Hi I have Osteo arthritus and suddenly life is on hold

AJwoodland

Hi I was diagnosed in 2019 with Osteo and have had joint pain on and off for years but in the last month or so I have gone downhill very suddenly, in that my right hip feels like I should be staying off it with pain in my groin and bum. I also get pain in my right thumb joint but I cope with that atm.

Im 59 and have gone from walking every day for pleasure, working, being generally an active person to spending my time stuck on the sofa wondering if this is it for me now???

I am taking naproxin with esomeprazo 500mg once or twice a day ( would take it twice a day but my stomach wont always tolerate it) plus 8 paracetamol.

Im waiting for an xray but Im just thinking what do I do? Is this is it for me now. Im only too well aware that for many this is their life and I am sorry to sound so ungrateful for the better times I have had until now.

Im just wondering if there is anything I can do to help myself to feel less pain and be able to get back to being active to some extent. I dont know if I should be pushing through the discomfort or staying off the hip?

I have managed to lose 5lbs as I realise extra weight wont be helping

thanks for any replies Andrea X

PeterJ

Hello @AJwoodland and welcome to the community. We are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that you will find that as well.

I understand that you have osteoarthritis and it is now affecting your right hip. It is hard when we have to readjust when osteoarthritis affects us. You are asking about things you can do to help and I would suggest having a look around the website as it contains a lot of useful information, to help I've put a couple of links in below which might help.

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/your-experiences/hints-and-tips/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/managing-your-pain/

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/managing-symptoms/emotional-wellbeing/

Please do keep posting and I am sure that others will connect with you to share their support and experiences as well.

With very best wishes

Peter

DebbieL

Hi Andrea, I began to get lower back pain in Jan 2018- the doctor originally thought it was postherpetic neuralgia. 12 months later I was also diagnosed with Osteoarthritis in my lower spine. I had stopped all exercise as I was in so much pain after working in an office all day the last thing I wanted to do was exercise and was worried about making my pain worse. I was taking painkillers through the day and at night. I eventually got referred to a specialist back physio. He gave me some really good exercises and encouraged me to start exercising again “ sensibly “. He said the more I move the better I would be. I now do ballet, tap dancing, walking and cycling. I tried aerobics but that put me in bed for the day in pain. Running is not so good either. I only need painkillers killers at night usually- I still have some bad days. I didn’t get referred to a specialist physio until I wrote a letter of complaint to my doctor . I felt that my active life was over and felt devastated. It was the physio that gave me the confidence to exercise again and it has made a real difference for me. I do get some pain while exercising but I sleep so much better and my pain has reduced. If you can see a good physio they can help you find what exercise will make things better. We are all different and it may take some trial and error to see what is best for you. I take 2x 30/500 cocodamol and 20mg of nortriptyline at night and this is a good combination for me. I also take naproxen if needed and use heat pads. I have a 4” memory foam topper on my bed which is much kinder to my joints and I would definitely recommend one.

. I had to drag myself to my stretch class tonight as my back wasn’t good but I felt so much better afterwards.

I hope this helps and you find a way forward.

Take care

Debbie

buzzyhornet

Hello@AJwoodland. I am sorry you are going through a tough time. I might suggest the following

1. See your GP to discuss your pain medication and possible change or addition to give you the best possible pain relief.

2. Keep moving. Pottering is good. Consider less weight bearing activity such as swimming or aqua aerobics. Any activity and movement will hopefully raise your spirits.

3. If you need continue your good work in losing weight to achieve a good weight.

4. If you are referred to a consultant collaborate to agree how to conservatively manage your arthritis or consider surgery. Keep a diary to record how your arthritis affects you from day to day.

5. Rest, pacing and adaptability are necessary. Accept your life is a challenge, but not on hold or at an end and the possibility of a brighter future.

Best wishes

David

AJwoodland

Thankyou I really didnt expect to find hope here but I do have some now. I have bought a memory foam topper which is helping so thanks for that Debbie

Im seeing the GP on Monday to discuss meds and other referrals although Im already waiting for an xray in a couple of weeks, I am still hardly moving tbh and just doing a bit of pootling but I am beginning to make a plan to try to drag myself back into some kind of movement and life.

Im going to hit those links now and again a big thanks to everyone who replied.

alexander1

Pain killers such as tramadol or other opiode may give relief. I had some relief for 6 months with an xray guided steroid injection. Once you have the xray/mri you will know whether you need the hip replaced. My advice is dont hang about, I was told. I was a bit young at 50 but when I couldn't take it any more the consultant asked why did I wait as it was bone on bone in both.

I started to use sticks and canes to assist as well.

Take care.

Sunnyside_12

Hi my Osteoarthritis is bone on bone its terrible, it happened beginning of the pandemic. My life is on hold and I am 60 year old woman. I have no life, can't go out, so painful, I am now waiting for call from hospital.

Ruth x

Sunnyside_12