1. Community
  2. Bones, joints and muscles
  3. Osteoarthritis

Need some positive advise

Posted , 4 users are following.

Trixybelle
Trixybelle

Hi, I am new to the group. I am 38 years old and was told on Friday I have arthritis in both my hips. My problem area is my right, which the consultant said I have no cartilage left, so it's just bone on bone. He said my only options are steroid injections and eventually a hip replacement, but he wouldn't recommend that as I'm so young. I left the office in floods of tears and havent really stopped crying since.

I have a seven month old baby and had to wait until he had his morning nap to put my sock on!! I am normally a very happy and positive person but I just don't know ow where to go from here. So, any advise would be really appreciated.

Thanking you in advance for advise,

triona

1 like, 9 replies

9 Replies

  • Jan999
    Jan999 Trixybelle

    Posted

    Hello savage. I do feel for you. It must have been a terrible shock. Is it osteoarthritis you have? It is painful. Have you been prescribed any pain medication because that can help a lot?
    • Trixybelle
      Trixybelle Jan999

      Posted

      He didn't mention pain relief, and I am in a lot of pain. I'm presuming it's OA. All I take is paracetamol and ibrufen, which is doing nothing for the pain. His bed side manner left a lot to be desired. I had a hip artroscopy two years ago and things were better. But after three days in labour and an emergency c section the pain is a lot worse. Just need to know I have something to look forward to and it's not going to be this sore forever.
    • Jan999
      Jan999 Trixybelle

      Posted

      With the right medication you will start to feel better. I have osteoarthritis and with the right medication I can function so much better. Go and see your GP, tell him you need something for your pain and a re referral to a more compassionate consultant.
  • elizabeth20203
    elizabeth20203 Trixybelle

    Posted

    Hello Savage,  I am sorry to hear your suffering.  I have had Arthritis since a young child so i understand the pain.  I am with Matron as in that there are so many medications around now that can give you better relief.  Ask to be referred to a pain clinic which can help you with other methods of dealing with pain.  I have had knee replacements at a young age thou it is not recommended because they will need replacing again.  You don't have to suffer.  I personally wouldn't have steriod injections.  

    Elizabeth.

    • Jan999
      Jan999 Trixybelle

      Posted

      I found the steroid injection I had in my shoulder worked really well the second time. The first time it didn't make any differs. Unfortunately the injections don't work for everyone 
    • elizabeth20203
      elizabeth20203 Trixybelle

      Posted

      I tried the injections for my back and it made things worse.  I have heard that they can weaken the bones so you only get 3 injections in all.  This my experience, so it's up to you if you want to go for it.  Everyone is different . 
    • Jan999
      Jan999 elizabeth20203

      Posted

      I read about the 3 injection limit but then I read another article that said 3 in a year. I think it's a bit excessive. I would agree about the injections weakening the joint but I was having so much pain in my shoulder I couldn't move my arm, it was so painful. This was in February and I'm still pain free. 
  • wknight
    wknight Trixybelle

    Posted

    Ask for a second opinion and go see another consultant. They will do it at your age but you need to push because the concern is that it will need redoing. I have had two finger joint replacements done privately as the NHS don't really do them, they fuse the joint instead. I have had the injections and it worked for a while but was extremly painful for 48hrs.

    If you are in the UK another route and can afford it is to see a specialist privately, get him to recommend a joint replacement and then move back to the NHS. If you are lucky choose and book may even allow you to have it done in the private hospital.

Back to top

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.