Osteoarthritis in hips

GRE123BRE
GRE123BRE Member Posts: 2
edited 28. Nov 2023, 14:06 in Living with arthritis

I have just been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in both hips and am in some discomfort! Paracetamol has not helped. Have kept exercising and am better moving compared to sitting or lying down! Not getting much sleep. Any advice gratefully received

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  • anneb82
    anneb82 Member Posts: 317

    Hello @GRE123BRE

    Welcome to the online community and thank you for sharing with us all. I hope that you will find this a safe and secure place to continue posting.

    So I understand that you have recently been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in both of your hips and that you find moving around helps you with your pain. You are finding that sitting or lying down to be more uncomfortable, are not getting much sleep and are finding that paracetamol does not give you much relief from your pain.

    Sounds like you are struggling and if not getting much sleep, that can make things seem a lot worse. Have you considered going back to your G.P to discuss pain relief? It may be worth having a chat with them just to see if there is anything else you can try. Well done for already finding things that work for you, such as continuing to exercise. It can take a lot of us a long time to realise what can help.

    Below are a couple of links to information found on our main Versus Arthritis website. I hope that they are some help to you.

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


    Please do keep us updated on how you are getting on and your journey with osteoarthritis. Please do also get involved in the community by posting or chatting with others. You will find a lot of people in similar situations to yourself that may have their own hints and tips that they can share.

    Take care

    Anne (Moderator)

  • Dianes1
    Dianes1 Member Posts: 43

    Thank you for letting me join the group. I am awake early this morning as in so much pain with hip osteoarthritis. Been going on for about five years and my GP has put me on hip replacement pathway. I understand and willing to wait for two to three years or however long because of the long waiting lists. However, my physiotherapist seems reluctant to push ahead with this and almost trying to talk me out of it even though my GP said this the only way forward. I follow all the exercises regularly and taking the maximum amount of daily painkillers I can take. Wondered if anyone else had had this problem

  • chrisb
    chrisb Moderator Posts: 747

    Hi @Dianes1

    Welcome to the Versus Arthritis forum.

    You have Osteoarthritis which causes you significant pain despite regular exercise and taking painkillers. Your GP has recommended a hip replacement but your physio is not so sure.

    I’m sure there will be other forum members who have faced this dilemma who can offer you advice based upon their own experiences, which may help you decide how to proceed.

    In the interim this link to our website may be beneficial:

    https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/surgery/hip-replacement-surgery/

    Also, the links above by anneb82 may be of interest.

    I hope you receive some useful feedback.

    Best Wishes

    ChrisB (Moderator)

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

  • Jim
    Jim Member Posts: 2

    I have the same, in my left hip. It has taken 2 years to finally get diagnosed

    Seeing a consultant, next month.

    Think the government, need to step up, and deal with this backlog.

  • chrisb
    chrisb Moderator Posts: 747

    Hi @Jim and welcome to the Versus Arthritis forum.

    I see that you're already getting involved in an existing discussion which is great.

    I hope that you find joining the forum of benefit and encourage you to contribute and participate in other discussions.

    Best Wishes

    ChrisB (Moderator)

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

  • Jellyt0ts
    Jellyt0ts Member Posts: 4

    I have just been diagnosed with moderate OA in my left hip so only starting my pathway. Having physio and doing my exercises trying to keep going with my active life taking only minimum painkillers when I can but coping with the constant background pain and catching the hip joint at times gets me down. I lead a very physical, active life and I'm determined to carry on for as long as I can!

  • GRE123BRE
    GRE123BRE Member Posts: 2

    I find sitting in a car on a long journey very difficult. Any suggestions of how to get comfortable?

  • Dianes1
    Dianes1 Member Posts: 43

    I know what you mean about long car journeys, so uncomfortable. I tried a ice pack today which numbed it a bit, but an ice pack doesn't last long.

  • Lilymary
    Lilymary Member Posts: 1,749

    Car journeys? ultra soft fluffy pillows. Wish I’d had one when I came out of hospital, I haven’t said “are we nearly there yet?” so much since I was six.

  • Henrietta
    Henrietta Member Posts: 44

    Hi and welcome, I also have been in pain with hip and has kept me from walking and sleeping properly.

    Covid delayed me seeking treatment but I am on waiting list now for hip replacement. Are you able to take anything for inflammation besides pain killers? That might help.

  • Nabla
    Nabla Member Posts: 4

    I find glucosamine chondroitin and Turmeric supplements have definitely helped me. I also do pain meditation on insight timer. I know what you mean about the driving. I've been stuck in the city while my dad has gone through a huge operation as I can't drive to get to him. Does anyone else find that you get leg tremors after long periods of driving if in the middle of a flair up? Tia. Xx

  • rosie159
    rosie159 Member Posts: 36

    I have had to change jobs because of too much driving. I changed my car 6 months ago to a snaller lighter car to see if this would help and it did but I was still driving between 200 and 300 miles a week. I have changed my job now and will only be doing 100 miles a week. It is painful after a long time driving. all I can suggest is lots of stops and stretching your legs. No car manufacture thinks about comfy seats for arthritis sufferers! I found the softer car seats more comfy than the hard ones.

  • Keiri
    Keiri Member Posts: 6
    https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/683674#Comment_683674

    Hi Diane's, feel for you.

    I've Osteoarthritis of the spine. Dr recommended me to have, what I call a Mecanno op. Physio didn't carry on with discussion or treatment, reason; as it would do more harm than good.

    Been through every Avenue, and it was decided by Specialist Dr, best way forward is getting metal rods on each side of spine bolted together with screws. Please ask your Dr for stronger meds, dont be afraid to pester him/her. I did this for a year and a half, and finally got the meds to help a bit with pain.

    Go for op, it will knock you for 6 for a couple of months, but will help in the long run.

    Good Luck in talking to Dr about OP and stronger pain relief. x

    (Note, I've had The Osteoarthritis, since 2003)

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