As well as a rheumatologist (which is the rd you saw) you need a good
physiotherapist and an occupational therapist to help you along.  See if you
have an Arthritis Self Management Program put on by peers of the Arthritis
Society.  you won't believe how much difference pain management and joint
management will make.  Yes this might mean a cane or walker for a bit until
your muscles build up or until a joint replacement if needed on those hips.
It could be your doctor is waiting to see the results of the tests before
putting you on another med.  Do mention arthrotec - it does work for some.
others might benefit more from naproxen and a stomach protector.
Unfortunately it is a trial and error thing to begin with - many
anti-inflammatories with some working different on some people.

The physio will assess how you are walking and if you need some modalities
(which could be  equipment they have or as simple as ice or heat), include
some exercises to help your balance, gait, build up muscles.  She will make
recommendations to you (Could be a he - sorry).

The occupational therapist will assist you in ways to do things different,
maybe splinting.  For example - instead of bending over they may suggest a
reacher.  Different ways of getting out of a chair (high firm cushion -
scooting to edge of chair, levering out), different ways to protect your
joints - ie:  strengthening larger muscles to help protect, getting out of
cars differently (sideways with legs then levering out), perhaps orthotics
to correct the way you are standing and walking in shoes.  They are
invaluable to me.

A site on the internet that is helpful to me is www.arthritis.ca   Hit the
tab on the top called living well and follow some of the links.  If you add
this information to a book called the Arthritis Self Help Book by James
Fries (a mandatory book in my opinion for everyone with arthritis) you have
a starting point.  this site also has the information on ASMP - the
Arthritis Self Management program I told you.

Feel free to whine here - lots of help.  I have given you a start but there
is more assistance but don't want to overwhelm you.  There is a way out of
the pain cycle you are in - and you have started it.  The cane would be an
excellent idea if properly set up with a physio.  They would show you how to
use it properly, whether it should be that or a walker to start, and set it
to the right height.  With the information coming from the rd you are on the
road.

You can handle this - but feel free to whine and gather information.  In the
meantime your age, occupation etc would be of help - that way someone can
help even further.  we have people of all ages here; with families; without;
with jobs; without; in pain; in control of their pain; out of pain; and with
multiple problems and only one or two joints.  It is all arthritis under
many many many names from RA to OA to gout, to tennis elbow.  I met a woman
with washer woman's complaint - the technical name escapes me at the moment.
Same complaint - pain and how do I manage it.  She is in a treatment plan
and has gathered her team now and would like to be back at work by October.
On her way.

So welcome.  Our hot tub seems to be out of order at the moment and the
bartender in our little virtual club is now on a med that doesn't allow him
to drink so he is a little slow making the margaritas.  One of our member
drops by occasionally with a few jokes to lighten our pain and we often talk
of our families and lives - makes the pain more reasonal when we have
support.

Check out the one link and when you are ready for another let me know.  That
link also has some of the osteo meds but depending on your age and whether
it is inflammatory your rheumatologist may drift into a different tack.
hang in there and see what the xrays say.

by the way you didn't mention - are you in the states?  That sometimes
differs as to how the medical system works.

Take care - and welcome.

Kelly in BC

No, you are not being a whiner!

Most definitely OA can hurt and cause pretty substantial pain!  When you
are in a lot of pain, it's hard to concentrate on much else.   And, yes,
when you are in that much pain, you tend to walk differently and that
can throw off your center of balance.  Using a cane might be a good idea
for now, until they figure out what is going on with that knee.

Sometimes x-rays will show the problem, and other times an MRI is
needed.  

Use ice or heat to see if that does give you some relief.  Like others
have said, there are many different types of anti-inflammatories out
there that work well for different people, so don't give up.  It may
also be that you might need something a little stronger for the pain, so
talk to your doctors about that.

As the others have said, it is good to strengthen the muscles as much as
possible, so look into some physical therapy and occupational therapy
and work hard at it.  

Hang in there, come back here for support and to keep us updated as to
how you are doing, and best of luck to you!!!

By the way, what state or area of the world are you in?   Perhaps
someone here could help you locate doctors or facilities to help you out
a bit!

Donna
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1.   ANGELS EXIST, but some times, since they don't all have wings, we
call them FRIENDS......

2.    J.K.M.A.