Advice on coping with pain, newly diagnosed

PBL3 · 20. Sep 2021, 14:21

Hi,

Sorry for the long rant.

I am in my early 40's and recently been diagnosed with moderate osteoarthritis in my left hip. I am overweight and know this does not help at all. I have put on weight during the pandemic, as have lots of others but am really struggling to lose it. There is a lot going on in my life not related to my diagnosis which leaves me stressed and my coping mechanism is to comfort eat. I seem to be stuck in this cycle.

The pain today is awful, i cannot get comfy at all, either sitting on sofa, in office chair or in bed. I am hardly sleeping due to the pain and am so tired. I attend physio and am doing the exercises given to me. I limp all the time and due to this my other foot/ankle has now started to swell up making walking very awkward.

My GP has told me to keep regularly taking the Naproxen i have for another condition(only take as and when for that one) to help the pain, (even though it is doing nothing to ease the pain) and also given me codeine to take at night. However i am very sensitive to opiates and can only take small doses at a time especially as i have a young child to look after and need to drive. The only other thing they told me was to lose weight. no other help was offered at all.

For work i am still mostly working from home and sit in front of my laptop for most of the day. I try to get up and move about as often as i can so as not to go stiff but it is still a couple of hours at a time.

I am really struggling with it all and any support or advice would be very welcome right now as all i want to do is curl up and cry as the pain and lack of sleep is getting to me.

jeddison1985 · 20. Sep 2021, 14:25

Hi @PBL3 firstly let me welcome you to the forum I hope you find the information and support you are after from our wonderful community.

I can see from your post that you have recently been diagnosed with Osteoarthritis of the hip and struggling with the pain and want to find ways to cope and advice from others.

The site is full of information so you have come to the right place. I wanted to signpost you to our latest advice around the Osteoarthritis, hip pain and exercising with arthritis.

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

https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2020/september/ways-to-help-manage-hip-pain/

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

Please feel free to search the forum for others with similar experiences and I am sure that some of our community will be able to help offer some useful suggestions.

Take care and I hope you feel better soon.

Thanks

Joe

emmamcg · 23. Sep 2021, 10:37

Hi I’m new here, and in the same situation. I have found that getting a decent nights sleep is essential to help me manage during the day. So I asked the doctor for help and I was prescribed amiltriptlyine, which helps with the pain over night and is a sleeping aid. It can make you drowsy the next day.. but a GP would be able to advise.

I hope you get some relief soon, take care.

LizS · 25. Sep 2021, 19:55

Hi, I’m 47 and lap top working during lock down killed my hip...have you considered a standing desk? I found it easier working standing. Fast forward a year,and I’m recovering from a hip replacement. X Ray showed the arthritis in my hip had degenerated rapidly. Have you had x rays taken?

Poppyjane · 26. Sep 2021, 12:22

Hi @PBL3 and @emmamcg

I can sympathise with you about problems with sleeping and wondered if this information is helpful

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

Take care

Poppyjane

PBL3 · 27. Sep 2021, 20:26

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/685319#Comment_685319

Hi thankyou for replying. The Dr didn't really offer much help to be honest when I spoke to her, just said to take 2 codeine at night. I've been prescribed that medication previously but it doesn't agree with me at all, I'm so drowsy that I can't work, drive or take care of daughter.

PBL3 · 27. Sep 2021, 20:31

https://community.versusarthritis.org/discussion/comment/685413#Comment_685413

Hi, yes I had xrays about a month ago which apparently just shows moderate degeneration. No talk about anything except exercising and losing weight. Physio probably going to give me a crutch to use on bad days next time I see him. Which I don't really want but after leg giving way on the school run last week, think I may need for a bit.

I can't fit in or afford a standing desk at my house unfortunately so did try to stand at kitchen worktop but standing in one place too long affects my sciatica. It's a nightmare, get my hip comfy and my back hurts and vice versa.

Advice on coping with pain, newly diagnosed

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