Posted , 6 users are following.
Hello
I am awaiting for a hip replacement and have constant pain and stiffness in my affected leg.I have always been so energetic so what troubles me most is the constant fatigue and low mood that I am feeling ,has anybody else experienced this and how do you cope with everyday life and disturbed sleep .Ido excercise with Palates and Zumba classes plus I try and walk a lot.
Thank you in advance
0 likes, 11 replies
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pamjhs Flic
Posted
Yes - this has been me for the last 4 years, except I was told to lose weight before I could have an op, and I have been unable to exercise, so that's been pretty difficult.
My GPs finally kicked in with some referrals for my various pains and fatigue. I saw a neurologist who said I had no neurological symptoms, and I've just seen a rheumatologist who checked me out for fibromyalgia. He diagnosed me with chronic pain disorder and (after a blood test) Vitamin D deficiency, which is being treated with mega-doses of Vitamin D. He also arranged for me to have a steroid injection into my hip to reduce the suspected inflammation in the tendons (I think). He also recommended amitriptyline for neuropathic pain, but I was given this right at the start by my GP and I didn't like the side-effects, so I'm not keen to go on that.
The steroid injection has helped a lot with the pain from my hip, and I'm getting more movement back in it.
I think, as difficult as it is, you may need to go to your GP and describe how difficult it is for you living in pain, and ask for help.
Flic pamjhs
Posted
Thank you for your helpful comments I will have a word with my GP if it continues despite self help x
miele55255ch Flic
Posted
Hi Flic!
I have OA in ALL of my joints.
I had a total hip replacement (THR) 4 years ago and will be having the other one done in the spring.
You WILL experience fatigue just because you're in pain all the time!
Constant pain can make you depressed, tired, irritable and fatigued!
Don't be hard on yourself!
Try to walk and do strengthening exercises but DON'T overdue it because it will make you feel worse.
Do what you can!
I had hip pain for almost 16 years before I gave in to THR. I treat my pain with pain meds, ice packs, heating pad, a topical cream (Tiger Balm) which I think is the best ever and I've tried them all and I also use medical marijuana at night to help me sleep through the pain because without it, I'm awake every 2 hours because f pain.
Sometimes, if possible, just lie down for an hour or so when it gets too overwhelming.
Sometimes, it just helps to have a good cry in the shower to relieve the stress you're facing. tears cleanse the soul!
Good luck to you!
Flic miele55255ch
Posted
HI Miele Thank you so much for you story and advise.I feel reassured from your reply and others that the fatigue is part and parcel of the OA progression and I will follow all the advise and try and manage the symptoms until I have the THR
XX
gail_71688 Flic
Posted
Hi.. reading your message and replies I relate to everything that has been said. Thank you so much for writing about what life is like for you. Why oh why do GP's and even specialists not listen to us. I too keep telling my GP my quality of life is crap!!! Lets get the replacements happening!!!
gail_71688 Flic
Posted
Hi.. reading your message and replies I relate to everything that has been said. Thank you so much for writing about what life is like for you. Why oh why do GP's and even specialists not listen to us. I too keep telling my GP my quality of life is crap!!! Lets get the replacements happening!!!
Flic gail_71688
Posted
Thank you Gail ,It is so comforting knowing that I am not alone. Good luck with your own issues xx
pamjhs Flic
Posted
Things changed with my GP when I started to wonder if I had fibromyalgia. Many of the symptoms like fatigue and pain seemed as if they might be related. But I find the 10-minute appointment is useless for getting across the range of symptoms I'm dealing with, so I typed up a list of my symptoms and handed it to the GP, and she read it through. Being diagnosed with prediabetes also seems to have made them take my various symptoms seriously. I've honestly wondered if there's some rationing of hip operations going on round here. But, as I've found out, there are some other things they can do to reduce the pain.
Flic pamjhs
Posted
HI again Pam
I think that to be diagnosed with fibromyalgia you need to have widespread muscle pain alongside the fatigue.I know that my pain is due to OA and the pain affects the hip and related muscles only.I hope that you get the right diagnosis and treatment soon.Miele has some good advise regarding pain management and I am going to try the Tiger Balm
Best wishes to you x
pamjhs Flic
Posted
Yes, that's right - and the diagnosis is done by a rheumatologist, which the GP referred m e for. He diagnosed me with chronic pain disorder, (not fibromyalgia) arising from the pain of the arthritic hip. The treatments prescribed for that have helped a lot.
My point wasn't that you might have fibromyalgia, but there are things that can be done for chronic pain if you see the right person.
Flic pamjhs
Posted
Hi Pam
What pain meds have you been prescribed as I find most anti inflammatory meds useless and codeine only effective in high doses which have horrible side effects,I take an antihistamine based sleeping pill about three times a week to give me some good quality sleep and Im going to try the Tiger Balm.
Thanks x