Scared newbie... Hip is shot. What if it doesn't work!!??

[shrinkette]

@MajorHeidi I'm not sure how to answer your question. Suggest you go to go to my surgeon's website where you might get the answer. it is robotichips.com. See what you think. Another Bonesmartie just saw him last week for a consult and booked her surgery! She was that impressed. He's also a very down-to-earth guy.

 

[Poppet]

@MajorHeidi, the surgeon still has control.

 

[Jaycey]

@shrinkette , taking iron pre-op is quite common. Lots of water, prunes and stool softeners if needed.

Regarding your activity levels and no exercise, I think you will be very pleasantly surprised at how much energy you have once you are over the initial recovery phase. We spend tons of energy dealing with constant pain. It's like a great, black cloud finally lifts post-op!

 

[shrinkette]

@Jaycey Wow, thanks, Jaycey! Well put. I often remark how tired or exhausted I am... how the pain seems to just wear me down. Obviously I'm expending more energy just trying to slowly and painfully get around, than I might think! So tired of tiredness... I need to see the old 'me' again.

Even before iron, have been doing the prune juice & stool softeners regimen. Need to add more water. However, i do take 1 diuretic daily, so THAT gets to be a tricky issue when you're moving slowly! Little nervous about this, actually, post-op (I.e. what if I can't make it in time?!). Eek!

I really appreciate all you do here.
Ellen

 

[Jaycey]

Glad I can help Ellen! Been there, done that so I fully understand your concerns.

However, i do take 1 diuretic daily, so THAT gets to be a tricky issue when you're moving slowly! Little nervous about this, actually, post-op (I.e. what if I can't make it in time?!). Eek!

This is sometimes tricky just post-op - diuretic or not. Some people find it a side effect of the anesthetic. The trick most of us used was to get up and go before you need to. This serves 2 purposes - you are moving around regularly and not needing to make those mad dashes when you hip just isn't ready yet.

 

[MajorHeidi]

I saw in my OS packet to up my Iron though it lists foods. Is taking an iron supplement pill adequate as I would rather take that? Also, are you taking stool softeners already? Is that supposed to help in the first few days because you took them a week or two ahead? Thanks all

 

[shrinkette]

@Jaycey Thank you. That sounds like what should be an obvious solution.

 

[shrinkette]

@MajorHeidi Hi. I don't know if using an iron supplement is "adequate". I had to do this prior to my TKR, also, and Jaycey in a recent post also said it's quite common to take iron. As for stool softeners & prunes, I've been using both for quite awhile now & only hope they'll still do the trick now that I've added the iron last night; it remains to be seen. And only God knows how many more problems the pain meds are bound to cause. I see many more prunes or prune juice in my future.

 

[Jaycey]

@MajorHeidi , no need to take stool softeners early. Wait and see how your body reacts to whatever pain meds you are given post op. And I would ask your OS about any supplements. Some are a bit funny about taking anything just pre-op.

 

[Butterfly]

@shrinkette Saw my chiro today and I still have a LOT of pain. If he had been in town I'd have seen him two weeks ago and tried to get this stopped before it got so bad. It really HURTS and I've gone back to the walker for a few days to give it a rest. Maybe I tried to go on the cane too soon??? Who knows what causes this kind of flareup, but it is extremely discouraging. I was starting to feel SO much better and doing things around the house (nothing heavy) and getting out of the house to do a little shopping, etc. and maybe I overdid it. The hip itself still feels fine, but I'm not sure to tell where the pain comes from exactly. I know I need to relax and just get through this, but I can't seem to get rid of the panicky feelings.

He is sure it is that SI joint acting up again. That little voice keeps saying "Are you SURE it isn't the implant? OMG, what if it is the implant, what if it never gets better, what if . . ., what if . . .," I'm having a kind of hard time with it right now.

Thanks for listening and I hope you are doing well and counting down to being pain free!

Love,
Milli

 

[shrinkette]

@Butterfly Oh, my dear Milli. I so understand what you're going through. One thought: if perhaps, nothing else, you could get a totally definitive answer as to whether this pain is related to something amiss in your implant, it would at least give you some peace of mind, which would relieve a helluva lot of anxiety about the "what-ifs". Then you could focus better on relieving/treating the pain, which is obviously sidelining you. Do you think you can schedule an appt with your OS?

Using the walker again sounds like a good idea. Stopping your new activities is good, as well, as is often recommended here. Are you elevating & icing like mad just in case you've got some big-time irritation going on?
Listen, when I came home from 5 weeks on rehab (long story on that, but not important now) for my knee, I was doing fine, gait wise, on the walker, was starting to use a cane & was feeling pretty good. The in-home PT was impressed. Lo and behold, about 3 days after being home, which was approximately 5.5 weeks post-op, I developed pain in the operated leg, down the inside & below the knee, when walking. VERY painful. And very discouraging and dispiriting after finally making it to the other side & doing well!! So-- I know exactly how you're feeling.

What was it, you ask? The wonderful PT guessed it was bursitis (specifically of the res something bursa). My OS saw me immediately & confirmed this. He prescribed a steroid... That gradually diminishing dose-pack of prednisone. You take it in diminishing doses for about 5 days. That, along with pretty total bed rest, elevation, & ice did the trick!!! Lasted close to 2 weeks & then gone. I understand your pain is in a different location & your SI joint history, but I wonder what a steroid would do for you, especially if the pain is from some sort of inflammation. Wouldn't hurt to ask.

I'll always listen, Milli -- just as you have. You'll get this solved. It's probably just a really aggravating setback. But think about what I said as a possibility. You never know.

Love,
Ellen

 

[shrinkette]

Hi, everyone. Counting down now... Doing last-minute things. Finally figured out now to raise the seat on the very expensive office chair I bought a couple of years ago, which the store assembled and adjusted for me. I had never touched the controls again! And now I want it higher... and so it is, AND the arms came up & are higher, too. This may be my go-to chair in the kitchen and family room. Unfortunately, it's on wheels, but I called today & found out I can buy casters that can roll OR can be locked!! I'd need 5. The woman at the local store told me they cost $55 -- she THINKS for a set. Maybe per caster???! Yikes. If all else fails, wheels can be popped out.

New recliner/lift chair due to arrive Wednesday. Yesterday I had my pre-op exam, including an echocardiogram. Doc said everything sounded good, EKG & chest X-ray were good. Waiting on echo, blood, & UA results. Will be stopping Coumadin tomorrow night & getting Lovenox shots for last 4 days before op. Biggest chore ahead is packing small bag for hospital & larger one in case I get sent to rehab. That is NOT a job for hubby! Hoping I can get a private room in hospital... will not know until actual admission, but it sure makes life easier & is worth every penny.

Got my contoured wedge pillow, leg lifter, grabber, dressing sticks, sock thing, ice gel packs, and commode set over toilet. Hoping for a spinal... Won't know for sure until I cross paths with anesthesia guy. Nervous, tired, anxious to start the way back. Eternally grateful that I found BS BEFORE surgery and very appreciative of all who have been so helpful, kind, & patient. Don't know what I would've done!

Ellen

 

[MajorHeidi]

@shrinkette you are very prepared. We are so fortunate to have found BS.

 

[charmed-life]

Hope it all goes well, Ellen! You are very prepared - that will help!

 

[Jaycey]

Final countdown @shrinkette ! Sounds like you are more than ready. Keep busy - it will ease the nerves. We are here for you!

 

[Butterfly]

@shrinkette I know how rattling the last few days can be. For me, in the final few days before surgery, a bit of peace settled in and I felt a bit better about the whole thing. Then on the morning I went in, I surprised myself by being actually fairly calm and matter of fact about getting my little bag packed, etc.

I'll write more later, but wanted to reassure you I'm here for you in this journey and the whole bonesmart family is here wishing you all the best, as well.

Love,
Milli

 

[Dmcfad2]

@shrinkette Ellen, you are awesomely prepared! Good luck. We will all be thinking of you

 

[Hoppy Nanny]

@shrinkette Your prep is done...time now to leave it to your surgeon who sounds a great guy .....it sounds like you trust him well too. Saw you were worrying about exercise after THR....I've found walking was so, so much easier after the op than with the awful pre op pain. Good luck....look forward to your recovery updates. Take care...Chrissie xxx


Sent from my iPad using BoneSmart®

 

[dickinson]

Ok ellen @shrinkette. Hang in there. You'll be so happy to get rid of that pain and btw i have a great roomate named ellen who had the surgery a couple of hours before me and we've really enjoyed going thru it all together so you never know. It's amazing not being crooked anymore. Dr added nearly 2 cm to my leg! Thinking of you. Stick a little chocolate in that suitcase.

 

[shrinkette]

One week from tomorrow for me. Feel tense, like I'm wrapped very tight in...something.
Everything's coming together now in preparation for the big day, but I'm tired, impatient & temperamental. Hubby is also stretched thin caring for me... Having to do a lot of legwork, fetching-and-carrying, etc. He's been a huge support, but has been living under my cloud. We've been living with this now for quite awhile & can only hope it's the beginning of better times while we can still enjoy them. I think I've got all my ducks in a row now, but if anything new comes along... anything needing repair or replacement (other than my hip!), or some new issue to deal with, I can't cope. Am at end of the emotional line & just want to barrel through & hope for a successful outcome. Does any of this make sense?

One of my big worries that I may have mentioned before: Am SO worried I won't be able to stand up straight. Leg opposite the operated side hurts down the back & I can hardly straighten up. That leg is considerably longer & will hopefully be corrected during surgery.

I'm babbling... Very emotional, I guess.
Not feeling too funny right now... Just exhausted & a little bleak.