Hip pain

[Margie21]

I have terrible hip pain this morning and can hardly walk, I am waiting for appt to see a hip surgeon for 0/A and have no idea when ? My GP has prescribed Codeine phosphate 15mg and this just makes me feel sick and very tired and constipated and does nothing for the pain I am in. I have appointment with an osteopath tomorrow, has anyone on hear had treatment from an osteopath ? If so does it help ? I am back in bed this morning having taken paracetamol and resting up for few hours, I am told to keep mobile but can hardly walk today, any tips from anyone please x

[Hiplucy]

Oh Margie, you sound like me...when I was 65. My right hip pain was just awful. The doctor prescribed Diclofenac, which helped a little but not much. What really annoyed me was the advice to be active -- "Motion is lotion." Well, I had been very active before osteoarthritis struck me fast, walked more than a mile to work every day. I started using a cane, and that was helpful, but the only thing that worked was a total hip replacement. I was terrified to have the operation and had to beg for one night in the hospital after I had it. Here in the US you are expected to go right home -- even if you have a catheter. I was diligent about my physical therapy, and I didn't heal quickly, but now, three years later, I can walk again pain-free. I wish I could advise you of something other than surgery that would help. I can't tell you how many people were full of well-meaning and useless advice -- supplements, physical therapy, blah blah blah. But when you don't have any cartilage I don't see how those things can help. I am so grateful for the surgery. I know you are in agony, and if you're like me you're pretty depressed too. I'm rooting for you.

[Holycow2 in reply to Hiplucy]

So pleased you’re feeling better! I to am waiting for hip replacement. Was told last September I was on the 3 month wait as like you say had no cartilage left and the pain that goes with that is horrendous!! Fast forward 10 months and I’m still waiting!! Hip is crumbling and could collapse according to surgeon. Limited blood supply going to femoral head. I’m in constant Agony y day and night whilst taking tramadol ect. Now told should be by the end of the year!! Also told now because of the severity of it it has made mild arthritis in knees niw moderate which is very painful.Also have PMR so confusing where this starts and the arthritis stops!! After the op was the pain from the op worse than the pain from the arthritis? I’m terrified of the op but have no other choice left

[Hiplucy in reply to Holycow2]

I hope you get a date for your surgery soon. Even though I was terrified, once I had a date I began to prepare myself mentally and my home physically. Let me tell you, Holycow, the pain from the surgery is nothing compared with the agony of the arthritis. The worst moment for me was the first time I stood up after the operation. After that it was steady (but slow!) progress. Sometimes I got discouraged, especially when well-meaning people told me that I was healing slowly, but looking back I see that the progress was steady. And now I'm back to being competitive with my Fitbit. I even did a 5K (walking) not too long ago. And I just turned 70 on Easter. So I hope you get a date soon and can start crossing off the days until your surgery. I was terrified at first, but by the day of the operation I was eerily calm.

[Holycow2 in reply to Hiplucy]

Thank you soooo much!! This has helped with my terror of the op! You are doing amazing! I’m happy to heal at my own pace as I want a proper recovery so won’t rush. I’m still working but it’s really really hard to do I’m determined not to give up. Work is really all I do do now as the pains so bad. I changed my job before it got this bad and so glad I did as I’m mainly desk based now. I just want it over with now.😬😬

[Bostonterrierlover in reply to Holycow2]

If you're anything like me, you'll be thrilled with the results of your hip replacement. I had my first 7 years ago, when my left hip wasn't too painful. Fast forward 5 years and I kept putting off making an appointment to have my right one done, then along came covid! Because of that I had to wait 18 months to have the operation. By that time I could barely walk and even getting in the car was torture. No medications touched the pain, but the hip replacement got me back on my feet again. Oh yeah, and I too was nervous about the operation just because I'm an old lady 🙂 Let us know how you make out please.

[Holycow2 in reply to Bostonterrierlover]

Thank you! I will let you know!😬😬

[Happyrosie]

you might find something to help you on the website of Arthritis Action, the charity.

[Margie21 in reply to Happyrosie]

thank you will take a look x

[RCHD]

Osteopath and good chiropractor can definitely help as well as good PT. Ice also numbs.. I’d get off the codeine if it was me. Also fasting hells reduce inflammation a lot as well as a anti inflammatory diet..

[Margie21 in reply to RCHD]

Thank you for your advice, I am already off codeine and taking more paracetamol and using voltarol rub, I am seeing osteopath today for consultation so hopefully may be able to help, but again it is costly, the hospital physio is no longer running becos of funding, I will look into diet options thank you x

[Sherlock11]

I have buprenorphine patches as I have severe O/A in my right hip and am listed for surgery soon. I too find anything with codeine makes me spaced out and sick but because the patches are a lower dose over 24 hours they don't affect me the same and you don't have peaks and troughs. Also ask the GP for laxido to help stop constipation as this draws water into the stool preventing constipation.

[Margie21 in reply to Sherlock11]

Thankyou for your info, I will ask my gp if they would be suitable for me “x I am happy to try anything

[Exodus2019]

Please try not to worry too much about your op (although, of course, you will). I was terrified but, in retrospect, there was no need 😊 I had a spinal block but asked to be sedated to the point that I couldn't hear the 'carpentry' and awoke from what felt like a peaceful sleep. Honestly, the results are like a miracle. After the agony of OA, post-surgical pain is utterly bearable and comes with the knowledge that each day you'll feel better. We all heal differently, but after two weeks I wasn't even reaching for the paracetamol. I had dissolvable internal stitches and steri strips - the scar is so neat and tidy that after 4 years it's almost invisible. It's not the most fun you'll ever have, but the op is an absolute game-changer! You'll be grand x