Community Spirit, Introducing Arthur!

That's it! I've had enough! I can't take anymore! I am completely and utterly fed up of being in pain, hurting, aching, not being mobile and being exhausted all of the time. Arthritis is trying to break me and at the moment it seems as though it is winning. I keep blaming all my other symptoms on Mr OA but after talking with friends on an online support group I am getting myself checked out by my GP tomorrow morning just to make sure there isn't anything else going on or if the medication I am currently taking is just not suitable for me anymore. I'll talk quite bluntly about this as there maybe someone out there who may be able to offer some helpful comments or advice. Apologies if I offend anyone!

As you all know I have stage 3 OA in both my knees and suspected in my hips although I have only had an x-ray which showed borderline for the hips. I am exhausted ALL of the time. I do something and I then need to sit down or even better lay down for a while. I can fall asleep at any point during the day but continue to struggle to sleep at night waking up in extreme pain every couple of hours through the night. My right hip is especially painful and nothing seems to help fully although I am using the tens machine more and more on my hip and lower back to take the edge of the pain. I ache all over and my arms and legs feel weak. I suffer with double vision and have done since I was a teenager and I wear glasses with a prism to help this, but now I am struggling to control the double vision and the optician says my prescription is suitable. Finally....I need to pee lots! and when I go I don't seem to empty my bladder fully and end up needing to go again shortly after I have just been. And don't get me started on brain fog and not being able to remember things! This is all very frustrating for someone who has limited mobility and is fighting pain on a constant basis. I am hoping there is a simple explanation for this and I don't have to battle something else. With a bit of luck my GP will be able to shed some light and put my mind at ease.  I suppose one of the better side effects of the tramadol is that I don't have a big appetite anymore, in fact I don't have an appetite and I have lost 1 stone 3 lbs in under 3 months...which is good for my figure! ;-)

I hear people say 'Community Spirit doesn't exist anymore'. I have been humbled by the number of people who live in our street who stop and ask how I am doing, if I need anything just to knock and ask, and people who just stop and say hello. I don't even know the names of some of these people. I know roughly where they live and I am now making a concerted effort to get to know them better...starting by learning their name, hopefully I will remember their names! So that's the physical community of the street I live in. Also there is community spirit in the online community. I am a member of a number of support forums and an admin on one. The support that people from all walks of life and from all over the globe give people is heart warming. Just to chat with someone who is going through what you are going through and who understands really helps. I have made some lovely friends online. Also I have some long standing understanding friends. I am very blessed to have the support I do, and of course I have my rock too, Paul xxx

When I go into hospital for big/major surgeries I get a new teddy bear to keep me company! I'd like to introduce you to Arthur Ritis, my new Hospital Bear!

Arthur will be going with me to hospital on 11th October to keep me company. The kids love him and helped make him at Build a Bear!

Until next time. Keep safe and hope you all have a pain free day xxx