Arthritis Insight-Member Stories-Betty

Betty

Hi I'm Betty and I've been dealing with joint pain for 17 years, now diagnosed as generalized OA and fibro. At first I was just going to a GP and told him all my joints felt "tired and spongey." He guessed I had some type of connective tissue problem, probably genetic, but couldn't narrow it down yet because all my tests came back negative, and no swelling. I was having Sjogren's type symptoms also and still do. At first I just ached all over but my feet and hips were the worst and about 12 years ago they got so bad I could hardly walk for months. I used a cane at home and wheelchair to go out. I went all over, to neurologists, rheumatologists, podiatrists, and no one could tell me what was happening. They said it was systemic and surgery wouldn't help so I just took medications, NSAIDS of all sorts, muscle relaxers, tried tricyclics but couldn't handle them. Strangely enough, these symptoms are now much better. My feet still hurt but I can get around for short periods without assistance. My hips only bother me if I overdo it. I still use a wheelchair for family outings and the carts at the stores.

My overall pain levels have continually increased though, and I am taking low dosage opiate meds because my stomach won't handle the NSAIDS anymore. Those were great when I could take them, reduced the pain to about half. I am now going to a pain clinic and from a ct scan they found OA in my spine facet joints. I'm getting diagnostic injections and probably soon will have the neuroablation procedure where they go in and stun the vertebral nerves (these nerves are short and don't go anywhere else) and hope to have pain relief in the cervical area for a few months at least. The trouble is, I hurt in so many places! It's so frustrating! I have deep burning pain in the thoracic area that is not diagnosed but hope it will be soon. The doc says I have more procedures to look forward to in my lumbar area.

Right now I can only take things a day at a time, just like the Good Book says. If I'm busy one day, I should (!) rest the next day or I pay for it. I don't sleep well if the pain levels increase very much. My husband and 14 yr old daughter (I have a son 26 and daughter 24 living on their own) are very helpful but these conditions weigh on the whole family and we do find the stress is pretty high sometimes. Husband does alot of the grocery shopping but he balks at much cooking and it hurts me to stand too much. I can actually walk about a half hour every other day. I take my arthritic golden retriever mix with me and we limp along! My hot tub helps alot and capsaicin patches.

I love this site because one of my biggest challenges is feeling like a complete freak. I take a sports cushion to church because sitting hurts too; I take a seat cushion many places such as meetings and restaurants. When you tell ordinary folks you have arthritis you get no understanding because they think that arthritis is an aching elbow that only hurts when it snows. My pain is in all joints, all the time, a little better in the summer. I know lots of people here are in alot worse shape than I am but pain is the same beast. Thanks for letting me share my story.