It sucks growing old

[W. Kevin Vicklund]

Why y'all postin' a picture of me at age 16?

[Foggy]

So on a day when horking up the entire contents of my stomach wasn't even close to the worst thing that happened to me this morning, I quit. I just quit.

In the morning, this will be a totally different world.

[June bug]

[Tiredretiredlawyer]

Foggy -

[Foggy]

Thanks, ladies, today is a better day.

[Slim Cognito]

Don't you hate it when you go to a blues jam and your apple watch keeps bitching the music is too loud?

[Maybenaut]

[jez]

So the last few weeks, my right hip has decided it doesn't want to do what a hip is supposed to do. It hurts, to say the least. Finally got to an Ortho for x-rays. Good news is nothing is broken, no tendons are torn, there doesn't seem to be a large amount of swelling around the bursa, etc.

It's arthritis. In my hip. So... Celebrex, hot/cold therapy, gentle exercise to help with mobility, and my trusty cane for bad days.

[AndyinPA]

[p0rtia]

[Tiredretiredlawyer]

Dammit, jez!

[Foggy]

Yeah, that's not cool, my friend. What about steroids, and I don't say that facetiously, because steroids have helped me a lot with similar maladies. My surgeon sent me a list of things to try to alleviate pain - it even included aromatherapy, which, it's true I am an aging ex-hippie, but

And I'm also gonna suggest a pain management doctor, if they can't fix the underlying issue.

Love you, Jez.

[jez]

Thanks all.

Arthritis runs in the family, on both sides. It was really just a matter of time. I was thinking my hands would go first, actually. My paternal grandmother and maternal great-grandmother both had arthritis so bad in their hands they basically became claws.

As for steroid therapy: I have a very low tolerance for steroids, be it injected, creams, or oral. Those would be a last ditch effort. For now, the NSAIDs are helping, as is the Aspercreme and Icy/Hot. Doesn't totally kill the pain, but I'm able to walk decently without relying heavily on my cane.

Just another pain factor that I will learn to tolerate.

[sugar magnolia]

Thanks all.

Arthritis runs in the family, on both sides. It was really just a matter of time. I was thinking my hands would go first, actually. My paternal grandmother and maternal great-grandmother both had arthritis so bad in their hands they basically became claws.

As for steroid therapy: I have a very low tolerance for steroids, be it injected, creams, or oral. Those would be a last ditch effort. For now, the NSAIDs are helping, as is the Aspercreme and Icy/Hot. Doesn't totally kill the pain, but I'm able to walk decently without relying heavily on my cane.

Just another pain factor that I will learn to tolerate.

Have you tried Voltaren?

[jez]

Have you tried Voltaren?

I haven't, but I'll take a look at it. Thanks!

[W. Kevin Vicklund]

Thanks all.

Arthritis runs in the family, on both sides. It was really just a matter of time. I was thinking my hands would go first, actually. My paternal grandmother and maternal great-grandmother both had arthritis so bad in their hands they basically became claws.

As for steroid therapy: I have a very low tolerance for steroids, be it injected, creams, or oral. Those would be a last ditch effort. For now, the NSAIDs are helping, as is the Aspercreme and Icy/Hot. Doesn't totally kill the pain, but I'm able to walk decently without relying heavily on my cane.

Just another pain factor that I will learn to tolerate.

Have you tried Voltaren?

Second the Voltaren. I just picked up a prescription for Dr. Vicklund of a higher dosage than the OTC version of that medication - it helps her a lot. (But as with all things medical, make sure it is right for you and any other medications you take)

[p0rtia]

FWIW, I also use a lidocaine 4% roll-on. Icy Hot makes one. I buy the generic from amazon, a couple at a time. I also have a prescription for the diclofenac sodium (Voltaren), as it is pricey.

I keep both around, because various parts of me respond better to one or the other.

[keith]

Have you tried Voltaren?

I haven't, but I'll take a look at it. Thanks!

Yeah works pretty well for me. I just use OTC pills.

For me I just use one or two before bed, very occasionally when my hip or back is acting up making it difficult to sleep, or when I've had a particularly busy physical day. I'm pretty stoic about the pain in my hip (arthritis/ bone on bone/ screaming for a bionic replacement) and back arthritis (lower back/ neck), but it does make it hard to sleep sometimes. I am really mindful of not getting addicted, dependent, or tolerant to any pain medication. Nurefen works for me.

The hip was shot full of replacement lubricant about 18 months ago and I can walk pretty good, but it is getting hard to bend enough to trim my toenails or put on socks even. I think its time to see the surgeon for hip number two, but I'm not sure if I'd be overinvesting (a new hip will cost me about $AUD3000 all up this time I think) and the recovery will probably be much longer than the previous one 15 years ago.

P.S. Not only but also, my GP recommended Voltaren gel when I banged my shin and the pain moved down to my ankle. Not sure it really did any good to be honest, but at least I felt I was doing something worth while.