JUST DIAGNOSED

ESOLLECTURER123

Hi everyone
I am new to this forum,just been diagnosed with OA of the hip I am in shock at the moment. I have a limp and in chronic pain trying to pretend to everyone I am fine keeping a brave face on it. Hubby is in denial KEEPS SAYING "THE DOCTOR MADE A MISTAKE AND IT'S PROBABLY ONLY MUSCLE PAIN." I am in a quandry as I have always been active hill walking ,going upstairs on the bus running up the train station stairs. I am a lecturer in a college with lots of students and my boss has asked me for a meeting with the health and safety guy for a risk assessment because of my "condition" I feel lost any advice would be great thank you . x

ShulaArcher

Hello and welcome

Sorry to hear of your hip OA. Have you been prescribed any medication to help with pain relief? Physio? Referral to Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon or Rheumatologist? It does come as a shock to get a diagnosis when you have been suffering in silence for ages. I must say it's a bit odd to suddenly have to have a risk assessment as you have been coping for a long time without one. Anyway, looking positively at that, at least there may be suggestions which will make working life easier for you.

There's a lot of information available about OA, especially on the Arthritis Care website, and of course lots of help and support from this forum. Weekends tend to be fairly quiet though.

Shula

villier

Hi and welcome as Shula says the forums are a bit quiter over the weekends, If you repost this on LWA I'm sure some of the "hippies" will be along to give you some help and advice, it's OA in my hands I have so can't really advise, nice to meet you hope you stick around as there are so many lovely helpful people on here....................Marie x

dreamdaisy

Hello, it's nice to meet you and I am sorry you have had to find us. OA is a very common condition (there are about ten million arthritics in the UK and the majority of them have OA) and it can start at any age. I have it in both ankles, both knees and it has recently started in my right hip so I can empathise with the shock. I also have another form of arthritis in other joints - what a ghastly lottery to win.

It is unlikely that you will be referred to a rheumatologist, it is GPs that deal with osteo. The 'treatment' is pain relief, maybe anti-inflammatory medication and exercise. The latter is important as it helps to keep your muscles that support the joint strong and flexible but it must be low-impact such as cycling or swimming. You may find using a stick useful - this should be held in the oppposite hand to the affected joint and it can ease a deal of strain from the hurty side.

Don't be surprised if you find your thread has been moved to another part of the forum - the Living with Arthritis bit is where this sort of question is usually dealt with and the moderators may move it but there again they may not. You have found an empathetic audience, we know how tough it can be coping with the pain and tiredness, and you are guaranteed encouragement and support. I wish you well and hope to hear from you again soon. DD

[Deleted User]

Hi Esollecturer123,

DD is right, the best forum for a thread of this kind is LWA, living with Arthritis. No problem I shall move it but leave a shadow here so you will find it easily.

I hope you enjoy your visits here, lots of friendly advice and support to give and receive.

Moderator
YEH

barbara12

Hello and a warm welcome form me
I to have hip and back pain, and yes, it was such a shock I was not only going to the gym but training to work there and loved walking....
So I understand some of what you are going through, I think bit by bit you come out of the shock part , but I wont say its easy, you just sort of learn to go along with it.
I have down days, but can shake it off better these days.
You have us to to talk to and we understand some of what you are going through, so dont feel alone. x

stickywicket

Hello there and welcome from me, too. It must have come as a shock if you're used to being fit. Has your GP prescribed pain relief? Many people try to soldier on without it at first but I think you'll find it helps. The other thing that helps is keeping the muscles which surround the joint strong. Yours ought to be if you've been very active but sometimes it can help to do additional specific exercises which a physio could prescribe. (And/or check out AC's booklet on Exercise.)

It sounds as if your husband is in denial which is OK for him but impossible for you :roll: Take him with you to your next appointment and maybe give him some of AC's leaflets to read.

Keep a brave face by all means but don't be too brave. Everyone needs somewhere where they can tell it like it is. On here we do understand, all too well, how it is :roll:

constable

Hi there from me. Sorry you are shock. Perfectly understandable. I was when I went to my gp and then had xrays, she told me my hip was shot and needed to be replaced.

As DD has said, use a stick, it really does help. And of course make sure you have pain killers.

As everyone has said, excercise the hip muscles. Hopefully you will be refered to a Physio who will give you the ones to do.

You have come to the right place though, everyone here is so helpful here.

Hope to see you posting around the forum.

kentishlady

Hi and welcome from me too but as DD said, am sorry you have needed to find us. Of course it is a shock for you and also your husband. I think gradually he will come to accept your diagnosis but it is hard for both of you, but you will gradually adapt. Do hope your work meeting goes well. Let us know how you get on. We're always here to listen and advise/or make suggestions based on our own experiences.

Do hope you will find some medications that will help you. Take care. Beryl

Stigger

Hi, I work in a college too and can guess who you teach

I've OA in my left hip and knee. I am waiting for a hip replacement now as there is no cartilage left in my hip anymore. It is also complicated by the absence of my right leg.

GP's tend to just give painkillers and little sympathy. If you are in pain, ask for an X ray, ask for a referral to a specialist. Push, push, push for this because they won't offer anything.

You must I'm afraid fight for treatment, and do so. I didn't and by the time the GP decided to refer me, I was beyond any treatment other than THR and I don't want that to happen to you.

Good luck. See occupational health, use the lift, walk with a crutch, rest often and sit mostly. I know that's hard, but your bones will love you for it.

hileena111

Hi
Welcome to the forum.
Who diagnosed you? As DD says you wont see a rheumy but you should see an orthopaedic consultant for OA....certainly for a diagnosis.
After that ...yes....it tends to be the GP who copes with OA. Medication etc
Have you been referred to a physio?

I have OA in both hips and spinal problems as well.
I've had one hip replacement. I've had physio, I'm having acupuncture at the minute and am going to a pain clinic as well as taking medication

I was in complete denial at the beginning. If you are offered meds dont refuse them and try to soldier on. Dont play catch up with the pain....keep on top of it.

Any other questions you have just shout.....someone will be about to help answer them

Love
Hileena

bubbadog

Hi welcome to Arthritis Care Forum, I think we all are in shock and denial when we get diagnoised, anyone who says they aren't in shock or denial are liers! DD has given you great advise so I can't say anymore. Make the most of the forum and keep posting! Hope you will get everything sorted out soon.

Airwave!

Hi,
The previous posts have pointed you in the right direction, if you're impatient/in a hurry/desperate there is always the option of going private and timing the replacement op to suit you and your college calendar? It may just keep you at work and earning your mortgage? Just a thought.

A friend did this and timed the private replacement operation and physio afterwards to the skiing season, he recovered in time to go twice that season, straight down the black runs! You could soon be out walking the hills again if it is replacement time?

dreamdaisy

Hello esollecturer123, how are you getting on with things today? DD