Parkinson's Plus Severe Osteoarthritis

By twinkle

1 min read

Since October last year, things have been very difficult with trying to walk with severe bone on bone arthritis in my left hip and my left knee as my knee replacement is no longer stable and you can feel the pain build up and then the joint moves as it releases it.

Difficulty moving and sleeping

Trying to step over the shower hob is quite painful and trying to get my right leg to move when it is stuck to the ground. My right leg will then start to shake as I am trying to get it to move and when the weight shifts to the left leg it becomes quite painful! I have become stooped over which does not help my back and has been gradually getting worse and so I am trying to straighten up by using a forearm walker. At the rate this is deteriorating I will be in a wheelchair soon!

Trying to sleep with pain shooting through the ends of my toes, cramped toes, and restless legs or legs muscles twitching has made it hard to sleep in bed! Both my husband and I have resorted to sleeping in our recliner chairs! Trying to sleep is hard and I can be awake till 3:30 am and the alarms start going off at 5:30am! Here I am still awake at 2:10am this morning and we have a Podiatrist appointment this morning and our transport will be here about 10am.

Loss of driving

Both of us no longer have our licenses as our GP refused to pass us. It has meant that we had to get rid of our car which we gave to our daughter and son-in-law! David has found this very hard and feels that he could have been still driving! With David's Parkinson's and 2 strokes as well as a brain hemorrhage and then a mini stroke, he has mood changes and also gets depressed.

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Thea Destephano Member
twinkle, I am so sorry that you are experiencing such extreme pain. Has your orthopedist offered any solutions for relief? I also have bone on bone osteoarthritis in both knees as well as severe spinal stenosis in my lower back. Cortisone shots don’t work for me and I am not a candidate for surgeries.I have found temporary relief with Voltaren gel, moist heat and Alleve as suggested by my orthopedist . I also sleep with a knee support pillow which relieves some back pain. I am able to get better rest and am able to exercise using these remedies. Check with your doctor as to whether these temporary measures may offer some relief. I hope these remedies may provide a solution for you. Let us know how you are doing. Thea DeStephano Community Team Member
twinkle Member
Hi Thea, I found out on Friday that I am on the waiting list to see a Orthopedic surgeon , which I have been on for a few years now and they are just allowing the Surgeons to start operating ! I am in a predicament as my husband can't be left at home by himself and doesn't want to go into respite while I am in hospital and there is the concern of getting golden staff infection and losing my leg or being worse off. That is something I don't want to happen! But it is getting quite painful to put wait on my left leg and get my right to move and I know that it is going to put me in a wheel chair as my knee replacement in the left leg is not good with the movement or the painful spasms that I am getting in it and my hip! I use deep heat, hot packs and my son and grandsons put in together to buy me a massager for Christmas! My GP thinks I should live with it and not have it operated on! I hope that you get some relief
Thea Destephano Member
Twinkle , You are certainly being faced with a very difficult decision and I am sorry that you are in so much pain. I understand your not wanting to be in a wheelchair and your concerns about possible side effects with surgery. I wish you well whatever you decide. Please stay in contact and let us know how you are. You have our support. Thea DeStephano Community Team Member
Thea Destephano Member
<inline-mention username="twinkle" user-id="3096443"/> Have you gotten any information as to when you might get an appointment with the Orthopedic Surgeon ? Waiting is always so difficult as you continue to deal with the pain. Wishing you well. Take care of yourself. Thea DeStephano , CommunityTeam Member

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