Hip surgery in my future

[allena]

You bet I'm bitter!excited?Excited?thats a tall order.I am grateful It can be fixed.I am glad it will make me feel better eventuly.I am glad it's not both hips.I appreciate those things alot.I am not a optimist by nature.this is not helping anything.this is nothing to be happy or excited about.This is something to endure-yet another bad thing I'll have to put up with.I admire you're optimism.

 

[Mojo333]

I in no way want to upset you or make you feel that you do not have valid fears and concerns.
Life is certainly not fair sometimes.
We all have different experiences and views on this replacement business.
At 53, I was not happy that I had to go through this situation and I am also of modest means, so being able to go back to work as soon as feasible was of great concern.

I had a 'fairly' seamless recovery and when i thanked my OS for the surgery's success..he answered with "the patient's attitude and positivity was key for a successful recovery"
Just wanted to hopefully inspire you to look at it as a life changing opportunity.
It may be that you haven't had the experience I had of being a young active hard working mother of two, who was miserable with chronic pain, sleep deprived , and with a delayed diagnosis felt as if it would never end.
I'm happy, healthy, pain free and grateful .
Please know I only want the same for you!

 

[allena]

I'm not angry with you.I know what you meant.I didn't mean to yell at you .It's not you're fault.I blame bad genetics and the lupus for this.I am sure i will be happy when all the bad parts are over with.I'll be posative then.I am not even sure I will feel better.things do go wrong sometimes.
What difference will my attitude make?I'll do what the doctor says.It will be fine(probably).

 

[allena]

I have been in constant pain for 22 years.At this point in time I just expect to hurt.I limp.If I have to go very far I use a wheelchair.I can relate to being young and having to work and being in pain.No children though.

 

[allena]

it was very obvious is was arthritis.I had a grandmother who had it too.The lupus was a surprise though.

 

[Mojo333]

I have a very good friend who had Lupus...that's a plateful of its own struggles.
I'm very sorry this has added to your problems.
I imagine dealing with all of this has hardened you up...perhaps some for the good...maybe some not for so good.
You deserve to be without this hip pain though..
There are a few people on this forum who for different reasons are unable to have this surgery and would dearly love to have the opportunity. @Gidget for one.
I do think your body has a harder time getting healthy when you are discouraged or unhappy.
Hope you will stick around as there are lots of positive folk on the forum with different struggles in addition to having hip replacement.
Hope you find some peace with this and hope you have a peaceful evening!

 

[allena]

yes.I feel bad for you're friend.Lupus is interesting-in a bad way.It has made me harder.If my pain level is only a 5 I regard that as great.That's practically nothing.
I'm sorry some can't get it done.that sucks.
I would love for my hip to feel better.My knee pain isn't that bad.my shoulder pain isn't that bad.this hip is another story all together.
I see.that's interesting.I am basically healthy.just disabled and in pain.
I will stick around.I am sorry I have been such a wet blanket.unfortunately I am not feeling too cheerful.
thanks.I hope I can find some peace someday,somehow too.
just so you know i am normally not so unhappy-it's this unfortunate situation that's making me so grumpy.
i hope you have a good evening too.
Thanks for you're patience.

 

[Mojo333]

Believe me...I totally get it.
I was a pretty miserable human being pre-op.
Then I had some medical professionals allude that I might benefit from psychiatric care as most of my pain manifested (I thought) from my lower back and SI joint...sciatica, etc.
No one diagnosed my hips and I was desperate and distraught.
Then when they said hips shot..only solution replacement...I was absolutely mortified.

Again, I think you deserve to be out of this hip pain. It's scary, but the what ifs AND uncertainty really was worse than the recovery.
You can do this! You already have endured much more than most.

 

[allena]

I am lucky .in a way.I always knew it was arthritis.not knowing would have sucked more.
I think I deserve less pain .I'm glad to know that.And also I'm not a baby to feel this way.
someone said i was being irrational.It's true,but I didn't appreciate the comment none the less.
I will have to do this.end of story.thanks for the encouragement.I suppose so.
I can honestly say that if I could get the ball back in the hip and make it stay I'd take the pain till i died.this is the solution of last resort for me.like it was for you.
I'm curious.Did you a posterier appproach of anterior.I've heard anterior is better.
sleep well.

 

[Mojo333]

I had anterior....and a very good surgeon who trained in that method...and now teaches it.
Know many members with great recoveries with posterior.

 

[Layla]

Hi @allena
I'm sure you'll find someone to stay with if your place is too small to accommodate more than yourself.

You can't assume you're going to become dependent on opioids when you don't even know how often or for how long you'll be taking them. I only took / needed four total. Then it was Extra Strength Tylenol. We're all different. You may need less, you may need more. As aware and concerned as you are about opioids tells me it won't become a problem for you.

None of us wanted this surgery, if given the choice. It became necessary. I'm sure a great majority of us wished we were 5-10, or more, yrs older at the time of surgery. In the not too recent past people weren't as lucky and their debilitating OA may have forced them to spend time in a wheelchair. We're lucky we live in an era where we have the option of THR.

You don't need a recliner. Many recover without one. It's more of a luxury than a necessity.

Not everyone becomes constipated. The forum has many ideas and recipes to help with this in addition to the meds your OS will prescribe to take temporarily.

Do your research in locating a surgeon and trust him to decide on the best approach for you.
Just like everyone else before you....you can do this and you won't be sorry you did.
Wishing you comfort and peace!

 

[allena]

mojo.what were the restrictions you had to deal with?could you bend over?just curious.I'd really like to know.

 

[allena]

layla.I sure do hope so.or else I might have to go to rehab!those are usually a nursing home.That's one of my greatest fears-being sent to such a place one day.:(
I'm sure you are right.Eventuly I'll be happy I did it.
Thanks.
It doesn't feel like i'll get through it-it feels more like i'll die of fear before I am better off.

 

[Mojo333]

I didn't have restrictions imposed on me...but I did have two fresh incisions on the front/side of my thighs and super sore quads. I used a walker for the first week to take pressure off my sore legs...and off and on for next three weeks as my legs strengthened.
So for the first weeks, I didn't do much bending down because it hurt to and I was trying to let everything heal up.
I got a toilet riser for the same reason..just more comfortable and as I said those quads were SORE.
I got a grabber for the dropsies!

I did however discover that just because I could, didn't mean I should. I wanted all to have best chance of getting well so I was cautious.
I will be headed to my job shortly where I walk over 12000 steps average per day and can now do my job without hip pain.
Hope your day is peaceful!

 

[allena]

thanks for the information.I so want anterior!
I have a raised toliet seat and a grabber.I also use a shower seat.They are very handy.
good for you!That's alot of walking.You must be fit.
I think it will be ok.I hope you're day is good too.

 

[Layla]

You'll get through it. It can be anxiety producing, we understand, we've been there.
Remember you have us and you can come here day or night with your worries or concerns and we'll do our best to talk some sense into you Kidding around only because I know how maddening it can be when those "what ifs" start haunting you. Often times you'll need to find a healthy distraction to to shut it all down for awhile.
I know it's difficult to feel it now but I'm quite sure within a few months all will fall into place and you'll be a Healing Happy Hippy.
@allena

 

[allena]

I hate what ifs.they literally make lie in bed awake at night-something i rarely did before this.I figure it will be awhile before I'm healing.I won't be seeing the doctor any sooner than september.It will probably be at least a month before the surgury.I have so much to look forward too!tests!hoping I can find someone to stay with!Being put to sleep!constipation!A yeast infection from the antibiotics!Being in the hospital!possibly being sent to a nursing home.:( eventuly getting to go home(yeah)and way down the road feeling better.If I feel even halfway better it might actually be worth it.i'm sure once I'm healed I'll be posative.I know i'm supposed to focus on the good part,but there's gonna be all this bad stuff in between.:(

 

[allena]

oh yes!I forgot!wearing compression socks and somehow managing to sleep with pillows between my legs!so much fun!I'm sure there are things Ive left out because I don't know about them.

 

[Layla]

Ok, easier said than done but if you won't know anything until September, give yourself a mental break until then. You need to come up with creative ways to distract yourself. Engage in something you love, or something new that takes concentration. Fill your idle time with activity or home projects. Conversations with family of friends, start a new hobby. Find something to take your mind off of it all.

Look long term if nothing is happening soon and tell yourself that NEXT YEAR at this time...this will all be behind you. You may not have difficulty sleeping post op and you may not be constipated. I wasn't. We have many recipes for that here and with meds from your doctor it may be a non issue. You may not have to wear compression socks and if you do....it won't kill you. You'll get through it. You're borrowing trouble.

How in the world do you know you'll get a yeast infection from the anti-biotics? If you have in the past...then prepare yourself, start taking a good pro-biotic now and strengthen the healthy flora in your gut and build up your immune system. Take these phobias one by one and spend time figuring how you'll combat each one instead of giving in. Fight it by educating yourself. Clean up your diet if it needs it and go for a walk out in nature and the fresh air. If you can't walk, sit and listen to the birds and leaves rustle on the trees and think about all the good and positive in your life. I'm sure you'll find someone to stay with but in all honesty if you go all Debbie Downer on friends and loved ones often they will want to steer clear of you. Try not to be a Negative Nellie. Come here and we'll try to help you process through some of this. You can do this....you're stronger than you think. We can help ease your fears through our own personal experience. Use us...we'll help.

Be happy they can put you to sleep, you most certainly wouldn't want to be awake while they're cutting your flesh and using power tools on your bones. Sounds crude but its reality. A reality you need to wrap your head around if you want to be relieved of pain and move forward in life. We're all here to talk about it. You will be too. The day of surgery moves fast. Your OS and his care team will do everything they can to make you comfortable. They'll be doing what they do best everyday. They can give you something so you're able to relax. No one will be indifferent that day. They want a good outcome just as much as you and will work toward that end. You'll go to sleep and wake up in recovery in disbelief that it's already over. You'll heal and be amazed at how much better you feel week by week. You'll move forward in life without pain! It's wonderful. Sign yourself up!

How about you take just one of those things you fear and begin to arm yourself now. Contemplate beginning by creating a list and compiling some things you can do to occupy yourself during recovery. Do some research. Consider starting there.

Wishing you comfort and peace!

 

[allena]

antibiotics always give me yeast infections.no exceptions.I was not just being a worry wort there.
I'll read alot and watch netflix during my recovery most likely.i am good at entertaining myself.
I didn't know it was a option to not wear compression socks.that's good to know.
I guess it depends on how much swelling you have in you're leg.
I generally keep this to myself.I act like everything is fine.that's what everyone expects.I give them what they want.there's a rule-you should always be happy no matter what!If you don't feel it fake it.
I have done alot of research.It's been helpful in some ways,but scary in other ways.