Question
I have been diagnosed an initial stage of hip DJD and I have some pain also in my knee. I have heard from an old beekeeper and read several mentions that bee poison can be a great aid, I would like to know your opinion on this and if there are any injections (I know hips are difficult to treat with creams/oils etc) on the market. Very grateful for any feedback, regards.

Answer
I've never heard of apitherapy helping with osteoarthritis.  The last time I knew of anyone utilizing it was for MS and it required actually being stung with bees!

I experience two kinds of pain from hip OA - one is the twinge in the groin and the other is the ache in the side of the hip.  There's not much to do with the groin pain, and it usually passes for me with rest, but the other is bursitis.  It, too, passes most times with rest, and I've also had to recognize the things that cause it - running or walking with an extended stride and standing or "strolling" (like, shopping.)  

I've altered a lot - no running and I'm conscious of my stride walking, keeping it compact and making sure I have good shoes that are not in need of repair or replacement, like breakdown in the heel of the sole.  I use a cane when I know I'll be on my feet, a cart at any store that has them, and sometimes a wheelchair where they are available to borrow and there's someone to push. And it's essential to rest when your hip says so!

Most folks can take NSAIDs to help with the inflammation in the joint.  Since I have chronic kidney failure, I can't, but take a mild pain med after exercise or a period of standing.  You can also use ice directly on the side of the joint and my rheumy has also given me Lidocaine patches to apply to the area of pain for both OA and fibromyalgia.

I have had 2 shots of cortisone in the joint that did wonders when I wasn't aware of what I needed to do to prevent continuing bursitis.  I was worried about the pain everyone complains about with the shot but my rheumy explained that, in her experience, most docs use a larger needle than necessary for the shot.  Her injection was quite comfortable.

I struggle with the need to lose weight to reduce the stress on my major joints.  It's usually the first thing suggested for OA and the last thing people do.  Considering most insurance won't pay for weight loss counseling, it's not a surprise.  I keep working at it.  Exercise really does help for OA.  I walk some, use an elliptical machine, and occasionally bike.  I had to start out slowly and find the right exercise, then keep it regular.

Talk to your doc about all of this - s/he may know more about the apitherapy and if there have been any recent advances.  There are all kinds of options and I've only described what works for me.  You need to work with her/him to personalize your treatment.