what to expect

gordyw

Hi Everybody,am new to the forum,at the ripe old age of 48 I've been diagnosed with moderate/severe arthritis in the hips.I've to get physio at my local medical centre,can anyone tell me what to expect.
thanks, Gordyw

elnafinn

Hi Gordy

Welcome to the forum. I am sorry to hear your diagnosis. You are amongst many here with similar problems. :roll: Usually physio is the first port of call after a diagnosis of arthritis. Usually about 6 sessions are offered. I take it you have Osteo Arthritis (OA). If physio does not help then you will more than likely be referred by your gp to a consultant. Have you had xrays taken? Has your gp put you on any inflammatory and painkillers to ease the pain?

Look after yourself,

Luv
Elna x

speedalong

Hi Gordy - I have the same - OA in the hips.

The physio will take a detailed medical history and ask you about your pain - exactly where it is and what sort of pain it is and how much it hurts on a pain scale of 0 to 5 or 1 to 10. If you have been trying to ignore the pain for ages - then it might be worth working out your answers to these questions in advance. The physio will then check you range of movement and the strength that you have in you leg. They will use all this info to devise you a physio programme and will teach you the exercises and send you away to practise them at home ...

If the physio doesn't help other options are hydro (if offered leap at the chance!) pain relief etc If all else fails you may be offered surgery.

Welcome to the forum by the way - let us know how you get on.

Speedalong

PS have you tried heat bags/wheatie bags and/or ice as they help most peeps.

gordyw

Hi ,thanks for the replies,I did have x rays done and thats how they found out how bad the OA was.doc put me on diclofenac but I dont think they're working very well.I'm ok when I'm on my feet but when I sit down and go to get up again omg does it hurt,also when trying to get into a comfortable sleeping position.Doctor suggested hip replacement as a worst case scenario but will try all the options first.Heres hoping the physio helps.
gordyw

dorcas

Hi Gordy!

sorry can't help with the physio hip question, but just popped by to say welcome to the forum.

hey, at 48 you're considered a youngster here!

Irisx

ps...have you had an OT assessment at home to look at any aids etc that might be helpful?

speedalong

gordyw wrote:

Hi ,thanks for the replies,I did have x rays done and thats how they found out how bad the OA was.doc put me on diclofenac but I dont think they're working very well.I'm ok when I'm on my feet but when I sit down and go to get up again omg does it hurt,also when trying to get into a comfortable sleeping position.Doctor suggested hip replacement as a worst case scenario but will try all the options first.Heres hoping the physio helps.
gordyw

Hi Gordy there are other alternatives to diclofenac - so go back to GP and ask for something different. Arcoxia works best for me - but everyone is different - so it is worth it to keep trying until you find the best anti-inflammatory for you.

Keeping still for too long is a problem - whenever possible get up and go for a quick stroll ....

Re sleeping - this is mentioned a lot on this site!! There are quite a few threads on it if you scroll down. Personally a memory foam mattress topper and a maternity pillow/bolster to support my top leg when sleeping on my side have worked for me. Whilst staying at friends sleeping on top of a thick duvet has helped too. Sounds like you need pain meds at night.

Speedalong

elnafinn

Hi Gordy

I hope the physio helps you too. OA does not seem to like too much of being in one position, as you say, after sitting it is not good when first standing and starting to get mobile again. Regarding getting into a comfortable sleeping position at night, peeps on here will be able to suggest things that help them. Why not post a separate thread asking that question? I find a heated wheatbag (heated in microwave) very comfortable for aches and pains.

You could take painkillers too as well as diclofenac if the latter are not helping too much. You could ask your gp.

I am prescribed anti inflams (similar to Diclo) and also cocodamol 30/500 when required (one or two four times a day)

I wish you well,

Luv
Elna x

speedalong

PS Experiment where possible with chairs - some will suit you better than others. I have put a non-matching chair at the kitchen table as the chair I sat on at mealtimes was making me much worse after sitting on it. And in the staffroom there is row of particulary chairs with my name on (hypothetically!!) as they are most comfy for me and peeps always make sure I can have one.

Speedalong

hileena111

Hi and Welcome to the forum....I have OA in both hips as well.
Diclofenic didnt work for me either...there are lots of others...go back to your GP and tell him and ask him for a different painkiller.
Sitting too long or walking too long I found was bad.....I used to say "I have to hit a happy medium" to which my husband would say....DONT....she might hit you back LOL...but seriously you do have to get that happy medium. Sitting, getting up and moving etc.
When you see your GP and ask about different painkillers tell him about lack of sleep and ask is there any painkiller youcould take that would help you sleep {not waken up with pain} I'm taking codeine....I've just had one hip replacement and still have arthur in the other hip as well so I'm taking 2 codeine at about 6pm and 2 at 10pm and take one up for the middle of the night if I waken but so far {apart from the first night} I havent n eeded that
Hood Luck
Love
Hileena

woodbon

Hello
I'm glad that you've found the forum, which is a very good place to get tips and information.

OA can often be a very painful thing to have, but hopefully the physio are able to give you some exercises that will help strengthen the muscles that support the effected joints and therefore allow them to be less painful.

As for sleeping, I found that it caused me lots of problems, I'd get off alright, but then wake up when I tried to turn over in bed! :shock: My problems are in my spine, hips and several other joints. My GP sent me to the pain clinic and they changed my tramadol from the ordinary type to the slow release sort, which last through the night as well as amatriptylne. I have got used to sleeping on my back, which helps, and I have a memory foam pillow and matterris topper, too and they make me more comfortable. Its really a question of trying things and finding out the best thing that works for you. We are all different.

Have you seen and occupational therapist? They have things that can help you and can offer advice that you may not have thought of. I'm sure your GP will refer you if you talk to them.

Love Sue
PS a pillow under my thighs sometimes helps on the most painful nights as it takes the pressure off the hips.

frogmorton

Hi gordy

Very pleased to meet you

Just wanted to welcome you to teh forums from me.

Sorry about the diagnosis but i am glad that you have found us

Love

Toni xx

gordyw

frogmorton wrote:

Hi gordy

Very pleased to meet you

Just wanted to welcome you to teh forums from me.

Sorry about the diagnosis but i am glad that you have found us

Love

Toni xx

Hi,Thanks to everybody for the welcome,I'll be going back to the gp to see about new tablets.I'll also be giving the wheatbags a go and see if they work for me.I've got my appointment for physio this Friday but I'm not sure if its an assessment first then decide on the treatment,hers hoping.
Cheers Gordyw

dreamdaisy

I suspect assessment first - answer all questions honestly, don't put on a brave face. Only if they know the whole truth can they devise a suitable plan for you. Good luck, let us know how you get on. Dreamdaisy