I'm miserable all the time. | Arthritis Information

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 Hello Everyone,

 I just can not take the pain anymore & am making life miserable for my son who has to take care of me. I have had OA for over 8 years now & miss the things I use to do I feel like it's robbing me of my life!. Now I have to use a walker to get around & have started falling for no reason.
 My doctor has only told me to take Tylenol but they don't do anything what can I do. I was brought up to respect doctors but I have to see him in a month & would really like some input on how to talk to him about the pain I'm having & of any medication that I could talk to him about!.
 It has gotten so bad that I wake up crying at night & think about suiced & my son can only do so much. So please if you have any information please let me know. Thank you.
Either get some results from your doctor or change doctors -- you should be entitled to some pain medication to take the edge off the pain. I have extensive OA -- and Still's Disease -- still walking on original equipment, but do need to start thinking about replacements. You need to get out of the "respect doctors" routine and expect them to be fallible -- Be very firm about your pain and the need for relief. Tell him (don't ask) that you need pain medication -- even Tylenol 3 is better than nothing.

You also need to get out and get some exercise (as painful as that sounds) and I highly recommend a water exercise program for arthritics. They are inexpensive and do help a lot. To find a program near you, go to http://www.arthritis.org and key in your zip code in the box that says "Programs Near You" If you are overweight, you need to think of losing some weight to take some burden off your joints. (Something I need to do -- and will be joining Weight Watchers after the first of the year.

Good luck to youYou need to get a doctor you can talk to, who understands the difficulties you are having, and works with you on finding treatments to improve the quality of your life.  If the doctor you currently have cannot do that for you, find one who does.  This is it, this is your one life, and you are in charge of it.  Do everything in your power to make it all it can be.  Don't wait for someone to swoop in and fix it for you - you are responsible for creating the life you want.
 
I understand how hard it is.  I am unable to work because of my OA, and have a hard time keeping up with just being a wife and mom.  Pain is with me every minute.  But every day is a blessing, because I don't view myself as a victim.  Each day is a new opportunity to try something new, meet someone new, or just sit back and enjoy the beauty of life around me.  I know that sounds hokey - but it is the honest truth.  I look up at the sky and feel such gratitude for the life that I have and have had, and for the future, whatever it may bring.  I know there will be pain and frustration, but I believe I can face it and embrace it, and work through it each day.  Somedays will be really hard, and I won't feel quite so successful, but others they will just be amazing and exciting or incredibly touching.
 
You have a son who obviously cares for you, and is helping you.  What a blessing that is.  Someone who loves you, and someone you can love.  That is our greatest gift, and the more love you give out, the more you get back.  Try to focus your life outward toward the world and others; not inward and on yourself.  Look around for inspiration, ask for help when you need it, and grab hold of your life and LIVE it.
 
Suicide is NOT an option.  It simply is not.  Don't ever think it is.  Think what it would do to those who love you.  Is that how you want to be remembered in this life?  Is that what you want to leave as a legacy for your son?
 
 I know you hurt and need help, you deserve help, and you can't fix all of this by yourself.  Reach out, as you have here, and find people who can help you.  It takes great courage to reach out and ask for help, but you can do it, because you want so much more in your life than you have now.  So start today, make this the turning point.
 
Write down a list of things you need to talk to the doctor about.  Educate yourself about OA, and what is going on.  Tylenol is not going to cut it.  Have you had xrays or an MRI and know what is happening, what stage you are at?  Is it time to have joint replacement(s)?  Have you been checked for Vitamin D deficiency?  Have you been checked for thyroid disease, and RA?  Those are conditions which can coexist with OA and make things much worse.  Is the doctor you are seeing a rheumatologist?  If not, get a referral to one immediately.  And as Island Woman told you, keep moving.  Push through the pain and keep going, because in the long run you will feel so much better.
 
My best wishes to you.  I hope the days in your future are better!
 
 
I went to a specialist the first time today - what an awesome doctor - took so much time with me - but then again I had a three page typed paper of my symptoms, medical and social history.  My PC sent me because she thought it was RA - this doc says  Osteoarthritis and Fibro - put me on three different meds - one for the inflamed joints, one narcotic for pain and then ambien to help me sleep at night - supposed to see him again in 4 weeks. 
 
My suggestion - find another doc - one that you are comfy with - I guess I got lucky - Im hoping to get lucky with SSD - that I am going to apply for next week.
 
This doc was awesome - was even comfortable enough to talk about my history of depression - and he is willing to work with my psy, doc - I am amazed.
 
Prayers are with you
Hi there. Its comforting in a way to know that im not loosing my mind. After reading what youd written I to am going through the same fears worries and depression as you are. I cant sleep at night and I sit quietly in the lounge crying with the pain. The depression is awful, I have had OA for only 4 yrs. Ive got it in both ankels both knees and both shoulders. I had an Arthroscopy done on my knee last year hoping that the surgery would solve the knee problem, but no, my surgeon now says I need a knee replacement, Im on the list to have it done, but Ive read some very scarey letters of people that have had it done and wished they hadnt bothered. I had an Arthroscopy done on my right shoulder, and at the moment even though Im going through painful Physio Im glad to say I can feel an improvement. This year they want to do a Arthroscopy on one knee and replacement on the other. I also feel as you do, that OA has stopped me doing all that I enjoyed, like you I feel it has stopped me living and has made me a prisioner in my own home. I have got a very good Husband who does all he can to help me but like you Ive lost my independance. I know exactly how your feeling. If you would like to keep in touch please do Id love to hear from you. I think its so nice when we can moan and complain to others that understand what were going through.  Heres thinking of you.
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