Readers Respond: What Were Your First Symptoms of Osteoarthritis?

Many people try to self-treat their initial symptoms. How long did you wait before you consulted a doctor about your symptoms? Do you consider your symptoms well-managed?

Muscle pain with osteoarthritis

I had a total hip replacement in the right. Need the left and both knees. The muscle pain in the quads and calves is extremely painful. Anyone else experience this?

—Guest Patricia

Self diagnoses

At age 48, started with fatigue in lower back which was followed be thigh pain. Immediately discontinued wearing heels because having put on weight I thought the shoes were the issue. Standing and long walks began being a problem. After dealing with progessive discomforts about 2yrs Dr suggested I lose weight. Finally had both hips replaced.

—Guest Martha

Bone on bone from osteoarthritis

Started seven months ago with severe pain and swelling in my knee and leg. X-ray showed bone on bone. Have been getting injections of cortisone but am told I need total knee replacement. Insurance is trying to tell me there are alternatives to surgery. I'm not sure what to do.

—Guest Doris

Started in early teens...

When I was in my early teens I had severe pain in my knees, but of course it was brushed off as growing pains. Over the years especially when I reached my 40's. I had continual pain, knees, back, fingers, feet etc. was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, and osteoarthritis and also lost all my finger and toe nails from psoriatic arthritis. Have tried every anti-inflammatory, bad side effects. Had gold injections, which did work for a number of years. Finally went on a trial of morphine patches, which of course, deadened the pain, but the root cause remained. Now with to faulty knee replacements, (CHECK MANUFACTURER PRIOR TO GETTING KNEE REPACEMENTS) and a hip (R) that is extremely painful and side effects from breaking bones, especially my sacrum, I am in constant pain. I had been taking over 125 mg of morphine, but due to bowel problems, (very debilitating), I weaned myself off morphine and just deal with pain every day. But at 81 it can't be long now.......life is what you make it.

—Guest CRYSTAL

What will help

I have suffered with rheematoid, psoriatic and osteoarthritis for years, have had both knees replaced and right knee failed. Pain continually. I cracked my sacrum in 2006 and have had cortisone injections in R hip. Now after another two falls, I am in constant pain and have very painful muscle spasms when I walk. Have tried heat, cold, topical rubs, all anti-inflammatory drugs, opiates, gold injections, and now am almost in a wheelchair. 81 years old, but the pain is constant, and I am afraid to walk because of the muscle spasms, needless to say, I no longer drive. Is there any help for me? If so what?

—Guest J Bellamy

Base of thumb

I started to feel pain at the base of my thumb and also have bony lumps on each of my thumbs. I also experience pain in my wrists and finger joints and sometimes up my arm.

—Guest johudson

First symptoms of arthritis

I was 42 on my knees playing with my toddler on the floor; I had knee pain, which I ignored. 5 years later I hurt the knee and when it was x rayed, I was told I had moderate to severe arthritis.

—Guest Nancy

Sufferer

I was diagnosed with RA at age 42. A couple months later had arthroscopic surgery on left knee. A year later the other knee has symptoms of swelling, chronic pain, still in my left knee too, popping, stiffness and difficulty walking. Tramadol, vicodin, motrin and aleve do not relieve the pain. IDK what to do now. I'm 44 and am in chronic pain from this. I thought I was too young but I guess not. My hips are in severe pain if I sit too long and I can't get up without help because my knees are so weak. HELP

—Guest dawndz

Long suspected OA

I had a routine chest xray for a chest infection recently and it was established that I had osteoarthritis, and even though I had long suspected it myself my doctor kept dismissing my theory. I suffer a great deal of pain in my shoulder, arms, and my left leg and hip particularly when I use the stairs. I was prescribed tramadol but didn't get much if any relief...........so I'm still in no mans land so to speak.

—Guest Breda

OA?

Am 75 years old; Usually I try to stand instead of sitting when watching my grand kids play sports. One cross country event, I felt uncomfortable standing; like tired; forgot about it; but have been walking stiff and jerky and walking slower in recent times. First, a little about me; 5ft 6 inches, lost about inch and a half, weigh 162 lbs, exercise at the gym 4 days a week for one and a half hour per, am in good shape. Getting back to my problem; this past Sunday, at Easter Sunrise Service, I felt uncomfortable standing. I have been taking Glucosamin, Chondroitin & MSM, not that long, maybe 2 weeks, but Monday, day after Service I bought & took one tablet Aleve, 220mg, and seems like most of my syntoms have lessened drastically.

—Guest Melvin Mabuni

Debilitating knee pain

Constant knee pain 24/7. Diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my late thirties. TKR left knee, now have sensitivity to the metal and have had three orthopedists tell me it needs to be replaced. Feel like I am trying to decide between my knees or sanity. Recently diagnosed with RA, also. This feels like a nightmare I cannot wake up from. Pain medications give little relief. Need right knee replaced, degeneration in spine, hip.

—Guest Deb

THUMB JOINT PAIN

I HAVE STARTED TO EXPERIENCE PAIN IN MY RIGHT THUMB WHEN I BEND IT. I'M 64 YR'S AND 4 MONTHS. WHAT CAN I DO TO HELP OR CURE?

—Guest ANGELO MILIA

I have some symptoms

Well I'm still not certain if I do have osteoarthritis as my consultant talked on the phone for most of my last appointment. However, I have another appointment on Thursday. It started with pain in my knees and a Bouchard's node turned up! My hips also ache sometimes and occasionally give way. The consultant said that the pain could be because I injured them playing badminton and doing judo. He then dismissed the Bouchard's node and said he couldn't see anything. My knee pain has disappeared (pos. because I haven't been doing any sport due to an internal injury) but today I was in primark and I noticed a Heberden's node! :(

—Guest Georgia

Not sure if it is?

I started using the treadmill. My knee had swollen a bit and pain when I would walk or rest. Now both knees are feeling the same way with worse stiffness after sleeping or sitting down for a while! Waiting for my insurance to come thru the mail, so I can get this checked out!

—Guest Marsha

First symptom of OA

While taking stairs, I used to get pain. I doubted it to be arthritis -- tell me is it?

—Guest divya

RN

Knowing what I know now, I realize that it started with fatigue and ache in my left leg.

—Guest CarolBakerRN48