THR Marvellous Marvin's New Home

[Jaycey]

Osteo and accupuncture are a perfect combo! In fact my osteo did the accupuncture after each treatment. It certainly worked for me!

Hang in there Carol! It's sometimes a very long and slow process. But you'll get there!

 

[Mad Rocker]

Week 16

I am having concerns about limping. I still have a pretty significant Trendelenburg gain (penguin walk.) Hopefully my fitness place will be able to help. They are a facility that specializes in medical conditions, joint repl rehab and injury rehab for people over the age of 50. So far it has been OK. Gentle and slow.

I saw the surgeon on Friday. I had, of course, made a mountain of a molehill in my expectations of what was going to happen. He initially couldn’t understand why I was still using a mobility aid (hiking pole) until I reminded him of the injury.What injury?!?

After explaining when I got hurt the dynamics of the appointment changed. He checked for ROM and then flopped my leg around (all the time hurting the dickens out of me). He said that most of my problems that I am having now are the injury. He indicated that it was going to take more time for the injury to heal and for recovery but since the injury had happened so soon after surgery I may never gain total strength in my hip and possibly a permanent slight limp. Well I think to myself Thank you for the good news.

What were you doing when the injury occurred? Side leg lifts should not be done until after at least 6 weeks POP. I’m thinking Nuts to this…it would have been safer for me to go home after surgery and stay in bed.

What is going on that the system is so broken? Well there is nothing I can do now except trust that things will turn around.

Surgeon: Are you working yet? Me: No because you said I was not walking well enough to return to work. Then he tells me to come back in three months and go to pool rehab. What about work? This is so confusing. Not that I feel strong enough for work right now but at some time I think I need to return to work??? Won’t they miss me after awhile…hummmm maybe not. Who sends me back to work????

I’m going to go and see my supervisor and let her know what is going on and I will make an app’t with my GP and ask him what the deal is. It surprises me what is not said and then again what is said. Like at 6 weeks the surgeon is giving me the gears about the narcotics that I am on and this time 2 months later he didn’t even ask about drugs. Go figure. And when I asked him if the precautions are lifted he looked right through me and walked away. I know I need to be more assertive but com’on this is ridiculous.

I have been going to the fitness place for one on one training for 2+ weeks on the machines and as soon as the surgeon signs off on the program that they have created for me hopefully full steam ahead slowly and I can start an exercise program.

Ahhhhh….some days are diamond and the next day is coal….

Take care everyone and be comfortable.

 

[Jaycey]

Gosh Carol, my condolences! Your OS must drive you crazy. Don't you just hate having to remind every medical professional about your case! Sounds like there are some major unanswered question left. Can you call his office about your restrictions? Perhaps you could ask your GP about going to back to work?

Good luck with your exercise program!

 

[TracyW]

Yikes Carol, I was just reading through your posts and it sounds like your OS has either a memory problem or a Care problem. It would just take a moment for your OS to read your chart before he walked into the room; you must be frustrated. My OS told me anything up to 12 weeks off work was considered normal. At 6 weeks I didn't feel as if I had the stamina to go back to work (I am on my feet all day) and we decided to try 8 weeks. He then signed off on all my insurance/disability paperwork.

Is there a PA or Nurse who can spend more time with you about the gaps? It's amazing as I read through the Bonesmart stories how many gaps there are in communication. Thank goodness we have each other!

Good luck in hydro class and I look forward to reading more of your posts,
Tracy

 

[Mad Rocker]

Week 17+
12:44 am

I have had a queer day today. Good thing my son was here to keep me level and in my mind. I saw my GP today and he abruptly told me that its time to go back to work and to get off of the narcotics. No theatrical build up with music or fade to black return after the commercial----just its time.

I am feeling particularly vulnerable as I still do not feel well enough for either but maybe it is time to bite the bullet and stick my red painted toe nails into the water.

 

[Mad Rocker]

1:39 am

Sleepless-----
Does anyone know anything about the EMS units. They are like TENS machines except for sparking useless muscles back into shape. I have missing my glutes. I cannot do a side leg lift. Even my surgeon said I cannot initiate the lift. Its like I lost my glute medius somewhere. This has been this way since surgery and that is the reason I tore my hip flexor trying to do a side leg lift. Any thoughts?

Thanks and take care

 

[Poppet]

Hey Carol..

So good to hear from you, but not under the circumstances. I read about your OS appointment. - not much encouragement there!

Then your GP wants to send you back to work....

What is with your whole medical team...

I can't remember if you have done any pool walking... I found it exceptionally good . I started as soon as I had my 4 week OS appointment and did it every day for just 10 mins for a couple of months.. Just gently walking up and down the pool at waist height. No exercises just the walking.. would that be an option for you?

 

[tashia]

Carol, Just try to sit back and take a deep breath. Try not to push too hard. I know its hard to be down, At time I'm feeling like I am going nuts but that will pass too. Find something that will take your mind off. I really can''t say how I would respond to work because I am retired. I do know being around people help me a lot. Sandy walking in the pool sounds so cool. Can hardly wait to start doing it. Well I think its time for some more pills or how I hate taking them but right now its the way it is.Tashia

 

[Jaycey]

Carol, can you go back to your OS and discuss your situation. Your GP sounds like he has no clue. There is no recovery time table. It's time to go back to work and get off the heavy meds when you are ready - not when he is! Rant over - please update when you feel up to it!

 

[Anniepops]

Oh Carol, between your OS and your GP you have got a right pair!! How infuriating this must be for you. I'm so sorry you are having all these problems with them along with your recovery issues. In these situations we have to be our own advocate regardless if those in the medical profession think we are being a pest or a pain. You are entitled to request help if you feel you need it. I know we patients often just feel like the 'little people' when dealing with doctors but we need to stick up for ourselves when we KNOW that something is not right.

Hoping you can get to speak to someone who will actually listen to you about your concerns.

Take care

Hugs

Ann,x.

 

[Mad Rocker]

7:45 pm

Week 17+ POP

Hello Everyone

I have been laying low since my visit with my family doctor last Friday; was depressed for several days and even now I have bouts of mild anxiety that I don’t know if it is to do with the situation or the fact that I am tapering down my drugs.

I figure that I might as well face the inevitable (return to work) and get the drugs down to as low as possible. I am doing well as I am now on the Tylenol/ibuprofen cocktail. I have been looking up liver damage and drugs just so I can scare the begeesus out of myself. That is not helping at all, I know but crisis manager I am. I do have some concerns regarding liver damage as my liver enzyme tests showed something was going on with my liver and that was the original reason that I was withdrawn from Tylenol but recalling the message from my GP, liver problems are the lesser of two evils when it comes to narcotic pain killers.

I will be looking for a new family doctor. I am just uncomfortable with the situation as it has unfolded. Writing scripts for drugs is not what I call patient care.

My osteopath was dumbfounded when I told him I was heading back to work. He feels that one more month would guarantee success in my return to work. My success is also a concern for my boss so she is sending me to their gov’t doctor who will do an assessment to see if I am in deed OK for work. I am not holding my breath and I am preparing myself as best as I can for the unexpected. Ouch! I hate the lack of control that this is bringing up for me. Nuts!!!

Thank you so much Ann, Jaycey, Tashia, Sandy, Judy, Diane, Dee, Bea, and Cathy for your support and kind words. This is what is keeping me on track.

Take care and be comfortable everyone

 

[Jaycey]

Well at least your boss is on the right track. I am sure OH doc will not release you to work. Fingers crossed! Hang in there Carol. Time for things to go your way!

 

[Poppet]

Hi Carol, oh hon! My heart goes out to you tonight as I read through your last thread.. This is a tough time and I can imagine the anxiety levels are up and down.. You have been through so much all ready and none of it caused by yourself.. This is so wrong.. But..

We have to have all fingers and toes crossed that the Govt Doc will come to the right conclusion and ensure that you have more time off... You need it.. You are not ready yet..

I went through a similar situation when I was threatened with the Govt Doc and chatter like.... 'maybe you are not ready to come back...' I was so cranky! But in your situation they have to see reason...

Hang in babe... And don't stay away so long, we need updates from you... I just wish I could reach around the world and give you a big hug x

 

[Pumpkin]

Hi Carol,
What a rough time you have been through. I am glad your Boss is having the Govt doctor check you out, and hope you get the time you need before going back to work. At least your osteopath is sympathetic, here they carry the same weight as an MD, maybe he can help with a letter.

 

[dianemarie]

Carol,

How are you? Missing you, please post, we love to hear from you even if you think it is not great news, it helps to write and know that people care and we do.

How is the work situation coming along? and any more visits with osteopath?

Sincerely hoping you are hanging in there. Love and hugs to you.

 

[Hagar]

Hi Carol. I have not checked in for a while and I am distressed to see you are still facing challenges. I wish you all the best my friend.... and I am absolutely delighted with my OS and GP, especially after reading your tribulations!

 

[Pumpkin]

Hi Carol,
Just popping in to see how you are doing? You have been through so much and was wondering how your healing is coming along.
Hope to see you here soon,

 

[rider1960]

Carol, I'm so sorry you are running into so many problems. How frustrating!

Please keep us posted. Sounds like your boss and the osteopath are your best allies right now.

Dorothy

 

[Mad Rocker]

9:30 am
Week 21+ POP

If I hear weak hip muscles one more time I swear I will tilt and scream at the top of my lungs....

My hip muscles are not weak they were cut. Two different things totally. One I have control over as in not having exercised enough and now my muscles are weak-----The other was at the hands of my OS who cut, sliced, diced and ficasseed my muscles. That is why they are (weak). PT just seems to miss that point and has you doing things that your muscles are not able to do at times and that is the time for understanding and flexibility because I know that there is more than one way to do a side leg lift.

There I have ranted----

Have a good day everyone and be comfortable

 

[Jaycey]

Hi Carol, good to see you hear but sorry you are frustrated. If indeed you need to build strength around your new hip you are certainly doing the right thing. There is light at the end of this tunnel (no, no it's not a freight train)!