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Subject: Where To From Here?
I am now 51. I had problems with my hip for many years, initially it seemed to come slightly out of socket causing awful pain at times.., GP's laughed at me. In the last five years I have had a fair bit of pain from both hips, but particularly the right hip and knee. I now just don't sit on our settee because its too low (can't afford to replace). I also have back spasms.., really bad ones. I have been prescribed (by my GP) co-codamol (30mg codeine). It helps with minor pain but not the major pain. They gave me methocarbamol tablets.., no help at all. I've used hot water bottles for the back spasm but tend to get scars because they singe my back and I don't notice, just desperate to stop the pain at times. I've finally after years of asking been sent for xrays. They showed 'degeneration of the hip - probably arthritic' and 'a loss of curvature in the lumbar spine'. I've been referred to physiotherapy. Glad of that and will take any posture/muscle strengthening advice they give me but was shocked to be refused any referral to a specialist. When I said as firmly as I could that I had a right to ask for a referral for arthritis, the GP told me I would only be referred to an orthopeadic surgeon, and I was too young for a hip replacement which is all they would deal with (and I agree that's not needed yet). I just want advice on how to delay further degeneration. I walk a lot (two dogs lol). Am I mad to think there should be somewhere I could be referred to to help with keeping mobile as long as possible? Surely there are arthritis specialists you can be referred to somewhere or am I mistaken? I don't even know if there is a connection between my back problems and my hip/knee problems. I have two children, both with special needs, I am all they have. I live in Gravesend in Kent. I'd appreciate any suggestions as to what I can do, and if its appropriate to ask for any further help.
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