Lorraine's Story - Arthritis Action

In August 2024 life really changed when I saw a physiotherapist about pain I was experiencing and ultrasound showed I had osteoarthritis in my right hip, with fluid and inflammation. He didn’t want to treat me and instead referred to my GP with a recommendation I see a specialist, he seemed quite concerned. The GP sent for an x-ray and I waited 8 weeks for the result. In the meantime, I went on holiday and struggled, I managed just four days but then had to come home early.

That was the start of arthritis having a big impact on my life. Over the next few months, I had increased pain and restriction of movement. The yoga and Pilates I enjoyed, I just couldn’t do it anymore. Compensating for the hip, I had back pain and my knees got worse. I was able to walk less as time went on. My general health, energy, physical and mental health were all affected. I was cancelling more holidays, days out, events, seeing friends. I couldn’t sit for long. I felt broken.

A year previously I could walk the hilly, volcanic Canary Islands for five hours without any difficulty. Now I was struggling to do twenty minutes on flat ground. The retirement I had imagined had gone.

“Then I began to research what I could do. How can I treat this? Can I get it better? These were the things I wanted to know.”

I discovered Arthritis Action and found myself with some answers! There’s no magic cure – what I needed to learn was how to manage it – to have the best life possible. So that was my goal.

Now I have what I call my imaginary toolbox – things that help me manage and it can be different things at different times depending on how I feel.

I started with sources of information and support – Arthritis Action is great here. Staff are so knowledgeable, helpful, friendly and they care. I recommend everyone with arthritis to join! The events are so useful, including afternoon tea and morning coffee sessions. The number of gadgets we all brought to a recent meeting was hilarious. The charity brings us together to enable us to learn from each other. You need the distraction and it’s so good to be able to connect.

Nutrition is so important to me. The GP doesn’t cover much on this. Martin (the Arthritis Action Dietitian) is very good, he helped me with hydration which I needed to look at. I struggled with fatigue and found tweaking my diet helped.

“Everything is linked if I have more energy, I can cope better with my arthritis.”

The Arthritis Acton podcast on osteoarthritis emphasised the need to strengthen muscles in and around joints. I’ve set up a small home gym in my garage and it’s a godsend, because I can just pop and do a quick session – even just five minutes if that’s all I can manage. I use a static bike for interval training. I’ve been building up with Martin’s guidance and my knees are now much less painful. Ice therapy and gel packs help, especially after exercise. I use a TENS machine, if I have a flare up.

I have hip-replacement surgery scheduled shortly, so I am currently working through a programme to ensure I am as fit and strong as possible going into that surgery. I have a daily tailored Pilates programme to strength hip and pelvis area.

The next tool I think is very important is sleep and rest. Pain is worse if you are tense. Sleep can be hard if you have aches and pains. I have a routine: phone off, milky drink, relaxing bath with Epsom salts

Distractions are important: social activities, the online groups, reading, book clubs, art appreciation, board game club, theatre, seeing friends and family. I do what I can. People contact by phone, WhatsApp, or if I can manage it better still in person.

I make use of therapists and professionals. I have sports massage, Pilates instructor, I see the physiotherapist sooner rather than latter if I have a niggle. Also, the hairdresser and beautician are important to me – keeps up my self-confidence.

People around me in my life, and from online groups inspire me. I’ve learnt a lot from people who work through and make the best of things despite illness and adversity.

Have I got osteoarthritis sussed, no course I haven’t, just like everyone else I have bad days. But I use my “toolbox” to find something that will help.

Life may be different with arthritis, but it can still be interesting, exciting, fulfilling and yes wonderful.