New and arthritis in my hip

Nickybu

I am a young 56 and was advised by my local MSK team that my arthritis in my hip was severe in April and they were going to refer me the the orthopaedic consultant to discuss surgery. I received a letter in May to advise me I had 38 weeks to wait before I could see a surgeon. I’m in so much pain and wish I could afford to go private.

noddingtonpete

Hello @Nickybu and welcome to the Community, we are a friendly and supportive group and I hope that will be your experience as well.

First of all I hope you don't mind me moving your post - I wanted to make it a separate topic so hopefully others will share their support and experiences with you. I understand that you have severe arthritis in your hip and waiting for a replacement. I hope you get some progress soon, but in the meantime please have a look at the following from our website which I hope might be of some use.

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

and

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

Please keep posting and let us know how you are getting on.

With best wishes,

Peter (moderator)

Baloo

I presume your nursing the pain like mad @Nickybu but it didn't work. What are you trying at the moment.

Nickybu

thank you for your message’s and sign posting. I was diagnosed with mild to moderate arthritis in 2014. I had lots of physio before the diagnosis and after. I had shockwave treatment and also 1 steroid injection which did help a lot. It took a lot of phone calls and chasing to get another X-ray this year to be told that it is now bone on bone and “no wonder I’m in so much pain” and they will refer me for surgery. I have some good days and bad days but in more recent weeks a lot of bad. I have been taking cocodamol. I could help myself if I lost some weight and all the things they recommended you do. Just need to get myself motivated which is why I reached out to this group in the hope I might find some inspiration 😊

Baloo

Losing weight is difficult without exercise but worth trying if your overweight. I resorted to a mixture of detox diet I used in the past, and something new. I went for fruit only in the morning, sandwiches for dinner, and rest of the time eat what I want (including snacks and take aways !). Nothing happened but then I cut out red meat most of the time as its bad for cholesterol anyway. Chicken gets a bit boring, but I can put up with it. That way I finally started to gradually lose weight and lost 15kg so far (2.5 stone). Im not a great fan of crash diets.

Nickybu

That’s brilliant that you’ve lost that weight, well done! I am overweight. I actually downloaded the NHS healthy eating app yesterday. I have to make a start as the pain is quite intense at the min.

lorraine27

I m new diagnoised in my hip. I m 52 and in the menopause. The pain is unbearable sometimes. Had an xray which said it was moderate wear and tear. Steroid injection didnt work for me. Co codamol stronger ones work but worried about addicted. I work within the NHS so long shifts are not good and I m wiped out that night and next day and in so much pain. Dr says lose weight will cure it !!! As if its that easy. I struggle with everyday life and when I saw this page I thought this is me. GP is not recommending hip replacement and to hold off as long as I can. Its the sitting down and getting up I get stuck and have to wait for hip to unstick which is painful too. Any ideas of how to live with it would be amazing. Thank u for reading I feel I got this off my chest now.

Ellen

Hi @lorraine27 a very warm welcome to the online community.

I am so glad to read that you already feel better having unloaded your feelings here. There is nothing like realising you are not alone to make us feel better, understood and heard.

Of course losing weight will help although it's not going to reverse the damage you already have in your hip. Unfortunately steroid injections don't work for me either.

Just in case you are interested though I will just pop this link in for you:

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

My best wishes Lorraine

Ellen.

getagrip

hi Nickibu I also have bone on bone arthritis. Pain relief is pregabalin and codeine with morphine if I am having a bad day. You need a good gp who listens and if clued up about pain relief. Don’t just settle for what they offer because they don’t feel your pain. I tried to be brave and tough it out, a big mistake. Many times I felt ashamed that I couldn’t cope until I realised that I was only hurting myself. Now I take what I need to be more comfortable I hope you do to. It’s a long wait for surgery.

noddingtonpete

Hi @getagrip and welcome.

You may find the following of use

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

I hope that you get the surgery you need soon. In the meantime if you have any other questions, please ask.

Best wishes

Peter