[Aidy]

No not the yankee tv series or for that matter Open Access, Office Angels maybe perhaps Old Age  but OSTEOARTHRITUS  yep in me knees, had it confirmed on Tuesday, the body is defo on the slippery slope to grumpyness.
Knocked up some capsaicin cream (loads of chillies) which I am applying at night before bed time, seems to be easing it a little.
I know of loads of alternatives like tumeric etc, first point of call is going to be a trip to the physio for chat about the management and physical side as I would like to continue in coaching the kids footy as well as playing it.

Intresting the glucosamine hasn't had any effect on it, certainly helped the tennis elbow but not the knee.

Now I know why old people are so grumpy 

[mumofstig]

 Yup! Now you know 

Nobody warns you how much growing old can hurt!

[Goosegirl]

I'm sorry to hear that Aidy. I first got it in my neck (classed as moderately severe) during the late eighties and my GP sent me to physio OPD. The only thing that did anything was acupuncture. A number of years later it was in my spine as well (particularly in the hip area) so my GP sent me to someone working in the practise who was doing Bowen's Technique which was a most interesting and unusual experience that really helped me. Basically, I was lying on an examination couch on my back then she very slowly lifted one leg, slightly brought it towards my tum, then put it back where it was. This was repeated twice more then she left me to do the same to other patients. When she came back she did the same to my other leg and later on with my arms. TBH I thought this was absolutely barking!! When she'd finished I was told to be very  careful when getting off the couch. As I got up I felt as light as air and rather strange but in a nice way. It really helped me a lot but, as things go in the NHS, they couldn't afford her services anymore so that was that! Since then I've had one hip replaced and the rest of my OE certainly kicks in at times, and no painkillers do much (even codeine) so I try to accept it as one of those things that happens when you get older. I can handle anything ageing physically as long as my brain works ok. Have a chat with your GP etc and see if there's anything on offer NHS-wise that's similar to what I had, and please email me if you want more info or just a GG hug! 

[mrs bouquet]

Oh dear I am sorry for you all.   Its horrid.  Had my wrist jab a couple of days ago.  Doc said,  You must just accept you are disabled now.  Perhaps Social Services Dept, can advise you on household aids.
I very nearly told him exactly where to go with that one and what to do with it.   This extra trouble in my hand/wrist started on 20th October when I was cutting back Rubbeckia, and I thought, oh this hurts.   But will he listen. Waiting now for Physio to contact me, meanwhile still got the splint on.  But the carpal tunnel is a bit better since the jab.  God, it did hurt this time.
Try to keep smiling through, what else can you do.  Mrs Bouquet

[Goosegirl]

Your doctor wants a jolly good slap for saying that as it was rude and very demeaning! If someone said to me that the Social Services Dept. can advise you on household aids I'd pretend deafness and say "a household maid is just what I need" and ask if they could supply a hunky young chap who would be at my beck and call whenever I wanted.  It would cost the NHS a lot less than trying to return walking aids and other items you were supplies with after a hip op only to be told they're just thrown away for H&S reasons.

[sunshineband]

I also have OA Knees .. not moving is the worst thing to do... and keeping your muscles strong is the best thing to do. Physio advice will be good no doubt Aidy, but don't focus just on your legs, but make sure you keep your back and hips as flexible as possible, as they can be thrown out of kilter a bit if you have a dodgy knee.
All part of life's rich tapestry, depiste some bits wearing thinner than others 

[ARPoet]

After having my hand rebuilt about 20 years ago, the pain clinic gave me some capsaicin cream to rub on. It worked a treat, but one had to apply it with lint, for if one touched an eye, nose or .....er,.... other tender parts, it stung like h.... mad. I never thought of making my own.

[MarkC]

Definitely keep active. Physio will give you some exercises to keep muscles around knees strong. I have a bit in both knees now and I got referred to hospital but by the time I got the appointment with physio the X rays were over a year out of date so in the chocolate teapot mode of usefulness....went privately in the end. Was told that knees didn't warrant any surgery as exploratory/clear out might do more harm than good, which was fair enough view I think, and I got good guidance as to exercises etc. Told to keep doing most things.

I do exercises for them most days and still play a bit of cricket and ski and hill walk a bit too - going down is worse than going up . And fish of course....though have a wading stick now for the more challenging stuff.....

Glucosamine doesn't work in my view.

Good luck!

[mumofstig]

I was reading yesterday that Pharmaceutical (ie high) grade Chondroitin is worth taking, long term, instead of NSAIDs - so I've ordered some to try, because my stomach doesn't tolerate NSAIDs

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29451036

Mark, ordinary x-rays only show very basic images, most specialists need CT scans or MRI for a diagnosis.

[MarkC]

Lesley,

I think that the view of the specialist was that there wasn't enough evidence to warrant anything invasive in terms of surgery, and better to go with physio first, which I completely agreed with. Had my patella tendon in left knee repaired about 12 years ago, which made a huge difference, but this is just arthritic wear and tear now.

I am in the same boat as you with NSAID - can't tolerate Volterol even in gel form either! Regular exercise is best, plus specific targeted physio. Being a wicket keeper at cricket for nearly 30 years probably helped as thigh muscles are pretty strong anyway.

[Goosegirl]

It seems a bit debatable whether x-rays and/or scans are the most helpful in diagnosing OA, see this link:
https://www.verywellhealth.com/x-ray-evidence-of-osteoarthritis-2552141