Has anyone else wondered Why me

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Since my op I have been noting other people around my area of similar age. Late 60ties. Some heavy smokers some very overweight some that never seem to walk or exercise, some with similar lifestyle to myself -- walking dancing with a few extra pounds but not overweight . Now I ask why I am the one with O/A. I don't fit into anyvof the classic causes except age. I have sisters in their 80ties who do notvhave O/A

I am sure my neighbours are asking the same question as they have been seeing me walking every day rain and shine.

I had rheumatic fever as a teenager and was confined to bed for about 5 months. Had to learn to walk again as muscles weakened.No physio back then. But there does not seem to be any connection.

2

Oddly eoungh, attractac, I have noticed quite the opposite. Perhaps it is the area I live in. I see lots of people walking with sticks or crutches and hip and knee replacements seem to be one of the favourite topics of conversation at coffee mornings and other gatherings. One mention of a hip operation will bring tales of  other people who had the same op  plus a lot of advice on what you should do and not do to speed your recovery. (A lot of this should be taken with a large pinch of salt!)

You can't always tell if someone has O/A or R/A. From what I have heard being fit and healthy, getting plenty of exercise, not smoking or being overweight etc will not stop you getting O/A but you will be in a better position to face a major operation and make a good recovery.

3

Yes! Yes!! I'm 44 and after suffering on and off for 13 years with pain was diagnosed with slipped disc and then severe OA in hip leading to LTHR and now I have trochanteric bursistis. I look at older, less healthy seeming people and I do think 'why me?' rolleyes

(On another note... Just spent 5 hrs yesterday in eye A&E, following a visit to the opticians, I've somehow got uveitis - an inflammatory eye condition.

Inside with blinds drawn and sunglasses on - ouch!)

4

Hi attracta

I found out after diagnosis of OA at 50 after having to stop playing hockey so v fit -that mum had taken me aged 2 to see consultant as I had a strange gait. He told her she was being fussy and sent us away.

Turns out I had dysplasia on one hip - typical labral tear, failed fix but op found widespread OA - explained by OA.

Then the other hip gave up - this time with Impingement - the opposite to Dysplasia. Now its truly rotten luck to have one of each problem and both hips now replaced.

I am "bendy" and it would appear this was not taken fully into account with my first replacement and I have spent 20 months in constant pain and unable to walk far, sit much, drive or work as the replacement is too big so everything is held in tension.

I chose the surgeon with the best local reputation who is naturally conservative and does a lot of fixing of other surgeons problems - to increase my chances of success. I am his statistical anomaly.

So I know why me...But it does not stop me gazing incredulously at fat people walking along pain free and wonde - Why not them AS WELL?  wink

5

Hi attractac

I did wonder at first why me ! But my surgeon explained to me that I was born with my condition so it could have happened at any age. He said I was lucky it happened when it did because health care is in a better position now for folk who have had this opoeration than it was when I was young and I do agree with him on that score. I don't think why me now because I know nothing of my " real " family history so my problem could even be genetic.

I agree with how you feel and see things though. There are some very over weight people in my village. They make the telly tubbies look  anerexic.

At least once I am sorted I am willing to work at getting my weight back down. Not that I am that bad but I know I need to get the excess off.

6

Hi attractac ... 

I am not sure how to respond to this topic ... we all have our story and wondered at some time in our life :why is this happening to me ?

I did too, but never looked at other people and thought : why don't they have that what I have ....or why do they have what I cannot have ...

I don't know because I do not walk in their shoes .... and it is the other way around too ... 

please be gentle and kind to your self 

warm hug on this gloomy, rainy day in Holland

7

Yes I should be thankful I got to my sixties .I suppose it's just one day of those things. Just needed a wee moan. But I would love more research into it. I asked surgeon if he thought that there would be an injection of cartilage soon but hgecsaid not in my time.

8

I worked with people with disabilities and know there is far worse than O/A. Too much thinking time at present.

9

Warm hug to you too and would you believe we have a bit of sun in northern Ireland. I did my first half mile walk today and got in to the maxi dress. Looks cool with white Ted's. Wouldn't you think they would do them in natural. But its good to have a bit of pride in my appearance again. Xx

10

Very true Mary. My healthy lifestyle should aid my recovery. I used tonknow a lady years ago who always got a laugh from saying she had 4 hips replaced. She was a dote and never complained. This forum is great for a wee anonymous moan.

11

Now you do have a good reason to wonder. I hope you get your eye problem sorted. Xx

12

Have you been tested for rheumatoid arthritis?

13

They will get there with stem cell stuff and what we have done will seem barbaric. But at least we can have it. And the upside is with rampant antibiotic resistance we are being done in a time window where they can operate and avoid most of us getting infections. So thats my upside down view - I beat the building waiting lists and antibiotic resistance too by getting in so young smile

Sun shining here and off to nod at my sweet peas. Hope the stuff and nonsense we post is cheering you up?

I caught Ken Dodd on Jeremy Vine giving a talk about what it is to be human (still on iplayer). Turned tears to smiles that day. And Youtube is a great place to escape to good memories - you can even catch childhood programmes on there - Clangers, Tales of the Riverbank, Andy Pandy...And noone can tell you to stop wasting time cos you are a patient. 

Take care and a big hug - this forum is a safe place to talk to folks and we all know its an up and down journey xxxx

14

Thanks attractac! Going to take about 6 weeks to sort out

15

Hi attractac

as for me I always thought when!  

My mother has had her big toe joints replaced and both her knees.

Has oa in her neck, spine, fingers etc.

My father had 4 hip replacements before he passed away last year

i am now 60 but have known for the past 8 years my hip needed replacing. I have oa in my spine and my fingers drive me mad. The only thing I really feel is unfair is that I feel too young for all this. 

At least we are lucky enough to live in a time we can "get fixed". 

My old mum- in- law is 92 and is as fit as a fiddle!!  👵👵She can do everything faster than me!!  It makes me laugh when I ask her to slow down to wait for me!!

i have suffered with depression most of my life, which has finally disappeared with the menopause.  I am now very happy and content even if I do have to have new joints

i love this site to be able to moan, cos I think the family get fed up if you say too much

good luck, take care

Carol 😄 Xx

 

16

Hi attractac, I have, just on the odd occassion thought, "damn it why now", I also wish I had not attended my appointment for DXA scan that shows severe osteoparosis but why waste time thinking/wishing?

I had a silly accident which after a lifetime of doing what are classed "dangerous /high risk activities, I find myself being limited in my future activities and denied riding horses that I have done since childhood.

For me its glass half empty/half full, I am the latter. Don't get me wrong, my only blood relative is my daughter and I lost my husband in 2003, I still care for my beautiful, spirited horses, HPR dogs and rescue cats. My garden is not how it was but the bees and butterflies are having a ball so I will continue doing my best.

I worked in the NHS for 40yrs, never been over weigh (7st 4lb wringing wet through), healthy diet, minimal alcohol, loads of exercise, it is what it is.

Think of it another way, why do young healthy people die suddenly?

I was in charge of ITU some years ago, a fit 17yr old boy was admitted after winning a marathon, he had suffered a berry anuryism and was brain dead. His wonderful parents donated his organs, I stayed on duty to give him the care he deserved and had the experience of meeting and assisting the person (Sir) heart transplant surgeon in the UK, other organs also helped other patients survive.

I still picture that beautiful boy in my mind, thank his parents and know how many others where given a life.

Saying "Why me" is not an option.

Sorry if that sounds cruel but we all face difficulties, need support but need to save our efforts for making a difference and our life better, no matter what it brings.

Big hugs and lots of love, D Xx

17

Hi Dot

Great sentiments. 6 months before my problems I was in the same Ortho specialist hospital - in the childrens ward where my daughter's late diagnosed knee injury was being  fixed but as a result of late diagnosis my darling 16 yr old had incurred the injury and damage of a 45 year old.

My heart was out to her as having the worst possible luck -  until I looked around the ward and talked to other patients. Most of the other children there had bone cancer and were being faced with news daily about whether or not infections had been defeated or if amputation was likely.

We tumble out of good health into poor health with no notice and its a shock. I never thought the last time I climbed a mountain may be my last - but at least I got to climb some. For most of my life I had good health and can fight to get some or most of it back. Many of those children on that ward never even got a shot at health. We are the lucky ones in some ways, even if it does not always feel that way xxxx

18

To some extent, yes why me, but putting on an analytical head a hip joint can be replaced. It is a long and sometimes painful and uncomfortable business but ultimately, for most of us, it leads to an improvement. I can think of many other conditions that would be worse, but then I still might get some of those. Life is a lottery, to some extent genetic.

19

say what flowers attract butterflies.

I had a bush that did but over the winter it died. My patio gets really hot in the summer.any suggestions?

20

Hi attractac

I know what you mean!

I have always worked so been very active, never smoked and not really overweight.

However, I always think 'why not me!'

I have had a few health issues over the years but nothing life threatening. I have known friends much yoiunger than me die of cancer.

We sometimes have to be grateful for the things we haven't got. I am grateful that my hip arthritis could be operated on and put right. So many people would like to swap places with us for the illnesses they are

going through.

We all grieve for our 'old' lives to a certain degree but we have to move forwards with what we have.

I am sure that a few months down the line you will feel stronger and fitter and be doing some of the things you used to do and lots of new things as well. It's early days for many of us and we are all impatient. I am 5.5 weeks down the line, which is nothing in the great scheme of things but feel I should be farther forward than I am. I have to rein myself in and say 'Whoa Dobbin' be easy on yourself.

We will all improve week on week and in 12 months time will forget many of the trials and tribulations we are going through now

Have a good night's sleep - tomorrow is a new and brighter day

Kind wishes Linda xx