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

Hi, I’m 35 and am nearly 7 weeks on from a total left hip replacement (with some other bits I won’t go into with pin removal and plates etc). I’ve had issues with my hips my whole life (this was my 5th op on my left hip) but being diagnosed with osteoarthritis really made me depressed. I totally understand. It felt like I was being made old when I feel young. I’m sure people of all ages feel this, but being diagnosed in my early 30s made me feel very isolated (my friends were supportive but it’s not something they really understand). Pain everyday is obviously very depressing too.  I became quite depressed quite fast. A lot of people would tell me stories about their mum or nan’s arthritis and I felt like I was dealing with things that I shouldn’t have to til I was older (it didn’t help that my dad is ill with cancer too at a relatively young age). I would say you need to get the prognosis? Are you going to have a replacement or even 2? This has changed my life. Also sex is fine with arthritis (I found one or two positions weren’t perfect but actually it wasn’t affected that badly). Post op sex is back but tentative and I am back at work full time today (and slightly nervous). While I had bad OA (before this op) I felt very down, so please do write back. You can manage. Physio really helped. My physio did a thing called a hip distraction which REALLY helped for short term relief. Write back. I know exactly how you feel. Xxx

Hi, 

I was first diagnosed when I was 40 and I wasn't presenting any  major symptoms.  I'm now 56 and was supposed to be having the op today but I was cancelled.  However, up to 3 years ago I was dancing, gojng to the gym but they slowly declined until I am where I am now which is still pretty mobile but my problems come when I'm at rest with spasms and cramps etc. I have no need of a crutch or sticks.   I decided to have the op because ny surgeon suggested that it would be wise to have it whilst I am still relatively young and then be able to carry on pain free and do things I love, rather than wait till I thought  I was at an age where it was emotionally more acceptable to have the op and  Yes I will have to have another op in my lifetime.

I posted on here the other day when I thought the op was looming I was absolutely scared stiff but the response was overwhelming from this site.  I now feel more optimistic for when the new date does arrive. But am

I emotionally ready of course not.  It's a scary thought having this op but I'm not alone in my fears, it seems to be very common emotion. 

I didn't feel I needed any pain relief until 3 years ago and ny surgeon suggested steroid injection into the hip.  The first time was really effective and provided almost 99% relief for nearly a year.  The following injections were not so effective,  but made it bearable , until the last one which didn't take effect at all, hence the op!  My advice would be until your at the op stage, keep active as much as you can doing low impact things.   If you can have the injection, try it, I believe the most you can have is 2 a year and can take a couple of weeks to kick in once you've had it. You don't mention if you are in any pain as yet? 

Try to carry on and I try to say to myself when I have those "why me" days at aleast i don't have something terminal.  It is hard.  I have it in my hands to and sometimes that worries me long term more than my hip!

I wish you well

Hi I had Perthes at 11. Im now 34 I am having a thr on 27th Jan. Ive got 3 children 11mths, 3 and 8 yrs. 3 years ago after the birth of my 2nd child I started having hip pain and couldnt walk far, over the counter painkillers worked for abit but then I fell pregnant with my 3rd child and struggled for 9mths, Ive had to go on the sick as I work with pre-school children. My last x ray shows bone on bone so I have no choice but to have a hip replacement.

Ive felt how you feel now, especially being so young. Its not nice but like the others have said its the 21st Century there is so much available in ways of pain relief, physio and alternative therapies. Make sure you talk to people family and friends about how you feel. Im always here if you ever need to talk.

I’m 51 years young and 12 days post THR. My MRI in April 2016 showed bone on bone, I continued on and it was only in Sep 2017 when I had an arthritic seizure in my hip (which was beyond excruciating) I decided to get my hip done. NHS surgeon told me I was too young and to come back when I couldn’t walk!!  Thankfully had private healthcare and Op took place 3rd Jan at 7:00pm  and I was back in my room by 8:45pm, just a spinal and sedation used. Was up the next day - though medication complications resulted in me not being able to stand without my blood pressure plummeting, so once that was out of my system the next day I was up and moving and left 2 days later. I walked my dogs around my paddock yesterday and find the only issues I have are sitting down! I’m fine lying down, walking, standing etc!  Sex was only painful after my arthritic seizure, so it certainly was never a problem!! I am very much looking forward to getting back in the swing without pain...literally counting down the days 😂

Depression wise - after 4 children I did have PNT but also after a horrific relationship I ended up with PTSD. I take Sertraline for the latter, but to be totally honest I don’t feel in the least bit depressed - just extremely grateful that hip replacements are possible.

Please go and speak to your GP - you shouldn’t suffer alone xx 

I wonder what they did in the 1800’s  for broken hips and knees?

Hi there, I was diagnosed with OA at the age of 25. I was born with hip dysplasia and it was eventually going to be arthritis in the hips. By 30 I had had both my kids and yes it was hard on my hips but I was determined to have everything like anyone else. By 31 I had my first hip replacement do I could walk and take care of my children and run a busy restaurant. I have arthritis in all my joints and I have to take anti inflammatory medication as well as avoids certain foods that make inflammation worse. I had 2 choices:. Do nothing and worry or take control and manage it. I did the latter. My Outlook is that you only live once and I want to live fully. I do not jump off planes or skate ot ski because I avoid all impact and contact sports. I exercise daily, keep thinking since it is easier on the joints. I keep busy with hobbies, volunteering, work and taking care of my family. I am honest with my hubby, who has been wonderful thru the surgeries. I am now turning 53 soon and I will not let anything keep me from happiness, specially OA. I have friends who have MS( progressive kind), and brain cancer, I have a son that has DMD and when I see how they fight to live , I really ground myself. Every day I make my list: 10 things I am thankful for, and what is my goal for that day.. I have talked to a counselor when it got really hard because living with pain can be extremely hard and it is up to each one to decide what is best for them. I just wanted you to know that yes it is possible to have a happy, rewarding life with OA or any other ailment. It is how we face it and deal with it that makes it or breaks it. Hope this helps you.

I used to be a trustee of an arthritis charity and many of the people were a lot younger than you, although some had rheumatoid arthritis and several other forms, as well as osteo arthritis. Some had had arthritis since childhood. They were all pretty cheerful and you realise arthritis can hit anyone. I did read a statistic that 49 out of 50 people would get arthritis at some point in their lives which is unbelievable. I also read that twenty five per cent of doctors’ visits are for arthritis although I thought that seemed high but is possibly correct, so you are not alone. It also means that because so many people have arthritis the pharmaceutical companies do lots of research on it.