Glad this has been  of help.  (actually I am a woman - name goes both ways
and on the internet it is always hard to tell bg)  Part of the problem with
osteo is the medication is sort of a trial and error with medication.  You
are testing NSAID (non steroid anti inflammatory drugs) and each one works
differently on each person.  In Canada they start with naproxen because it
is covered under our formulary and is inexpensive - unless they start you
first on an over the counter med such as ibrofofen or aspirin.  They can
cause stomach problems so do watch for upset and black stool (which means
hussle your butt to the doctor).  For some people these meds work fine.  For
others they don't.  Each NSAID works differently for each person.  Celebrex,
vioxx worked wonders for some people and protected their stomachs at the
same time but problems occured and the doctors have cut back on the celebrex
and vioxx is off the market.  Wouldn't surprise me to see it go back on
eventually.

If your osteo is mild and not bone on bone the doctor probably can't offer
you anything exciting - however if it isn't bone on bone and is still bad in
the knees they will sometimes do injections of steroids or sometimes a
synthetic med the name of which my brain can't bring forward right now.
Unfortunately for the hips the steroid injection is the only injection that
sometimes brings a bit of relief.

The best thing though is to keep the weight off, use good management such as
reachers if necessary, raised toilet seat (the best thing in my opinion ever
invented for hip pain), grab rails, higher chairs or cushioned chairs,
maintain strength in your upper large muscle groups (such as quads, arm
strength which helps to levered you up.

Another good site with occupational ideas for hips and knees is the Canadian
Arthritis Society and I am including the link for ideas (check out some of
the other ideas on fatique and fighting pain.)
http://www.arthritis.ca/tips%20for%20living/daily%20activities/protecting%20your
%20joints/default.asp?s=1
An occupational therapist was also the best absolute best for giving me
ideas on gardening with arthritis, how to travel with arthritis, proper
mechanics on lifting and protecting hips and knees etc.  We have a group
here that regularly does seminars free on these topics.  Couldn't do without
those seminars.  Also check out the best book that again I couldn't do
without called the "Arthritis Helpbook".

hopefully some more of these ideas help.  Unfortunately the doctors don't
always give out the information on osteo that we would like.  Even on RA I
had to go to the Arthritis Society for a great deal of my help.  The doctors
though have been a godsend working on my med situation and monitoring for
side effects etc. on my condition (difficult to treat RA).

hang around and welcome - lots of ideas around here.  Many have had hip
problems and haven't needed replacements.  Many have had hip replacements
eventually and have had great relief.  If there is a particular thing that
you have trouble doing ask - I can probably find a tool, gadget, or a
different way of doing things and if I can't someone else has the answer.

Welcome,
Kelly