Osteoarthritis diagnosis and pain control

[fudgesmummy]

Hi all,
I have been diagnosed with severe osteoarthritis in both my hips.
My whole life has imploded as I have had to close my very successful childminding business after over 30 years.
I am very overweight and have been told by the doctors that they won’t even consider a hip replacement until I’ve lost at least 4 stone.
I am in constant excruciating pain and the thought of being in this level of pain for a year or more is making me feel suicidal. The pain is particularly unbearable at night.
I have been prescribed Tramadol but even the maximum dose of 6 a day is barely taking the edge off it, plus the doctor won’t prescribe enough for me to take 6 a day anyway so I’m having to ration it.
I’m currently on day 9 with no painkillers and have been sobbing in pain.😭
Has anyone got any suggestions as to any other more effective pain killers I can ask for?
tia

https://versusarthritis.org/ I have arthritis in my knee and the physio recommended this site which may be helpful.op.

Yes, do let us know how you get on. I've been thinking about getting one myself.

My pain in my hips is bad at night. I take Codeine and paracetamol, which definitely helps. Naproxen is terribly hard on my stomach, so I can only take one when I am desperate. Have you considered one of the weight loss injections?

What is your general diet like? Are you eating whole foods or processed foods more? I ask because I lost 3 stone fairly effortlessly by cutting out UPF.

It really has made a difference!! Have slept on my left side now for two nights. Strongly recommend 😊

Hi all,
Thank you so much for your very helpful posts.
I’m stuck at an 8lb loss, which is what always happens. I am just in despair as what to do.
A different doctor has prescribed Amitriptyline (3 tablets before bed) to take as well as the Tramadol, but said it will take several weeks for it to start working.
I’ve only been given enough tablets to last 7 days to that will mean contacting the surgery again which is a stress I could definitely do without.

Oh that's great to hear. Ooh, so it really made a difference?

I'll definitely have to start looking into one. It was nagging at me last night too. My favourite sleeping position is the most uncomfortable for me so it drives me batty. Would you mind sharing which type you got?

I do sympathise. I have osteoarthritis and had my right hip replaced two years ago. Which was amazing. I can jog about now. (I mean I don't and i'm not supposed to - but I can if I want to!) I can't really help with pain relief other than what other folk have suggested.
I did have injections - one steroid which did nothing - and two hyaluronic injections (the first helped for a couple of months - the second did nothing) before my replacement.
If you can afford it - try weight loss injections - I'm on mounjaro and its fantastic - weight loss may not help with immediate pain, but it might ease it a bit, and it certainly takes the pressure off the joints in general. For me, it has helped my lower back pain (Sacroiliitis) and I am also feeling less pain in my other hip, so I'm hoping it puts off that replacement for a while. I've lost 2 1/2 stones so far - long way to go but I'm hoping for a pat on the back from my consultant next month.
I did have one of those massive long body pillows that you can tuck under whatever part is hurting at night. It helped a bit. The pain still woke me up but it was better than nothing.

Ahh, so relatable! It's such a nightmare to get an appointment. I thought exactly the same thing when they gave me seven amitriptyline to try.

I hope the amitriptyline work for you. If not, it might be easier to get you on something else. When they failed for me, suddenly the GP took my pain a lot more seriously.

Speak with your GP. Insist they hear you out. they are the gatekeepers to accessing secondary NHS supportive services.
TBH I use a mix of physio a LOT of physio and top with pain relief when it flares. I might see an NHS physio for a short block then make sure I do the exercises everyday. It’s b. Painful to begin with but helps me stay mobile. my Gp knows I choose physio over meds and have a history of working with them. They will therefore contact physio services so I can access extra when needed. the best thing was physios referring me to a pain management clinic which has proved very helpful in reframing how I view living with chronic pain.
Naproxen has been a game changer butI save using it for flares (I live with Chronic migraine and cluster headaches so have to be very careful)
Do a bit rest a bit is a good mantra.
Check if your local council swimming pool has a stay active type scheme that offers water supported exercises for older adults. it’s cheaper than a private gym.
Use the wheelchair to get to where you want to be but try and use sticks etc to mobilise once there. If you sit for too long thee is a good chance you will seize up and find it very pa8nful to get moving again.
Versus Arthritis has lots of helpful suggestions. In some areas they offer active sessions that help you stay mobilised without adding extra stress and may be able to signpost you to groups in your area that offer armchair type excercise classes. it offers a chance to socialise too and swap ideas with others in a similar boat.
You can contact adult social services and ask for an occupational health therapist to advise on making your home and garden more accessible.
Consider applying for disability related benefits such as PIP if you have not done so. Get advice on filling in said forms as they are no fun.
look at a good mattress topper. look for a good supportive pillow and if need be use pillows to support your legs at night so you can rest even if sleep is hard.
Losing weight when you struggle to move is darn hard BUT with each pound you lose your weight bearing joints will be happier and less stressed. KEEP going even if it’s slow.

How are you doing?