad hip pain in June, saw my GP who sent me for xrays. The result was that I had "moderate damage" in both hips. She asked if I wanted a referral, I said yes. Saw consultant in August who said I needed a new right hip, I'm having it done on October 15th, good old NHS! I'm 71 btw.

Thank you so much everyone you been really kind and helpful?

Hi and welcome. Don't let them fob you off about being to young, its all to save money. Tell them you can't sleep at night because of the pain, doesn't matter if its not true, its one of the ways they measure whether you can have a replacement. Tell them the quality of your life is reduced and also that you feel like you are going to fall.

A replacement to the hip or knees will help no-end. Just keep pushing and don't let it go. Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Hi Pippapips, welcome!

I was also told at age 55 that I was too young for knee replacement and this was with a private consultant as I have insurance. My X-rays show that both my knees are totally kn*****ed! He also told me to lose weight which I have been doing - very slowly though! I paid £200 for this very brief consultation and joke that it cost me £50 per word "Too young, too fat!"

I am now 62 and really struggling with my mobility, I sometimes have to use two walking sticks to walk even short distances and have just been granted a disability parking badge after an assessment. So I think it is time to revisit my GP about a new referral.

I have tried different painkillers over the years and am currently on paracetamol and tramodol - up to four times a day but I rarely take that much, trying to manage on three times. I am still in pain but the overall movement is better when taking the tramodol. I was worried about all the articles about becoming addicted to it but I know that I am not as I sometimes forget to take it and my pharmacist has reassured me that I do not get enough at a time to be worried.

My GP though will not prescribe anything stronger as she says there is no medical research to show that these opioids are effective for oesteoarthritis.

My family are urging me to see a consultant again and my very bossy daughter will be coming with me so that I do not get fobbed off again.

You need to talk it over with your consultant. An option is to have knee replacements if your knees are very bad. A scan will show the level of wear and tear.

My mum has extremely severe arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and oesteo . She has been on very strong medication for many years and had knee replacements. At the moment she is on humira [ self injections ] and methotrexate. She is also on low dose steroids, plus a host of other meds.

Pippapips I had my first hip- replacement at 57 and if you are in so much pain it’s affecting your sleep and quality of life don’t let them fob you off with ‘you’re too young’. Hopefully you aren’t at that stage yet and a change of meds will do the trick.
Welcome by the way.

Thank you shysal

Hi Tanith
Scans show arthritis in both knees to the front and in one hip

Hi Bluebelle
You have absolutely been a great help and made me feel better about my mistake !
Not down for replacements as I’m 55 and been told I’m too young a trip back to the doctors i think

Pippapips and what conclusions from the scans can I ask?

Welcome to Gransnet, Pippapips . It took me ages to get to grips with the way it works, never having used a forum before, so please don't be put off by any comments. I am a bit of a coward so I avoid any thread on Religion or Politics, I don't like confrontation!

Hi Ngaiol
I had scans and xrays done

You’re fine Pippa easy to make mistakes in the early days just send HQ a message and they will remove one Don’t get put off
Anyway welcome to you
I have osteoporosis and some arthritis but I don’t take any medication I prefer to try my best to get on ‘with it’ because I don’t want to get stuck on upping painkillers all the time I have it in my feet, fingers, and back I have a fairly high pain threshold and prefer to just get on with things wherever I can
If your meds used to work but now don’t i d guess that your body has got too used to them Have you tried herbal my mum had a lot of success with Green lipped mussel tablets
I ve tried all the glucosamine, rosehip, and others in the health shop but none have had any effect for me
Are you down for a knee replacement ?
Haven’t been much help have I? ?