Hello

1962SD

Just joined. Have OA definitely in left hip and waiting for MRI on R, also getting pain in the middle, low public area. I walk each day for exercise, sometimes to the shops and end up in excruciating pain, on other days its a very short walk. Never realised just how debilitating OA was and the negative impact it has on your daily life. I have painkillers 30/500 Co-codamol but not much difference. Work 3 days a week but need a conversation as I can't stand or walk for any length of time and on occasions I need to be active.

It's difficult to know what to do for the best, I often push myself to my limits but is this the right thing to do?

HelenS

Hi @1962SD

Welcome to the online community and thank you for joining us.

I'm sorry to hear that you have OA affecting your hip and experience pain on a daily basis, this must be very hard to manage when you need to be active. Long-term pain affects the way you move your body. You may stop using specific joints as you normally would, or you might reduce your level of activity overall.

One way you can help yourself is by increasing your physical activity and maintaining a good posture, this has been proven that it can help you cope more effectively with pain. Increasing your general level of activity is the best long-term strategy to manage and cope with persistent pain. You may also want to speak to your GP about getting a referral to a pain clinic

I've added a couple of links below which I'm hoping you will find useful.

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

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2021/november/ways-to-help-manage-hip-pain/

I'm sure once other members have read your post you will have lots of comments on pain management.

Please do let us know how you are getting on and please do keep getting involved in the community.

Take care

Helen