I have osteoarthritis in the left hip due to hip displaysia. I’m only 37. My dr says that I just need to basically manage the pain and put off hip replacement for as long as possible. I am very active. I work out (limited due to the arthritis), do yoga and am looking for relief other than the celebrex. Has acupuncture worked for anyone? I’m also looking into some supplements.
What is the bonus question?

I have a few health problems that are chronic and very, very expensive. I have psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis, and I take Remicade and Methotrexate for it. If I didn’t, my body would be covered in red lesions (I’ve been covered up to 70% of my body) and I’d be walking with a cane, preparing to have hip replacement. I know I need this treatment. Remicade is EXTREMELY expensive. My doctor’s office used to let me make payments…but they’ve changed their policy and you have to pay upfront. I have insurance, but I have to pay a very large deductible. This, plus the daily meds I take for the condition, plus meds for high bp, depression, and GERD, cost a helluva lot of money.

I had bronchitis for three months starting in October of last year. Long story short, they discovered I have a slightly deviated septum and an old infection in my sinuses. I took meds, and now I’m supposed to have a second CT of the sinuses…and I know that they’re going to find that I’m no better. The next step could be surgery. I’m feeling EXTREMELY guilty about how much my problems literally cost my family. I quit smoking and started eating better…but it’s not helping any of my conditions get better. This sinus thing is not a life or death situation here, or a question of mobility like my arthritis is. I’m tempted to blow it off. Yes, I have a chronic sore throat. No, I really can’t sing anymore…but I’m not a professional, I just sing at church and civic theater. I get so worried when I think about how much all these medical things cost, and with the economy the way it is, I know we could go broke in no time. What would you do if you were me? How important is it to fix this?

Hip replacement surgery is not an option right now, but walking is getting to be fairly painful. I have tried taking an anti-inflammatory before going shopping but it doesn't appear to help much anymore. Is there anything else that can be done prior to shopping or a day out that will help?