I'm back. More news

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jessie

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Aug 23, 2008
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153
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64
Location
Savannah, GA
Hi ya'll.

Ok, been away a while. Saw my surgeon. He said everything was perfect. He also said I will have pain for one year. He knows, because he had a knee replacement and his MD said he'd hurt for one year and almost to the day the hurt then went away. AND he never had physical therapy (might explain why I didn't have physical therapy). AND he is a surgeon who doesn't like medicine. So don't take any. It's all poison. And 3/4 of an inch difference is very acceptable and NO, I don't need a lift (thankfully I circumvented this and have 3 pair). He also asked me if I had scoliosis. As I my left shoulder is higher than my right ). Yes I obviously do, otherwise I would have never served in the military and have afterward been a paramedic for 13 years. It has nothing to do with my left leg now being 3/4" longer. He also said that my pelvis must be tilted.
I have severe pain in my hip and lower back regularly. I have only 3 pair of shoes that have an exterior lift. Some shoes I can put a decent amount of inserts in that level me out a bit. Can't quite find a happy medium. Just recently found a job as mall security officer. Been out of work since middle of December. So, I haven't been a bundle of joy. Got tired of having nothing good to say, so I just left the forum for a bit. On the good side,at work I wrote a couple of tickets for improper parking in handicapped spaces ($100.00 fine) and got to handcuff a shoplifter (I have bright yellow handcuffs - they're so cool). I have to admit it's quite fun. Just hurts to walk so much. I'm hoping to get used to the walking.
 
Hi Jessie--glad you're back! Was thinking about you just the other day & wondering how your follow-up went. So sorry your surgeon seems like a really rigid "suck it up" kind of guy--pretty obvious everything's NOT perfect! But maybe the good news is that there's been no loosening & revision isn't needed?

(Hope I'm not being naive, but just find it hard to believe that the VA system, including medical folks, is nothing but jaded, uncaring bureaucrats.) Any other recourse for you to find a reason for the pain?

You know being a bundle of joy isn't a requirement 'round here--plug back in everyone will try to make you feel better!
 
I'm not sure what to think. Pain is usually a pretty good indicator, but he seems to think I'm just a wimp. Never mind the fact I went back to work about 3 to 4 weeks after surgery without physical therapy. I did it all myself.
I hurt with or without a lift. Kinda lost right now. Thanks for thinking of me. And I know this is where I should have been all along. Sorry for feeling so sorry for myself. I'll stick around this time.
 
Definitely stick around! That's what this forum is all about, whether you are doing good or need the extra support when you're not doing so good.

Karen
 
Oh gee! It's pity party Monday! Hope you feel better tomorrow and the day after,etc!!! :)
 
Hi Jessie! Good to hear from you. I'm having trouble believing that a doctor would be so uncaring and oblivious to your pain! Perhaps I'm being naive as well, but I have NEVER had that sort of attitude from any of my doctors! I'm not sure what to tell you to do.....other than perhaps seek a second opinion? And I know that probably won't be the easiest of things to do.
The one thing you can do is post regularly here - I have had such wonderful support from EVERYONE on here - and it will be the same for you! These people (including me) listen when no-one else will!
Hang in there...........! And I love the sound of those yellow handcuffs by the way.....!!

Peta :)
 
Jesse,,,,was just wondering,,,,,,do those yellow handcuffs glow in the dark at least!!!! :)
 
Jessie,
I suppose everyone is different but a year of pain. My surgery is in 6 weeks and I hope it is not true but, if it is so be it...........glad you are back and I have to say I want you to post because just today I was thinking about starting topic about being depressed. What do you think? I have been just struggling with this whole idea of surgery because I do get so anxious and depressed and my husband has Parkinson's and he is not bad but very slow. Still runs our grocery store with our daughter and tries hard but is exhausted by the end of the day. I have a little dog who we love and I worry about him and his reaction to me leaving for several days. But I do have a wonderful cleaning lady who is young and willing to do anything. See I'm all over the place so believe me I want to hear from you because I feel I'm a nut at times. I don't want to complain to my loved ones and you guys know what it's all about. So please Jesse never feel you can't tell us,
Jayne
 
Jessie, I'm glad you decided to come back on the forum. There are so many caring people here, I really feel like it will help you. A person can be pretty miserable going through something like this without understanding friends.

Is it possible for you to get a second opinion from a doctor totally separate from the practice where you are going now? I completely disagree with what you are saying your doctor told you about your hip replacement....you should NOT hurt for a year! And all that other stuff along with no therapy and no meds!!! What is he thinking???

Anyway....please post whenever you feel like it. You have TONS of supporters here who will help lift you when you're feeling low. And who knows....maybe you'll get to bring out those yellow cuffs again soon!
 
Jessie
you are right that you should have been on here all along. I just last week posted about being depressed. So many people responded and did cheer me a bit.
I have a terrible memory and don't remember you having a problem with pain. When was your surgery? I do remember you feeling good and getting back to work too earlly.
I am sorry it hurts , you must find a reason. A second opinion seems very warranted.
The handcuffs sound very cool.
judy
 
I am in agreement with Jamie. NO meds and NO PT? That's sounds just plain cruel! I know - we all know - that they are nominally poison but so are most things if taken without caution, even vitamin and mineral supplements. I think you should at leasy be taking some paracetamol or ibuprofen. But I also think you should talk to your own doctor about pain control as well. If your surgeon chooses to go the hard way, that's no excuse to visit it upon hid patients. That's just bad medicine imo.
 
Jesse, I am at the same stage as TBone. The PT has been crucial for me. I would not be nearly as far along now without the encouragement and supervision of my physical therapist. The pain meds, aside from providing comfort, are crucial in that they allow me to tolerate the PT! It's hard to imagine an OS who does not push both as part of the recovery process.
Gail
RTHR 4/2/09
 
I'm not sure what to think. Pain is usually a pretty good indicator, but he seems to think I'm just a wimp. Never mind the fact I went back to work about 3 to 4 weeks after surgery without physical therapy. I did it all myself.
I hurt with or without a lift. Kinda lost right now. Thanks for thinking of me. And I know this is where I should have been all along. Sorry for feeling so sorry for myself. I'll stick around this time.

Jessie, have you seen John NC's post (Continuing Complications)? He's a vet, too . . .

I don't know it there's anything we can do as a group, but I would encourage everyone here to at the very least fire off an email to their Congressman & Senator about the horrid care our vets are getting! (We have a VA hospital here & judging by the care our neighbor is getting for advanced renal failure & a recent ER visit, it has compassionate & attentive staff. Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to be the case in too many other areas.)

And Jessie, don't feel sorry for anything--and DO stick around!
 
Jesse, I too had to fight to continue getting scripts of Oxycodone plus I take Voltaren, an anti-inflammatory.

I think many doctors are convinced we will all become drug addicts but regardless that we NEED strong pain control so we can get on with our lives - which we would tend to be far more aggressive with if, it didn't hurt so flippin much. I know I don't expect absolutely no pain, just enough relief to allow me to push my limits with little pain.

I also highly recommend icing - perhaps during breaks and lunch and again once you are home.

I would still pursue, with your family doctor, pills strong enough to help you while you are trying to have a normal, active life.

Best of luck and I too think yellow handcuffs are totally cool!

Keep pushing your doctor; I think you will be amazed at the difference.

Diane
 
Hello Jayne, thanks for posting. Go ahead and post your concerns so that the folks here can offer their advice. There's a lot. Trust me, my path thus far is not the norm. I have to use the Department of Veterans' Affairs medical system. They aren't all bad, so don't think that my experience is indicative of all other facilities. But you do tend to hear of the bad ones.
 
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