Arthritis in Hips

[Chaffinch]

Anyone got any tips on dealing with the pain of arthritis of the hips. I have had it for the past couple of years in both hips, and am now on the waiting list for a hip replacement. I've been vertually pain free for the past couple of months, but now its back with a vengance, my left hip being slightly worse then the right.

I'm taking zapain ( 30mg codein+500mg Paracetamol) with no effect at all. I have a hot water bottle on it right now. I've also changed my office chair. I cannot sleep for the pain at the moment, so any advice would be helpful. I'm only 53 (ha ha only!!!!!), and I take regular exersize, and an not overweight.

[Chaffinch]

CD, I was Ok all summer, so stupidly cancelled my left hip replacement, now wish I had'nt of course, though it depends what day it is as to which hip is worse!

On a lighter note I fell up the stairs today and squashed my pain au chocolate, nothing worse than a flat pain au choc!

[China Doll]

Lol! That's no good at all Chaffinch, be more careful next time!

I've just been for a swim and right side is now aching a bit and left side feels stiff <rolls eyes>... I'm 32 and feel 80!

[Chaffinch]

I also feel about 80 China, shall I book the nursing home?

I often fall over when my hips give out, so embarrasing lol

[China Doll]

I sort of do a jerk movement to the side and then double over which is always elegant and graceful.. ahem...

[LoftyLottie]

So do I chaffinch (fall over that is). Last time was flat on my face in a muddy field with not a sole in sight - just the dog on her extending lead who was more interested in darting around looking for rabbits.

I just got up out of a chair the other day and fell over. My leg just didn't want to move.

I get so cross!!

(Arthritis is hips, feet, and down spine and feeling 180)

[LoftyLottie]

Haha 'soul' but there were no fish in sight either!!

[China Doll]

It's interesting to hear you all talking about it. It's something I'm concerned about but I don't want to start worrying aobut it. I know I'm going to get it (great granny had it, nan had it, mum's got it) but I think my symptoms are not that yet, (or if they are they are mild in comparrison to you all), I think probably the op just hasn't worked and I will wait to hear what the doc says when I next see him.

[Carakeel]

Hi Chaffinch. I had both knees replaced because of osteoarthritis which attacked where I had previously had bone cancer. I have quite bad back problems and am now having problems with my right hip as well. Part of my problem is that the sciatic nerve is badly damaged, but there is also quite bad osteoarthritis. My doc tells me to take 2x30mg codein 4 times daily, 2x 500mg paracetamol 4 times daily and 1 Naproxin 4 x daily. It is helping a fair bit, but still doesn't kill all the pain and to be honest, the codein makes me feel tired all the time. What does seem to help is taking a rest in the afternoon, about 30 min. to an hour, if and when I can. I also put a pillow under my knees when resting on my back, to raise my feet a bit and when sleeping on my side, put a pillow between my knees and lower legs. This too helps quite a bit. Be careful with the exercise, as if this is arthritis, then you can cause more pain and inflammation by overdoing it. Keep mobile though! I also use Ketaprofen gel, which I understand is now going to be discontinued and replaced with ibuprofen gel. Hot water bottle always helps too. Main thing is, stay positive and don't let this stop you from doing what you want to do and leading a happy, productive life!! Hope you feel better soon!

[Eve]

Can I join the feeling old party?

I get a dull ache down the side of my hips and they tend to feel out of place. Likely be partly posture related too though as I'm sure hobbling about with the arthritis in other joints and shifting about trying to get comfortable, leaning for support etc... doesn't help.

I had some physio and she got me to lay on the bed with my hip and leg off the side and see how long/well I could hold it up. Not very well and she said I have weakness in the muscles and gave me exercises to help strengthen them which she said should help the pain and stablise me a bit more - she said they bear so much strain from the body generally that if they are weak then it can have a significant effect, including pain, on other parts of of the body.

Pain wise I have co-dydromol at present. Had an injection at my last rhumo appointment - I thought it was cortisone but her copy letter said kenalog - not sure if they are the same/different!?!? When that kicked in it made an amazing difference!

[Sqad]

CD. it does sound as though you might have had Perthes Disease of the hip, a congenital disorder,which has gone undiagnosed over the years.....a not uncommon situation..........pain in the knees as a child...particularly at nights.....used to be put down as "growing pains"

[China Doll]

Sounds like a possibilty Sqad, I am trying to remember if my growing pains were just that of if I really just wanted an excuse to get out of PE as I found it dull! I will speak with my consultant in December and mention that I have been discussing similar symptoms with other people. I am sitting down now, when I got up this morning my knees were sore and twinged on the walk to the station and the subsequent horror of the morning commute that must always be done standing, now my knees feel ok but my hip is starting to ache!

Anyhow, my whinging about it is not going to improve things so I will now take a dose of 'catch yourself on' along with a side of 'man up'.... Thanks everybody for all your thoughts and information :c)