10 weeks out

[tahoe1009]

So now I am 10 weeks out... PT is going good muscles are getting stronger. Still have a pronounced limp and I am still using a cane. Still can't put on my shoe or sock unaided on the operated side.

I am not one of the ones around here that has had a great experience with this whole situation. I am still in a lot of pain, deep pain in what feels like the femur to me. My OS was happy with the 8 week X-rays so he is finished with me. My GP is not in agreement, not at all. He thinks that I will be in pain for a long time because of them drilling out the femur during surgery (as a result of the canal being obstructed because of my previous injury that led to the THR in the first place). I am sick of being in pain I can tell you. I have a lot of trouble trying to sleep still. I have a lot of swelling still -- particularly at night, but today I am off and have a ton of swelling and I have been taking it easy. (Glute Medius area -- always) My GP is at least trying to help with pain management, we are far from management but we are working on it.

My Coumadin levels are finally good. I am glad of that. Did anyone else that took Coumadin have GI issues while using it?? I will have another ultrasound to check the DVT status in a month or two. I am going to be on the Coumadin for awhile longer!! The worst part of all of that is that I want a damn salad!!!! :hehe: I've cheated a couple times and eaten one, but its not the same.

I am working way too much, my nature I fear. I'm sure that doesn't help my situation, but I love my family too much to be a burden. I am still barely making it financially because of the month I was out. We have never caught up. Believe I am not complaining!! I love my family and my life. We are working on our wedding which is Aug.1st. As soon as I get the CD from the photographer of our engagment pics I will post some. We are going to move here just after that. We are moving to Las Vegas (my hometown) because I got a great job there, our daughter is going to college there too. Its like triple what I make now so...

If this is as good as its going to get I have to say that I am not satisfied. I am young (32) and very active. I was promised so much more -- that's why I did this in the first place. So, I could get back to my life... I hurt as bad as I did pre-op (which is much better than a few weeks ago, but not the out come I was hoping for). My GP says its going to hurt for a long time and may not get a lot better than this. I'm considering seeing another OS in Las Vegas when we get there. Scary thing for me is that the Left side will need to be replaced (18 months to 5 years the OS says).

So sorry for the long post but I thought I would bring all my friends here up to date!! Thanks for being my sounding board again. You guys are the best, don't know what I would have done without you!!

 

[Texas]

Aw Tahoe I remember when you just had your surgery you had such a hard time. It was terrible. Really why not try another Dr. I dont think this is the way its supposed to be. You are 32 dont settle for this. I know you want to take care of your family. I have always seen that in your posts. You are a good man. Just think abot it. DO NOT SETTLE. Don;t go thru all of that for nothing. I believe it can be fixed. Your post truly had me almost cry. I really hate to see this happen to you. Someone that is doing the best he can for his family. Be proud of that. I m sure they are proud of you...Please Find another Dr. Keep your head up you are doing the right thing...Good luck on your move. Maybe this can be a new start.....

 

[tahoe1009]

Thank you so much!! It's been so hard on Leslie (my fiance') to watch -- she is so angry about it. It's hard to watch anyone you love be in pain. I appreciate your kind words. I will be looking for a good OS in Vegas (any suggestions out there??) and we will see what can be done. I think its a good idea too.

 

[Judles]

Tahoe......Paradise Valley Hospital in Las Vegas! Start there!

 

[kangaroo]

I'm really glad you have posted. It is a terrible thing to see a young vibrant person, effectively struggling due to the surgery which should have given life. It doesn't happen often but it does happen.....I feel terrible for you....especially since our surgeries were at about the same time. Having said that I would be getting seriously stubborn about this. Go and get second opinions, find some really good pts, research pain management specialists....this has to be managed better, ...and the gp may not be the right person....you might need a specialist in this. There are lots of people in chronic pain out there....but it is managed....what about "tens" machines? I've found them really effective.....

I hope you can get this sorted sooner than later.....
Rachel

 

[Jamie]

I agree with Rachel. You need some additional opinions from hip replacement experts. And your GP needs to get the pain meds so they are working for you. Keep after him!!!

As for the salad...who in the world told you that you can't eat a salad while taking Coumadin? I've been on that medication for years due to a heart problem and I eat anything I want to. The secret to maintaining good levels is CONSISTENCY in your diet, not what you eat. Talk to the person who checks your blood levels for better guidelines.

 

[Judles]

Guess who will be eating salad for lunch????

 

[JudyS]

OK Tahoe
Have you told your GP that the pain is still pretty bad. You need something else or a stronger strength of what you have. Maybe you have built up a tolerance to the drug. I know i have and pain mangement people will readily understand that. I really don't know why yuor GP keeps telling you that you will be in pain for a long time. Don't they drill out everyone's femur to put the replacement part in? I know my femur fractured , it accounted for more pain. I was on percocet for a good 4 or 5 months for the hip replacement. I khnow it is not possible for you to get enough rest, even more the reason to get good pain control.
You are a great guy and active and deserve to keep that lifestyle, don't give up and accept this. Find another doctor now and find a pain management doctor. It was my Gp who sent me to one after my more recent surgery.
Use ice as much as you can also.
judy

 

[Judles]

Judy! How's Constance these days??? Souns like you've been hiking so much that you've almost kicked her to the side!!! You go, GIRLFRIEND!!

 

[JudyS]

Sitting on her right now and every morning. She is getting dirty (my daughter loves her) My hubby can't wait for me to go to bed as he takes over keeping her company.
judy

 

[Judles]

Oh good! I was really getting concerned about our Conny!!!

 

[Josephine]

 

[Josephine]

tahoe, of course a cemented revision is going to be somewhat more painful than a primary. With your history, although the tests for infection were negative (if memory serves correct) they would still have taken the safe route and spent a lot of time making sure they removed every last bit of the old cement. This can take quite a while and involved work not unlike major root canal! I don't quite agree with your GP about the microfractures though it is just a possibility. In any case, the work they've done will be responsible for more pain and swelling than is usual.

In that respect, 10 weeks is still early days - very early! I've no doubt that ultimately it will all settle down and you will be able to put all this behind you. But I can understand your frustration. Get second opinions by all means, but I think you'll not find a surgeon who would want to rush in and do another revision yet. Maybe six months down the line, if you're still having bad problems, would be a different story. But not yet.

This too shall pass ......

 

[kangaroo]

I think knowing that this will pass is a great hope giver. We can put up with lots of things if we know that its temporary.....a bit like childbirth......the contractions would be disastrous if they were forever, but when you know its just for a few hours and then you have this little person.....

So the pain is bad and you're feeling disenchanted, but try to stay focussed and not get your spirits down .....
Rachel

 

[tahoe1009]

Thanks to all of you!! I appreciate all the feedback. I sure hope that this will all pass! I have a friend that had a THR 5 weeks after me and is in a lot better shape than I am -- same OS, same system, and he is 25 years older than I am. It gets a little disheartening.

 

[Judles]

Tahoe! Positive thoughts go out to you! ;)

 

[mdakota]

tahoe. i really hate to hear your still having so much trouble. i would definatley have a second opinion. let them check placement to make sure. my friends husband just had a revision after only 3 years because of bad placement. says he knows the difference even now after only a few weeks. next. ask your md to work with your coumadin level. if you have a small salad daily the only thing you cant do is be erratic with it. they can adjust your level with the inclusion. i used to do that for people. . i'm 36 with small kids and a active life so i understand. i am not willing to settle and dont want you to either. luck
monique

 

[kangaroo]

I think that the most important part of recovery (apart from having a good surgery), is having pain controlled, and having your brain in the right place....this is more a mind game than anything else I think....
R

 

[Jamie]

I agree, Tahoe, that you do need to give it some time. That's the thing we preach about along with not trying to make comparisons with someone else. It's human nature to do that, though, and I understand your frustration. Rachel is so right that you need to stay focused on YOU. You'll be making more progress in the days and weeks to come.

 

[tahoe1009]

I appreciate all of your support. Going to the GP today. Act 3 of pain management. I will let you know how that goes.