Question
I'm female,51yrs, overweight, smoker, finished menopause about 6yrs ago. I have Arthritis in a few joints badly in my knees (family history of O/A)
Have been having incredible pain on my left side of body from waist down (have serious O/A in left knee, slight trace in hip) and the front of my lower leg keeps going numb and the knee is slightly more swollen than usual but the worse pain is at the hip and groin. I've been to docs twice already diff. opinions. I'm concerned that it's being presumed that it's a flare up of O/A and to just wait for it to settle. Although now if I do nothing it's bearable but the moment I start to move the pain increases and the numbing starts. at the beginning the pain was almost unbearable and I am fairly use to O/A pain (the left knee needs replacing and will be in the near future)should I go and make a nuisance of myself at the docs again or just wait as they say or get in touch with my surgeons clinic which I have permission to do but in relation to going through with the surgery. Sorry it's so long but wanted to give full picture. thank you.

Answer
I'm so sorry you're in pain.  Your doctor should be able to determine if the pain is related to the knee and hip and treat it.  There are lots of choices for pain these days, and you may have to try a few different meds to see which works best for you without intolerable side effects.  Everyone reacts to them differently, so don't be disappointed if the first one tried doesn't help or causes side effects.  

I've also found that if I only take the meds occasionally, not only do they not work as well, I get "woozy."  Now I take them regularly, as prescribed, and stay ahead of the pain with no wooziness.  

So, be a "nuisance" (you're not, by the way - you _pay_ him for his services) and work with your doc to find the right treatment for you.