Hip pain and sleeping problems - any tips?

They are well aware at the hospital that I collapsed after half a Tramadol tablet & have suggested Oxycodone, which is more potent! I just hope they have a sound proof room to put me in.

My hip arthritis specialist confirmed that exercise is key. Walking, Core Exercises(pilates)are extremely important. Look up HIP ARTHRITIS EXERCISES and WALL PILATES, On YOUTUBE , talking from experience, even 5 minutes a day has made a huge improvement for me, keep walking, even 10 minutes a day. I use walking poles, mostly forest walking, it has made a tremendous improvement for me. Good luck

Have you tried this exercise:
Lie on your back. Lift your right leg and bend the knee. Move your bent leg over to the left. You should feel a slight pulling sensation in yr hip.
Repeat on other side.
Worked for me years ago!

Joplin I am in the same boat as you and it is a nightmare because hospitals do not stock anything other than opioids. They are available, just not stocked.

The best person to discuss pain relief with will be the anaesthetist who is unlikely to be giving you drugs for pain which make you vomit.

Make a fuss the next time you have a hospital appointment so they will be well aware if you are admitted that opioids are not for you.

I’m allergic to all opiods yet they say I won’t get through the op without them. Anyone know of alternatives that have been used? The hospital says there aren’t any & I don’t have a choice.

I also take Naproxen & Paracetamol regularly through the day & night, & rub Voltarol over my hip, groin & knee. A hip replacement has been cancelled twice due to an infection & even with 2 crutches I can barely walk. A bad cut on 2 fingers, not healing properly, is delaying it even more. So I can hardly use my hands, never mind my legs! Life pretty impossible.

I agree that groin pain is a classic symptom of Osteoarthritis and a GP visit should be sought asap. I have experience pain and stiffness due to OA. Having had one hip replaced in 2021, I am due to have the second one replaced in a fortnight. For pain I take Naproxen (with Omeprazol as a tummy guard) and paracetamol if I'm desperate as I can't take cocodamol or similar. Frankly nothing really helps painkiller wise if the pain is too bad. Injections may work, otherwise a hip replacement is needed. Physio helps and it us essential to try and keep moving to keep muscles strong and healthy.

I've found so much useful info in earlier emails linked to arthritic pain, but my main problem is waking after just four hours sleep and not being able to return to slumber. My doc has suggested Zopiclone half a tablet which has been ok, but don't want to get hooked.

Does anyone know anything about magnesium which is a natural sleeping aid?

Horrible isn't it ☹️ I found Pilates exercises helped a bit but nothing really
works all the time, hope you get sorted out soon.

I am another one who suffers with hip and sometimes knee pain at night, I take two paracetamol & 1 x 400 mg ibuprofen before bed but 9 times out of 10 it wakes me around 3am , once I am up and about in the morning I rarely have any problems. I did have a sterile injection a good few years ago , so will have to go back to my GP and ask if this is still available. But I care for my DH due to illness and never seem to get round to sorting it out.

Having had two new hips I found prior to having them , I did Pilates with a really good instructor then acupuncture, it really helped , since the new hips just amazing , very lucky ,

A few years ago I had terrible pain in my hip which stopped me sleeping. My GP organised an x-ray and ruled out arthritis- he then diagnosed bursitis (inflammation in the joint). He told me not to sleep on it, exercise as much as possible and rub a cream on it called Algesal- which you don’t need a prescription for but is behind the counter in the pharmacist so you have to ask for it.
Within days the pain was gone- never to return.
I have used Algesal on shoulder pain too and it works a treat,- definitely worth trying.

I’m under rhemy for this and all they say is heat pads moving around and pain killers I’m also on anitripyline along with a few others but not really a lot more you can do until you ready for an operation I’m afraid and I know walking is pretty hard when you in pain I also take vitamins for my bones I can’t do one of those pillows because I move too much lol

I don’t know if it’s been mentioned but I got a topper for the bed and that has really helped. You would need to get one that suits you .

Suffer a bit from hip pain when lying in bed as well and the thing that works best for me is a normal pillow underneath hips/ lower back which works whatever position you sleep 🙏

Really know what you are going through, I’m a left side sleeper & it was severe left hip oa causing pain that kept me awake. Despite codeine 30mgs at night & 30mgs before gym work during the day.
It helped to sleep on other side with a pillow between legs but not always. I was unable to sleep on back due to lower back issue. The only answer was a hip replacement, & miraculously pain SI joint back pain & groin pain disappears.
Hope you can get your hip sorted soon.

Re joint or muscle do listen to Dr Louise Newson’s advice re HRT. You’re never too old to benefit & don’t be fobbed off by a misogynistic health system still peddling debunked info! It’s changed my life and am now 63 but have been on it for several years. Her Instagram post re this very subject on 17 Dec is an eye opener.

Don't waste your money on hip pillows..useless. Ihave tried them as I also have arthritis in my hip. Just do what you can and see GP. Sorry I can't be more helpful but I feel your pain,literally

The quick acting Ibuprofen - over the counter ones- are a help but that’s since I had my hip replacement in my 40s. By the way , if you do need the op - honestly , I’ve had more painful haircuts. Nothing to be afraid of. Before my op, when sleeping was near impossible, apart from strong pain killers, warm drinks , Radio 4 and one of those heated pillows. Avoid cheese and alcohol. Good luck. X

I have been diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my right hip. This showed up on an x-ray, after some months with groin pain and throbbing feet. I would ask the doctor to send you for an x-ray of your hip. I have seen a physiotherapist and I am on the waiting list, for a group session for a 5 week, twice a week, for exercise and nutrition. In the meanwhile to build up muscle, I have been given three exercises to do three to four times a week. These are: Isometric Single Leg bridge, repeat 8-12 times, twice, sit to stand no hands, repeat 8 to 12 times twice and single legs balance standing with support, hold for 20 seconds, repeat 2 times.

Examples of how to do the exercise can be found on line.

Unfortunately I can't take ibuprofen, as I take blood pressure tablets. I don't find paracetamol much help with the pain.

Knee pillows, heat and stretching exercises.

Thanks Iam64. That good then, I will look into that after Christmas and try cooking with it. It's an anti-inflammatory I think so that would be useful as I can't take any nsaids.

henetha

I just googled it - apparently we shouldn't take turmeric if we are on blood thinners, so that includes me.

This is why my GP advised against turmeric supplements as I’m prescribed blood thinner. She said I’m fine to continue cooking with turmeric

Do some gentle exercises before you go to bed to stimulate your cortisone levels .
If you can't find the right pillows try folding up an old duvet to make yourself comfortable .

That's what I do to alleviate neck , back and knee pain .

Just an update: I slept with the knee pillow last night, which will take a bit of getting used to I think, but I honestly feel my hip is a bit better today!
It could also be that I was really busy yesterday and hardly sat down all day so maybe the exercise was beneficial, I was also very tired so that probably helped (also two large glasses of wine was quite relaxing!).
But thanks again for all your suggestions and I really will see the Doc after Xmas.
Until then I wish you all a very Happy Christmas and all the best for 2024.