Hip Infection Hip removal due to infection

[Glenbud2]

Thank you Jamie for listening to what I had to say, evaluate it and offer a solution to the situation without passing judgement or ostricising me for my actions. Nobody is perfect....I’ve been around 52 years and have yet to find one. My circumstances are incredible and some days the pain of the bones grinding together are absolutely intolerable. I typed “marijuana” on the search and read just about every thread that mentioned it. Surprisingly, there were a very low number of people that have tried it....even in places where it is medically available. The majority of the patients on here strictly oppose it, some mention cooking with it (cookies), some use a salve containing THC and some use it the traditional way like me. I can only speak for myself. Having dealt with the pain and the severity for so long, I was getting wonderful relief. It would take the edge off the pain and make it where my mind wasn’t laser focused on the pain for a while. Sounds like I’m trying to tell myself that it’s okay. Almost to the point that I would do away with the opioid painkillers that absolutely have no effect on me. Hoping that I’m not making myself out to be a junkie or addict, but I can assure you that I’m not.

 

[Jaycey]

Hoping that I’m not making myself out to be a junkie or addict, but I can assure you that I’m not.

Of course you're not! As a person who suffers from chronic pain I totally understand your quest for pain relief! I think Jamie's suggestion is a good one. You need to discuss your situation with someone who will understand your needs and work with you to resolve your pain issues.

All the best to you. Please keep us updated!

 

[Jamie]

No judgement here. It's pretty easy to tell when someone is trying to promote pot smoking as the best thing since sliced bread and someone who is just desperate to get through a very painful time.

 

[Glenbud2]

As far as talking to the infectious disease specialist or my GP about my situation , I’ve already burned one bridge with the pain clinic....to put myself out there with the other 2 could be DISASTROUS! Doctors should want to hear their patients concerns or questions, but to risk them terminating care is absolutely not worth the gamble. I’m just going to mark this off as a loss and play my cards smarter from here on out. Thank you all for your input....I’ve reread each response several times and really appreciate your advice and guidance!

 

[Mojo333]

I had quite a long period of being absolutely miserable prior to my surgery and I am so sorry you have to deal with chronic pain...and then add to it the sleep deprivation...
Makes one desperate for any relief.
Hoping the next fourteen months will go by with no sign of infection.

Hope you are able to find some distractions and some sunshine in your days until then.
We are rooting for you @Glenbud2

 

[Izabel]

Thinking of you and wishing you relief soon and a peaceful week.

 

[clodaghcov]

@Glenbud2 I am so sad you have horrible experiences with your medical team, onward and upward we all are learning all the time, but nobody can experience anothers pain, Hoping you have a gentle time with some happiness.xx

 

[acgolden9]

A little info on me....I’m a 52 year old man and I live in Texas in the United States. The reason I had my hip replaced was because the ball/socket had fused together.
In the past 3 years, I’ve had 6 procedures done on my left hip. The very first was in August of 2016 which ended up being infected 2 weeks after the surgery. The O.S. Called his team in on a Sunday and did the total clean out. Again, several weeks later I was back in the O.S. Office with another infection. The surgeon gave a referral to an infectious disease specialist and basically said there was nothing else he could do to help me. Fortunately I found a great infectious disease specialist and she got me in touch with a better surgeon about 2 hours from me. He immediately got me in and did the total debridement and he also put a spacer in that was laced with antibiotics. The infectious disease specialist had me get a pic line in my arm to be able to administer IV antibiotics (3 times a day with with 1being 3 times a day, another with 2 times a day and 1 only once a day) I was able to administer these at home by myself.Being unable to walk very well because of having the spacer, I had to use a walker to get around. Of course after being home for a couple of weeks I got up in the middle of the night....I lost my balance with the walker and fell, breaking the left femur bone. The surgeon then had to go into the left hip again and screwed a metal rod to the broken bone and wrapped the femur probably 12 times. Being in the hospital, a physical therapist came to my room and made me sit up with n a chair.....no problem....until I got back on the bed. I was SCREAMING in unbearable pain. After still being in pain after about 5 days, I asked if they could do an x-ray which showed that the rod in the hip had bent and of course they had to go into the hip again to replace the rod. I was admitted into the hospital for 30 days after that because the surgeon wanted to give the hip time to heal. After about another month, I started feeling a clicking every time I walked and it hurt like crazy....finally to the point I couldn’t put any weight on it at all. So the surgeon had to go in AGAIN and trim the IT band. Of course with that surgery, infection set inAGAIN. The surgeon went in the last time and totally removed the left hip....it has to stay out for years ensuring there is absolutely NO infection left. I’m 8 months into it now and it is past ridiculous! Barely able to get around, constant pain with femur rubbing against the pelvis and no hip joint. I am on permanent disability now, trying to take it 1 day at a time until the 2 years is up and I can have it put back in....permanently. The surgeon told me basically, this will be a last ditch effort to save my leg.

Has anyone else gone through this amount of problems? It’s been a tough road, but I’m taking it 1 day at a time.

Oh my. I thought I was having a bad time. I have been thru five surgeries in the past two years and will have a sixth on Nov 5th. I have experienced most of what you are going thru with the exception of the fall. I worry that they are not going to be able to get rid of the infection and wonder what the next step is for me if they can't. My surgeon has not mentioned the possibility of losing the leg. I would love to get feedback from people who have gone thru similar cases like ours.

All the best to you my friend

 

[Trudijane]

I am just another worried person who has had her 1st hip replacement on 4/4/19. I thought they were being so obsessed with all the things I had to do with preventing an infection but I followed everything I was told.

Your post humbled my concerns, however; I think it's awful what you have had to go through or how you even did it. You are very brave and all I can think of saying is keep on trying! What else can you do? And make sure you have the very best doctors.

I don't understand why or how you have gotten so many infections; I suppose this is possible for anyone. It's time you felt good and I hope you do sooner than you ever expected.

 

[VSlowLife]

@Glenbud2 I am very sorry to hear what you and others in this thread have been through. Very difficult, serious issues, indeed. I believe there is a specialist in Texas, I have seen one of the moderators suggest to others, who specializes in difficult hip infections. Maybe that moderator will pop in?
I have more than five allergies, some to antibiotics which my OS told me is a risk factor for hip surgery, so I will watch your thread with great interest.
Hoping you all find some answers here.