Osteoarthritis in both hips and lower lumbar

Kazza27

Hi Everyone, I'm a newbie 👋 just been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in both hips and lower lumbar. Been in a lot of pain in this area for a while. Can't take anti inflammatory tablets. Using anti inflammatory gel and co codomal with heat pad. Doesn't help much. What should I be asking my GP for to help. So sore and feeling miserable. What exercise helps. Some days can barely walk. Help!! Look forward to hearing from others in this situation and their advice. TIA

Ellen

HI @Kazza27 welcome to the online community.

You have just been diagnosed with Osteoarthritis (OA) in both hips and your lumbar area too.

Your GP can prescribe medications to help of course and refer you to see a physiotherapist for an individual exercise program for you and possibly to discuss walking aids? They might also be able to help with your emotions. Getting a diagnosis of a long term condition such as arthritis can really, and understandably, affect our mental health.

I am going to attach a couple of links which might be of interest to you:

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/newly-diagnosed/

and also

https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/exercising-with-arthritis/exercises-for-healthy-joints/exercises-for-the-back/

If you are in doubt about tackling these exercises you could check with your GP.

I also wonder whether this thread has anything useful for you in it too? It sounds as though @cakefairy would relate to your pain 100%

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/62946/crutches-for-osteoarthritis-in-my-spine

My best wishes

Ellen.

emma86oneill

Hello

I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in both hips back in July last year. I am due to have my first THR next month due to the severity.

My doctors started me on 15/500 cocodamol with Naproxen. This worked for a little while then they upped my dose to 30/500 which gave me horrid side effects.

Instead ideas given tramadol to take over night as that's when I was really struggling and continue the cocodamol during the day.

When this stopped working, they put me on amitriptyline 10mg which is an antidepressant, but in this instance the lower dose is used for chronic pain relief, this really does seem to help with the pain and sleep.

There are a lot of different medications they can prescribe for you just explain that you need something to help you. I hope all goes well!

Ali_W

Hi @Kazza27 - I'm in a similar situation. I was re-xrayed in January and I got an online message 2 weeks ago that there's OA in my lumbar/spine now as well as both hips. Will ask physio more in May.