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Severe arthritis in hip and anxiety over symptoms

Posted , 16 users are following.

sandyscamper
sandyscamper

I was told by my doctor four weeks ago the x-rays show severe arthritis on the right hip and it needs to be replaced. He said to wait as long as possible and maybe a few years if pain can be managed, but the past couple weeks the pain has increased and now keeps me awake at night, especially waking me up a few hours early.  So I am going back to see him this week and see if the surgery can be pushed up sooner. I take Meloxicam 15 mg but it still hurts. I added Tylenol Arthritis, 2 tabs at night and it does help some. More important I am getting major insomnia. I always had insomnia issues and take Lunesta, but even that is not helping right now. Since taking the Meloxicam, the Lunesta seems less effective. I may go back to Aleve as seem like insomnia wasn't as bad.  Not sure if side effects there or not. So looks like a vicous cycle here where insomnia and hip pain feed off each other and causing anxiety.  The hip pain is from the buttock to the thigh to the knee and even the foot. Not severe pain, just low grade consistant pain, it does respond to rest and ice some. Also, seems like low pressures and storms make it worse. I know a co-worker who did the non invasive hip surgery and was back to work in less than a month. Hope I am that lucky. Anyone had experience like this and what was helpful. Any ideas appreciated.

1 like, 24 replies

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  • Saltspringer48
    Saltspringer48 sandyscamper

    Posted

    Do you mind telling your age category? I was never told to wait. I was given the option. But I'm in my 60's and if a THR lasts about 20 years I feel good about my decision. My surgeon explained it is about the pain you can tolerate.

    • sandyscamper
      sandyscamper Saltspringer48

      Posted

      I am 59. At this point, if given the option I want to do the THR. I see the doctor in 2 days. The big issue for me is the insomnia as I work and it is not fun with little sleep. 
    • Saltspringer48
      Saltspringer48 sandyscamper

      Posted

      I had a lot of insomnia before the THR. Up to 3 years ago I told muscle relaxants from time to time. Then went off them to follow more natural regimes including aquafit etc. Nothing ever took the pain away. I made the decision in Aug. and the op was Dec. 7. Though I experienced initial sleep issues because I was sleeping on my back, I am now pain free and sleeping better than ever. I'm 68 and healthy. My only issue was the arthritic hip. All I can say is find the best surgeon and make the decision right for you

      Susan

  • beth2509
    beth2509 sandyscamper

    Posted

    One of the side effects of Meloxican is insomnia! You might be better off with Naproxen (aleve), which doesn't. Lunesta is also highly addictive and withdrawal causes insomnia, so your viscious circle is still there - if you don't take it regularly this could contribute to the problem, and perversely, it can sometimes cause insomnia! And anxiety. Overall, this doesn't seem like a very good mix for you.

    ?It's possible that if the pain is currently low, then you may have other options. At least in the short term. Steroid injections can be very effective - I had two. The second wasn't as good (it's common that second and third don't work as well) but the first one gave me about a year of no pain. And that was with quite severe pain.

    You might find that, if you sleep on your side, placing pillows between your legs alleviates the pain. The position of your hip whilst asleep on your side doesn't support the joint, and that can add to pain.

    ?Whatever happens now, don't start setting yourself targets. Yes, some people can be back in work in a matter of weeks. But that's not common. It will take the time it takes. Everyone is different. If you already have anxiety, making yourself more anxious about things definitely will not kelp!

    ?Hope there's something in there that helps. Just relax and take care of yourself, and hopefully you'll be a little better in the short term. The op will be life-changing, but it is major surgery, so you need to get yourself as fit as possible for it. And to do that you need to sleep...

    ?So you might also try looking at relaxation techniques, aromatherapy - anything that slows you down and makes you relax.

    • sandyscamper
      sandyscamper beth2509

      Posted

      Thanks for the feedback. I have switched back to Aleve, so will see what happens, I am going to mention a steroid injection possibilty. I wonder how the shot is done? Any special equipment or just a needle? I don't plan to live of pain killers too long though. Certainly will do the operation even if it takes a few months to rehab. 

    • beth2509
      beth2509 sandyscamper

      Posted

      It's a guided injection into the hip. You walk in, you skip out! For most people it works almost immediately. There are some people it doesn't work for, but you won't know until you try. Even if it just gets you through until the op, it's useful.

       

  • wendy75910
    wendy75910 sandyscamper

    Posted

    ask your doc about stem cell therapy - they have been using this in place of surgery - if there had been a trial, I'd have gone for it in a hearbeat! they are getting amazing results! 

    • ptolemy
      ptolemy wendy75910

      Posted

      I am not sure that true stem cell therapy is really available yet. It looks like another three to five years or so. Some people are offering injecting stem cells into the hip area with a lot of buzz, but I am not sure how effective it is from what I have read.
  • Stargate_fan
    Stargate_fan sandyscamper

    Posted

    Hi sandyscamper

    I am 49 and when I saw the consultant about 2 years ago I was also told I had osteoarthritis in both my hips but the left been more severe than the right!

    He told me both would need replacing but to hold off till I couldn't tolerate the pain! It was my decision as I was only 47 at the time so I held off for over a year and a half!

    I took painkillers but found that I needed more and more so doc prescribed me stronger but they made me sick!

    I was still working so vicious cycle of pain and painkillers and been sick( lost weight)

    I am now 3 weeks over my left hip been replaced and it's best decision I made!

    I got to the point where I couldn't sleep more than 3 hours with the pain so I totally understand your insomnia!

    I don't know anything about the meds you are on but pain can bring you down but I think you need to talk to your doc again

    My pain had gotten to the point of just "why am I waiting to get this done! "

    It's a major op and it's a long recovery but I am doing great so far so fingers crossed

    Hope you get your insomnia sorted and good luck

    • sandyscamper
      sandyscamper Stargate_fan

      Posted

      Thanks for the feedback. I am glad you are doing better. I know two co-workers who had the surgery and are doing very well now. Also, my primary care doctor urged me to have the operation. He said most of his patiens who had the surgery are glad they did it. The doctor I see this week though is the surgeon who told me last visit to wait as long as possble. But, the pain has gotten worse since I last say him so maybe this will change things and speed things up. My right hip is totally shot. I was very surprised as it only gave very minor pain the couple years. Then only past year it started getting worse. 
    • beth2509
      beth2509 sandyscamper

      Posted

      I was diagnosed with severe OA in both hips about five years ago. The left hip  was replaced in November last year. The right hip, so far, had never given me any trouble at all! There's no rhyme nor reason for why people get pain!

  • gloria81144
    gloria81144 sandyscamper

    Posted

    I'm 72, at 70 we had to make 3 quick trips to Florida from Rockport Texas when our son in law was pit in hospital with cancer not expecting to live.  He got better then worse so back and forth we went. Long story short, riding all those miles on I-10(with the bad ruts and bumps) caused my severe artritus to begin to crumble around the femur head of my right hip.  The doctor said for me to wait as long as possible for replacement.  Sent me to pain management........it did work for the first year.....gradually the pain Meds and shots about quit working.  Will be getting surgery as soon as the testing is done.  Hurts so bad now, I'm begging them to get it done!

    • sandyscamper
      sandyscamper gloria81144

      Posted

      Interesting  about the I-10 ride, as I foolishly did some shoveling heavy snow here in Maine back in early December, and also was lifting a heavy kerosene heating around in the garage and my symptoms got worse after that. I did not know at the time hip was bad. Not saying this caused the pain to get worse but sure it did not help. 

      I been on that the I-10 on a vacation years ago, so know what you are talking about. 

  • maraleezie
    maraleezie sandyscamper

    Posted

    I have severe bi lateral hip degeration...bone on bone with cysts on both hips.  I tried pain management best I could (Meloxicam as well) for the last couple of years, but I can no longer stand, walk or sleep...(I am 60).  I am scheduled for my first ... RTHP in 2 weeks.  I am scared, but have to let my faith now kick in and pray for a good recovery.  If all goes well, I will need to schedule the other hip as soon as possible because I will be recuperating on a non-op hip that is just as bad.  My best to you...and everyone supporting each other here...it's so wonderful to have this comraderie when we needed it most.

  • Ccariello
    Ccariello sandyscamper

    Posted

    Do the surgery sooner rather than later.

    No need to medicate your way through a lousy existence.

    Sleep is critical.

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