THR My Aching Rear!!

[hipmom]

So sorry to hear that you keep getting the run around :hissyfit: I hope that you were able to enjoy your time away. I wish there was something I could do to help . . . I will keep you in my prayers and pray that you get relief soon. Take care of yourself - thinking of you!!

Donna

 

[HappyHippy]

Hi Julie,

In my own experience, my first OS started saying it was back problems when the hip was failing. Actually, this happened to me both before my hip was recognized as needing to be replaced, and after the Hip replacement wasn't so satisfactory. Don't expect the OS who did your hip to say "Oops, I screwed up!" Get the rep of someone very good and get a second opinion. The most non-invasive thing you can do to check your back is get a EMG (electromylogram) which you did. This will tell you if you have problems with any of your back nerve roots. Stay away from cortisone injections as tests - it breaks down cartilage. None of us need more of that! I've allowed them to give me way too much over the years, and most of the time it didn't work. There's that first good one, but afterwards ... :P

What works for me is pacing myself. After an active day, take a slow one. Gabapentin helps with my nerve pain better than other meds. It doesn't get rid of the pain, but dulls it. True sciatica (for me) caused pain in my foot first.

There's the psoas muscle too. Sometimes it impinges. Sometimes they use that as an excuse for a less-than-successful hip. Jo's right about the Piriforus too. Tricky ****** to get to. Massage is great and glad it's working for you

I have trocanter bursitis (I'm told) too, but it's more a symptom than a cause. Try rest and ice and see if that helps, and I mean staying down and icing whenever you don't have to be on your feet.

In the meanwhile, look for that new OS. I think they like to play Patient Hot Potato, or is that Already Paid And Tired of Hearing You (APATHY).

 

[Juliep]

So the story goes on.....I saw back doctor yesterday. He was very good by looking over everything, asking a lot of questions about the hip replacements and pains before and after, etc. etc. By looking at my MRI he also has said there are some issues, but not enough issues. He said that with the EMG showing L5 Radiculopathy he could agree with that. He would like me to have a transforaminal epidural injection to go right to the spot. He said that I would know right away/couple days how it does and it would also be a tool for him to further evaluate things. Hmmmmm once again.

So after I was done talking with him, I went down the hallway to meet up with my Hip OS. He came out of a room from a patient and chatted for a little bit. He said if my hip bursitis continued, he could give me injection for that, but I should continue first with the back doctor to see what he can do. I told him they downloaded my hip MRI that I brought along, but of course he didn't even view it. I asked about the partical disease needing further radiographic correlation and he said that was nonsense, because that only occurs in metal on metal and mine is metal on poly. Well he didn't even view the MRI to see what the radiologist was referring to. I will see about going to Tampa area for a second opinion just so I feel fine with things.

Here we go again.....just love it.

Now the vacation was wonderful for the weekend, however far too much walking for me and my hips felt it and every muscle in my legs felt it.

 

[VThereandnow]

Yikes, the journey continues for you. Glad you were able to have that little getaway though, even if you did walk too much. Sometimes you just have to get away. Good luck with your decision around the shot. -Cathy

 

[C Mac]

Well, you sure picked a good weekend to come to the DC/Baltimore area!! The weather was beautiful!! I hope that you enjoyed yourself and that your hips & legs "felt it" in a semi-normal way.

Sorry that no clear answers are coming about from the MRI and EMG testing. Are you feeling well enough to take a break from doctors visits? Sometimes it can help to take a step back from all the medical options if your pain is not too great. It's nice that you got out of town for the weekend, maybe that helped some too!!

Take care,
Cardie

 

[DaveGM]

Hi Julie

sorry to hear you are getting the run around in sorting out your problem

The medical profession can be brilliant but it seems to me only when they know what they are dealing with. Getting to that point of a definitive diagnosis seem to be a real problem on too many occasions.

Perhaps a second opinion would be a good way forward.

I really feel for you and hope you soon get a resolution to the problem and a positive way forward.

Take care

Dave

 

[Juliep]

Well I had the CT transforminal injection today. I will see what relief I may get from this. I have a follow up with the back doctor in 2 weeks. I'm done with getting this injections though. If I don't get relief from this then I still feel like it has to do with my hip and I will go elsewhere for a second opinion and really need to do so anyway since my OS hasn't really been interested in knowing whats going on.

In the recliner now and have been using ice pack and just am whipped.

 

[hipmom]

Hey Julie - just wondering how you are doing. I haven't been on in awhile, but I think of you! Hope you are finding some relief. Doing the knees soon?

 

[Poppet]

Hi Julie.. how are you doing babe?