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A few questions that I've been pondering:

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It was funny tonight. One of the male techs ask what he could do to help me up. I said stay out of the way lol. It is easier if I swing both feet over the bed then sit up and balance then pull up with the walker. Hurts but very doable. And the pain only lasts until I sat down in the wheelchair.
 
Glad the pain not too bad got you @ freaky freak ...seems like you will be able to get home soon? Take it easy. Chrissie x


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So pleased you enjoyed a glass (or two) of wine... Good idea to blow away those last minute anxieties - not ling now and we will be supporting you on the other side @DrToonz :)
 
So now it REALLY gets real. I'm getting to the last few items I need to complete at work so that I can feel like my hand-off to my co-workers is at least somewhat coherent.

For a while now I've had my right hip do a weird thing whenever I sit too low or put on my shoes or socks and have to bend my hip higher. My hip gets sort of 'stuck'. When I try to straighten it out, its like something is in the way or a tendon has 'caught' on something. I cannot straighten the leg without a painful 'pop' feeling (not sound) like whatever it is popping back into place and then everything's back to normal.

Yesterday I had that happen and it wouldn't go back! Yikes! Eventually it did. It requires hyperextending my leg backward and twisting my foot in a certain position and then it clicks into place. For a minute or so I thought it wasn't going to go back!

The point is that it's yet another sign that this NEEDS TO BE TAKEN CARE OF and I am able to, with this as further evidence, convince myself that this is indeed a good idea.

That's today's news. And I wait. Constantly wondering how my friend-in-ADDBTHR @Freaky freak is doing because I sort of fell like she's the one who's doing exactly what I'm going to be doing. Here's to you, freaky! :)

T-5 days.
 
Oh my! At least you will be able to depend on your new hips! New hips don't do that! But do check out the 90 degree rule to prevent dislocation. I think you will be very pleased with your new hips and I will be rooting for you and freaky freak all the way!
 
I think I am doing great other than the anesthesiologist thought I had sleep apnea because I snored in recovery, so had me sent to ICU and I have been dx with pre diabetes so had a bunch of finger sticks and came home with testing protocol. Will be getting to the paleo eating and sling some weight. As far as hips no problem. I am sitting here with my ice packs watching tv and conversing with my BS buddies.
 
Sounds like you are absolutely needing those new hips! You should be so happy that everything is in order and you're getting this done before things can become worse. My hip would do the same thing...lock up?, my whole leg would! It became increasingly worse. I actually had this happen one night after putting my socks on in the bedroom...fell just right and broke my collarbone, badly! 2 more surgeries! Ugh! Well, over and done with, but please don't doubt what your body is telling you! You are going to do great! Wasn't until after my 1st hip surgery that I found out it was completely fused together, no wonder!
 
DrToonz said:
1. Drugs.
I've been in considerable and worsening pain in the last month or so as I approach my Jan 28 BTHR date. Pretty much everything hurts now, even sitting. I'm awakened (sometimes screeching!) in the night by pain caused by my rolling over, kicking the blankets or whatever while sleeping. Putting on shoes/ tying them/ drying my feet after I shower, etc are all painful endeavors.
I used Aleve until my stomach just couldn't take it any more.
I have tried Ibuprofen.
I have tried Acetaminophen, which is helpful, but only takes it from terrible to almost tolerable.
I feel like I should be able to "tough it out" until surgery date, but that's getting more and more difficult.
THE QUESTION: Should I approach a doctor about some kind of pain management drugs at this point or SHOULD I just 'tough it out'? If so, which drug? Which doctor: OS or GP? Other thoughts?

2. Exercise.
Walking hurts but I can do it. Should I be doing it? I've gained some weight during this less-activity time and I hate that. I was down to 245 in July and now at 270 (was once 325 about 5 years ago). I wonder if I should just throw my hands up and wait for the surgery or should I walk even though it hurts? Will walking and working the leg muscles help in my recovery? Any other suggestions about exercise for this next 5+ weeks?

3. Recovery equipment.
The Incomparable Mrs. Toonz and I have always wanted to set up one of our downstairs bedrooms as a 'guest room' rather than a play room which it has been for my kids. My upcoming surgery has prompted us to set up a not-too-tall bed in that room so that I don't have to navigate up 15 stairs to my current bedroom during recovery. I've also considered the idea of replacing my really-really-really old ez chair with something newer and this is a good excuse to do that. I don't have any chair to sit in besides an office chiair, a wood dining chair or a couch which is VERY low and soft. I've tried some chairs, even some with LIFTS built in. I found one I like very much which has a motorized recline but does NOT have a lift. It has strong arms that can be used to lower myself down and/or raise myself up with. Does this sound OK?
Any thoughts on chairs? Beds? Other post-op equipment which is handy/ necessary? I have found a number of threads on this site but have not come to any conclusions with them.

4. Hiking.
Hiking is my passion. I love it and want to get back to it ASAP. My question is this: would planning a hike for 6 months post-BTHR give me enough time to recover, train a bit and then hike with a backpack? I'd like to do this in the first week of August which is just over 6 months post-op.

5. Back-to-work timeline:
I work a desk job. My OS told me that I could maybe return to week in 8 weeks or less. I see on this thread:
https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads/phased-return-to-work.5696/
a suggestion of 10-12 weeks.
Is my Anterior Approach what makes this difference? Something else? Is 8 weeks even realistic at all?
6. I'm sure there is a 6, 7, 8 and more, but can't think of them at the moment.
thanks, hippies!

--should I have made all these separate threads?--
DRTOONZ
Click to expand...


Dr.Toonz. The drugs they tell you to take do not help. Anything that would help they are reluctant to prescribe. Tylenol and asperin will help slightly. I took over the counter tylenol with codeine tylenol reduced the pain and codeine helped me stay asleep once I got there. Exercise not. If you have bone on bone pain just sit in the corner and wait until post operation(s). When the pain is gone you will need that enthusiasm and walking is the main exercise that will put a smile on your face again. No 8 weeks is not realistic. Realistic is give yourself a year to heal fully and to feel good about it. Save that hiking trip till the following summer. I enjoyed a surprise heart attack 3 months after my second surgery and though not likely to happen to you; I do suspect that I pushed myself a little too hard . My point is ; don't push yourself too hard. Get yourself a sock helper ($25), several 3' grabbers ($2 ea) and saw a broken hockey stick to about 4' and install a hook in the end of it, and oh yes the very important toilet seat elevated extender. Two Kanes, a walker and krutches also essential. Other item optional but not essential.
 
@Smileydon : Thanks for the advice. This weekend is for procurement of gear. Drugs are now just Tylenol and the anticipation of surgery. Hawaii hike is likely going to happen with friends and I'll set up the trip knowing that if I'm not up to it at the time the I can hang back with the non-hikers and enjoy the beach with some drinks and sunshine.


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@DrToonz the Dr sent me home with Percocet 1or 2 every 4-6 hrs. For now I am sticking with 1 every 4 and that is working well for me. Hopefully you will have similar success.
 
@Freaky freak : nice. I really dislike drugs (not politically but medically-all come with negative side affects) but I'm not against using them when necessary. I like your method, which seems to be using not more than you need.
I hope for an experience like you're having too!

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I am currently doing tylenol in the morning and medicinal cannabis in the eve, it is legal here, it seems to have the best results so far, and I have tried every pill the docs have. I use vic and robaxin for flare ups. Jacizzi's, hot Epsom salt baths and ice paks are my good friends. I just made a giant one out of a ziplocbag,water and alcohol, that wraps around both hips. My pain isn't so bad in the morning but by sundown I am struggling. As for exercise, do as much as you feel comfy, take a walking stick so when you do tire out you already have it. Think low impact, bikes or swimming may be worth switching to. I like a gentle stretch yoga class and I use crutches for long walks but, I am still pretty crippled. I am all for buying whatever you need to make your recovery more comfortable, there is no honor in suffering. I am fond of the waveless heated waterbed. As for back to work, it would depend on how you feel and what you do. I know I probably went back a little too soon, so be kind to yourself. Do some dry rund where you mimick work activities for the legnth of time needed and see how you feel. Good luck, you will be feeling good in no time.
 
A nurse asked if I used medicinal marijuana. I don't. I love in WA so it's legal here medicinal or not.
Sorry you've had such a hard time afterward. Hope the future improves for you.

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So here's a quandry: I don't know if I'm reading it wrong, but it seems like there are varying opinions of toilet rails/risers. It seems that some think that none are necessary. Others seem that RAILS are necessary, but RISER is not. Others believe that BOTH is necessary.
It seems the the Anterior approach surgery (which I'm having) doesn't have the riser need as much as others, but that rails are usually a good idea.
My toilet is next to a reachable and very sturdy countertop on one side which I can hold on to, but the other side has only the bathtub.
So...what do YOU think? Rails? Riser? Neither? Both?
 
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