To ask for your tips on coping with pain

[Bumbledop]

I posted on the health boards, but didn’t get any replies so I hope it’s ok to post here for traffic. I will keep it brief.

I have arthritis in both hips and have been told I am too young to have them replaced and need to manage the pain ( I have been referred for a second opinion at my request).

I am on painkillers that help and am using a tens machine at night when the pain is at its worst.

I would be really interested to hear any tips on how to manage pain better, I don’t think I’m coping too well at the moment.

Zena i want to try cbd as i can no longer take daily naproxen due to kidney function. Will check it out - thanks.

Ffiffime. I feel for you, being in constant pain is awful. My pain is at its worst at night too and I often don’t sleep at all. Not sleeping is awful.

Be careful with naproxen, that shit can ruin your stomach in the blink of an eye, even when taking it correctly- omeprazole may be needed to help protect the stomach, ask your gp about that.
Also second the suggestion about your gait - flat footed-ness can make joint problems worse. Also heat, pain clinic referral, using a yoga-ball chair to sit on.

Try Pilates rather than yoga as rather than being a spiritual practice, it’s all about hip alignment and stuff. I’ve found it far more helpful (chronic back/pelvic pain). Some places do pain specific classes - I do one (glasgow) and get a bit of relief from it. If you can get some Pilates spiky balls you can try doing exercises with your weight on them - I lie on my side with them under my hip and then lift my leg up(like scissors) and the ball kind of kneads in. I have pain in my sacrum so find sitting with a Pilates ball under it Takes the pressure off.

I’d ask for cocodomol as an in between - I find tramadol stronger and I can’t tolerate it quite as well. However I can tolerate 8 x cocodomol 30/500 per day although it only takes the edge off.

Have you tried caipsicum cream? You can ask for it but not sure how effective it is for arthritis. I’ve also been given lidocaine patches to try.

I can’t have NSAIDs so my options are pretty limited. I find nortypaline easier to tolerate than amitriptaline.

I hope you get on top of it, please tell me if you find any wonder cures!