Not really what I wanted for Christmas

[fatboy]

I had a spinal x ray just before the festive bit...
The x rays show 'reduced joint space' which is the onset of Osteoarthritis.
Been a slow, painful few weeks, not been able to swing a leg over the bike,not a hope in hell of pulling on my leathers, no running with the dog, no fun.
Bit of a bugger, I've always been proud of the fact that I still have the same waist size as in my schooldays,could easily outrun and outwork people half my age.
I'm headed for the 'glue factory',..
But not without a serious fight , you bastard called life

[Gio]

I've had osteoarthritis in my neck for 41 years, I take painkillers, just the ordinary paracetamol when it really bugs me, its so ingrained now I ignore it 99% of the time. The one thing you have to do though is keep active, no sitting watching the idiot box in the corner hour after hour and don't listen to the quacks, with their IMO stupid advice. Now I'm retired its a lot easier to keep going, I'm averaging 35-40 mile a week walking, plus riding a bicycle a similar amount.

Better what we have than missing limbs or made into a vegetable because of injury.

[flatlander]

My spine is fused in parts I have a couple of vertabrae compressed one inside the other part of the nerves in my back are more or less dead my hands never recovered properly and I still have a partial paralysis on one side from breaking my neck
My collar bone went u noticed as being broken so it is set wrong two fingers in the had that is partially paralysed don't work from an old knife injury my hip was never fixed after a small fracture and I have arthritis in strange places
That's without the stuff that's allegedly healed oh and I often scream getting on the bike so I have absolute sympathy but there are many far worse ...though TBH that doesn't make me feel better...
The main thing as Gio says is to keep moving as when you stop it seizes up and don't get going again
That and complimentary medicine diet ...White wine is less bad than red lol

[fatboy]

Thanks for the advice,
I worked out that moving is better than not moving, I loosen up after a bit of slow careful stumbling, painkillers don't work so I don't bother anymore.
Just a bit pissed off that this came from nowhere, I can't blame it on any Flatlander stunts !
Work are being really good about this, Occ. Health referral, letting me do stuff in my own time.
I just hate having to admit that I'm not Peter Fucking Pan

[BikerGran]

I have osteoarthritis pretty much everywhere now, with the possible exception of my spine - or maybe it's just that it got there later so it's less noticeable than the other bits.

I agree you have to keep moving, but you need to mix the moving with a well-judged amount of rest. I do know what you mean about painkillers not working, that's why I take one that no doctor will prescribe for me because of my heart, that's another story but I couldn't keep going without it.

[Greg]

You'll need to do a Falcuono conversion then ... let me know if you need help!

[Gio]

Didn't think to ask before but how do you sleep, by that I mean lie down/recline. if the pain moves to other parts when you do lie down, then work out where you need support to lessen the aches and pains.
I use 3 sorts of pillow, a v shaped one, a wedge and one that looks like a really big softball (football size) thats for my left knee (which I mucked up in 2001 when I came off the TDM). Another good thing if you can do it is meditation, its amazing how it helps you ignore pain once you get used to it.

[fatboy]

I fall asleep ok but wake up turning over and over, trying to get comfy.
I usually sleep on my side, left or right but as I wake lying on my right causes problems, even more so with 30 kilos of bull terrier across my legs ( he's old and rickety like me).
I have a pyhsio appt. on Friday, they should give me some pointers.
It has eased up a lot in the last few days, feel like I can pretty much move without fear...just caution !
The Occ.Health nurse said ' You have to learn how to manage this, you will never be rid of it'
Fuck, I'm high mileage

[Gio]

Sounds like your body is kicking in with the "I am going to put a block on this".
You have a good nurse as well I think with comments like that

[T.C.]

Had to have an ECG at the heart clinic today. I fecking hate the sticky pads they use to attach the terminals with.

My chest is still itching. At least on the plus side they didn't shave my chest this time.

[fatboy]

Had to have an ECG at the heart clinic today. I fecking hate the sticky pads they use to attach the terminals with.

My chest is still itching. At least on the plus side they didn't shave my chest this time.

Well at least you didn't need them attatching to the family jewels !

[Gio]

Had to have an ECG at the heart clinic today. I fecking hate the sticky pads they use to attach the terminals with.

My chest is still itching. At least on the plus side they didn't shave my chest this time.

Last time I had that done they put some gel on 1st, they just peeled off no problem

[Gio]

Had to have an ECG at the heart clinic today. I fecking hate the sticky pads they use to attach the terminals with.

My chest is still itching. At least on the plus side they didn't shave my chest this time.

Well at least you didn't need them attatching to the family jewels !

Why would they need to stick them there?

[T.C.]

Last time I had that done they put some gel on 1st, they just peeled off no problem

Not anymore. It seems that the new machines have become more sensitive and so the need to be stuck on more firmly.

Fortunately I only have the ECG done once in a while now. Now I just have to decide when I will have the pacemaker fitted.

[BikerGran]

Get on and get it done TC - a friend of mine has one and she feels 10 years younger! Get in quick before they decide you're not sick enough!