Excruciating Hip Pain…tell me the truth about painkillers!

[IamEarthymama]

I have Mild to Moderate Osteoarthritis according to the ‘specialist’ I saw at the local private hospital. ( Very charming guy, very conscious of impressing the very pretty student who was sitting in on my appointment, lots of glances and giggles between them) He took no account of the fact I explained I was in a very good phase, the weather was sunny and warm and this was nothing like 80% of my life.
He didn’t examine me at all, didn’t touch my boys or look at my bare skin, including the patches of psoriasis on my feet and joints.
Basically told nothing to see here.

About 3 months ago just after having Covid for 2nd time I suddenly had a feeling of a spear being thrust through my groin to my hip, my right leg swelled to the point I couldn’t get a Croc on my foot. The pain radiated from in through knee to ankle and foot.
I was prescribed Amitriptyline and have Naproxen,paracetamol and dihydrocodeine. I use Hemp cream and meditation to help with the pain.
I was managing to walk around, I use public transport and walk lots for work, life and doggo.

Over Christmas it has been excruciating and I am really struggling. I rang my GP this morning and spoke to one of my favourite GPS. He was shocked that previous intervention had been to offer Ibuleve cream and nothing else and that even though I had physiotherapy no one suggested X-ray or scan.
I have been for X-rays this morning, results in 10 days.

So…I am up half the night in agony pacing, crying, swearing. I get relief in may be one to one and a half hours bouts. I struggle sitting down, lying down, standing up, walking around. I am honestly reaching the end of my tether.

Please share how you would use the medication I have, e what regime would you follow?
Would you use CBD oil or cannabis?

I am so sad, I lived such an active life until I had a knee injury 3 years ago! I would so appreciate your wisdom. 💖

Oh my goddess! My boys was supposed to be body!
Where is the damn edit #mumsnet!

I feel for you Op, I have a chronic pain condition and nothing works, the strongest thing I have been prescribed is tramadol and it doesn't work. If you can do so safely I think you should try cannabis but I can't see that opinion going down well on here. I get up and do as much as I can in life while trying not to let it show on my face or in my behaviour just how badly I am hurting, there's nothing else you can do.

I was wondering why your private doctor would need to feel your boys

Heat and cold alternating, and a tens machine helps when pain is bad (as does cocodamol).

For long term relief, glucosamine (mixed with chondroitin and MSM) and Turmeric.

RicherThanYew
Just to clarify, the consultant was at our local private hospital, I am a NHS patient.
He was so dismissive, very much "What can you expect at your age? Pain, well, it is what it is."
(I am in my 60s, I still work and have an active and interesting life. This level of pain is debilitating and is preventing me from doing anything.)
I had no scans, no X-rays, GP was sympathetic but very much of the opinion that the Great Consultant had spoken.

Many thanks to pp for the replies and advice. I have those supplements and need to be consistent in taking them.

Does anyone have any ideas about the best way to sit down or lie in bed? I am shattered and can never get comfortable.

I really sympathise. Pain is often not treated well. I have bad hip pain, which flares and then gets less bad. I have to really pace myself. Even when I want to do more I have to not sometimes. I’m 47 but have had psoriatic arthritis since I was 20.
I track the pain with a book (this flipping hurts from Amazon) which is helpful for appointments and things and also to see the triggers.
I take pain relief when I have to. Co codamol is the strongest I have, sometimes I have to use heat, electric blanket, hot bath etc. It doesn’t work fully but I can cope.
On good days, don’t overdo it. On bad days, be kind to yourself and don’t try to push on through.

have you seen a physio?
ime they are a lot more hands on and much better at finding the cause of pain.

You e got psoriasis, you need referring to a rheumatologist for an assessment for psoriatic arthritis.

I am so sorry you are going through this. I had very bad lower back pain for weeks a couple of years ago. Do try a tens machine, I luckily had an electric reclining chair and I slept in that for many weeks. I was on oral morphine plus a load of other pain killers so there are other stronger options out there.( Just do make sure you come off them supervised.) Never tried cannabis but sure someone will come along and help with that. Bless you.

I would also look into psoriatic arthritis and see if they can check what effect that is possibly having. My partner has that and has struggled a lot the last 1.5 years. He was prescribed etoricoxib which has helped a lot but prior to this (and still does now) what was helping to some extend what a high strength good quality Tumeric, I did some research for him and found one from a brand called Hey nutrition was highest rated, it's expensive but they do seem to often offer discount codes, and also a really good quality cbd oil, he gets one from proavcan. Sorry you're in so much pain!

Thank you so much everyone for your kind responses, I am crying now.
I have been up since 6am because I can't face going back upstairs.
I live in a late Victorian terrace with a downstairs bathroom, I guess I should be grateful it's not at the end of the garden.

I will reply to everyone properly when I pull myself together, I am watching Repair Shop so I will still be crying but in a good way.. ☺️🥲

I'm.on medical cannabis (not just cbd) for chronic pain. Week 3 I'm seeing an improvement in my fatigue and pain. I can't dare hope. I've spent 3 years trying everything under the sun and this is the most positive treatment so far

How has mild/moderate been diagnosed without a scan?
My hips have been replaced - totally resolving the pain.
Good luck.

Just an update, I was diagnosed with Pudendal Neuralgia last Friday after a day in A&E, I was in a terrible state.

I have had great support from NHS but I am still in dreadful pain.
I am going to start a thread asking for Women’s experience with this but I wanted to say thank you to all of you for your kindness.💖💐💖