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Revision THR Nanamac's story - Part 2

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Re: This is my story

Wow! Thank you Heather. Isn't this just awful? I know it's not imaginary yet I think my docs really don't believe me. Just becuse they can't see it on film, they poo poo it away. And you really have to BEG for pain meds over here.

I was xrayed 3 times before my femure fracture was visible and that was beause I was injured by a CNA who actually broke off a piece of the trochanter. That was when it became visible...

I know you don't have pain like this for no reason. But, I know that percocet is not strong enough for this pain so I can't wait to see the Pain Clinic doc on 10/27.

If nobody can find what is hurting me, than I've got to get some pain relief until they can. I can hardly walk anymore...and of course now my knees have decided to become just as painful...that is why I thought it may be a disease and not related to the THR at all... according to all the labs taken that is not the case. And thank God, but then why???
 
Re: This is my story

Janet,

I had x-ray, after x-ray, bone scans, MRI's that have programs that can override the metals in patients, and there wasn't one of them that showed everything that was wrong with my THR. Most in fact conflicted one another, it was a long painful 18 months for me to wait for what I certainly didn't want to end up with, more surgery, but now that the revision is done and over with I'm so glad I agreed to it.

I also had a broken femur, my g-trochanter was broken into may pieces, and it didn't ever heal properly but I'm telling you the revision has helped so much and it's not even two weeks since it was done.

Keep thinking positive, and believe that your hip will feel better once they do whatever they must do to get it right for you.
 
Re: This is my story

I totally agree with you SL. Like you, I need to find "THE" doctor! Then I'm off and runnin' :th_heehee:. Until one takes me seriously, he/she isn't touching me! Twice already was bad. Third time HAS TO BE the charm :yahoo:!
 
Re: This is my story

I understand, you've been through enough, and the next time has to be the time that they go in with a plan, know exactly what needs to be done and get it handled.
 
Re: This is my story

It's really awful! I also feel they think I'm imagining it, I also am paranoid that it has gone on so long that my family and friends think that too.. My husband is very supportive he says he knows I'm in pain as I cry during my sleep.. I don't know why either, I just hope it ends and soon.. Here in Spain they are very "pill happy" by that I mean they hand medication out like sweets.. Infact one doctor said to me when I said how am I supposed to live like this? "just take the morphine come back when you are 60"!!! So another 27 years of this... I don't think so... Xx
 
Re: This is my story

Wow, so you are only 33! That is awful! I am 60 and feel doctors think it's ok to be 60 and feel like this! And they WON'T give out pills without begging! SO it can be torture trying to get thru the day.

I have gone from bad to worse and I was NEVER right after the surgery. The original OS kept blaming it on weak muscles when I now have figured out the the cup is placed wrong...it is throwing off everything else as I can't stand on my leg properly and have NEVER been able to since the THR.

This had nothing to do with the fracture...
 
Re: This is my story

I was ok after the surgery for 18 months, then it started and just became unbearable, rest makes no difference... So for you from day 1 is just horrible.. I have contacted my consultant in the UK who did my left hip in 2000 I don't want to go back to the one who did this..so fingers crossed he will offer me something.. Yes I'm only 33, and in the 18 good months I had a baby girl who is now 20 months and it's just so sad that I can't be the Mummy I should be.. But anyway good luck with the pain consultant, even just to get some relief until you get an answer.. Xxx
 
Re: This is my story

Nanamac and lunes - my heart goes out to you with all you have been through. It is so nice to hear that special lady has found resolution and i'm sure her story will help you through. I pray that you each will find the help you need with a successful outcome soon :friends:
 
Re: This is my story

I thought I was getting better as time went by, because I wanted to believe that, but I really was just healing from the surgeries. I wasn't getting better as far as the THR fixing the problem.

Now, since I fell at the beginning of September, I have been much worse, yet the xray showed nothing. And, I didn't have the knee problems when I had my surgeries. Now I have both!

It is very discouraging but now that I am ready to do something about it, I feel better mentally, even though the physical pain is worse.

I was petrified at the thought of more surgery, but I have come to accept the fact that this is not going to get better on it's own, so my ONLY option, I think, is more surgery.

I have tried pt and exercising on my own and I honestly can't do it. That shows me that the leg is not positioned properly. When I fell I cound not get up as I had no strength in my legs what so ever. I had to crawl to a chair that I was able to haul myself up on. That was terrible, and that is how weak my legs have gotten.

Add to that the fact that Inow weight 175 pounds at 5'4" since I don't burn any calories. My life is spent in my recliner except for when I go to doctor's appointments. That is pathetic!

SO, now I am going through with the appointments at 1.) the pain clinic and 2.) knee OS. I have decided that 2012 will be the year I get this resolved. I am going to do my homework this time and find "THE" doctor.

Acceptance is the key here. Denial is where I have been hiding. Fear of the unkown. I know what pain is, horrific pain, so it can't be any worse that what I have already endured.

I sure hope not to find that again, but I think if I finally get this done properly, I shouldn't end up like that again. It is still scary but living like this is not no longer acceptable.
 
Re: This is my story

Lunes, if you are prepared to come back to the UK for a revision, whereabouts would you be coming to? Would you like me to find you a revision surgeon? Are you a UK resident still?
 
Re: This is my story

Lunes & Janet,


I truly want you both to know there are Doctors out there that will listen to you, that have the experience, and that you can trust. Just don't give up or give in... Don't ever lose your spirit, I mean that will all my heart too! Because pain has a way of robbing & really tiring you out, and wearing you down.


Doctors are human just like everyone else, don't allow yourselves to feel intimidated by them. It took a while for my Doctor to figure out everything, and he even asked for help from another Doctor and once they figured it all out, it wasn't long at all to get it taken care of once and for all. I'm still healing, but I can tell that my hip is right....so don't give up, and believe that your hips will get taken care of soon. I remember clearly thinking this can't be how the rest of my life is going to be in such pain. I recall thinking will they ever figure things out. How many surgeries will I have to go through before it's right.


Now that its taken care of, the time while waiting is easily put behind me.

Both of you please trust that the Medical field will figure this all out for you, and that you will be able to put it all behind you too!
 
Re: This is my story

I agree SL. Now that I've accepted the fact that it is going to take more surgery to do it, I am becomming ok with it. That was the hardest part, accepting that I needed to go through it again. Jo has been telling me that for a long time, but I think it is the cup not the stem that has the problem...or perhaps both!

All I know is, my leg is clearly not positioned properly. To look at yes, to walk on no. So trying to strengthen it is actually hurting it more, rather than helping it.

Took me 18 months to figure this out :DOH:...thought I was just healing from the fracture and the THR.

You really have given me hope SL.
 
Re: This is my story

Hi

Yes I'm still a resident, we have our house in Shropshire. I really would like to go back to Mr Treacy..But I would be interested to hear who/where the best revision surgeons are, I also have a lot of family in Newcastle..which is where I grew up and had most of my hip operations as a teenager.

At this point any help would be much appreciated...

Heather
 
Re: This is my story

Sorry I posted that from my phone and it's gone haywire! From copy and paste..
 
Re: This is my story

All fixed Heather. I am sure Jo will be along later to give you some input on a surgeon.
 
Re: This is my story

Janet. I hope you find relief soon. Please check out The Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC. They are the #1 ranked hospital for orthopedic procedures in the USA. The surgeons are world class. Perhaps one of the surgeons has an office close to MA that you could go to for an evaluation. Good luck. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
 
Re: This is my story

Thanks Jenny. I did hold onto that info that you gave me before. I just wasn't ready to make a move at that time...FEAR! Now that I am accepting the fact that that may be my only recourse for relief, I am certainly more open minded about checking out other doctors.

My daughter is TOTLLY against me listening to anyone on the internet as she is untrusting, anf probably with good reason. SO this is not something I will do lightly. And that is with no offense to anyone on Bone Smart.

Believe me, I would do a lot of homework before I jumped into something as BIG as a revision. But, I am open to suggestions now, as well as Magnolia's about checking out Lahey Clinic which is local.

I have not been very happy with any of the specialists I have seen lately, and my GP is MORE ticked off than I am, if possible. That is why she has been so generous with refilling my pain meds. She knows I have been looking for answers and keep falling short of getting them.

She is even angry about the hospitalization and them not finding anything. Believe me, we had a wonderful discussion last Monday, but as she said, she can only do so much as she is NOT a specialist. SHe keeps referring me and the specialists keep scratching their heads.

Anyway, I've been stretching, icing and alternating heat the last several days, and a lot of the discomfort from the fall is disipating. I probably should have continued after a few days but I stopped too soon. That being said, I've also increased my pain medication so that has helped as well.

I'm not going to jump at anything until I see the Pain Clinic doc and the Knee OS to see what they have to offer. If I don't get anywhere with them, then I will check out the other docs. I just can't run any more than I am from doc to doc. It is taking too much out of me as it is, mentally and physically.

I'm feeling a lot more positive than I did a few weeks ago. Thanks to all of you for your suggestions and kindness. Thanks again.
 
Re: This is my story

Janet dear, thinking of you and sending love and hugs to a wonderfully brave lady. :wink1:
 
Re: This is my story

Janet,
I want you to know that I did receive you direct message to me, and I now got on the site (had to look up all the protocol, logon stuff and such) and it will take some time for me to study your thread.
But I do want to to let you know that I'm doing well at ...at 11 months after the revision. I just got back from the wilds of Missouri and 150 miles of bike riding. My revised hip is a little "tight"-tighter than the other THR, but the surgeon said we "really had to nail this one in this time". But I'm getting around pretty well.
It took the revision to get going again. PT, my own efforts and experimentations to "get going"-everything was unsuccessful until the revision, leaving me in pain again in the recliner or, on at least two occasions, in the ER. Mostly what I learned, in part from the support I received here, was that whereas our "condititons" are all different we have to trust the voice that says "something is not right" and keep pushing for resolution. In my case they couldn't see anything until they went back in (an MRI was out because I have a pacemaker). But I finally convinced the surgeon by feining suedo-suicidal conversation, saying atabout 12 months, "I can't live this way". He wrung my leg and hip out, as only sugeons can insensitively do, and pronounced that "yes, something's wrong in there".
So I will back track and read your thread some. I feel apologetic because I have been away for quite awhile, but I do appreciate your contact, and I realize that we all are comrades in these sometimes very distressing affairs, and that I owe you all some responces because I have received so much support from all of you.
Jim.
 
Re: This is my story

Janet, Would you give me a rundown on your status and upcoming plans? I'm having a little trouble piecing things together going back on the thread. I sure want to know how you are doing and what you anticipate from this point.
Jim
 
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