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Date: 15.06.2015
From: Louise

Subject: Any tips for relieving the pain please?

Hi

I was diagnosed with severe OA in both hips last year, the right hip is bar far the worse though My GP thought that I would need a THR fairly quickly, but the consultant I saw was reluctant to do it just yet (I'm a 45 year old widow with 2 young children). It gets so painful though.

I have naproxen and tramadol on prescription. The naproxen I can deal with, but it doesn't seem to touch the pain. The tramadol helps, but if I take it, it totally knocks me out the following day (not great with 2 active children). I had a cortisone injection before Christmas, but unfortunately it only offered effective pain relief for 2 weeks.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how I can help manage the pain? It gets worse after exercise, but I need to exercise to keep my weight down!

Many thanks in advance for any advice/suggestions you might have :-)
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Date: 15.06.2015
From: Colin W

Subject: Re: Any tips for relieving the pain please?

hi Louise

only thing I would try is Voltarol Emulgel gel or Difflam gel , both you can get on prescrition or at a chemist like Boots

one other thing I find helps is a heat pad , this one I use http://www.argos.co.uk/static/Product/partNumber/3047761.htm
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Date: 17.06.2015
From: lois

Subject: Re: Any tips for relieving the pain please?

Hi Louise, have you tried a hot water bottle? They can be very soothing take care not to burn yourself.

I have to say hip replacements are usually left until absolutely necessary. They do wear out and they only replace them a certain amount of times. I guess that is why the consultant is loathed to rush in.
I feel for you in pain. You could ask your GP to refer you to The Pain Clinic. they would sort out some pain medication for you.

Hope this helps.
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Date: 17.06.2015
From: Julie

Subject: Re: Any tips for relieving the pain please?

Hi Louise sorry you are in so much pain it is never easy particularly with children to look after, luckily I don't have that problem any more but nevertheless constant pain is not easy to cope with.

My rheumy consultant told me to take Tramodol (2 x 50mg) and 2 paracetamol together and I must say I find that to be better than tramadol by itself, but please ask professional first because we are all different and what one person can take the other maybe cant have for whatever reason.

If your not happy with your medication go back to g.p. and ask for something stronger, there is always something else they can give us, perhaps like Lois suggested going to a pain clinic might be a good idea, I remember taking my mum to the clinic and I thought they were really good and spent a lot of time with mum explaining what else she could have if her meds were not good enough.

Take care Louise and keep us informed of how you get on.
Julie xx
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Date: 17.06.2015
From: lucy

Subject: Re: Any tips for relieving the pain please?

Hi Louise, Swimming is meant to be good as it puts less stress on the joints, so perhaps swimming might not make you suffer so much afterwards.

Have you had X-rays taken of your hips? It isn't ideal having a hip replacement when you are so young but sometimes it is necessary. I had a fall and had to have mine done a few months ago although I am a lot older than you and I've been left with a difference in leg length and it's causing pain now in my back so if you can manage without the hip replacement for a while and get some decent treatment for the pain it might be best.

Good luck. x
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Date: 17.06.2015
From: Louise

Subject: Re: Any tips for relieving the pain please?

Hi thank you all so much for taking the time to reply and offering your advice. I think that a referral to a pain clinic is an excellent idea. I am moving about 80 miles away next month, so I think that I will wait until I have moved and speak to my new GP about it.

I use a hot water bottle every night, and it definitely offers some relief. Sadly the pain is still pretty acute, not helped by a heavy fall directly on to it this afternoon. I am now in agony. What an idiot!

Has anyone tried a TENS machine? I wonder if one would be effective.

Thanks again everyone :-) x
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Date: 18.06.2015
From: lois

Subject: Re: Any tips for relieving the pain please?

Hi Louise, sorry to hear you had a fall. I hope you are feeling less angry with your self.
Maybe when you move a new GP and New Hospital will shed some new light on it all. Make sure you ask for the pain clinic and also you can ask to go to the Hydro Pool. It is only 30 mins a week for 6 weeks but I found it so helpful.

There are some on here that use a Tens Machine. They say they are helpful. Unfortunately I can't use one for other medical reasons. The Tens machine can be provided by the NHS.

I wish you luck take care when moving and try not to let it stress you stress is not good for us.

Take care and chin up. xx
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Date: 18.06.2015
From: Louise

Subject: Re: Any tips for relieving the pain please?

Thanks Lois. Yes, agree re the stress - am doing everything I can to keep the stress of moving to a minimum.

The pain is still bad from yesterday's fall but I did manage to make it to the gym today. Not sure if it helped physically, but definitely did mentally and I feel better for it.

I am very hopeful that changing GP/hospitals will be helpful. Once I have moved I will have some great family support around me, which I hope that the consultants will see as a good thing and consider what options are available to me. I had never appreciated just how much chronic pain can bring you down and impact everything that you do.

xx
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Date: 18.06.2015
From: Julie

Subject: Re: Any tips for relieving the pain please?

That's nice Louise you will be amongst family aswell as getting a new g.p. Things are looking up for you. I agree chronic pain can bring us down almost to rock bottom but I also think that it makes us stronger and more compassionate people.

Good luck with move, that in itself is going to take it out of you (I recently moved myself and boy did it knock me for six for a while but best thing we did to get rid of stairs) but remember to take time for yourself, you cant look after your little ones if you don't look after yourself. Sound like a mother Hen don't I, lol.

Just remember we are all here and there are some amazing people on this forum with some brilliant help and guidance. Good luck with move.
Julie
xx
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Date: 18.06.2015
From: lois

Subject: Re: Any tips for relieving the pain please?

Hi Louise, that is great you are moving nearer family. It is so important to have a good network of people you can rely on. Please do not be afraid to ask for help. If you don't ask they will think you are coping. It will be lovely having a coffee with family and a good old chat.

I hope you are getting some help with the packing. I moved two years ago and it can be stressful but lucky for me I had so much help with the move. Not that I want to do it again.

Chronic pain is so much worse than any one realises until it happens to them not that I would wish it on anyone.

Take care and good luck with the packing xx.
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