2015 November Nimbles - Are you having hip surgery in November?

[Tupperwarewolf]

Hello! Bit late to the thread but I'm having my left hip replaced on 23rd November here in the UK. Having my third pre-op on Friday 13th. Can't wait! Is it weird I want to be awake?!

 

[bilateralhipster]

Hi folks,
My surgery is scheduled for Nov 19. I'm having bilateral (hence my username ). No jitters yet, but who knows once the day approaches. I'm looking forward to reclaiming my life. I've put off surgery twice already, but have now gotten to the point where a simple walk to the mailbox is a struggle. My biggest complaint is mobility rather than pain. Certainly if I tried to walk a quarter mile, I'd be in pain, but my limited mobility keeps me from doing that. I'm 54 and people say to me, "but you're so young!" That line used to make me rethink going for it, but now I respond, "thank you and that's why I'm doing it--to enjoy the things I love to do while I'm still 'young'." I'm looking forward to be able to go for walks on the beach, hike in the woods, or ride my bike again. If there are any bilateral buddies out there, I'd appreciate hearing your stories of recovery. Thanks for sharing.

Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart Forum

 

[sfbionicat50]

@AZWildKat We're in our final count-down. I don't know about you, but being off of anti-inflammatories this week in preparation for the surgery has convinced me I'm doing the right thing. I didn't know my hip was THAT bad. It's so stiff now that I've started to limp. And, it hurts.....

 

[bottomshollow]

I have brought forward this month's list so that you can easily see who your surgical buddies are.

Welcome to our latest and all November Nimbles!

Feel free post your surgery date in this thread, and I will add you to the list. Start a thread of your own in the Pre-Op Hip Section to post comments and share your journey toward hip replacement. Here's the link that gives you the instructions you need to do this: Starting a new thread and posting

02 November 15 DianneK (her second)
03 November 15 sandiegomom
04 November 15 Sousou13 (her second)
05 November 15 sash, migama, blessedteacher
09 November 15 AZWildKat, sfbionicat50
10 November 15 Mornin' Ralph, oldowl (bilateral)
11 November 15 awolfpaw, M_ Aruelius
13 November 15 PMac13
14 November 15 CrystalOwl
16 November 15 Gilly (her second), DGrant
18 November 15 GIMPY GAL
19 November 15 Jeev (his second). bilateralhipster (bilateral), mrbionic
20 November 15 Akshia
23 November 15 fiberlady, Memainaz, Tupperwarewolf
24 November 15 DeepBreath (her second)
25 November 15 shiv01

 

[bottomshollow]

@Tupperwarewolf, you have been officially added to the November surgery list!

 

[bottomshollow]

@bilateralhipster, you have been officially added to the November surgery list!

 

[AZWildKat]

@sfbionicat50 , yes! Tomorrow is the big day! I'm really nervous. Go figure I've had less pain over the last few weeks. I was promptly reminded that I need to do this though after limping all evening after going grocery shopping. Good luck to you tomorrow! We will have to catch up in the post op section!!

 

[mrbionic]

November 19th
Just over a week to go... I need both replaced but two years ago I broke my left leg which was pinned.. it has to be removed to accept the prosthesis. So they cannot do a bilateral they have to do just one at a time. I'm not so worried about the surgery As I am after. I'm 56 years old and live alone, I have 3 friends that are going to be my support system but there will be times I will be home alone and not able to do much. I'm so used to fending for myself so that parts a little scary. But boy do I look forward to not feeling the pain that I'm in now. And get back to work!

 

[sfbionicat50]

@mrbionic. You can do it! I'm having my second hip replaced tomorrow. Lessons learned from the first hip. Put everything at counter level so you don't have to bend to pick it up, get food in the house in advance that you can just warm up in the microwave, set yourself up with a comfortable place to be that has all meds, water bottle, cell phone chargers, books, Tv remote, and other electronic devices close by, and get a couple of ice packs stored in the freezer that you can rotate. Have someone there the first time or two that you shower. Otherwise, it's ok to be alone so long as you have a good support network.


RTHR 10/20/14
LTHR scheduled for 11/9/15

 

[mrbionic]

@sfbionicat50
Ty for the encouragement. One nice thing is I have one bedroom that has a door to the outside which is unused and I'm moving everything in it, bed TV small refer and the next room is the bathroom. Now if I can figure out a way to tell my two small dogs not to jump up on the bed I'll be wonderful lol

 

[bottomshollow]

@mrbionic, you have been officially added to the November surgery list!

 

[mrbionic]

Yea!

2 THR19th August 2015 2ND un scheduled
pin left leg 2012
spinal fusion L4-L5 L5-S1 2010

 

[mrbionic]

@sfbionicat50
Have been thinking of you today. Hope all went well for you!

 

[DGrant]

Surgery date November 16.
Just found this forum. Very nice, very good resource, thank you. This is my first major surgery, at 53 I consider myself fortunate with that. I was diagnosed with osteo arthritis in 2011, and had hip problems since about that time. I went through cortisone shots, therapy of different sorts, I lost 50lbs(that was most beneficial, and I'm maintaining that, and hope to do more when I get a new hip).

Finally after insurance issues and all, I'm getting it done. I'm to the point where I just want to walk in and say "where do I lay down, get 'er done".. as the alternative I've lived in for several months is what's killing me now. I went through a stage a year or more ago that was a major pain stage, I was in pain 24/7 and still working. Something changed,(I think some nerves died off..) and I wasn't in so much pain, but then weakness and fatigue set in. All that time, I went to the doc and kept getting the work-up to/for my case. X-rays, MRI's, etc.. just working it to get as much as I could on document, as I knew it was inevitable.

I'm actually refusing to be nervous or apprehensive, as over time and research, I've learned, and will continue to learn. I'm going to the best place I can for what I need to walk again. It has to work. I have no doubt I'm going to have pain.. no doubt at all... but I'm very confident that pain will subside, and heal, and life will return.

I have no idea how/why I have no fear, as I'd thought all my life something like this would scare me terribly, but at this point, its the alternative to living and dealing with something that's taken so much of my life away that scares me more. I want this hip GONE!! and replaced with something that's literally bullet-proof, and so precise and smooth I won't even think about movement after its healed... and I can go back to what my wife calls my "animal status".

I know I have another hip that will be done in a few years or more, but with modern medicine, and technology, it can all only get better in the medical aspect. I'm fortunate I have a great team of docs, great family and friends, and 2 (so far) beautiful grandchildren I want to take for walks in the park or on the beach.

Sorry this is so long folks, but I'm hoping I can follow my own best advice here, which is to embrace and accept what our fine doctors and modern medicine is doing these days, let them treat you like a king/queen while they help and fix you, then hit the ground running(figure of speech there..) and do all you can to make the rest happen... I'm going to be the best I can and hang in there. Looking forward to the future. Thanks. Dale.

 

[mrbionic]

Hey @DGrant nothing wrong with a positive outlook... Mine is the 19th so we will be healing close together. I was much more worried when I had to have my spine fused l4 l5 an l5 s1 then I am about my hip that's for sure. I actually started having hip problems back in 2003 where every once in a while my legs would just give out from under me. Doctors would take x-rays and say well something doesn't look right but not sure what it is and nothing went from there. And I lived with the pain and limping for so many years. Then two years ago I broke my left leg and it had to be pinned, the doctor said man you need hip replacement. I can't believe you've gone so long without getting it done. I told him he's the first one that ever mentioned hip replacement. But with no insurance really was not an option. Then one day I fell trying to get up in my semi truck, and my job let me go saying their insurance could not afford me getting hurt, understand I walk like a penguin like a 90 year old man at 56. So I went to go see a surgeon, just to see what had to be done and what it would cost and he turned me on to a program in Texas called DARS (Dept of rehabilitative services) I went to see them she took down some information from me and 3 weeks later they paid for the entire surgery hospital stay and the rehabilitation that follows. Unbelievable! I wish I'd known about it a long time ago. You see I'm at the point now I'm basically a hermit in my house don't want to move, walking out the front door to my car to get something to eat is extremely painful. The doctor swears the night I wake up from the surgery the pain I feel now will be gone. At least in my left leg which must be done first. Then I'll go in for the second leg at another date. I know how I felt for weeks after my back surgery and I'm sure it won't be much different nor fun. What I look forward to is that night that I sleep the whole night through, and say to myself "I think I'm going to go dancing tonight!" See you on the other side!



2 THR19th August 2015 2ND un scheduled
pin left leg 2012
spinal fusion L4-L5 L5-S1 2010

 

[Crystal0wl]

Hi @mrbionic same sort of thing for me re diagnosis. I had classic symptoms of hip pain and yet was treated for 2 years for my back. It wasn't until I visited another doctor that the problem was diagnosed.

After physio, and injections as well as what seemed like a never ending pharmacy bill, I am finally getting my THR on November 14th.

 

[mrbionic]

Hi @mrbionic same sort of thing for me re diagnosis. I had classic symptoms of hip pain and yet was treated for 2 years for my back. It wasn't until I visited another doctor that the problem was diagnosed.

After physio, and injections as well as what seemed like a never ending pharmacy bill, I am finally getting my THR on November 14th.

Wonderfull! I never got injections.. Dr says as bad as both are it would do no good.. I just live on ETODOLAC and DICLOFENAC for anti inflammatory's and TRAMADOL for pain which is more like aspirin for me lol. Wishing you well on the 14th

2 THR19th August 2015 2ND un scheduled
pin left leg 2012
spinal fusion L4-L5 L5-S1 2010

 

[DGrant]

My "second opinion" doc(actually the PA..) gave me Tramadol... That was late July... I found it to be hit and miss.. I'm not sure if it worked, as something changed when I used it, I just couldn't put my finger on it. On one extreme night I took 3 out of desparation, then another one shortly after.. finally got some sleep/rest. I was out of town trying to enjoy life... haha.. I've been pretty careful on what I use for pain.. as we all know the pain can be masked easily, but that doesn't necessarily mean its a good thing. I look forward to using less of everything, and more activity.
I also remember probably 6 or more years ago when walking/working, I had a very decent smooth stride... and all the sudden one day, I developed a snap, and struggle in my hips. It happened the first time, then didn't occur for months, then again off and on every several weeks... until it was an elephant in the room about 2011.. and I couldn't gain any stride.
I'm fortunate I've been on disability for about a month now, and alot of my body has healed seemingly. I'd worked with the big dogs until Oct.2nd, and I'd come home every day screwed. I really attribute that to walking/working with a body structure/frame that was/is seriously out of line. Its so amazing what one big joint can do in the body.
I've arthritis in my back too, but I've controlled that with injection, and weight loss... and lately activity.
Good luck to you... We have a bright future.

 

[bottomshollow]

@DGrant, you have been officially added to the November surgery list!

 

[bottomshollow]

@CrystalOwl, you have been officially added to the November surgery list!