Hello. I have just been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my shoulder, hand, wrist and knee all down the right side. The pain started in the knee first then the hand then the shoulder and the elbow. Is it possible for it to then continue down the left side as I am now getting pain in the left knee and left shoulder. If so where does this stop as I am only 59 ( i feel young) and can someone give me advice on what painkillers to take please. I've been taking Ibuprofen but they only seem to last about half an hour and the pain is back. Thank you in advance. Dian
Sorry to hear about your pain problems. I too have OA in various places - neck, thumb joints and ankle. Unfortunately OA being an inflammatory condition does tend to spread around the body once you have it in one place, you then find it pops up in another joint I stopped taking ibuprofen as my doctor told me it could increase my risk of heart problems, as I also have familial high cholesterol. I sometimes take naproxen which takes a good few hours to work but really reduces the inflammation and thus the pain. I find some natural remedies work really well - ginger, curcumin and foods with a high level of Omega 3. All of these help me cut down the inflammation a lot. I became vegetarian a few years ago and my pain levels dropped a lot when I stopped eating meat. Red meat is known to increase inflammation. I also now avoid any processed foods - again it helps, although it doesnt take the pain away completely, particularly when the weather is cold and damp which is the worst time.
hi dian. firstly i commiserate what you are going through. i am 60 and i also have oa in lower spine both knees and both shoulders for about 10 years. i have been prescibed and take zapain or cocodamol 500/30 and tramadol 50mg at night. it just relieves the pain somewhat but my doctor told me this is what would happen. i move about as much as possible but i find the more movement i do the more tired i become( one of the side effects of painkillers is fatigue/tiredness) so i sit down to rest and the pain becomes more intense i am in between a rock and a hard place, you will have to find a happy medium, your gp will advise you. good luck
Hi Dian!
Yes, osteoarthritis surely is a PAIN -- literally!😬 I first noticed mine in the 80s after my two sons were born. It started as some stiffness that would lessen as I moved around. I began taking over-the-counter joint medications. I didn't visit a doctor because I recognised the symptoms. My family on both sides have osteoarthritis.
Over the next ten years things were about the same. More stiffness, more pain but nothing too awful. My husband and I took care of my mother in our home for two years in 2011 and 2012. She was 99 and then 100. Caring for her was stressful in many ways. Both my husband and I experienced health issues. I believe the stress, lack of sleep and the emotional toll her Dementia took on us really set my husband's health and my health into a downward spiral.
Age (we are 65) certainly played a part as well. I was in increasing pain particularly in my knees. I had both knees replaced in 2015.
Osteoarthritis continues on, however. Especially when it rains snows or there is a weather change I know pain is on the way.
I try to keep positive, think of how much worse things COULD be but aren't. I pray a lot, take my Ibuprofen morning and night, KEEP MOVING, use IcyHot roll-on on my arthritic back, warm my fingers with warm water which helps, use a heating pad on my lower back and right shoulder and TRY to keep myself distracted with interesting things like my garden, reading, playing with our granddaughter, and being thankful that AT LEAST my KNEES don't pain me as they did for five long years prior to surgery;
Take care!
Be strong.
Sending prayers of strength to you today!♥️
Oh, and I also wanted to mention FISH OIL capsules! I began taking these (2 capsules 1000mg each ) about two years ago following my knee replacements. My doctor suggested this.They provide Omega 3 and have also made a difference in my joints.
My husband says "OIl Can" (Wizard of Oz!) when I'm taking them!! Also the fish oil helps with heart health.
If you get the Half Size liquigels they are smaller and easier to swallow. Don't worry about any smell of fish. They DO NOT smell!
Recently I added two more which I take at night as ordered by my doctor. I figure it can't hurt and will also help provide heart health.
I agree about the fish oil capsules - Omega 3 rich foods are very very good for keeping inflammation at bay. Try to avoid anything high in omega 6 - as this can compete with omega 3 for metabolisation in the body. Examples of things containing omega 6 include refined vegetable oils. Good luck
Hi Dian, I wonder who diagnosed this? Doesn't sound like the osteoarthritis I have if you suddenly became aware of pain only on one side of your body. My experience has been that it's a "wear and tear" problem i.e. rough insides of joints rubbing against bone where cartilege has worn away. It starts in one or two joints (could be anywhere) and gradually other joints may or may not be affected. The rubbing of unsmooth joints causes inflammation hence the pain. I have it in hips, ankle, knees, hands and now my shoulder/neck is starting to creak and be painful. Of course there are loads of different types of arthritis and I hope you've been tested for rheumatoid. I think it's odd that osetoarthritis should suddenly affect only one side of your body. The current advice in the UK for osteoarthritis is to keep moving as much as possible. As you move the joints get lubricated and the pain is eased. If you haven't had blood tests I would ask for them although I do know that some arthritis type problems like fibromyalgia are difficult to diagnose. Join your local Arthritis society where you'll get lots of advice about supplements (I don't think any of them have really been proven to be effective) and other ways of easing the pain like heat and ice. Muscle building is also supposed to help e.g. strengthening thigh muscles helps knees and you can do these sitting down. Also some people are affected by diet e.g. too much acidic fruit, meat etc. Currently I take Turmeric (the latest "wonder" supplement) and rose hip capsules when I remember but I can't say they've done anything to help me on the other hand would I be worse without them? I understand fish oils and glucosamine are pretty much a waste of money. Good luck (I know it's a very irritating problem(s) and I could scream sometimes with the effort of trying to do something) and keep moving those joints as much as you can even while sitting.
Thank you very much Cheryl, gardening is one of my main hobbies. I'll bear what you said in mind.
Thank you Loxie, I found that very interesting about ibuprofen, as I also suffer from hereditary high cholesterol, so I think its time to stop taking it. I'll try naproxen. Thanks again
Thank you Fred, Loxie has suggested Naproxen for the pain, I'll try that first then failing that I'll try one of your suggestions. Thanks again.
The doctor diagnosed it as OA after having xrays, he told me it was normal for people to get it all down the one side of their body. I notice you mention acidic fruit, I do eat a lot of it, I'll have to cut back on it. Thank you very much.
my friend takes naproxen and swears by them and even gave me a sleeve to try. i googled them and thought there were to many side effects, so never tried them. my advice......... any thing you think of trying. google and do your homework on them. good luck
You are very welcome! I distract myself all the time when I am outside! I LOVE digging in the dirt, getting the soil ready to plant, watching our daffodils poke through the mulch! I weeded flowerbeds for two days this week. My IcyHot really helps with my lower back! I'm learning to take breaks, check out my walnut tree to see if the bees are moving around yet, watch the birds at the feeders and play with our neighbour's sweet Pit bull, Lola! Then, back to the WEEDS!
Unfortunately all anti inflammatories have side effects - I found ibuprofen were the worst and cant take them now. Naproxen does cause stomach issues so if you decide to give them a try, make sure you take a stomach protector alongside (omeprazole, lansoprazole, etc), although even these have their own side effects vicious circle eh.
Thanks for the advice Loxie.
Hi Dian, sorry to disagree with your doctor. I'm pretty sure it is not normal to get osteoarthritis suddenly down one side of the body. I would be interested to hear what others think about this. Pain and inflammation in multiple joints can be caused by other problems (e.g. auto immune) and require specific medication. I really would try to get a referral to a rheumatologist and/or further investigations carried out as X-rays can be misleading in that they don't really show the state of joints very clearly. It's too easy for doctors to say it's osteoarthritis and leave you to get on with it.
Hi Dian ive had oa 4 along time now im 47 ive had left knee replaced half at first then it took out then whole one last year on same leg had it done last jan the oa is all over my body only place its not is my head & face I actually went 2 a walk in doctors last nite as I was in extreme agony as I am waiting 4 right knee 2 be replaced & my leg is bowed so I am rocking upon walking My right hip needs replacement to but my surgeon wont do it at moment because of my age I am on Naproxen & paracetamol & amitriptyln but because of the tightness in my joints on right side last night they have put me onto codein which when waking this morning has reduced the pain alot its just O feel really giddey & tired I also buy coconut oil & mix in a pot with drops of black pepper oil which I rub into my legs feet & hands when pain is really bad which helps alot I find water aerobics really helps and swimming 2 I hope that helps u x
Hi I have osteoarthritis & im 47 I take Naproxen 500mg twice a day 4 my oa they do work wonders 4 me best ive been on I take 2 omprezole to line my stomach before having them I think I might try that eating vegetarian I think thats a good idea
Hi dian if your leg is bowing through osteo arthritis then it will effect your joints all on oneside as my knee replacement leg is longer after op than my right side so I am rocking when walking and it has caused all my right hand joints from feet 2 neck 2 really hurt I really feel 4 u as its unbearable the pain I hope this is helpful xx
Fred have you ever been tested for Polymalaysia Rheumatica? Some of your symptoms are similar to PMR and it would be worth getting the blood test to see if you have the inflammation markers that are elevated when someone has PMR.