Acute hip pain

[devongirl]

Hi, I’m new to this forum and wondered if anybody may be able to give some advice. I have finally been told that I need a total hip replacement. My pain has become so intense that I cannot walk more than a few yards, I can’t put shoes/socks on, I can’t really do anything without ending up sobbing in pain. I watch my husband walk the dogs and I get so down that I am unable to live my life as I once did.
I have tried morphine, amaltriptolene, tramadol, the only thing that helps slightly is cocodolmol.does anybody have any suggestions to help with the pain?

I have to wait 3/4 months to see a consultant and I don’t know how I’m going to manage in the meantime.

 

[HertsHippy]

Hi - I had similar pain and recently had a hip replacement on the NHS. It is the consultant who will normally confirm you need a THR - is it your GP that has been advising you? Maybe I am in a better part of the country for the NHS but I was able to get an appointment with a consultant in 2 weeks using NHS choices and then a 2 month wait for the operation. 3/4 months is a very long wait. Otherwise you can pay £200 for a consultant and be seen almost immediately in most places.

 

[Mojo333]

Oh poor @devongirl .
I wish I had an answer to that...I would have been all over it months prior to my diagnosis and hip replacement operation.
I gave up on pain meds as they basically had horrid side effects and weren't touching my pain.
If anything helps you rest, I would try it..but there was nothing I found.
I truly feel for you and hate that you are suffering.

I used a heating pad alot..not great relief but somewhat soothing.
You might try using a cane and baby that hip all you can.
I wish you could get in for a consult sooner...
The only good news, is there Will be an end to this...
Sending huge sympathy hugs your way!

 

[devongirl]

Thank you Hertshippy and mojo333 I really appreciate your replies. Today I have rung my Endoscope Drs secretary leaving a message that I wish to pay to see a consultant so hopefully that will be in weeks instead of months. Mojo, you have obviously been exactly where I am at so it was encouraging to hear your ok now. Although I am really hugely nervous of having the operation I can’t bear the constant pain. I actually am putting on so much weight which isn’t helping matters at all, it’s the old chicken and egg situation.

 

[Chappyd]

Hope you get some relief soon. My upcoming operation and pain is pretty much all I think about these days. The folks on here are pretty supportive. I spend most evenings before bed here now. Good Luck to you.

 

[Mojo333]

Today I have rung my Endoscope Drs secretary leaving a message that I wish to pay to see a consultant so hopefully that will be in weeks instead of months.

There is post op pain and discomfort...but All Temporary and didn't take me long to discover that horrid hip pain was GONE.
Hope you are able to expedite your surgery as I wouldn't wish it on anyone.
Hang on...help in the form of THR is on the way!

 

[Fairydell]

I know exactly how you feel. The pain is dreadful and I have tried everything that anyone suggests to make it go away. Nothing really helps and it is simply a waiting game now. I am waiting to see the surgeon next week on Valentines day then I will know what he plans to do. If they offer a steroid injection I personally would say no thanks... I had one in November and it didn't do a blimmin thing to help with the pain. Good luck with your appointment when you get it.

 

[Bionic]

@devongirl
You could have been writing my thread from last year. I had hip pain and then it suddenly got much worse. I couldn't find any relief. I tried exercise, tablets, rub on lotion and nothing worked. I was unable to walk the dog or look after my sheep.
Because the waiting list for a consultation was long here I took the option of paying for a private consultation. The OS confirmed I needed a hip replacement. He said I could have the op done by him on the NHS or privately and his service to me would be the same. The only difference being the time I would wait for the op, it being 1 year on the NHS and a few weeks privately. My pain dictated the only option was to go private. I had that op last July, followed by the other hip last November. I am now having one knee done in March on the NHS but all with the same OS.
Good luck with your consultation. Whichever option you choose I am sure it will eventually get rid of that awful OA pain.

 

[GrannyC]

I’m so sorry about all your pain. I agree with all the others that there is a light at the end of this tunnel. Once you have the surgery, the OA pain will be totally gone. There is a little pain for a short time from the surgery but once you heal a bit, no more pain. Hopefully you can get your consult appt sooner and that will be good. In the meantime, if you can’t get around much, try to think of things you can do that don’t cause pain to help pass your days. Maybe a friend could teach you to knit or crochet? Read a good book, call an old friend, play a game online, do a puzzle, etc. if you only fret over the pain, it gets to be very depressing and the time will drag on for what seems forever.

My pain wasn’t as bad as yours but it did hurt to walk. The pain is exhausting. After I had my surgery, I realized I had more energy that I’d had before surgery and it was because I had no more pain. You’ll get through this and we are all here to answer any questions, give our suggestions and offer our support. You can make it through this!! J

 

[Jaycey]

@devongirl Where are you located in the UK? Where is your nearest hospital. I may be able to help you find a consultant you could see privately and then you could get on his NHS list for the op. I did this with both THRs.

 

[devongirl]

I am completely overwhelmed by all your lovely messages, it helps so much that I can talk to people who know how I’m feeling. The pain is exhausting and all consuming. Today I have been told I have a Paralabral acetabular cyst in the hip, need to google it that as no idea what it is. Jaycee, I’m in Exeter mid Devon.

I don’t know how to reply to individual messages I’m afraid. Granny, I was actually thinking of taking something up that would keep me busy.

 

[Jaycey]

I don’t know how to reply to individual messages I’m afraid.

You are doing just fine replying. I'll do a bit of research and get back to you on surgeons.

Edit: Well you are in a good place for hip surgeons. There are many specialists in Exeter. Here are 3 whose numbers meet our criteria of 200+ hips per year. The good news is these gentlemen focus solely on hips.
Mr Jonathan Howell
Mr Matthew Hubble
Professor John Timperley

Plug "Exeter Hip Unit" into any search engine and you will see where they are based. All have an NHS and a private practice. Ask your GP to refer you to their private practice. If your GP has any problem doing this - be firm. It's your choice to go their route. Have your consultation with your surgeon of choice and then ask to be put on the NHS list.

Let me know if you need any help on this and please do keep us updated!

 

[Bionic]

I don’t know how to reply to individual messages I’m afraid. Granny, I was actually thinking of taking something up that would keep me busy.

@devongirl you can reply to an individual post by using the @ sign followed by the username as I have done to you here.
I would be @Bionic and Granny would be @GrannyC

 

[HertsHippy]

@devongirl

I think cysts are build ups of fluid - I had three in my bad hip and BUPA put me down the injection route with physio rather than THR. Had THR on the NHS (in a private hospital) three years later.

Exeter is renowned for hips - google Robin Ling.

 

[devongirl]

@Jaycey, wow thank you, that’s amazing, I’m off to google all three names, the more information I have the better.
@Bionic, great thanks, hope I’m doing this right now.

Thank you to all x

 

[SurreyGirl]

Hi Devongirl
I really feel for you as, like Bionic, was in exactly the same position re the pain.

Jaycee also advised me to see a Consultant privately but by that time I was in the system. If I had to make the same decision again I would get a private appt with a Consultant and then look at the NHS waiting list.

Jaycey also took the trouble to look up my Consultants statistics and reputation and her advice was sound.

It is YOUR life and YOUR hip. Do not take any nonsense from your GP. Be firm and polite but insistent.

Also, once you are in the waiting list make a friend of the OS PA as mine got me a cancellation appt with the Consultant for my first visit. Also be friends with the hospital
Admissions team and say you are willing to go for a cancellation. There are ways of reducing the waiting list time if you are lucky...

I phoned every two weeks and got the date I wanted in the end...

Finally, this is a fantastic forum and has been invaluable for me. .

I am still healing and am definitely one of the overweight unfit ones in here but it has been life changing.

Best of luck xx

 

[HertsHippy]

In most areas I believe that there is considerable variation in waiting lists and you can choose any hospital in your region which is on the NHS list. My local hospital (10 minute walk away) had quite a long list so I opted for a hospital further away which had a shorter waiting list. It was also a private hospital with en-suite rooms and very nice food so I was happy.

 

[sharonslp]

Devongirl, I too am hoping you will be able to fast-track your surgery and get back to reclaiming your life. It is life-changing.