Revision THR One year later and still pain in groin

[Onestepatatime]

@CricketHip and @Jamie, Thanks so much. It is the back pain that is the worst. PT says it is because of the hip. Surgeon's office told me to get into a pain management program. I need to find someone and do that. I know walking is supposed to be the best therapy but the back pain feels like it did before I had the fusion. 15 min of walking and I need to ice it. The 5% Lidocaine patches are a lifesaver.

The phone interview was tough! I am not sure the job is a fit, plus they want me in NYC mostly so that is not going to happen. The company is near Grand Central Station and I live in Jersey so the commute would be awful. I did mention I was tail end of recovery, but then I felt like I should not have said anything. The phone interview was with the VP of Staffing, and he asked if I can interview if they are interested. And if I was a finalist, they would deal with my start date. He sounded like uuhhh, why are you telling me this? I explained I believe in transparency and it is my understanding they want to move fast in a decision. I applied to six remote roles today, but I know I have too much experience to really qualify. But I gotta figure something out. This pressure is going to give me an ulcer.

It was my decision to get the surgery done before I started a new job. I did not want to start a new job in pain, then go out on leave. But now I wish I waited to have surgery because of these complications. All this unknown is really getting to me.

 

[Jamie]

My heart goes out to you. You are in a tough position. But you are so organized and focused, I have to believe there is a job out there for you. Keep your spirits up as much as possible and don't give up!!

 

[Onestepatatime]

Ugh does anyone 10 weeks out still have sleepless nights? I had dinner plans w old coworkers. Was so much fun but I think I stayed out too long. Now it’s 4 am and I’m icing. I’m nervous about going to the wedding this weekend and how I’ll feel. My back is so painful

 

[Jaycey]

Was so much fun but I think I stayed out too long.

Yes, I found if I did too much and got over tired it just made me hyper! Hope you can get some rest and relaxation. You are in a tough place anyway with all this job stress. Just take things one day at a time and if that's too much, moment to moment.

 

[Onestepatatime]

@Jaycey Thanks. Moment to moment seems like a good idea! For us control freaks it is a huge challenge. I need to get religious on daily meditation and relaxation. I had a meltdown on not being able to see the end in sight. I will keep the faith it will all work out. Living alone, I have way too much time on my hands to think through unpleasant scenarios. Not a productive use of my brain power, I know.

 

[Jaycey]

@Onestepatatime I totally understand getting overwhelmed with life. There are times when I wonder just how I am going get through the long list of "must do" activities. That's when it's time to stop thinking ahead so far. Baby steps versus trying to leap to the next level.

How is your job hunt going? Certainly must add to your stress levels.

 

[Onestepatatime]

@Jaycey
Thanks for asking. Job hunting is definitely adding to stress levels. Based on how I feel now, I cannot gauge when I am going to feel good enough to work FT. I had two phone interviews today, but both were in NYC. It is just good practice for me to keep talking to companies though.

I am going to a wedding tomorrow, and we are staying overnight - me and the girls. A month ago it seemed like a good idea, and I would feel better by now. I am kinda nervous about going. I am packing icepacks, the wedge pillow for between my legs, heating pad, and I am debating my body pillow. So much stuff! It is an evening wedding, 5:00 ceremony on the LI Sound. We are going early to hang at the pool. Normally this would be considered a relaxing getaway, but I am not sure how I will manage. The pain in my back is overwhelming. I see you had spinal surgery, did your back flair up post hip surgery? Tuesday morning I am having a consultation with a pain management doctor. PT thinks the back pain is because I have a bad limp, and is going to add new exercises to my routine.
Ok, thanks for listening to me go on and on!

 

[CricketHip]

Oh, one step.. I’m worried about this wedding weekend also. Are you sure you want to put yourself through this?
Your back has added another level to your pain and I hate to hear this for you.
Don’t feel pressured to go this weekend. But if you go? Try to relax and enjoy it.
(And be careful!)

 

[Onestepatatime]

I guess if at any point I feel pain I will go back to the room and call it a night. They are such good friends of mine I’d hate to miss it. Idk.

 

[CricketHip]

Thats understandable.. of course you want to go, I'm sure you feel like you’ve missed so much
already.
Good luck with your decision.

 

[Jaycey]

I see you had spinal surgery, did your back flair up post hip surgery?

Post LTHR - yes I had a major pain flare. But it settled with the help of a spinal PT and an osteopath.

PT thinks the back pain is because I have a bad limp, and is going to add new exercises to my routine.

Unless the exercises are to address core stability please don't push. Core stability is great for easing back pain but it can take awhile to develop and you really need a PT that has spinal experience.

 

[Onestepatatime]

I am back from the wedding. It was beautiful
On the water with perfect weather. It was my best friends step daughter so I’m glad I went. But half way through the reception I had to go to my hotel room to ice and lay down. I won’t lie, today I’m in pain. Prob will take a few days to recover.
Tomorrow morning I’m seeing a pain management doctor. My surgeon suggested that. My back is ridiculous. I feel like I just want an injection to calm it down.

 

[KarenKat]

So pleased you managed to make the wedding despite your unrelenting pain.... have just caught up with your thread & really do think you are amazing - I wish you the very best for the future xx

 

[Onestepatatime]

@KarenKat
Thanks so much! I appreciate the compliment! Because most days I feel like a hot mess and cannot get it together. I am also an empty nester, and times like this I miss my son even more. Today I saw a pain management specialist, and I am pursuing an epidural for back pain. I had a spine fusion last summer, and my back is so flared up. I need to get better and back to work ASAP!

So how are you doing? I know recovery is a long and winding road. Glad you see small improvements!

 

[Layla]

Hello
Good to hear you made it to the wedding to share in the fun with your friend and her family.
Sorry you had to leave early to ice and rest due to overactivity.
Best of luck with the pain management doctor tomorrow. Let us know how it goes.
@Onestepatatime

 

[Onestepatatime]

Hi @Layla I’m going to get an epidural for my back on Tuesday. I hope that works. I’m up at 3:00 am my aches woke me up. They want me off Tramadol. They asked if I wanted to enroll with medical marijuana, which I read helps a lot.
I need a crystal ball on when I’ll feel better!

 

[Layla]

Aww, I'm sorry you're sitting up in the middle of the night when you'd prefer to be sleeping.
I hope the epidural on Tuesday brings you relief.
I'm sorry you continue to struggle...wishing you comfort and brighter days soon.
@Onestepatatime

 

[Onestepatatime]

@Jamie wanted to get your opinion. I’m really struggling with back pain, specifically on lower left side. And I have pain in my stomach area and awful acid reflux. All that said, I still cannot lift my leg if I’m lying down. So, I’m struggling with PT. If I don’t do it, how will my hip muscles get stronger? But I think it’s definitely hurting my back. I also cannot load or unload dishwasher.
I’m just so aggravated no matter what I do, I end up in pain. Any ideas on how to restructure things so I minimize pain? I am going to get into a GI doctor and call spine surgeon tomorrow. I want to make sure I didn’t slip a disc or something.
Thanks for “ listening “

 

[Jamie]

I'm glad you're going to get the reflux and back problems checked out. That was going to be my suggestion.

I found after my shoulder replacement in February that I experienced stomach problems for quite a while. My GP gave me Pantoprazole which I took daily for a couple of months. After that time, I found I no longer needed it. So I quit taking it on a daily basis. But I've found if I experience stomach issues (usually at night), if I take the pills again for a short time (sometimes just one or maybe for 3-4 days), things clear up again. Go figure. I talked with my GP about it and he indicated it was fine to use the medication this way.

Are you taking any NSAIDs? If you are, it would be a good idea to stop those until you find out more about your stomach issues.

What has your surgeon and therapist told you about your leg? It sometimes does take more time than you imagine to get mobility back after joint replacement. You don't really need to be starting strength training now anyway. That's something for 6 months down the road or later. Your body is still in healing mode. It's possible with your revision that your surgeon had to do a significant amount of work on your hip (you might ask about that) and, if that's the case it can slow down your recovery.

Many times back pain can result when your core muscles are weakened. I'm having some of that myself after having to slow way down for the first 3 months after my shoulder replacement. You might ask your therapist to show you some exercises to target your core.

Have you tried a TENS machine for your back pain? That can work really well for a lot of people. Heat sometimes works too (that's my "go to" thing).

These surgeries knock our systems for a loop and it can take a lot of time and healing for things to normalize. You should get things checked out, but don't be surprised if you hear that you just need to give yourself more time and increase your activity very gradually.

 

[VSlowLife]

@Onestepatatime Sorry to hear about the back pain and reflux. Regarding the dishwasher, maybe you can buy some paper plates, bowls and cups for now? I have made some changes to simplify my life this year, and paper plates was one of them.
Also, I eat more sandwiches, soups, and find some healthy frozen dinners that are bland enough for my current GI irritation from NSAIDs and have stopped all NSAIDs, including pain gels. Also I gave up coffee and drink decaf tea with some milk. I miss coffee!
My doctor has me on omeprezole for a month, and by the third week I can feel improvement.
Also, I bought wooden bed risers from Vermont Country store and had a strong person place them on the headboard side.
I had a spinal fusion, too. If my left lower back flairs up, I have a frozen gel pack which gets inserted into a fabric pouch, with Velcro strips, to use on that area. I sewed on more Velcro so I can stand and wear it, too. Sometimes I alternate with a heat pack that goes in my microwave for a short time. The beads absorb moisture from the air, so it’s a moist heat, but I have to be flat for that.
I hope you feel better soon.