29 and a few questions

gemmapetken

hi
i am 29 this week and have a few questions
I have RA in hands and a deformed hip, i have been discharged from hospital as i am too young to have a new hip but am in constant pain.

my lovely dad has spoken to his gp who says i should nag to get a new hip as they last longer than anyone thinks. He said something about porcelain hip? my friend who has RA and has for a long time has said i should ask for steroids but can gp give me these?

i am in so much pain and need something to be done.

Gemma

psyart

Hi welcome to our site!!! sorry you are in so much pain. can you go back to your doctor and ask for something?? there is lots of things out there they can try - even ref you to the out patients rhummy to see the specialists??

i dont know about RA - I have PA so my treatment is different BUT there is things they can give you for pain!

hope you sort something soon - take care and let us know how you get on - we are here to help - not medical way but support and more support!!!

louise xx

frogmorton

Hi Gemma

Of course there is stuff they can do - steroid jabs straight into joints for example - I think you need to go back - with your Dad (who I think sounds wonderful - licky you ), to support you and get some hlp sooner rather than later.

Sorrry you are suffering

Love

Toni xx

gemmapetken

hi
thanks for the replies
i have had steroid injection in the leg and in the joint to no effect. i want to try a pain clinic, does anyone know about these?

Gemma

skezier

gemmapetken wrote:

hi
thanks for the replies
i have had steroid injection in the leg and in the joint to no effect. i want to try a pain clinic, does anyone know about these?

Gemma

Hi Gemma,

I would be very reluctant to have steroids for this one if they are preds..... I wonder if the gabapentin or pregabalin (I have the pregabalin and it good stuff) would help you at all? Its meant to intercept the pain receptors so though you hurt you don't feel it as much and brings it all down to a manageable level.

Hips well my kid brother had his first at 21 and both sides at that. 23 years later he has just had his second on one side (the other was done a bit earlier) and he is very active and still got a good 20 years from his. Not sure what they were made of but could ask him if you like?

Fingers crossed you get some kind of help there soon. Luv and a ((( ))) and nice to see you again. Cris x

Oh forgot to say.....

Pain clinics vary but mine is brilliant and really help me so go fr it and hopefully you will get a good one. x

cthornley

Hi

If you are in constant pain then I'm afraid the answers you have been given are just not good enough. You are 29 and have a whole life ahead of you and so this needs to be sorted out or to at least start on that road so you can get on with it.
Start shouting about it to your GP, the hospital anybody who might be able to help. There are many treatments available and many young people do have new hips even though I know there is reluctance to do it when you are younger.
I know it is difficult but you (and your family if they are about to support you) must push - a friend said to me 'shy bairns get nowt' and that is unfortunately true in regards to your medical treatment.
I had a dr who was reluctant to help when I was diagnosed with RA at 19 but lots of shouting over the years means I now have very good treatment and have been able to get on with my life in a lot less pain than if I had just taken his word on it I'm now 31 and not doing too bad really not perfect but life is doable.
If you want to chat about anything please feel free to PM me
Good luck
Chrissie

frogmorton

Gemma

sounds like you have to stop being a shy bairn eh

Some poeple sweat by the help they got at pain clinics - in my opinion you have to try evrything going.

Love

Toni xx

tillytop

Hi Gemma.

So sorry you are in such pain. Can't add much to what the other peeps have said, but just to reiterate that there are other meds out there and your GP should be able to give you something to help with the pain, both of the RA and of the hip.

Thinking of you - and please do keep us posted.

Love Tilly x

livinglegend

There is no age limit for a replacement hip joint. But, consultants don't like to change them early as they have about a 25 year life before they need replacing again. If you are younger, then you would be more active and the lifespan of the replacement is less. Also, the end of the thigh bone will not always take several replacements and then it gets complicated.

What your lovely dad was probably referring to was most likely a ceramic hip, there is some information on them if you click on this link http://orthopedics.about.com/od/hipkneereplacement/i/ceramic.htm

Joseph 8)

speedalong

gemmapetken wrote:

hi
i am 29 this week and have a few questions
I have RA in hands and a deformed hip, i have been discharged from hospital as i am too young to have a new hip but am in constant pain.

my lovely dad has spoken to his gp who says i should nag to get a new hip as they last longer than anyone thinks. He said something about porcelain hip? my friend who has RA and has for a long time has said i should ask for steroids but can gp give me these?

i am in so much pain and need something to be done.

Gemma

Hi Gemma,

you aren't too young for a hip replacement and if the pain is constant then they should be offering you a hip operation. They try to fob you off as they don't last as long in younger folk and need revising.

There are pros and cons for ceramic versus metal. Titanium is said to last the longest. You could also ask about a The Birmingham hip resurface operation - this is aimed at younger folk and is less radical - it leaves you with more of your own bone intact. You do need a consultant who is experienced in these ops to perform it however and it isn't suitable for everyone.

You need to keep going back to your GP and see if he will badger the consultant on your behalf. If you get no joy then ask for second opinion - I had my first THR at 30 and I had a resurface on my other hip this year at age 43 prior to these ops I was struggling to work, walk, sleep and do normal daily living activities.

Speedy

gemmapetken

thanks for all the comments

off to gp in 30 mins to see what she can do

i have skim read the link - thanks

Gemma

ironic

Hi Gemma,

How did your appointment go today?

Lv, Ix

gemmapetken

hi
appointment was good but my husband didnt come so i forget things
was given more painkillers! and a pain clinic referal. but it was reluctantly>

Dont know what to do or where to go. My Gramps died saturday so am emotional about that as well.

Thanks for all the support

Gemma

speedalong

Gemma,

No wonder your head is all over the place. Deal with getting through the funeral and starting to come to terms with the loss of Gramps first.

You did well to secure a pain clinic referral. When the time is right, make another GP appointment and preferably take your Dad/OH with you and if not take a list so you do not leave anything out. You've won the pain clinic battle, next the ortho referral!!

Take care,

Speedy

carola

Hi Gemma

My heart is going out to you with your pain and your recent grief.

I was getting no action from consultants (even when I went privately) until I actually just turned up one day as my swellings and pains were so bad.

When they actually saw how bad that was they started some action.

You just need to keep on top of the docs and consultants and don't take no for an answer. In this day and age I do not believe we need to suffer like this. I am on Methotrexate and does not give me any relief therefore I am in the middle of researching the more expensive meds that they will likely be reluctant to use and shout out loud until they hear me.
Keep us posted, Carol sending this with positive thoughts x