Hello - OA in lower spine and hips

Laurafc31

Hi I have osteoarthritis lower spine, hips and my other joints also hurt, I'm constantly tired and in pain 24/7... Newly diagnosed, 28 years old.

Shell_H

Hi @Laurafc31 - welcome to the online community!

I see you're tired and in pain most of the time due to having Osteoarthritis in your lower spine and hips. Your other joints are also painful and you've only recently been diagnosed.

It's not easy when it's all new to you. We have some information which may be able to help, or at least give you a place to learn and then give you a questions to ask. I'd also like to emphasise the importance of looking after yourself - be aware of what you can do, arrange yourself around doing what you can when possible, recognise when you've done well. Also try to make sure you get the best sleep you can. I'm going to guess the pain makes sleeping difficult. Tiredness can make your mood and your pain worse, so I focus on this a lot. Try to take painkillers about half an hour before you go to bed to give yourself the best sleep you can. You can ask your pharmacist what painkillers you can take alongside any prescribed medications you have. If you have points of pain from sleeping a mattress topper may help - I found a memory foam mattress topper helped me a lot and wasn't too expensive.

• Booklet on Osteoarthritis of the Spine
• Booklet on Osteoarthritis of the Hips
• Booklet on Fatigue and Arthritis
• Booklet on Sleep and Arthritis

We also have a booklet on Pain and Arthritis - this has a lot of information on what you can do to help yourself, other therapies and treatments, self help and such. I'd recommend having a look at this too.

Do have a look around the community. There are a couple of us who aren't that old with arthritis - I'm 38 myself, and I've found it hard to deal with arthritis while also trying to deal with family and work, as well as people thinking that you can't have arthritis as you're "too young". We're always happy for new pepople to join in, so please do feel like you can join in any conversation which is interesting to you.

It's lovely to meet you!

Shell

Laurafc31

Thank you so much I will deffinatly have a look at and try your suggestions, I'm currently on cocodomols naproxen duluxceton and lanzoprazol, but do feel it's swings and roundabouts if I'm tired I'm in more pain, if I have a busy day I'm wiped out the next day and pain is worse. I also have 2 children under 5 to run around after. 😂 Its just nice to speak to people who understand. As alot think I'm OK because I look OK as they cannot see pain ect. :)

[Deleted User]

Hi @Laurafc31

Welcome! As Shell said, there are plenty of us who understand. Living with arthritis is difficult as it is, without having the added pressures of work, children and life in general. I'm 33 myself, diagnosed at 6, and am a teacher with a 5 year old so completely get it. You are not alone here. As hard as it is to try and get rest when you have kiddies to run around after, just take care of yourself the best that you can. Sometimes you need to care for yourself first so that you can care for your children to the best of your ability. As a mother, that isn't something that you're used to doing, but you will learn to do it and see the benefits in the long run.

Take care, and keep talking to us!

Sarah 😁

DebbieL

I’ve always been very active and was devastated at 51 to suddenly find myself in pain every day and not having the confidence to do any sort of exercise in case it made everything worse. Being diagnosed with Osteoarthritis was a shock as there was no cure I felt at a dead end. A really good specialist back physio helped to reduce my pain and gave me the confidence to exercise again- sensibly. I have 4 grandchildren under 4 years and I help out with childminding and often am tired or in pain afterwards. It must be so hard for you. It’s not a weakness to admit you are tired or in pain , if we don’t tell our loved ones then they can’t help or understand. I would definitely recommend a memory foam topper- mine is 4 inches. I do ballet and as I’m tired afterwards I sleep better too.

Sunnyside_12

Hi I have been suffering from Osteoarthritis for over a year, I didn't speak with doctor. because thought it was sciatica, suffered from it from younger age. I'm 59 year old woman. Have been in pain constantly, I have brought 10s Machine, support belts. trying to make it less painful. I have now arrived for a XRay I have been to physio he said it was Arthritis in my left hip. also in my right, get pain both groins and down my legs, difficult walking and standing to long. Gets me down, suffer from Anxiety.

Ruth

Brynmor

Hi @Sunnyside_12 and I'm sorry that we have missed welcoming you to the Online Community.

I understand you have had a diagnosis of osteoarthritis following an x-ray examination and you are anxious as to what the prospects are with the condition.

We have some great information on our website that you may find useful and is well worth a read in coping with some of the pain:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/conditions/osteoarthritis-oa-of-the-hip/

There are also some suggestions on gentle hip exercises that you might like to try:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/exercises-for-healthy-joints/exercises-for-the-hips/

Do join in across the Online Community, ask questions and call in to say how you are getting on.

All best wishes

Brynmor

rosie159

I am so glad other people understand the bad muscle pain! I was diagnosed last year with oa in lower back and both hips...but I have had the pain for a few years and I blamed the menopause and stress!

I have trouble managing pain ...a lot of pain killers I can't take due to acid reflux and no help from gp.

If my hip is really inflamed i put an ice pack on...this really helps also hot baths with epsom salts or magnesium salts really helps muscle pain.