snipped

That is funny Peter - I think the opposite of that!  I feel lucky to have RA
as there seems to be more actual treatments and research!  Odd how we think
isn't it?

Jayne

Hi

I'm 46 and don't post here very often, I was diagnosed as having OA in June,
after an x-ray of my knee, but it had been a problem for some time before
that. My knee had been very stiff and painful in the winter but improved
with the warmer weather. I've had physio for the knee and I've been given
exercises to do, and advice to stay active. There are some good websites on
arthritis, such as arthritis care and the arthritis research council - I've
had a lot of good info from them

http://www.arthritiscare.org.uk/home/index.cfm?region=uk
http://www.arc.org.uk/about_arth/patpubs.asp

Liz

No wonder my ears were burning when I was in the pub, Jayne!

Hello RLM, nice to hear from you, even though it's sad you have to be
here. You'll certainly find lots of advice and support - and sometimes
you get some jolly good jokes too. Personally, I prefer chocolate, but
there's not a lot of that about on this group at the moment, said she,
subtly.........................

I'm 59 and first got OA in my mid 20s and probably in the same way as
you. Feeling uncomfortable after sitting for a longish time, and all the
cracking joints - they call that crepitus. My OA runs in the family too.
I had a right hip replacement in 1987 and the OA has been continuous and
worsening since that date. I've now had my left knee done three times,
plus both shoulders and am currently convalescing from a left hip
replacement. Most of my new joints work OK, but some of the operations
have been a little bit problematical, to say the least. So feel free to
ask any questions.

Yes, you are young to be diagnosed with it, but it's possible to have
arthritis in your teens, so maybe we've both been lucky. You'll have to
put today down as the first day of the rest of your arthritic life, but
it doesn't all have to be bad. OA takes lots of different forms. Some
have surgery, some don't and some say a dramatic change of diet can help
(if you have the willpower!). I take Voltarol (a non-steroid
anti-inflammatory drug or NSAID for short), plus prescribed painkillers,
and I take Cod Liver Oil and Glucosamine Sulphate, which I buy on the
Internet. I notice the difference when I stop taking them, anyway, so
they must be doing me good.

Andy will probably nag you to go and see a Rhuematologist, as most of us
here have done at one time or another. As for what lies ahead for you,
how long is a piece of string? No one person will have the same symptoms
as another. All you can do is what's best for you, and for what makes
your life bearable and enjoyable. I would advise you to see your doctor
regularly, to try and keep reasonably fit and painfree, and don't
panic!!! A surgeon once told me that when the pain is so bad at night it
affects your sleep, that's the time to get something done - ie, get a
referral to an Orthopaedic surgeon.

Life doesn't stop just because you have OA. I've had some super holidays
over the past 15 - 20 years, I go to Paris fairly often, I even get
tipsy and
do stupid things, before the others tell you what I get up to!

Whereabouts in UK are you? Anyway, do keep posting, chatting, asking
questions and telling us how you're doing, and if you've got any
chocolate, pass some over, will you?
Janet

Thanks all for your welcome.

Peter - what the blazes is a Tens? And a cervical collar doesn't sound
like something made for men...? No wonder people are telling you you
shouldn't need it!
Jayne - compared to the little boy you mentioned I'm lucky. The pain
doesn't really stop me doing anything, apart from running and the odd
yoga posture.
I don't know what sort of doctor diagnosed my knee - someone at the
hospital where I got X-rayed just sent a report to my GP.

Jan - I *did* have loads of chocolate, but, um, it's gone. I read all
the postings on the Arthritis Care website of sufferers swearing by a
sugar-free diet, and I, er, disposed of my stash. (yum) I hope the new
hip settles in all right, by the way. Oh, and I'm in Yorkshire
I'm going to make the most of my early diagnosis to get as fit and
healthy as I can from now on. I already go to the gym, swim, and do yoga
and pilates plus walking at the weekend - so I'll stick to more of the
same. But I work in a very badly-equipped office - time to harangue the
boss for a new chair, methinks!
I should probably lose a few stone too, somehow. And I've been taking
cod liver oil and glucosamine since i suspected arthritis about a year ago.
Anybody use those microwavable wheat bags?

RLMx
By the way, my nickname is what I have been branded by my family since
the age of around four.