Lots and lots of anxiety..I think

[sunshine]

Ok I spoke to the Doc and he said I would be on antibiotics before and after surgery anyway but to check with a dentist about having an infection which I don't think it is....
So now I have to reschedule my pre opt mamo and ekg ect which I xl yesterday out of fear. My heart is doing the cha cha cha the last few days and i know I can't be under any more stress then I am now. And I have had this before with stress. OMG I feel like I am falling apart at the seams here and I thought I had it together...I have like three weeks yet and at this rate I will stroke out.
God am I a baby or what? I have everything to look forward to by having this hip replaced..like walking, no walker, no wheel chair..independence again. I should be fine with this what the heck is happening to me now????
I had a gall baladder taken out last year and drove home the next day from the hospital.....I was fine Why am I so scared now?? The pain has to go...it has to go. Surgery is a good thing even if it is dangerous it is better then a chair...I am a basket case.

 

[JenniferG]

Hey sunshine, BREATH. I'm a knee but the nerves are the same. I remember being so scared before my surgey. Good thing we have the docs who have done this thousands to our one and we have each other on this forum.

 

[Josephine]

Big op - big decision - nerves are normal.

But consider this - there is little physiological difference between anxiety and excitement. Just keep saying to yourself "I'm EXCITED about having this hip done!" It works, it really does!

 

[sunshine]

Thank you Jennifer your right..Breath in Breath out slowly. Hope all is ok now with your new knee.

Josephine, you are so smart...That is so true I am going to try and twist that around in my head for positive. ((Thanks))

 

[ano]

I had my hip replaced just about a month ago. I was worried, of course, but really when you think about it, why? Your part during the surgery is really minimal. You put on a paper gown, lay on a cart, and that's about it. I remember thinking, when I woke up two hours later, that was pretty easy.

The day you get to the hospital, you'll likely be waiting with people and the families of others having having some serious operations like cancer, heart problems, etc. I remember one woman having a 7 hour operation. Once you see them, and realize what they must be going through, your fears should be better.

Now, if your doctor is nervous....

 

[Swright]

Been there, done that...

I cancelled my THR two times due to anxiety....I finally had to grab myself by the shirt collar/schedule my surgery and mantra all the reasons I was doing it, and why thousands of others do it every year..

I felt better being told that it is a normal response. I don't think the OS's address it very well, so when you schedule your appt you wonder if you are normal for feeling that way. I personally think they should have a pamphlet regarding pre-surgery anxiety.

I'm 4days shy of being a whole 6wks post op. So far,so good. I can sleep through the night without waking everytime I try to turn,I can tie my shoes&sit four hours w/out pain. Still working out some kinks, but overall it's been good. Deep breaths and focus on why you are doing it, not the "what ifs"..Hang in there!

 

[Roo73]

I'm pre surgery too - and I have a long way before I get there. I understand that anxiety perfectly because I'm having the same issues. I don't think the surgery scares me - it's the recovery I'm afraid of. I'm such a wuss..... Mine is for TKR but the anxiety sounds the same. I go through the same ups and downs - telling myself it'll be so great when I can do.....whatever. Then I have moments of sheer panic And I don't think the surgeons address it well enough either. They figure they're doing THEIR job with just the surgery and the rest is up to us! We can BOTH do it. I've been thinking of one thing at a time that I'll be able to do that I can't do now when I get the most panicky. I've never had major surgery of any kind and I'm terrified too. But we WILL get through it. We have these great people here on the forum who have done this too and SURVIVED and are here to cheer us on. So let's both take a deep breath and be excited and not scared. OK?

 

[sunshine]

Hi Ano,
Yes, yes, everything you say is true. You made me laugh with the Doc being nervous. I know things have to be better then where I am now. I am going through the (no aspirin or anti inflamatory pills now now OMG I think every bone in my body hurts. And I have 9 more days like this....ouch. Think positive..do as I say ummmmm I will, I will I am Lol Thank you...

 

[sunshine]

Swright,
Just thinking about sleeping through the night woud be a blessing in itself. Funny I know when I say that, that all of you have been there and know exactly what I am saying and feeling aghhh. So I know I will feel what your all feeling after but it will sort of be like a hurt for the good??? Cause it will get better, and everyday in everyway I will get better and better. I think...Lol Thank you for positives..

 

[sunshine]

Roo73,
Yes, thank God for this place because there is something about talking with people that have been there and they are still here Lol I think I agree with you it is the after that is scarey. I am so worried about my hip popping out. And how will I stand on my one good hip which isn't good either but I will..I know I will.And being diabetic, will I heal ok...I heal now ok so the scar should too. But I keep thinking of things. The plus we have are walking normal, no moaning with every move, and oh to touch my toes one day. Ok we will make a deal, I go first then you! Everything will be ok...and anxiety is excitiment like Josephine said..ah ooommmmm breathe deep. One day at a time, maybe one hour then a day. When is your TKR scheduled? Thank you for your spirit .

 

[BigDog Mom]

Hi Sunshine,
I use distraction a lot. I can't believe any one would not be nervous. I am not scheduled until Aug for simultaneous bi laterals but I am trying to distract myself by preparing my body as best I can given my limitations. I go to hydro therapy 3 times a week which some days just feels good to be in the warm water and some days I can really exercise and feel good. I bought a resistance machine and I work out on that 3 days a week too. I keep telling my 13 yo daughter when Mom comes out of surgery watch out I am going to be fitter than her!;)
You don't have to buy equipment you can use soup cans as weights or books or stones from the yard or elastic from the local fabric store. But focusing on doing what I can to strengthen my muscles has helped a lot with the anxiety because I have something I can do while I am waiting.;)

Best wishes,
Donna

 

[JudyS]

Hi
I am more "excited " today about replacing my right hip after a class at the hospital. I was OK with the whole decision, then some reality set in. The restrictions for the posterior approach. I ususally sit on the floor, how will I make sand castles at the beach. Do I have to carrry a giant toilet seat with me????? Will I cross my legs in the middle of the night!!!!!!!!!!
Too much excitement
Judy

 

[sunshine]

Seawell44,
I had to laugh because the last time I went to the beach which was many months ago I almost thought I was going to be stuck there forever!
I like to snorkle, and when it came time to get out the water was a bit higher and rougher then when I first went in. So there was a larger dip in the sand trying to get out. My hip wasn't going to let me step up that high so I sat down like that is what I wanted to do. Then I realized I couldn't get out alone. So I went further up the beach where there were more people and as luck had it the sand was much harder there and shallow so I was able to walk out. OMG I never went to the beach since. I laugh now but it was scarey.

I wonder too if that will all be possible again. Maybe carrying the huge tolite seat around is the funniest thought in my head but that gives me anxiety and I WANT to be excited! LOL

 

[skichick63]

Prior to my surgery I was hesitant to admit out loud that I was excited forhe surgery because I didn't want people to think I was some psycho that got off on surgery, so I continued being "nervous". I finally admitted excitement regarding my future without pain and disability and wow! It Worked!!

 

[JudyS]

Sunshine,

I can relate to the snorkling story. In March, I decided to go cross country skiing. I had not been in 20 years, had arthroscopic hip surgery 5 weeks previous, so why not I thought.
It really was slippery out there, probably within 15 minutes I had fallen 5 times. Finally could not get up!!. My doc told me my leg would be weak. He was right. I aimed myself at a tree to stabalize, a man came by and tried to get me away from the tree!! I finally did get up and took the skiis off!!! I then made snow angels. Maybe it will be easier next winter.
Judy

 

[Josephine]

Prior to my surgery I was hesitant to admit out loud that I was excited forhe surgery because I didn't want people to think I was some psycho that got off on surgery, so I continued being "nervous". I finally admitted excitement regarding my future without pain and disability and wow! It Worked!!

Been there myself, skichick - I am one of those weirdos that actually enjoys being put to sleep. I think it's an awesome experience. But I was so afraid people would think me odd, I too continued declaring nervousness. I dunno - us nurses are truly weird! ;-)

 

[wendy]

Ok I spoke to the Doc and he said I would be on antibiotics before and after surgery anyway but to check with a dentist about having an infection which I don't think it is....
So now I have to reschedule my pre opt mamo and ekg ect which I xl yesterday out of fear. My heart is doing the cha cha cha the last few days and i know I can't be under any more stress then I am now. And I have had this before with stress. OMG I feel like I am falling apart at the seams here and I thought I had it together...I have like three weeks yet and at this rate I will stroke out.
God am I a baby or what? I have everything to look forward to by having this hip replaced..like walking, no walker, no wheel chair..independence again. I should be fine with this what the heck is happening to me now????
I had a gall baladder taken out last year and drove home the next day from the hospital.....I was fine Why am I so scared now?? The pain has to go...it has to go. Surgery is a good thing even if it is dangerous it is better then a chair...I am a basket case.

I have had my 1st thr this past March on the right side and have it schudled trh for my lert side this June. I still am not 60% om my right hip yet. but I understand your fears I had already had 3 Back surgerys. I have had great response with my right and now I am looking forward to the next thr with some fears .I fear that I won't be able able to compare to what I used to be.
I've been told that after the thr I will need a pain pump and or Neurostimulation therpy implant to help the nerve damage.
I have found that I have to try to do something small new everyday.
Crafts have healped me with my nerves chrocheting is great for me .
Hope that I helped wendy