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...And so, I Begin

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Hi! My date for hip two is May 26 and that seems so far away right now! Like you I am having good days and bad days mostly related to the still deformed hip. My op hip only hurts along the incision and in my muscles and that is child's play compared to the bone on bone pain. Here's hoping time flies for both of us.


RTHR 1/15/2016. Posterior approach. Due to AVN. LTHR in my future.
 
@jomarie58 I echo your hope for us. I'm excited and nervous to get where you are. Looking forward to getting that first hip behind me, but nervous about how hip #2 will handle the 6 month wait for its turn. Interested to see how I fair in recovery from the first hip so that I have a better sense of how long to expect #2 to take.

Having an optimistic day today. Find myself looking forward to what I have coming my way. Getting back to doing things with my kids. Being able to walk without thinking about every step.
 
I've actually been surprised at how well my un-op hip is holding up. The recovery from my first THR has gone pretty smoothly and now I'm worried that my second THR won't go as well (I'm always finding something to worry about...lol). I do know I'll need to keep using the walker for now because I limp when I try to use my cane. I've read over and over again on BS to avoid a limp at all cost. Our brains kind of memorize the limp and then we have to retrain our brains to walk normally (which isn't easy). Good luck my friend! :-)
 
Worked my final home basketball game tonight-a playoff doubleheader. Everything else in the playoffs is on the road. Spring sports are less physically taxing, thank goodness.

My wife goes away on business this week. These weeks have always been tough in the past. The last one 2 weeks ago ended with me physically not being able to walk for a day by the end. My mother-in-law just had the kids for a full week this week while they were out of school. She is going to have to help me a few nights (and one morning) this week. I feel a bit guilty about that. We will do alright, but it will be stressful.

I have to take my own advice this week and cut everyone (including myself) a break this week.
 
Hi @gullimac ,
I started reading your thread last week and I couldn't help but ask, have you only talked to one surgeon up to this point? I understand that you are confident in your selection but to think are you are going to have to go thru 2 recoveries due to the levels of pain that you are currently in sounds outrageous. I had bilateral hip replacements and it was one and done and one recovery. I can't imagine what it will be like going thru 2 being that both your hips are currently shot. I remember that pain and it sure sounds like you were worse than me and mine was horrible. I understand you have your first hip scheduled for April so you still have an open window to get a second or third opinion because this is a big deal. I bypassed my PCP and went right to Orthopedic surgeons after my PCP saw the x-ray as hip replacements are not their specialty. Just a thought man and I feel your pain as I lived thru that mess. I'm so glad I had mine done at the same time but not all of us are good candidates for it.
 
Now may be a good time to take your own advice, in my experience. I had about 6 weeks I took it easy, as my surgery was postponed for little over 4 weeks from when I'd planned. I do attribute that extra time I was able to take it easier then usual to my very fortunate recovery. I knew my hip was as worn as it could be, that was a done deal... but the "easy time" gave the rest of my body a chance to heal a bit, so when I got my new hip, I was in pretty good shape believe it or not... other then the surgery wounds. So... yeah.. sorry it does get tough... but there's a reason for everything... The toughest part might not be the physical pain... its sometimes just all inclusive of everything. So... take some extra breaks, have a few more glasses of ice-tea, or whatever favorite beverage... and keep fighting the good fight. I'll be following along when I can. I wish you much rest.
 
@bsilvers thanks for the input. I waffled a bit for a while. I will read your threads tomorrow to get a sense of what you went through.

I don't think my left hip is near as bad as the right. I think a lot of my issues are self-inflicted. I waited WAY TOO long to do anything about my right hip. I should have mentioned my hips to my PCP at least 2 years ago. I think an overinflated sense of duty/stubbornness has put me here. I had originally planned to wait a year between replacements, so looking at going back for #2 after 6 months was already a bit of a concession.

I actually talked with my dad about this very topic this week. The right hip has bothered me for more than 20 years. I have had a marked increase in "bone-on-bone" popping/grinding within the last 3 months. I have a window of two weeks before I have a week off work and my girls are in school. Between now and then is a time when I can re-evaluate where I stand on this and consider talking to someone else.
 
So, I got some upsetting news today. As I have prefaced before, It is a pattern in my life to deny problems and push through and make things worse. I have not done a good job of going to the dentist in my adult life. I developed gum disease and have lost one tooth and have another that is "very loose". I bit the bullet today and finally went to the dentist at the urging of my wife and primary care physician. I knew that the bacteria associated with gum disease can cause problems with my impending hip replacement and I did not want to have to prolong my wait for a new hip. I explained this need to the dentist.

I found out today that I will have to have all but 4 teeth extracted and be fitted with a full top denture and a partial bottom denture. I had read about advanced gum disease and knew this was a worse case possibility. I had hoped for a lot better.

I am upset and disappointed with myself for allowing this to happen. I am in a bit of shock about the whole thing. This of course will be very costly. Add that to the costs I will incur with the hips and this will be a very expensive year.
 
You are doing the right thing @gullimac . Sorry the news isn't good and yes, dental treatment is expensive. But a very wise investment!
 
I am in a similar position and am waiting for my surgery on 1st June. Like you I am not sleeping well. It takes me a long time to get to sleep and then when I wake up after sometimes 12 hours of sleep I am still exhausted but have to go to work to pay for my surgery.

I can understand how the dental work would be upsetting. It's frustrating that Such little things can be so costly! I have had bad gum disease for as long as I can remember, o should try and get on top of it but with so many other health things going on, things fall by the wayside don't they?


Candice, 28 yo. Rheumatoid Arthritis. Australia. Sequential unilateral THR June 1st 2016 and July 13th 2016 :)
 
@dandy_candi I would settle for 6 hours of sleep. But I know what you mean, even when I have the rare opportunity to sleep longer I don't wake feeling refreshed and lord knows those first few steps in the morning are a doozy :groan:I have taken to listening to music on some head phones lately to help me shut my mind off. That has helped a little with actual falling asleep.

My pride was dealt a big blow yesterday. That was what upset me most about my dental experience. I feel a lot of shame in letting things get that bad and not taking care of myself. Feeling that deeply ashamed of myself is not something I have felt in a long time. It is certainly humbling.
 
Yes @guillimac I am glad i still am able to get some sleep most nights. On top of everything else, sleep deprivation just drives in the nail in harder.

I know what you mean about the shame and embarrassment but with such complex Health issues you shouldn't be so hard on yourself. Half the time I am too tired to stand up and brush my teeth by the end of the day so I just don't do it. As well as many other minor health issues that go under the radar, it's just another one on the list. Hope your feeling better soon- I have this picture on the back of my phone and it helps me get through the day


Candice, 28 yo. Rheumatoid Arthritis. Australia. Sequential unilateral THR June 1st 2016 and July 13th 2016 :)
 
So sorry to read about your teeth, I too have had lots of dental work and it stinks. But so good that you are taking care of it before the hips. My un op hip is definitely not as bad as the right but it is already causing me pain as I try to rehab the new hip. Don't plan to wait too long between the two! If I could have done my second sooner I would but my surgeon was already booking May at my three week post THR check up and only had two dates in May open!


RTHR 1/15/2016. Posterior approach. Due to AVN. LTHR in my future.
 
Bad news - but the upside is you're dealing with it and, what's more, well ahead of your hip Op, which means you'll be in good shape well in time for surgery. The expense is bound to be a worry BUT then you'll have dealt with a painful dodgy hip and have shiny new gnashers, neither of which won't bother you any more :SUNsmile:.
We understand your concern and embarrassment however this is where you can air all of that without fear - it's a great outlet. Look ahead - all will be well in a few short months :flwrysmile:
 
Thanks guys. After a few dark days, I am doing better with things. The support was much needed. I know this needs to be taken care of quickly so I am ready to go in 2 months when I am scheduled for hip #1. I am sure
I will still have some bad moments with all of this, but I have to move forward.

We are going to move quickly with this process. They put a rush on my dentures so that they will be ready on March 9th during my week of March Break. So I don't have much time To obsess over this whole thing. I also scheduled my hip class at the hospital for earlier that week.
 
You've nailed 2 problems - both of which will make such a huge difference to your life. Don't look back. Look forward and simply place your trust in those who will make everything so much better for you
 
Sounds good getting both classes in the same week whilst you have time off. I too am spacing my appointments along the time I have left before my surgery and trying to have the least amount of days off work beforehand so I can afford this darn surgery! I could have had a shitload of plastic surgery for the money I'm putting into these hips! But then where would I be? I guess it's only money- my husband tells me I need to stop stressing about money- maybe I should listen


Candice, 28 yo. Rheumatoid Arthritis. Australia. Sequential unilateral THR June 1st 2016 and July 13th 2016 :)
 
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