OA Hips

Marjbarj
Marjbarj Member Posts: 6
in Living with arthritis

My dear friend is 55 and trying to work and live with OA hips. He needs to loose weight to have hip replacements but can’t loose weight as he can’t walk. He does have Pip/blue badge but is expected to climb stairs at work, no disabled parking spot.

He can’t take strong pain relief due to having to drive and side effects.

I am trying to support him as best as I can.

Is there any advice how his life can be better without the surgery or pain relief ?

is there anything else I can do for him?

thank you for your time.

Comments

  • Chris_R
    Chris_R Moderator Posts: 834
    edited 8. May 2023, 18:40

    Hi @Marjbarj

    Welcome to the online community,how lovely of you to come to the community to help your friend by trying to understand his arthritis as you ask if there is anything else you could do for him beside supporting him.

    To support someone with a disability is a wonderful thing to do,but it would be better if you could maybe help him to come onto our forums to chat to others as it often helps,everyone on this forum have different forms of arthritis but understand what your friend is going through.

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

    Here are a few links that may help him and you to help him and encourage him to do them.Please keep in touch and tell us how you get on and do go onto our forums to chat to others who are only too willing to help also.

    All the best Christine

    Need more help? - call our Helpline on 0800 5200 520 Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm

  • Marjbarj
    Marjbarj Member Posts: 6

    Thanks I will get him to join that is wise advice.

  • stickywicket
    stickywicket Member Posts: 27,764

    @Marjbarj , i don't know if this will hèlp but his workplace does have to make 'reasonable adjustments' for his disability. https://www.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments-for-disabled-workers

    Also, difficult though it may bè, ànd harsh though it sounds, losing weight is 80% diet and only 20% exercìse. We had a lady on here, confined ro a wheelchair, who lost 5 stones. It can be done.

    If at first you don't succeed, then skydiving definitely isn't for you.
    Steven Wright
  • Marjbarj
    Marjbarj Member Posts: 6

    That is very encouraging and gives hope.

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,026

    There was something about weight I saw a bit back

    Found it!

    https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2021/september/top-tips-to-manage-your-weight/

    Sticky is right about eating being key, but it's not easy, but quite a few have lost weight on here in spite of being much less mobile than your average person.

    Does he use the anti-inflammatory gels you rub in? Just wondered if they might help a bit?

    Best of luck

    Toni x

  • Marjbarj
    Marjbarj Member Posts: 6

    Thank you Toni to be honest he does not take any pain relief at the moment but the gel is a good idea I will suggest that to him.

    It is encouraging that others have lost weight despite being immobile.

    I will take a look at your links.


    Take care.

  • veryaraf
    veryaraf Member Posts: 41

    Hi, My experience of losing weight and keeping it off. I used to be on diabetic meds until I changed.

    Some pointers which helped me.

    Eat less, eat fresh as much as possible and avoid snacks if you can.

    The stomach shrinks after a few weeks and the hunger pangs fade. Try to stick to a routine.

    Find distractions.

    Nuts are good substitutes for biscuits etc. English fruit like apples.

    Read ingredients and try and avoid the naughty stuff. Doing it with a partner of friend could help with support. Some low fat things have extra sugar. I always keep shakes for emergencies or fasting.

    I lost 3 and half stone and kept it off for several years.

    Not sure if anyone is interested. Not used to using forums. x

  • Loggiemod
    Loggiemod Member Posts: 239

    Thanks @veryaraf good advice and glad you kept your weight off. I like so many lost a lot of weight when I was younger but managed to put most of it back on. My main downfalls are alchohol and cheese.

  • veryaraf
    veryaraf Member Posts: 41

    Hi, Thanks for your comment. Don’t beat yourself up regarding cheese as it is protein. Surely you can ration your alcohol. I have some port but small quantity maybe at weekends. There are ways round most things. All the best. x

  • Carmie
    Carmie Member Posts: 7

    I’m new to this community too and have put a post on about osteoarthritis and my recent hip replacement. I am hoping to get some good advice from the community. Thank you for accepting me as a member. Carmel

  • Marjbarj
    Marjbarj Member Posts: 6
    https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/707973#Comment_707973

    Thank you that is very helpful advice

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