Chronic pain

Newyear

Hi,

I was diagnosed with osteo in my hip 12 years ago. I suffered with Perthes disease when i was a child but made a full recovery. Im at the point of desperately needing a hip replacement. I also have osteo in my knees and the pain in the leg is unbelievable! I take maximum does of Tramadol, Naproxen, Paracetamol and Amiitriptyline and have been on all of these meds for years. No i find im inpain not just my knee and hip but pain all down my leg fro hip to ankle day and night.Im at my wits end with the painand im feeling so depressed i dont know what to do. Would different medication be better? The pain is constant.

frogmorton

Hi @Newyear

I am so very sorry you are suffering so much.

First of all are you not yet ready for hip surgery or are you 'on the list'?

Secondly have you tried exercise at all I mean like some gentle exercise not a marathon or anything like that. It can actually help with pain if it's done right. There are some here on this site you could try I am presuming you have already been to physio maybe even tried hydrotherapy?

https://www.versusarthritis.org/media/23179/hip-pain-exercise-section.pdf

Sorry if you already know all this. It just sounds so tough to be struggling like you are ((()))

Toni xx

helpline_team

Hi@Newyear

I'm sorry to hear that you are living with such a lot of pain.

When you are affected by pain which does not respond to the medication, it's helpful talk things over with your GP and hopefully be seen by a specialist.

Increasingly there is concern about the long-term use of medications and there are many articles in the public domain raising the issue of harm caused by some drugs.

We would not be able to discuss your medication options, as these discussions have to happen with a healthcare professional who is aware of your medical history.

If you'd like an informal conversation and support, you would be most welcome to ring us on our freephone, 0800 5200 520.

Osteoarthritis (OA) of the hip | Hip pain | Versus Arthritis

I do hope we can have a chat and listen to what's been happening.

All the best

Guy - Helpline Team

Newyear

Thank you both! Im seeing the consultant for the 1st time on the 12th of this month. I am 100% sure i need hip replacement and i expect i will be put on the list. Does anybody know how long the wait it roughly and is it first come first served or in most need? many thanks

Bic1982

Hi @Newyear

Its a first come first serves situation when you get on a list for surgery and it depends on your area, hospital and surgeon on how long the wait is so it varies greatly. They may suggest physio in the interim while you are waiting or them may advise your GP to change some of your medication to help ease your pain. Im sure if you let them know how much pain you are in they will be able to offer some suggestions and if the consultant doesn't then definitely go back to your GP and ask for more help!

Hope this helps.

Anne

Newyear

Ah thanks! i have no cartilage left in the hip and the medication is only slightly taking the edge off as ive been on the same one for a very long time.I had steroid injections where the first helped but the second done nothing. Im dreading having hip replacement im really scared but this pain is constant. I have already changed jobs and now im so much less mobile in this job its mainly behind a desk ive found it has got so much worse.x

helpline_team

Hi Newyear

Thank you for your posting on the forum. I am sorry to hear how much pain you are in and how worried you are about having surgery. It is normal to be concerned about surgery and do talk this through with the consultant when you have your appointment. I have put a link below to our information on hip replacements as this may help. Do speak to your GP again regarding the pain you are in. As has been suggested you can also call us here on the helpline to talk things through with one of our helpline team. I hope this is helpful.

Hip Replacement Surgery

Best wishes

Dawn

Helpline Advisor