Deep breath, keep on resting and ice/heat (whatever brings relief). Just a week away. Hang in there!
THR Butterfly Flutters Over
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Deep breath, keep on resting and ice/heat (whatever brings relief). Just a week away. Hang in there!
shrinkette
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Awww gee, Milli... Hoping like mad you find some relief. Think about you every day. Consider yourself hugged.
Ellen
Ellen
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Butterfly
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Thank you all for your concern and support. I am just frustrated and worried. I had SO hoped this pain was all behind me (well maybe it is, in a way -- it's in my butt area!).
Peace and love, an please keep me in your prayers for healing.
Peace and love, an please keep me in your prayers for healing.
Hoppy Nanny
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Thinking of you @ Butterfly. Milli, not long now until 21st...please let us all know how you get on. I'm going next Monday to help my twin sister who has just had TKR. Will be thinking of you and waiting for your post...?. You are so important to all of us........Chrissie xxx
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shrinkette
graduate
How're you doing, kiddo? Is the pain any less? Am so hoping you get good answers and relief next week.
Me? Trying to beat this inconvenient UTI. Tried to swallow some cranberry pills, but they're pretty big & kinda got stuck, so I'm drinking the juice. Two more days of antibiotic, then I'll have another urinalysis on Monday. Don't know what I'll do if it's still positive.
I am SO bent over. Pain in left hip has definitely localized more, letting me know it's gotta go. When i lie on that side in bed, can really feel it now. Did it used to kill you pain-wise to turn over in bed? Issue in right butt still there & outcome on that is... Who knows? Time will tell.
I'm so scared, Milli, even with all that I've learned -- basically fearing I'll be The One where it doesn't work or that I'll come out of it worse than when I went in (after recovery, of course). It's SO irrational. Anyway, had to vent a little, selfishly -- even knowing you're consumed with your own problems. I understand, believe me, I do! I'm so sorry. Hope your sweet doggies are comforting their mommy.
Sweater/jacket weather here in Florida! Kinda nice change. Thinking good, hopeful thoughts for you, dear Milli.
Love,
Ellen
Me? Trying to beat this inconvenient UTI. Tried to swallow some cranberry pills, but they're pretty big & kinda got stuck, so I'm drinking the juice. Two more days of antibiotic, then I'll have another urinalysis on Monday. Don't know what I'll do if it's still positive.
I am SO bent over. Pain in left hip has definitely localized more, letting me know it's gotta go. When i lie on that side in bed, can really feel it now. Did it used to kill you pain-wise to turn over in bed? Issue in right butt still there & outcome on that is... Who knows? Time will tell.
I'm so scared, Milli, even with all that I've learned -- basically fearing I'll be The One where it doesn't work or that I'll come out of it worse than when I went in (after recovery, of course). It's SO irrational. Anyway, had to vent a little, selfishly -- even knowing you're consumed with your own problems. I understand, believe me, I do! I'm so sorry. Hope your sweet doggies are comforting their mommy.
Sweater/jacket weather here in Florida! Kinda nice change. Thinking good, hopeful thoughts for you, dear Milli.
Love,
Ellen
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@shrinkette I am so sorry that you had this UTI problem that postponed your surgery. I know that must be hard. I know when I had that positive MRSA test and I thought it would postpone my surgery I freaked. I didn't know if I could get that resolve up again if it was postponed.
Yes, prior to the surgery it hurt like hell to turn over in bed (or try to). I would wake up moaning or crying out. It was awful. I also know how hard the waiting is and all the awful things that go through your mind, especially at night or the wee hours of the morning. Playing that CD when I went to bed helped shut out those thoughts so I could get to sleep. But when I would wake up they'd be back.
'
Where exactly is the pain on the right? Maybe you've strained muscles trying to compensate for the pain on the left?
You're strong and will get through this -- we both will. Try to relax (easier said than done -- I can't even take my own advice. But it's still good advice).
Love to you and you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Milli
Yes, prior to the surgery it hurt like hell to turn over in bed (or try to). I would wake up moaning or crying out. It was awful. I also know how hard the waiting is and all the awful things that go through your mind, especially at night or the wee hours of the morning. Playing that CD when I went to bed helped shut out those thoughts so I could get to sleep. But when I would wake up they'd be back.
'
Where exactly is the pain on the right? Maybe you've strained muscles trying to compensate for the pain on the left?
You're strong and will get through this -- we both will. Try to relax (easier said than done -- I can't even take my own advice. But it's still good advice).
Love to you and you are in my thoughts and prayers.
Milli
shrinkette
graduate
@Butterfly. Ah, Milli... I remember your positive MRSA! It made you nuts, with good reason. I didn't have that test, but I think they do some kind of nose swab in hospital. I don't know if that's a test or some sort of prophylactic thing.
I did get that CD & have listened a couple of times. Don't care for the affirmations part. Need to continue listening... I kind of like her voice. It does make you relax -- for the moment.
Pain on right UNOPERATED side is ache down buttock, sometimes radiating down back of thigh &, on occasion, If I plop down the wrong way (whatever that is), even down to my foot. Thats why im thinking Sciatica. It frequently bothers me when I walk; strangely, the left bad hip doesn't really hurt on walking, but on just about every other movement (like in bed, getting into/out of car). I'm sure hoping that my gait, limp, pelvis out of alignment due to leg length discrepancy, etc. is causing a pinched nerve or something that will eventually resolve after op; this plagues me more than actual bad hip! It is certainly impeding my ability to stand up straight on that longer right side! I'm making myself nutz!!!
Ah well...my day is coming. Are you still doing some driving, or just staying close to home & babying that joint? Reading? I just got Lisa Gardner's newest, Fear Nothing.
For the life of me, I can't imagine doing a bilateral! Sounds like Jenb is having a rough time. So sorry.
Since it looks like I'll have to switch sides of the bed with hubby (I sleep on left side if you picture my back against headboard), this means I'll have to go to right side so that my left leg is the inside leg-- first up on bed.
Well, I tried & found I couldn't get my left leg on the bed-- & that's BEFORE op!!! Leg lifter didnt work; I needed something to grab onto. So... Hubby attached a very long belt to the top center of the headboard, & it allows me to hoist (what an unfortunate word, right?) myself up -- leg lifter in right hand, belt in left. Done. I felt so relieved. Hope it'll work post-op.
Got out today. Hubby desperately needed haircut & then we were going to go to a movie, but he had pulled an old rowboat that someone had released in the canal behind our house, along the grass so the bulk pick-up garbage folks would take it away. In doing so, he apparently pulled a muscle on his side/lower back & was in agony last night. Although much better today, we decided not to tempt fate by having him pull me up any inclines in wheelchair. Some pain is back tonight although not as bad. Lucky for him, he's rarely plagued by pain
& is in remarkable shape.
That's most of my exciting news... Pitiful, isn't it? You know, I've gotten so reclusive I can barely call friends & family! Takes too much energy & patience. Keep fighting the good fight, Milli. I'm only hoping you'll laugh about it someday when recounting your hip replacement stories. This IS character-building, isn't it? ❤❤
I did get that CD & have listened a couple of times. Don't care for the affirmations part. Need to continue listening... I kind of like her voice. It does make you relax -- for the moment.
Pain on right UNOPERATED side is ache down buttock, sometimes radiating down back of thigh &, on occasion, If I plop down the wrong way (whatever that is), even down to my foot. Thats why im thinking Sciatica. It frequently bothers me when I walk; strangely, the left bad hip doesn't really hurt on walking, but on just about every other movement (like in bed, getting into/out of car). I'm sure hoping that my gait, limp, pelvis out of alignment due to leg length discrepancy, etc. is causing a pinched nerve or something that will eventually resolve after op; this plagues me more than actual bad hip! It is certainly impeding my ability to stand up straight on that longer right side! I'm making myself nutz!!!
Ah well...my day is coming. Are you still doing some driving, or just staying close to home & babying that joint? Reading? I just got Lisa Gardner's newest, Fear Nothing.
For the life of me, I can't imagine doing a bilateral! Sounds like Jenb is having a rough time. So sorry.
Since it looks like I'll have to switch sides of the bed with hubby (I sleep on left side if you picture my back against headboard), this means I'll have to go to right side so that my left leg is the inside leg-- first up on bed.
Well, I tried & found I couldn't get my left leg on the bed-- & that's BEFORE op!!! Leg lifter didnt work; I needed something to grab onto. So... Hubby attached a very long belt to the top center of the headboard, & it allows me to hoist (what an unfortunate word, right?) myself up -- leg lifter in right hand, belt in left. Done. I felt so relieved. Hope it'll work post-op.
Got out today. Hubby desperately needed haircut & then we were going to go to a movie, but he had pulled an old rowboat that someone had released in the canal behind our house, along the grass so the bulk pick-up garbage folks would take it away. In doing so, he apparently pulled a muscle on his side/lower back & was in agony last night. Although much better today, we decided not to tempt fate by having him pull me up any inclines in wheelchair. Some pain is back tonight although not as bad. Lucky for him, he's rarely plagued by pain
& is in remarkable shape.
That's most of my exciting news... Pitiful, isn't it? You know, I've gotten so reclusive I can barely call friends & family! Takes too much energy & patience. Keep fighting the good fight, Milli. I'm only hoping you'll laugh about it someday when recounting your hip replacement stories. This IS character-building, isn't it? ❤❤
we have lots of it down here in OZ x
OP
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Butterfly
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@shrinkette I don't know if this is character building or not. I'd sooner do without it, in any event, and just keep an unbuilt character!
So sorry your husband hurt himself. You certainly don't need both of you to be out of whack at the same time.
That nose swab thing is the MRSA test. After I came down off the ceiling, I came to understand that just being "colonized" wasn't such a horrible thing. They just give you nose stuff and extra antibiotics (vancomycin I think) IV right before he surgery. I wish they'd tell you this stuff ahead of time instead of just "oh, by the way you tested positive for MRSA. Have a nice day." GRRR! Wish I wasn't so neurotic (if that's the right term for worrying about everything).
Sounds like you've got a way figured out to get in the bed. It won't be so hard after the first few days. I slept in my recliner the first few days because I culdn't quite manage the bed by myself. I still have a bt of difficulty getting into the shower (have to step over the side of the bathtub). I find it kind of scary still.
I haven't been driving around hardly at all. It hurts to sit in the driver's seat -- sort of a modified bucket seat.
Bear is going to be in town this weekend and he and the boys will come over tomorrow and help me with a couple things around here I can't quite manage -- like the winter cover keeps coming off the A/C vent in my front hallway and if it's not up there right the cold comes in. I can't manage the stepladder and am afraid I'd fall or hurt myself. And a couple other things like that. Just little annoying things. The boys are also going to do poop patrol in the backyard (labrador retrievers don't use a litter box, unfortunately. Wish they would).
I always go to sleep during the affirmations part of that CD. I like the CD for depression better for the affirmations part. Just gentle stuff to try to get yourself going. I've become quite a slug and have lost interest in a lot of things. I'm sure it will come back once I can really DO anything.
I don't think I've ever read anything by Lisa Gardner. What kind of stuff does she write? Remember Earl Stanley Gardner? As a girl, I read everything he ever wrote, and so did my mother. She and I religiously watched every Perry Mason TV show way back when Aaron Burr was Perry Mason. Maybe that's why I ended up a paralegal. My problem is that I read too fast and pretty soon I've read up all of a good writer's stuff and then I'm disappointed there isn't any more. I've always read a lot all my life, as didmy mother. I don't much care for the e-book thing, I prefer real books. Maye it's because I'm an ol' lady? I need to get back over to the the book trading place and get some more books. I have a bunch to take back, too.
Sorry you're having that butt pain -- sure sounds like it could be that sciatica, or the piriformis. I understand both are common with hip stuff -- you wind up walking so weirdly that everything gets strained, they say.
As soon as my OS tells me on Tuesday that it isn't my replacement giving me fits (PLEASE), I think I'll get an appointment with a trigger point massage person and see if that helps. And try some acupuncture stuff, too. I'm sick and tired of fooling with this, but haven't really been able to go after it aggressively because of concern about the implants.
Well, time for bed, I guess. I hope I can get comfortable!
Take care, dear friend.
Love,
Milli
So sorry your husband hurt himself. You certainly don't need both of you to be out of whack at the same time.
That nose swab thing is the MRSA test. After I came down off the ceiling, I came to understand that just being "colonized" wasn't such a horrible thing. They just give you nose stuff and extra antibiotics (vancomycin I think) IV right before he surgery. I wish they'd tell you this stuff ahead of time instead of just "oh, by the way you tested positive for MRSA. Have a nice day." GRRR! Wish I wasn't so neurotic (if that's the right term for worrying about everything).
Sounds like you've got a way figured out to get in the bed. It won't be so hard after the first few days. I slept in my recliner the first few days because I culdn't quite manage the bed by myself. I still have a bt of difficulty getting into the shower (have to step over the side of the bathtub). I find it kind of scary still.
I haven't been driving around hardly at all. It hurts to sit in the driver's seat -- sort of a modified bucket seat.
Bear is going to be in town this weekend and he and the boys will come over tomorrow and help me with a couple things around here I can't quite manage -- like the winter cover keeps coming off the A/C vent in my front hallway and if it's not up there right the cold comes in. I can't manage the stepladder and am afraid I'd fall or hurt myself. And a couple other things like that. Just little annoying things. The boys are also going to do poop patrol in the backyard (labrador retrievers don't use a litter box, unfortunately. Wish they would).
I always go to sleep during the affirmations part of that CD. I like the CD for depression better for the affirmations part. Just gentle stuff to try to get yourself going. I've become quite a slug and have lost interest in a lot of things. I'm sure it will come back once I can really DO anything.
I don't think I've ever read anything by Lisa Gardner. What kind of stuff does she write? Remember Earl Stanley Gardner? As a girl, I read everything he ever wrote, and so did my mother. She and I religiously watched every Perry Mason TV show way back when Aaron Burr was Perry Mason. Maybe that's why I ended up a paralegal. My problem is that I read too fast and pretty soon I've read up all of a good writer's stuff and then I'm disappointed there isn't any more. I've always read a lot all my life, as didmy mother. I don't much care for the e-book thing, I prefer real books. Maye it's because I'm an ol' lady? I need to get back over to the the book trading place and get some more books. I have a bunch to take back, too.
Sorry you're having that butt pain -- sure sounds like it could be that sciatica, or the piriformis. I understand both are common with hip stuff -- you wind up walking so weirdly that everything gets strained, they say.
As soon as my OS tells me on Tuesday that it isn't my replacement giving me fits (PLEASE), I think I'll get an appointment with a trigger point massage person and see if that helps. And try some acupuncture stuff, too. I'm sick and tired of fooling with this, but haven't really been able to go after it aggressively because of concern about the implants.
Well, time for bed, I guess. I hope I can get comfortable!
Take care, dear friend.
Love,
Milli
Josephine
NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITA
Corny old comment but appropriate "how long is a piece of string"?
You have another couple of things to try one is a TENS machines for pain management
The other is stretches - these are some you might try though I'd keep the number of reps down from what the chap in the first vid says.
Hoppy Nanny
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@Butterfly do hope you get all the right answers on Tuesday..will be thinking of you. I'm heading over to my twin sisters on Monday as she has had TKR...and needs a little help. @shrinkette. Gosh it made me so sad when you said " you know I've gotten so reclusive can barely call family & friends " . After your THR you will be able to get your life back. I know I didn't enjoy life for some years prior to mine...I'm now socialising and enjoying it again. So will you. Hope your results are clear and your surgery date OK. Chrissie x
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shrinkette
graduate
@Hoppy Nanny Hi, Chrissie & many thanks for the kind words. I have no doubt that I will revert to my old self once I can function normally again. Not asking for anything approaching perfection... There'll always be aches & pains of one kind or another, I guess... Do hope your twin progresses well with her TKR! I had mine last February & its fine.
Hoppy Nanny
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@shrinkette. TKR as well...you are going through the mill! I feel quite a woos now!! They say TKR more painful so if you coped with that you are well equipped for THR. Know what you mean about other aches and pains...each day I wake up with a new one to worry about. As my GP says ' age related' I could clonk him !! Wishing you well...Chrissie x
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shrinkette
graduate
No news from you today about your OS visit... what does that mean? No pressure intended, Mil -- just concerned.
No results back on UA... darn, am strung so tight I could break!
No results back on UA... darn, am strung so tight I could break!
OP
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@shrinkette Sorry you didn't get the results yet -- I HATE all that waiting for results type stuff! I do not have the patience I used to.
I went to the OS visit and he said the implants are fine. He said the other pain issue wasn't in his area of expertise -- he thinks it is spinal degenerative arthritis (it probably is -- at least some of it -- no real surprise there). He declined to opine further or make any recommendations or prescribe any PT, and told me to come back in nine months. He just referred me to an ortho who does spine stuff. OS was very clear, however, that I should not attempt most of those SI stretches or the piriformis stretches. I guess I'll keep that appointment with the other ortho on Feb 7 and see what the guy says -- but no way am I even considering any spine surgery; I know way too many people that have not been helped by it, and a few who've come out on the worse end. And I'm not going to spend the rest of my life, how much ever time that is, in continual surgical recovery. Probably die of old age before it ever got sorted out.
I'm going to see what I can find out about some acupuncture or trigger point stuff and try to work this out some way, and continue with my chiro stuff. Maybe I'll just have to get used to the idea that this may not get a whole lot better. Or maybe it will -- I've had good luck with alternative stuff in the past. I am still very glad I had the hips done; at least that awful pain is gone, but I am kind of discouraged, so I couldn't really think about it much today. Tomorrow I'll try to see if I can get some kind of plan together about what to try that I can afford or that is covered in my insurance plan without formal referrals. Maybe I could spring for one visit to a good PT person to get some ideas -- I don't know what that would cost without a referral. Wish I could go back to my old acupuncturist, but I can't afford it and he's not on my plan. There's another one who is supposed to be pretty good that IS on my plan, and I'll try to get in to see him, I guess. Right now I feel like I am just fighting back the dark.
Love,
Milli
I went to the OS visit and he said the implants are fine. He said the other pain issue wasn't in his area of expertise -- he thinks it is spinal degenerative arthritis (it probably is -- at least some of it -- no real surprise there). He declined to opine further or make any recommendations or prescribe any PT, and told me to come back in nine months. He just referred me to an ortho who does spine stuff. OS was very clear, however, that I should not attempt most of those SI stretches or the piriformis stretches. I guess I'll keep that appointment with the other ortho on Feb 7 and see what the guy says -- but no way am I even considering any spine surgery; I know way too many people that have not been helped by it, and a few who've come out on the worse end. And I'm not going to spend the rest of my life, how much ever time that is, in continual surgical recovery. Probably die of old age before it ever got sorted out.
I'm going to see what I can find out about some acupuncture or trigger point stuff and try to work this out some way, and continue with my chiro stuff. Maybe I'll just have to get used to the idea that this may not get a whole lot better. Or maybe it will -- I've had good luck with alternative stuff in the past. I am still very glad I had the hips done; at least that awful pain is gone, but I am kind of discouraged, so I couldn't really think about it much today. Tomorrow I'll try to see if I can get some kind of plan together about what to try that I can afford or that is covered in my insurance plan without formal referrals. Maybe I could spring for one visit to a good PT person to get some ideas -- I don't know what that would cost without a referral. Wish I could go back to my old acupuncturist, but I can't afford it and he's not on my plan. There's another one who is supposed to be pretty good that IS on my plan, and I'll try to get in to see him, I guess. Right now I feel like I am just fighting back the dark.
Love,
Milli
Jozilla
supremo
Hi Milli - I am a knee person but have been reading your thread. I have very similar spinal issues with cervical and lumber degeneration. I am treated however by a neurologist as I find they do not like to do surgery. I love my neurologist. He is much more in tune with the pain I am in. I get transforaminal injections which are very helpful got my lower back by an extremely good anesthesiologist who specializes in pain management. I also take gabapentin for the nerve pain, muscle relaxers for the spasms and a low dosage of vicodin for pain. The heating pad is the best medicine for me. I have been told surgery would be worse for me by several doctors as my back is disintegrating and a fusion would make that worse. I totally understand your pain and have tried PT and acupuncture. Some people are against taking medication but it enables me to have a life. I can work and function well most of the time. See the specialist as there are many new treatments out there. I do hope you feel better and understand your back pain. - JoAnne
shrinkette
graduate
Oh Milli -- that must've been a hard day. Of course you can now relax about the implants, so that's a good thing! And I'm glad you're glad you had them done. So now you'll see the ortho/spine guy & see what HE says. Don't blame you in the least for not considering spine surgery. Just the little I've read on BS from people who've had it indicate a less than stellar outcome. But I guess that depends on factors I know nothing about.
Alternative stuff might help a lot... You said you've had some luck in the past. Medicare doesn't cover any of that, presumably.
Interesting what Jozilla, in her post above, wrote. Could be a neurology consult would be worth it for another perspective. THAT, I would consider. Her issues might be very different than yours, but she seems to be on the right tra
Alternative stuff might help a lot... You said you've had some luck in the past. Medicare doesn't cover any of that, presumably.
Interesting what Jozilla, in her post above, wrote. Could be a neurology consult would be worth it for another perspective. THAT, I would consider. Her issues might be very different than yours, but she seems to be on the right tra
shrinkette
graduate
Got cut off from previous post. Anyway, I know you're trying to consider the various angles & approaches & will make the best decisions for yourself. I can imagine you're feeling discouraged. I'm also pretty sure you're sick & tired of this whole thing in general. I guess you've gotta be your own advocate & I think you do that well. You'll get all your ducks in a row, review your options, & hopefully get relief. I really like the idea if a neurologist.
You've got lots to think about... one step at a time. ❤❤
You've got lots to think about... one step at a time. ❤❤
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Butterfly
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@Jozilla How did you find your neurologist? Did you have to have formal referral? Sounds like the boats we are in are a lot alike. My back has been bad for many years, and I already knew about the degenerative stuff -- I've just been lucky enough to keep it under control up until now. Are your injections painful? I don't have any problem taking medications, either. I'm all in favor of taking whatever helps. Nowdays docs are so stingy with meds (thanks to the FDA anad DEA crawling all over them about over prescribing -- like a bunch of little ol'ladies with back pain are going to be selling on the streets). I don't want to get started about that subject or I'll go on for pages!
Thanks for your kind reply. Maybe a neuro would be a good bet. I am just so tired of all of this. I guess it can be expected, though -- I am no spring chicken and arthritis runs in my famiy. My mother was very crippled up with it for years.
How is your knee doing? And your job?
Love,
Milli
Thanks for your kind reply. Maybe a neuro would be a good bet. I am just so tired of all of this. I guess it can be expected, though -- I am no spring chicken and arthritis runs in my famiy. My mother was very crippled up with it for years.
How is your knee doing? And your job?
Love,
Milli
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