Living with pain with hip osteoarthritis

d4debs
d4debs Member Posts: 1
edited 24. Mar 2025, 11:15 in Living with arthritis

I am 66 and really struggling with the paining my hips. I've been living with osteoporosis for 15 years. I've been on pregabalin various strengths, but recently,over the last few months my pain has got worse. Fingers, hands and hips. Went from 50mg x3 daily, then 75mg x 3, for about 4 months it controlled pain. But since June, I've gone from 100mg, didn't work, then 150mg, currently now on 200mg x3 and pain in hands controlled but not hips. Hurts to sit 😪. I exercise daily in each morning. Walk up 3-4 miles regularly, with a fair amount of ease. But question is how can I control the pain with alternatives, rather than keep increasing pregabalin and the side affects these have on my brain, memory is awful. Looking for help with suggestions on alternatives I can try to help with hip pain. Eg, magnesium, vit d etc. Please 🙏

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  • annabanana
    annabanana Moderator Posts: 139

    Hi @d4debs , first of all, welcome to the online community; it is lovely to have you here 😊!

    I'm so sorry to hear that your hip pain has gotten worse and I hope you get some good advice here; it is important to remember that what works for one person may not work for another. I've attached a couple of links on hip pain and supplements, I truly hope that you find something that works for you. Have you spoken to your doctors about the pain that you're experiencing?

    https://www.versusarthritis.org/news/2021/november/ways-to-help-manage-hip-pain/
    https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/your-experiences/your-questions-answered/your-questions-on-alternative-supplements/
    https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/treatments/drugs/calcium-and-vitamin-d/
    https://www.versusarthritis.org/about-arthritis/complementary-and-alternative-treatments/types-of-complementary-treatments/diet-and-nutritional-supplements/

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

  • jeanjeanie2024
    jeanjeanie2024 Member Posts: 1

    hi there, just joined. I am 75 years old and have osteoarthritis in my knee and hip. I keep active, doing my 10k steps a day some days harder than others. I also do yoga. I was interested to read this because my doctor only prescribed paracetamol and strong codeine. I am so worried about taking codeine regularly and try ro limit myself to one a day but sometimes the pain is really bad.

  • Anna
    Anna Moderator Posts: 1,165

    Hello @jeanjeanie2024 and welcome to the online community ( sorry to jump into your thread @d4debs ).

    It’s good to hear that you’ve found the information from @annabanana useful. The Versus Arthritis website is full of up to date information of how to manage various types of arthritis. It’s useful to know that medication is not the only way to deal with pain isn’t it?

    Do have a look round the forum - everyone is very friendly and helpful - and join in any conversations where you feel comfortable.

    Anna ( Moderator)

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


  • charlotteB
    charlotteB Member Posts: 2

    are people just managing their hip arthritis I have it in both hips surgeon suggests hip replacement. am doing yoga again which hurts but helps and taking NSAID if going long walks otherwise paracetamol interested if others went for new hips

  • distantshores
    distantshores Member Posts: 79

    Hi @d4debs I delayed having a hip replacement (right) for 14 years after diagnosis. I was able to do this as I was not in much pain and so could continue with whatever I wanted to do more or less. By the end I was walking with a Trendelenburg gait which was putting pressure on my other joints and the x ray showed stage 4 so I finally gave in. I may not be so lucky with other hip which also has osteoarthritis but is OK at the moment so hoping for the best.

    I managed it over the years with supplements and exercise right up until immediately before the operation. I took and continue to take turmeric and a bone supplement with calcium, D3, K2 and other things. I took minimal pain relief - sometimes paracetamol but some days nothing. I found the operation very traumatic as I am not a fan of surgical procedures (had never had any before the hip op) but it had to be done in the end. Now 4 months later I am able to walk 8000 steps in one go and can go back to my exercise classes. I would probably be further forward than that if I hadn't had a very virulent flu bug which is taking weeks to recover from.

    I think if it is impacting so much on your life and you are having to take so many painkillers then I would push for a replacement. I also have osteoporosis and am a bit puzzled by your post as osteoporosis is painless unless you break a bone. Do you have both osteoporosis and osteoarthritis?

    All the best

  • WKGS
    WKGS Member Posts: 1

    Help needed. 66 this month and after six months of excruciating pain and increasing loss of mobility - plus a doctor reluctant to do anything - I was sent off at the beginning of February with 100 cocodamol and a referral to a physiotherapist. The physiotherapist would not begin any form of treatment without an Xray being done and could not understand , given my symptoms why the doctor had not sent me for one.

    Whilst all these appointments were being arranged and waited for I have been doing self help exercises found online. I have noticed an improvement in mobility .Though pain is still bad.

    At my physio appointment yesterday I was informed that my Xray revealed I have 'moderate osteoarthritis' of my left hip. I suppose I am still in shock but I am reeling a bit. Physiotherapy sessions have been arranged. As I will get a proper exercise regime and not my own 'self help' attempts I do hope for some improvement not only in mobility but increasing strength around my hip which may lessen the pain.

    My problem though is the pain. I still work and can be on my feet six hours a day. I cannot seem to manage the pain. The cocodamol prescribed by my doctor certainly does not help.Sleeping is also a problem.

    I am asking fellow sufferers out there for advice, a painkiller that works, is there something I should ask my doctor for ?

    I am at a loss. I know it is early days for me - I have only been living with this pain since October '24 but if I could get the pain under control/got some sleep I feel I could cope a little better with this new diagnosis.

  • PJoanne
    PJoanne Moderator Posts: 260

    Hello @WKGS and welcome to the forum.

    What strength co-codamol are you on? There are 3 strengths, with 15/500 and 30/500 being the strengths only availible from the GP, 8/500 can be bought over the counter. I would go back to my GP and let them know the pain control is not working, as there are other options - anti inflammatories for example. Hopefully your GP will be willing to work with you until you find something that provides some pain control.

    Keep up with the exercise! And here's some info for you:

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

    Best Joanne

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

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