Have been diagnosed with OA in my hips , and can t seem to deal with it mentaly

Hi Litamarius:  I am so sorry that you are having depression.   32 is very young for you to be diagnosed with OA. I would encourage you to call your Dr. right away about your depression and get that managed.  Maybe you need another Dr's opinion.  You haven't mentioned what stage you are in of OA or if you are having problems with yours hips?  There are a lot of young Hippies on this forum with lots of success stories.  I am in my sixties so I can't compare what you are going through.   I was a late bloomer with my surgery. RTH replacement   Had a walker for a month or so and then went to a cane and then now I am on my own and go to the gym and back to work full time as a Real Estate Agent.  Most important let our group know your story so they can give some advice and  pleeeeeese go back to  your Dr. immediately for your depression.   There is light at the end of the tunnel.  Good Luck and Cheer Up..

You’re young, and that stinks. I agree. When faced with pain and chronic disease, it’s normal to feel depressed,” why me?” 

But put things in perspective- we don’t have cancer. This disease will not kill us. We live in the 21st century, where there are antiinflammatories, joint replacement and soon- probably in your lifetime, not mine- stem cell therapy. I have 2 hip revisions, this last one became infected and I am into the 8 weeks of IV antibiotics, no metal joint- taken out with a spacer placed confined to bed without being able to sit up more than 75 degrees and less than 50% weight bearing with a walker. But there are people out there with life ending illnesses- it’s NOT us. So, attack the OA as a chess opponent- what it does to you, have a good Rheumatologist and orthopedic surgeon. When you can’t sleep or walk due to the pain, discuss replacement. Injections/pilates/yoga/natural anti inflammatory mixes with cinnamon/pepper/apple cider vinegar etc. you will adapt and provide for your family. You will maneuver positions for sex. You are being challenged. You can provide positive motivation despite the chronic pain and all OA involves. Just put it in perspective. I’ve had patients with metastatic colon cancer at the age of 20. So, chin up, plan an attack and step into tomorrow knowing it will never come again so make the best of it and concentrate on those around you. You CAN do this...

Lynne's reply was right on the button.  

 

I was diagnosed with OA when I was 32. it was in my knees and I was given exercises to do which I did not do often enough. I've had my knees replaced and I am still doing those exercises 20 years later. Over the next35 years i have used chiropractor, meds and some injections in my spine. I just had a hip replacement that got infected and had to be removed with a cement spacer put in. It sucks but i am getting my new hip in 2 weeks. While i was dealing with the OA over the years, i worked 2 jobs, got my college degree, raised my family, went dancing and did a lot of fun things. Just know your limitations. Ice up after you exercize. Your Dr may prescribe anti-inflammatories. See life goes on . when you put on weight you put stress on the joints that are affected so keep your weight down. Oh yeah. Before my hip surgery i was doing 501k's. However, i know my limits so i WALK the route- i don't run. It makes you feel better. If i cannot do the 501k then i will still walk but not be in a race. I will walk at a slower pace and cut back on the mileage. Good luck. You are going to be ok.

I also totally agree with Lynne. I am more than double your age (70) and while my OA was not bad until my 50s, I am unfortunately extremely familiar with depression. Run, don't walk, to your doctor, get on medication, start seeing a therapist, whatever you need to do. Depression is a very dangerous illness, but it is treatable, and in the meantime, it will make dealing with everything else so much harder. Even if you don't think you are "seriously" depressed, it is just fine to use these crutches to get through.

I have had quite a hard time with my hip replacement, but I am a bit unusual in that - many many people do very well. I also have had rheumatoid arthritis since I was in my 50s, yet neither OA nor RA (and fibromyalgia and some newish back issues), plus numerous foot and ankle surgeries, have stopped me from a great life.

I held a satisfying though stressful job until age 69, I became a yoga teacher and yoga therapist when I was 50, and now that I am retired I am traveling as much as I can - last year Iceland and Cambridge University for 2 weeks each (despite hip pain), this year I an already booked for a dinosaur dig in Wyoming with my youngest grandchild; a trip to the Baltic area to visit St Petersburg, Riga, Tallinn, and Vilnius; and another to Patagonia in Chile and Argentina. I am also exploring new late-life careers as a poetry therapist and guided autobiography facilitator. I take about 5 or 6 classes for seniors every semester ay my local university.

This is not to say everyone can be as lucky as I am, or that travel and such is everyone's cup of tea, but it is totally true that there are so many options today for staving off and repairing physical issues, don't be needlessly afraid. And the options improve all the time. Keep after your doctors or find new ones until they address your concerns. Please, please, please get help for your depression and find your optimism. It is terrible to have these issues at your young age, but it can get better, I promise. Keep reading this blog also - even in my worst days of pain after my hip surgery, people here had encouraging words and helpful suggestions that made me feel so much better. Hang in there, kiddo (compared to most of us here), and good luck to you!

I ended up bone on bone and had to do a replacement.  I am 3 weeks post and feel awesome!  OE is treatable even if you end up with a replacement.  Don’t look at as an end all to life, the only restriction I have is no high impact aerobics and no running.  Life is good

You are very young and before you despair, there are lots of questions for you to get answered. As someone else said, it's not cancer, it's not the end of the world. Find out what stage your OA is, most doctors use four stages, some 5. This does not mean you won't be able to provide for your family, or that you will be a cripple, or that you will even need surgery. After you find out what stage osteoarthritis you have, get a second opinion. Take your time and don't act rashly on any surgery.  Osteoarthritis is treatable with some anti-inflammatories, often losing weight helps take the strain off your joints and that helps too, plus regular APPROPRIATE exercise can delay the progression from one stage to another. It is even possible that with proper weight control and meds and exercise, if you're still early stage 1 OA, that you will never even need joint replacement. Or, that you won't have to have that for a long time. There are trials going on with stem cell treatments for OA and more and more is being learned. Confide in a friend or ask people on this board. You can have a long, happy life with OA. Learn all you can about it and you will be surprised at how common it is in we humans as we age, and how you don't need to stay depressed. That's my two cents worth. Some people who have OA don't even have pain. I knew someone who learned she had end stage arthritis in her late eighties, but she had never had any pain , she just suddenly had trouble walking and she needed a hip replacement ! Within six months, she had a hip replacement and she is great now. She was unusual not to have any pain until the arthritis was so advanced, but it happens. Stay positive and don't give up. You have your whole life ahead of you. 

You may feel you're on a roller coaster of emotion accepting one day, and angry the next. It may help to remind yourself that these feelings are normal, and will ease with time.

Coping strategies by talking with your doctor to help you with PT , healthy diet , taking meds as well as other alternatives for your stage of OA , are you in pain at this's point, can you cope with daily routines?

Important to find support and ways to manage your OA you may be another ten years out before hip replacement is needed. Mine took about that long before I needed THR and another 10 years went by before I needed the other hip done. Every story is different and many are happy with the outcome.

Stay active find small things that you can enjoy every day, and set realistic short-term goals for yourself. Remember this is not the end it's the beginning of understanding how to take care of bones and joints. This is only a diagnosis and you have control of your life to make the decisions that will bring happiness, acceptance and a positive attitude.

I read about a dance instructor at 95 years old still giving lessons to her students and she has had hip replacements in both hips and like many of us hippies here we are still very active! 

Just a idea for valuable info after THR for positive responses. The question to ask in a new discussion would be how many hippies are still doing what they love doing since hip replacement? How old were you when diagnosed and had THR? How do we manage to continue to live a active life pain free? 

Lots of support here great advice by all fellow hippies . Everyone is really trying there best to help you understand OA . Hope to hear from you soon!  

Having worked in mental health program management for many years, to me the depression is significant.  Have you talked with a psychiatrist about it?  You also may be undergoing an adjustment disorder related to your illness.  At the least see a mental health professional for an evaluation.  Also, it never hurts to get a second opinion regarding your OA.  I know a few people who co tinge working with OA just following MD orders.  It is not a death sentence but may seem that way.  Also, at your age, a career change might be an option to learn to do something less stressful on your body.