THR Petrified

[Jamie]

I think it’s a great idea to also get an appointment with the other surgeon at the Cleveland Clinic so that you have a second option, if needed. You’ll know a lot more about what is the best choice for you after you have these consultations.

 

[CherokeeGem]

Since your appointment with Dr. Surace is on July 30, you could certainly reschedule the fluid draw from your hip until you’ve talked with him. You know the stem is loose and you don’t have the normal symptoms of an infection, so introducing a needle into the hip may not be needed at all. I would check with his office and see if he wants you to have this done before you see him.

I suggest you be honest with him and tell him how you feel about the lack of communication from your first surgeon. It’s okay to tell him that you’ve completely lost confidence in him because of this. Surgeons sometimes need this type of feedback, and if these two are in the same clinic, the word will get passed. But, since they do work closely together, be very aware of any feeling that this new doctor has any pre-formed opinions about your case or that he doesn’t want to take immediate action for you.

I see the new surgeon July 30th and I just canceled my needle procedure because they wanted to put me under because of underlying health conditions. I took charge before even reading that post which makes me feel more confident. Yes that's my main concern that he may already be familiar with my case through the other surgeons views. Thank you for all this advice.

 

[mendogal]

Just popping in to say I totally agree with you having canceled the procedure.
Getting a third opinion, as Jamie suggests, is a good option if you can manage it.

 

[CherokeeGem]

Just popping in to say I totally agree with you having canceled the procedure.
Getting a third opinion, as Jamie suggests, is a good option if you can manage it.

Yes I've been trying all morning the hard part is everyone is booked so far in advance. But I'm not giving up would you or anyone have any suggestions what kind of questions I should ask find out if they're capable and if they know about what's going on with me. I know this may sound ignorant but I'm just so new at all of this I always just do whatever they say and I never question anything and then I suffer from it. I have health conditions from poor care from previous doctors in the past. So I'm literally as the thread says petrified of trusting any anymore.

 

[mendogal]

I wouldn't bother asking if they know about you, as each of them will want to receive and review your existing records between the time of getting your referral and your first appointment.

Ask about their experience with revisions (how many they do in a year, the long term outcomes of those, etc).

It's ok to describe your frustration with ongoing pain and how long it took to get the scans and find out about the stem, but try to remain neutral about the first surgeon. Save that venting for us - aim to be as calm and professional as you'd like the doctor to be!

I find it very helpful to write some brief specific notes (a "talking points" list - not the whole history, just what I need to ask and to say) ahead of time, before both phone calls and appointments, to have in front of me and keep me focused instead of getting tangential or babbling!

 

[CherokeeGem]

I wouldn't bother asking if they know about you, as each of them will want to receive and review your existing records between the time of getting your referral and your first appointment.

Ask about their experience with revisions (how many they do in a year, the long term outcomes of those, etc).

It's ok to describe your frustration with ongoing pain and how long it took to get the scans and find out about the stem, but try to remain neutral about the first surgeon. Save that venting for us - aim to be as calm and professional as you'd like the doctor to be!

I find it very helpful to write some brief specific notes (a "talking points" list - not the whole history, just what I need to ask and to say) ahead of time, before both phone calls and appointments, to have in front of me and keep me focused instead of getting tangential or babbling!

Thank you I screenshotted this so I don't forget and I am so proud of myself I will include the attachment of two appointments I have with two different specialists all the other ones are booked so I may even go as far as to make a third one. I have never in my life got a second opinion I honestly never knew that was an option. I tried to research so I hope these are good doctors for my need.

 

[CherokeeGem]

That’s wise. While you’ve probably not done so much that it can’t be fixed, you don’t want to risk doing anything more right now. Hang in there just a little longer. Hope you can get an appointment soon.

I did it Jamie, I'm even trying to schedule for a third doctor this is so empowering for me. I hope these doctors specialize in what I need done because all the other ones are booked way in advance.

 

[Jamie]

Dr. Harmon looks good too, from what I could see. I will be interested to hear your feelings about each of these physicians you see. You’re our eyes and ears to help maintain our list of quality, caring surgeons.

Mendogal’s information about what questions to ask was right on target. She’s also right about how you might approach any problems you had with your first surgeon to the doctor that is also in his practice. Making a list of bullet points is a good plan so you can address the things that were missing (and that you’re looking for your new surgeon - like communication both before and after surgery, listening and reacting to any any concerns you have, etc.) when you had your hip replaced. It’s never good to “surgeon bash,” but factual feedback delivered in a calm, professional manner should be helpful.

You don’t need to mention too much detail about your first surgeon to the doctors that are not in the same practice. You want all these doctors to look at you with new eyes and not have the diagnosis of other surgeons to fall back on. Human nature is such that, when people know another doctor’s opinions, they often retract their diagnostic radar and might miss something that is important as they question and examine you.

 

[Jamie]

Here is an article from our BoneSmart Library that will give you ideas for questions for your surgeon consultations.

Choosing a Surgeon And a Prosthesis

Choices: Surgeons When faced with the need to choose a surgeon for your joint replacement, it can be overwhelming. How do you choose? How do you know? Well, for a start you can make a note of the questions below and then interview some surgeons to make sure you get a good one. I know friends...

bonesmart.org

 

[CherokeeGem]

Dr. Harmon looks good too, from what I could see. I will be interested to hear your feelings about each of these physicians you see. You’re our eyes and ears to help maintain our list of quality, caring surgeons.

Mendogal’s information about what questions to ask was right on target. She’s also right about how you might approach any problems you had with your first surgeon to the doctor that is also in his practice. Making a list of bullet points is a good plan so you can address the things that were missing (and that you’re looking for your new surgeon - like communication both before and after surgery, listening and reacting to any any concerns you have, etc.) when you had your hip replaced. It’s never good to “surgeon bash,” but factual feedback delivered in a calm, professional manner should be helpful.

You don’t need to mention too much detail about your first surgeon to the doctors that are not in the same practice. You want all these doctors to look at you with new eyes and not have the diagnosis of other surgeons to fall back on. Human nature is such that, when people know another doctor’s opinions, they often retract their diagnostic radar and might miss something that is important as they question and examine you.

This was great thank you cuz I probably would have been voicing what my other surgeon wants to do so I will eliminate that for sure.

 

[CherokeeGem]

This is a great article with lots of good advice.

 

[CherokeeGem]

Here is an article from our BoneSmart Library that will give you ideas for questions for your surgeon consultations.

Choosing a Surgeon And a Prosthesis

Choices: Surgeons When faced with the need to choose a surgeon for your joint replacement, it can be overwhelming. How do you choose? How do you know? Well, for a start you can make a note of the questions below and then interview some surgeons to make sure you get a good one. I know friends...

bonesmart.org

See I was never offered of what type of implant was going to be used or even suggested what kind of implant was it going to be used. All my testing was rushed within 2 weeks of many many appointments even though my hip surgery was scheduled a year in advance. I'm learning so much now that I should have knew beforehand and maybe it could have saved me all this nightmare that I'm currently living in. I am armed and prepared now thanks to all of you and I feel truly confident that I can do this now.

 

[mendogal]

Don't feel badly! I never thought to ask what implants would be in my knees - and I was retired from a 40 yr career as RN!
BoneSmart has been quite an education for me as well!

 

[Jamie]

Most of the time we tell our members not to worry about the implant type. Surgeons are trained during their educational process in whatever brand their schools are using. They may continue on with that manufacturer or change to the manufacturer that the hospital they work with is using. Within a manufacturing brand, there can be some slight design differences that make one or the other prosthesis better for your specific needs. For example, some hip implants have a constraining ring to lessen the risk of dislocation. Most of the implants are just fine and, contrary to a lot of heavy advertising by manufacturers, there is not much difference in how it will work once in a patient. But….it is helpful to know what implant you have anyway, and I would certainly recommend asking about it so you can read up on it. The most important factor by far is the skill and experience of your surgeon.

 

[CherokeeGem]

Update...
Seen My Family Dr this morning and after seeing my MRI she prescribed me some pain relief medication. She's very angry that my surgeon hasn't given me anything all this time. Soon as I get home I'm going to get it filled and hopefully it will give me some type of relief at least to where I can function through the day.

 

[Layla]

Aww, I hope it brings speedy relief also so you're able to rest comfortably.
Stay in touch, we're following your thread with much care and concern.
Take good care!
@CherokeeGem

 

[CherokeeGem]

Thank you I'm hoping and Praying that it will I have not been able to sleep more than 2 hours for 9 and 1/2 months now. So fingers crossed and again I can't thank you all enough for giving me my voice back.

 

[Jamie]

Bless your GP! A voice of reason who is willing to help you get through this challenge. Good for you for getting in to see her. Hope we hear a report that you’re soon feeling better. Until you get your pain under control, don’t be shy about taking the full dose she prescribed on a regular schedule. Be sure and take them with food (a few crackers or a cookie) and use a stool softener (not a stimulant laxative….be sure and check the label) like Colace while you’re on prescription pain meds to prevent constipation.

 

[CherokeeGem]

Bless your GP! A voice of reason who is willing to help you get through this challenge. Good for you for getting in to see her. Hope we hear a report that you’re soon feeling better. Until you get your pain under control, don’t be shy about taking the full dose she prescribed on a regular schedule. Be sure and take them with food (a few crackers or a cookie) and use a stool softener (not a stimulant laxative….be sure and check the label) like Colace while you’re on prescription pain meds to prevent constipation.

Oh thank you very much cuz I battle with constipation as it is. I was not aware of that.

 

[mendogal]

If a stool softener alone (docusate sodium, brand name Colace taking 200 - 240 mg once or twice daily) doesn't work effectively, you can add to it senna. Senna is a plant product that directly stimulates the intestines to contract and relax - without changing our body chemistry like many other stimulants do.
Senna is available as an herbal tea (Smooth Move) or as tablets (generic senna, or Senekot, or Swiss Kris).