 Posted 29/07/2010 14:36:11
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| I have recently been diagnosed with Osteoporosis in both of my hips. The right hip far worse then the left, but to my dismay I was advised by my GP to go away and try to cope until my pain gets worse then I will be referred for a hip replacement. I was not even given leaflets or an email address. I take 50mg of Diclofenic three times a day but sometimes this only manages to take the edge of my pain and makes me feel spaced out. As a result of this my day to day living and holding down my job is very difficult. I feel so confused!!
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Posted 29/07/2010 14:53:22
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| Hello Ally and welcome to the forum www.painsupport.co.uk is a very helpful site for helping with pain. Lots of tips. You will find the people on the Discussion forum friendly and informative. Lots of posts on here are also very informative and this may give you a clearer picture for when you visit your GP again.
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Posted 29/07/2010 15:12:33
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| Hi April Thank you very much for your email and for providing a email address for me to follow up on. Regards Ally
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Posted 29/07/2010 16:46:44
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| Had another thought. I find a memory foam topper on the bed mattress useful for the hips. I have a 3 inch one at present. I also have benefitted from Traditional Chinese Acupuncture for hip and other pain.
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Posted 30/07/2010 07:42:39
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| Hi Ally, Sorry to hear about your problems with osteoporosis of the hips. I can't understand why your doctor has said to just go away and have a hip replacement when the pain gets worse. I don't know how old you are or the cause of your osteoporosis but apart from pain medication are you actually taking any medication or calcium and Vitamin D3 to treat the osteoporosis? Have you been for a consultation with an orthopaedic surgeon at all? They usually suggest conservative treatment at first which may include a DEXA Scan and/or X-rays or MRI of the hips to see if it is the osteoporosis causing the pain or whether there is a secondary problem - for example femoro-acetabular impingement (FAI), or osteophytes. Treating the osteoporosis first should be considered. If you are going to have a hip replacement then the harder the bone mass density of your bones the better for the prosthesis to bond to. Some types of replacements are not recommended for people with osteoporosis. He may suggest before you have any surgery that you see an endocrinologist for blood tests to check your vitamin D levels, and review your pain management, and suggest either biphosphonates or strontium ranelate to strengthen the bones. A physiotherapist can also help teach you exercises to strengthen your muscles around the hip and lower back which may reduce your pain plus help you if you decide to proceed to an operation. Have you considered changing your GP as there is a lot of help and support from most doctors in the medical community and from staff and members on this forum - but the description of your GP makes me feel that he hasn't taken much time to listen to you and manage your condition.
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