I have OA in shoulders, base of thumbs, hips and knees. Hip pain is the
worst.

If I write about what helps me, maybe it will help someone else.
If I write about what doesn't help, I hope to get suggestions.

Sometimes a hot bath and /or a heating pad helps. I cannot correlate
whether or not it helps with anything else - activities or lack of,
outside temp or humidity, etc. (I live in Delaware; temps in winter are
usually 30's and
40's). Anyone else able to know when the heat is more likely to help the
pain?

If I sit with legs down, no pain. Legs up means pain.
Sleeping on my side with knees up, very little pain. Stretching out my
legs is painful.

Getting into standing from sitting is painful. Using a toilet set with
attached handles helps. In getting out of a car - opening the door and
putting a hand on top of the car helps.

One M.D. suggested physical therapy. I had one session. Three hours later
the pain in one hip was much worse. That was almost 2 months ago and the
pain persists. I suspect something got pulled that shouldn't have been And
yes this was a well experienced P.T. with a Ph.D. No more P.T.

I tried walking for an hour straight. I tried sitting all day. Neither
seemed to make a difference.

As far as drugs, Tylenol helps a bit sometimes. I can't predict when.
Vicoden didn't help and made me a little nauseous and sleepy.

Tramadol, especially the Ultram ER form, had the most effect on pain.
However, I'm trying not to take pain pills all the time and the withdrawal
symptoms are horrible - violent vomiting and drowsiness where I couldn't
fight sleep and once slept 16 hours, almost straight.

Based on above, any suggestions would be much appreciated.

Abby