THR Need a friend who has been on the other side of a late infection

[tashia]

Barbie is a very good hospital. Wow are they good. Wish I had them. If you have had a bad experience it is hard to feel safe. But remember that bad doctors I believe are not the norm but if you had one it makes it ruff to trust and hard to try again. But in when you were a baby when you were learning how to walk, you fall and sometime cryed but you got up and tried again until you got it. Well life is like that but when we are older we remember the bad times and do have a harder time forgetting the bad. I can't tell you how to make it better because right now I am dealing with the same problem with my family doctor. The only thing I can say is take a day at a time and trust your feeling and most important do your homework. Then after doing that I found I have to turn it over to God and let him take care of it. I do have a hard time turning it over but that is what we need to do. So it looks like you really are doing the foot work. So now do you need to let go of it and let God deal or a Higher Power deal with it? Keep doing your research if you are need to find out if this doctor does revision. I know this is a silly question but do you need a revision or more time to heal? Or you don't know. I can't remember if you had a doctor tell need one. I been so busy dealing with my problems that I am having at this time in my life. We are going to make it to the finish line. It just taking us more time. Please take care. Tashia

 

[C Mac]

On another subject, I have an appointment with the Living Well Center PT. I am going to begin physical therapy assessment and hopefully join an exercise program to hopefully gain some strength.

Hi Barbie,

When is your appointment with the new PT center?? I am hoping that they may be able to help with some of the aches and pains that you feel.

I have a tender spot in my incision as well, it's actually a little lump. When I had an ultrasound of my incision I also was diagnosed as having greater trochanteric bursitis. That was why I asked if you only feel the discomfort in your incision directly or if you have any tenderness/discomfort more towards your hip?

Hoping that you don't need a revision and that it's just an ongoing adjustment issue. My hip isn't what I'd expected either but I am gradually getting used to my issues. As you went about choosing your first hip surgeon, that's how you'd find your revisionist -- interviews and examinations.

I think as you sort our some of the other physical issues you are dealing with maybe there will also come more clarity on your hip as well.

Take care,
Cardie

 

[tashia]

Came over to see how you are doing. I hope the passed couple of days have been better. This is a long journey and lot of patience. It will happen but when it is ready. Please take care. Tashia

 

[Poppet]

Hi there Barbie

Just catching up on some of the posts in your thread.. You are doing it tough hon.. Hang in there, we are here for you!

 

[starrhyker]

Hello, I had my total hip surgery on 11/27/12. 10 weeks later, after 2 visits to the ER for pain swelling, and drainage at the insicion site. and 2 emergency visits to doc. I was told all was normal. 2 weeks later I went back to hospital and insisted on more blood work, they did blood culture too. Well I have the worst Staph infection! now I need 6 weeks of in home IV treatment, and more pain pills. But finally I have NO PAIN! so be careful to keep your insicion site very clean!! Thank you ​

 

[BarbieJ]

UPDATE
I had my exam with my colorectal surgeon 6 days ago. He did not see an anal fissure or anything, really, other than the fact that I am a tight *** ha, I already knew that! Put me on topical creams but when I got home, I see that one of them has a calcium channel blocker in the cream so I am not using it since I had a horrible allergic reaction to a blocker years ago, although it was a pill.
I took my pre meds before my appointment just to be safe.
Went to my dentist for ongoing pain in the area where my tooth was extracted and he is trying a new treatment, lazier heat therapy on the gum area.
Cancelled my new physical therapy appointment because of the snowstorm. The next appointment I could make is two weeks from now. Crud.
Felt nauseated again this morning. I wonder what this is about? Hard not to worry.
So, I guess I really do not have any news to report. No news is good news for me. I have been trying a new stretch for my psoas tendon. I lie facing up knees bent. Raise and straighten one leg off the floor and lift my butt off the floor at the same time requiring me to use this muscle and then switch legs. I made it up. It seems to be working.
My shoulder pain comes and goes with my activity level, so I try to not use it much.
Hope this all works.

 

[BarbieJ]

starrhyker,
Thanks for posting here. So, you were able to keep your prosthesis?
I am glad you are not in pain. How did you manage on the I' V antibiotics? What were you on?
My incision scar is very good looking but I am over one year post op.
I still wish I wasn't so scared about infection. On Tuesday, the neighbors dog greeted me with a jump up on me and planted his dirty snowy paws right on the area near my scar. Soaked right through my pants. I went home and washed the area with soap and water and applied an antiseptic. Probably silly but, not worth risking.

 

[tashia]

BarbieJ Thank you for coming over and saying Hi. I also think about you and the process you are making. I found that the fear of infection especially if you have had problems is natural. It is interesting that with the first total replacement I worried because I got one, now with the others it still crosses my mind espeically when I found out about the tooth. All seem to be ok. Remember this path is to recovery and and we all have to go down the path in the time that it takes to get to the end of the path. The hip is in charge and it doesn't tell it when it ready to take on the world so take care. Your tooths will get better it too takes time. Tashia

 

[alexthecat]

I'm confused about the exercise you've made up, but it doesn't sound like a psoas stretch at all. Perhaps you could get some guidance from your PT on that. In the meantime, there is a very comprehensive thread on hip flexor stretches in the Library forum here.

Also, your artificial hip is not going to become infected by a dog, no matter how dirty its paws, jumping on you. That just isn't how it works. Have you read Jo's article on infection in the Library?

 

[glynis]

Hi Barbie

Pleased to hear you sounding more upbeat, despite continuing problems. I know that medical tests are never 100%, and can give false readings, but try to take heart that all yours seem to be giving encouraging results.

You did exactly the right thing after the dog incident - I would have done the same - but now just forget it. File it away under Not Worth Worrying About.

On Tuesday I had my 8-week follow-up appt, after my 2-stage revision last year. It was very good news. All hardware well in place (including nifty wire fencing), bone graft taking nicely, no sign of infection. I am free of all restrictions, and signed off for a year.

After all the ups and downs of the 3 years since my accident, I know better than to get too cocky about this.

But for the moment I am enjoying it. I went out on my own yesterday for the first time in many months. Drove half an hour to the shops, did some food shopping, bought 2 much-needed new pairs of shoes, and drove home. Such an achievement!

I have no idea what caused my infection, which came to light 18 months after the post-accident surgery. I suppose whatever happened, could happen again. But the thing about worry, as far as I know, is that it doesn't build a protective shield around whatever it is that you are worrying about.

I think you know that, really, if you will admit it to yourself.

All the best.

Glynis

 

[BarbieJ]

Thanks for posting glynis. I would feel better about things if my skin didn't burn and itch constantly from head to toe, especially on my hip and bladder. I am having a cruddy day today. My leg feels odd. I had one of my deep sharp pains this morning right where my scar is. My dental pain is not getting any better and would sure like some answers there as well. It's frustrating to seek so much medical treatment from dentists, colorectal surgeons, urologists, etc, just to have everyone scratching their heads.
Did you have any itching associated with your infection?
As far as my stretch. The inside of my thigh always has tight aching. I was not able to bear weight on it for months after my surgery. My exercise is one to use that specific muscle or tendon on the inside of my thigh
So all I can do is work on hoping and praying that I don't have an infection and getting things done in my life. I will be honest, most days all I want to do is stay home and lie down. I feel like my body is having one big allergic reaction to something, but all tests so far show nothing, so that is good. I thank God every day for each day.

 

[HappyHippy]

Hi Barbie,

Have you been checked for any systemic illnesses, like fibromyalgia or similar problems? Also, did they follow up with the Psoas possibility of impingement? Usually they give you a series of cortisone injections (2) and if that relieves the groin pain, they go in and release the muscle, because it's being pinched in the prosthesis. Groin pain is a symptom of impingement, and it happens more frequently with the Anterior approach. in fact, some research recommends to release the Psoas with the Anterior because of the impingement risk. Hurts like Hades to have the pinching. It's one problem I had, just not the only one. Sometimes it is though, so it's worth having the injections to check. I didn't have any noticeable loss of function, and had great pain relief after the surgery.

I was very frustrated too when they couldn't find the source of my pain, but I wasn't ever able to walk more than 1/2 mile, and I was in constant pain, but the quality didn't change much. This was my loose stem I finally had revised. I had a lot of suspicions, including that I had a low - grade infection, until the surgery. So I understand how you can question what the causes may be.

Do you have your first x-rays after surgery? The moderators can assist you in getting them posted.

Also, are you on pain meds, and do you take them on schedule or as needed? And if so, what are the medications and doses?

I hope they can figure out what's causing your pain. I know how frustrating it can be to wait for a diagnosis. I had 3 years between my first and second surgeries, so it does wear you down.

Good luck,

HH

 

[tashia]

Constant pain does wear you down and do listen to your body. I agree that a good physical would be a excellent day. Now I do know there is a thing called cronic pain and there is a article on it in the liberary. I do have it and do have to take pills for it. Now that my body is getting use of it, I do feel so much better. You don't have TMJ, Right? It can really hurt. Are you keeping a daily journal so you can see if there is a pattern? I do know that I need more surgies so me hurting is just going to be in my life. Are you needing more? Keep looking, the solution is there but sometimes it's hard to find. Keep us posted so we know how you are. take care Tashia

 

[HappyHippy]

Barbie,

I'm actually wondering if using too many antibiotics is causing problems. As you know, they cause yeast infections because they kill both the good and bad bacteria. I don't know if you could get systemic yeast infection, or candida. I know you can get overgrowth of bad bacteria and bacteria resistance.

This is from Wikipedia:

Many practitioners of alternative medicine use the term Candida to refer to a complex with broad spectrum of symptoms, the majority of which center around gastrointestinal distress, rashes, sore gums and other miscellaneous symptoms. Candida is accorded responsibility for symptoms as specific as hay fever, as vague as "brain fog" and as common as weight gain or flatulence. These symptoms are attributed by some alternative medicine practitioners to the "overgrowth" of intestinal Candida albicans, which they claim leads to the spread of the yeast to other parts of the body via the digestive tract and bloodstream.

End of quote

Do a search on it. You don't want to take too many antibiotics, because they won't work if you really need them, and there are only limited invasive procedures where we need them after a hip replacement. Others here can advise, but I've only taken antibiotics a few times since my first hip replacement. I don't know about other forum members.

If your bloodwork isn't showing infections, you probably want to focus on other more likely causes for your problems. And you may want to see a naturopathic Dr, if not getting the answers you need from traditional medicine. I use a mix of both.

 

[tashia]

HappyHippy Your have a very good point about too much antibiotics. I found acupuncture, Messagers, Mediatations and went to a Non-Western for some of my problems and its does help. The biggest challenge is to make sure my Family doctor is also aware of what I am doing. Thank you for reminding me. Barbie it will in time all be worked out. I know you want it now but it at times doesn't work that way. Go slow, Listen to the body, Journal and come here. You know that we will help you and most of all support you. Take care and keep us in the loop. Tashia

 

[HappyHippy]

Hi Tashia,

I've been lucky enough to assemble a team of regular Dr's who believe in integrative medicine. They combine regular medicine with using some alternative ideas. One has me using a compounded cream for pain, which delivers prescription meds at the site and doesn't go through the GI tract, so no stomach problems or psychoactive effects. And all my Dr's are good about communicating, and I make sure my treatment is coordinated between them.

My main dr is also on board with using some alternative medicine. I'm lucky to have Dr's open to Eastern medicine. I looked at Barbie's symptoms, and a systemic yeast infection came to mind. I don't know how much she's taking, but my Dr's are strict with antibiotics - if I ended up with MRSA, worse case scenario, they want to be able to treat it.

Which brings me to another question for Barbie: are the Dr's prescribing the antibiotics, or are you using other sources, like the Internet? I worry that using too many when you don't need them, could set you up for trouble when you do, like if you had a serious infection.

Think I'm going to ask Josephine on the antibiotic issue, since it's out of my expertise. I only know what my Dr's tell me. The rash and overall itchiness are symptoms of Candida. Sounds like it would be pretty miserable to have.

HH

 

[BarbieJ]

Well, I was on a boat load of antibiotics last year. I had the hip replacement and then immediately post op thought I had a UTI. Went to urgent care and the doctor said I did not have anything show up in my urine but they would send it to the lab for culture and put me on Cipro to be safe. Then they forgot to put my name on the sample so lab would not culture it and I stayed on the full course of cipro. A few weeks later my digestion shut down. I could not eat or barely stand. Blood work was fine. I felt the bad bacteria had taken over. Also in May I actually did get a UTI and again Cipro. Meanwhile I was having lots of dental visits and more antibiotics for pre meds. I ended up with two root canals, eventually extracted, like Tashia.
My surgeon who performed my hip replacement wanted me to pre med before Pap smears and any invasive treatment. I have seen three different ortho doctors and they all have different rules for pre meds. I was on antibiotics even after my first tooth extraction, but the second I only did the pre med. So it's clear as mud about the dental and other pre med rules. You are one of the lucky ones if your teeth behave and you don't require any dental work especially for the first two years. This is why I have put off replacing the tooth with an implant. That would be another 5 visits total with more pre med. I told my dentist I plan on not doing the implant for a couple years. I really do not want to take the antibiotics, therefore I will live without a tooth.
So, HappyHippy, you have a point, which I wish I could prevent. I think I was not meant for a hip replacement because I can get UTIs. Since it had been 5 years prior to my surgery, I thought things would be alright. Now I have a chronic condition which I had never heard of. It is called Interstitial Cystitis. I have constant urinary burning with negative urine cultures. I found one person on this forum who has it and wants a replacement. I feel a lot of anxiety over this combination of conditions and certainly don't wish them on anyone. It has really dogged my dreams and feelings of recovery. I just pray that this chronic condition can be managed.
On a good night, I have had a very good dy today. I have had totally manageable pain in all areas including my hip. Wow, it is a relief to have a good day. I took my doggie on a longer walk this afternoon and when we returned home he had little snow clumps all stuck to his fur around his legs. I don't like walking in snow and slop.

 

[HappyHippy]

Barbie,

Glad to hear you're feeling better. Now isn't there a med for the cystitis that isn't an antibiotic? And I'm not familiar with having antibiotics for Pap smears. Tooth extractions, of course you need them. I had a breast cyst aspirated and didn't have antibiotics. But you've had a lot, for sure. Naturopathic Dr's will be better about ways you can get your bacteria rebalanced, as many mainstream Dr's don't buy into yeast or other bad bacteria over growths, except a local yeast infection. I think you can even get yeast in the bladder, causing problems.

I'm not saying it's the problems, just that it might be, and maybe it's time for someone who thinks outside the box that is mainstream medicine. I'm glad you're feeling better, but you may want to think about it.

 

[C Mac]

Hi Barbie,

How is your PT going? One of the stretches that I have done for a long time to help with the groin tightness is this:

Just gentle movements side to side on the roller which is tucked right up on that tight tendon.

I envisioned your created stretch being something like the bridge stretch that is often given to us at some point post op. Looks a bit like this gal:

One day in adaptive yoga we did this stretch with our arms bent (as if you are holding a box) shoulder blades pressed back so that our heart is rising (I don't think our upper back was off the floor like this gal) and pressing our knees forward and I thought I felt it in my short psoas (THR side). alexthecat any chance that could be??

Lastly, on the psoas impingement. When I asked about whether my groin pain could be related to something rubbing on the cup my OS showed me a particular x-ray (cross table) that showed that my cup was not "proud" or not sticking out beyond the acetabulum in a way that anything would rub against it. Maybe your OS has taken this view of your hip and hardware -- or you could request it next time you have an appointment.

Oh and have you and Poppet connected on the IC issue?

Take care,
Cardie

 

[BarbieJ]

Hi C Mac, I didn't know that Poppet has this condition. When I searched this site for posts about this I saw one other.
That second photo is exactly what I have started doing but extending one leg straight out and hold for 30 seconds and alternating my legs. So only one foot is on the floor during the stretch and hold. It seems to be helping. I have not been to my PT since I had to reschedule due to a snowstorm. I will try the top stretch.
Also to HappyHippy, my IC medication was Atarax aka hydroxyzine. I had to switch and am now taking Zyrtek aka cetirizine due to involuntary body twitching, like extreme restless leg syndrome, which btw, I used to think was made up for tv commercials until I started experiencing it. Currently Cetirizine and occasionally Tylenol are my only medications.
The IC is dreadful and a heartbreaking malady. In the morning it is the worst, and I can experience chills, burning symptoms, sweating all at the same time, then I can manage okay during the day but never consume any alcohol or anything that is not low acid.
Having IC is disappointing for my husband, but I won't go there. This on top of my surgery has been a problem concerning intimacy. I couldn't even do a clam exercise for 6 months after surgery without extreme pain, or the bridge exercise shown above AT All.
I was so unprepared for these unfortunate results which have impacted my life since my surgery. Is it a consequence of the hip replacement surgery? I will never know. Scientists do not know much about IC. There are reports of people acquiring it after trauma or surgery or from antibiotics or from a problem with the bladder lining.