Thank You All! (New Here)

[HopAlong]

Thank you all for your enlightening posts that helped me to decide to go through with a (left) THR I have been putting off for 4-years out of fear.
I am a New Jersey, 47 year old mom of a 16 year old son, wife, mortgage broker and real estate agent.
At age 37, I took up running, and loved it so much that I would run 4 miles a day. Even though I stopped by age 39, I think that is what landed me here. I thought I was doing something good for myself, but apparently not.

I made an appointment to see a orthopaedic surgeon for Monday. My left hip has been getting worse, but now my right knee has been in pain too for weeks. It's too painful to walk so I spend 95% of my days sitting, and gaining weight too rapidly from lack of movement. I reached a point where the quality of life deteriorated so much that even if my surgery was unsuccessful, it can't be much worse than now.

It didn't help that I quit smoking with Chantix a year and 4 months ago, and got fibromyalgia as a permanent side effect from the Chantix, on top of my joint pain.

I wonder how everyone here is doing now. Some of the posts here date back a few years; Are you all still out there?

Thanks again,
Hop-Along

 

[ano]

I'm also 47 and about 6 weeks post right hip replacement. I also used to run 10 years ago, and this, I think, led to my hip problems. Anyway, for me, I also had some knee problems pre-hip replacement, but guess what? All the knee problems have resolved themselves since I had my hip replaced.

So, don't go negative as it is very likely your hip replacement will be very successful. Also, you might be surprised that your knees are not as bad as you think, once your hip is replaced. Just focus on one problem at a time.

You'll do great, and be sorry you haven't done it sooner.

 

[HopAlong]

Congratulations on 6 weeks post-THR! I can't wait until I can say that. It's going to be a tough road ahead, but I am finally ready to reclaim my life.

How do you feel now?

 

[HopAlong]

I also want to mention how valuable this site is to me. Information coming from a source of patients and nurses means so much more to me than all of the other sites I have been to, that just give you the basic textbook facts without the emotion and expression-------that only increases my anxiety to have my only sources of information without feeling.

The people here are speaking to me, and others who might reach out to them. Other sites seem only concerned about accurate facts, and neglect to realize that we are not there to do a book report, and we are a bit emotional and vulnerable while we are visiting their site.

It is really scary when you feel alone in the process, but this site helps to take most of the fear away. I didn't feel alone any more after reading from real people who care on this site. I will think of all of your success stories while I am waiting for my turn to go into the O.R.

HopAlong

 

[ano]

I'm doing pretty good. Going back to work next week. I do have hip pain a bit when I really push it but not much other times. I can walk but I still have a limp. My hip still fells a bit strange at times, but it functions fine. As for lack of energy, my biggest complaint, I'm probably 80% back to normal. Still got about a month of PT left, however.

Looking back, it wasn't that bad. It takes some time to heal, and the first week or two I didn't feel the best, but I definitely have much less pain now then before the operation. Of course, I don't want to gloss over that this is major surgery. Do everything they tell you for a quick recovery.

The worst part for me was the realization there are some activities, like running, which I can never do again, but then I realize I certainly couldn't do these activities before the surgery either. I couldn't even ride a bike before the surgery, and now I definitely can, so that makes up for the lose of some sports I'd probably never do anyway.

I am hoping to snowboard again this winter. My doctor said I could go for it. I couldn't snowboard at all last winter and didn't even try, where the year before, an hour or two max was it. I'm lucky because I have a great wife that could help me buckle my snowboard boots. I know not many doctors tell their patients they can snowboard, but I don't think many really understand the sport. I've skiied maybe 8 years before I snowboarded for about 10, and I can tell you that snowboarding is so much safer for a hip than skiing, assuming you know both sports. (DON'T learn to snowboard with a new hip.)

 

[Ginny]

Hi, I'm a 35 year old active female. I had THR (left hip) 3 months ago and feeling FABULOUS!!

Ginny

 

[HopAlong]

That is wonderful to hear Ginny! You are so young too. All of your posts are helping me build the courage I need go through with this, after 4 year of procrastinating.

 

[Josephine]

I am so pleased to hear that this site is meeting your needs, HopAlong. That was the intention when it was started, that patient should help patients. I just came along for the ride!

But you cannot beat information from someone who has been through it themselves. The opinions of doctors, nurses and therapists pale into insignificance by comparison.

 

[JudyS]

I am having a very difficult time with the prospect of not being able to run again. Anyone have any advice. My surgery is scheduled for June 6th.

 

[sue51]

Hi All, I'm 8 weeks post OP on Wednesday . and feeling Great few little hicupps but nothing major , did go back to work at 6 week's but i think it was to soon over done it a bit , now back off work . and not gong back till i feel ready .Glad your going for the op im sure it will be a success. i also agree about this site . helped me loads .ive also met some great friends on here .. Good luck x

 

[Swright]

Ano,

Did your PT or OS say wether or not your limp would get better?

I also am still dealing with that at 6wks. I knew still having a limp after THR was a possibility, but at 47 I was hoping I wouldn't. Just wondering how many had a limp during first few months of recovery and then were able to walk normally? On the bright side, pain is gone and flexability returning rapidly...so all in all I can't say I made the wrong choice...Wow, snowboarding, I was afraid to try that even with my good hip!

 

[ano]

I think it will go away, but at 6 weeks, its certainly to be expected. I know several friends that have had surgery, and most still use a cane at 6 weeks. They seem to limp until 3 - 4 months.

 

[sunshine]

Hi, I wonder if it has anything to do with what we do or don't do in our lives. I was a swimmer my whole life. No pressure on the joints in the water The only thing I can think back on is that I loved to move my furniture around a lot. My husband (then) told me when we got the pool table it better go where I wanted because I wasn't moving it! I pushed everything with my butt so I wouldn't hurt my back. I guess we will never know but I wouldn't blame it on running anyway too late now!
No one had arthritis in my family or diabetes for that matter. Or maybe they just didn't catch it back then like they do now.
I like this site also and hope you feel better being here. Support helps so much and this site is much better then most and over on the knee site they are like family over there, it is sooo nice and friendly.
I quit smoking also and I do miss my ciggies but this is a good thing, I don't know what Chantix is but sorry you had a problem with it.
Good luck and talk to you later.

 

[BigDog Mom]

Hi Sewall44,
That is my Fathers name, Sewall. ;) I would not settle with a Dr. that told you no more running. Did you talk to more than one Dr.? There are a lot of people on this list that are back to serious training and running. It sounds like you need to find a Doc that is on the same page you are.
I am scheduled to have simultaneous bilateral hips done on Aug 12th (don't ask- it is the best time for all of my family to have me out of commision). I wish I could move the date up, thanks to all the great stories here on this list and Josephine's mind game of being excited rather than nervous. ;) BUT the whole reason I agreed to do the surgery is because I found a Dr. that told me I could have "MY" life back that includes running my dogs. Other wise I could just by stock in Percaset (or pick a pain killer) and limp around for a while longer.
This is a very BIG deal don't settle for less than you want.

donna

 

[Josephine]

 

[mssully]

Hello there. I had my surgery last week 4/23/08 to be exact. Interesting to read your post, as I am a new investor in real estate. One of the most difficult things for me emotionally was to have the surgery right in the middle of closing my first deal (hubby is doing the closing tomorrow). One thing that is hard to do when you are in pain is to get exercise. Since you were a runner I know you are not afraid of that & understand the benefits. Since you have a few more weeks, please get pain medicine from your doc that will allow you to ride a bike and lift weights. The better shape your able to get in before the better your recovery will be. This is a great site & the people to people sharing is wonderful!

 

[HopAlong]

Bummed out!

I finally mustered up the nerve to go see an orthopaedist to start the THR process, to put an end to this pain, and he turned me away!
He wants me to lose a massive amount of weight first.
I gained 80 lbs in only 1 year and 4 months because of the severe side effects of Chantix (the quit smoking drug that has been all over the news lately). He said I need to lose 100 lbs! That was a real kick in the butt, but I'm not mad at the doctor, he is just looking out for me I know.
He took x-rays and said my hip is in an advanced stage of arthritis. He gave me the name of another doctor to see for pain management so I can get out of my chair. No movement to avoid pain is part of the reason I gained all this weight. In addition to the hip pain, Chantix gave me fibromyalgia and depression (both known side effects of chantix).

So now I have to lose 100 lbs before he will do the surgery, with limited movement for exercise. I can lose the weight, I used to be in the weight loss biz years ago, so I know how, but it will be difficult relying on diet only without much exercise because of pain.
Motrin does nothing, I want to go to this pain management doctor he recommended. Can anyone tell me what pain relief drug makes you the least whoozy? I want to stay sober so I can exercise. Do you think I could request a cortizone shot in the hip?

Thanks
HopAlong

 

[westexas]

Hi I Am 50 And Have Four Kids. I Am Post Op 91/2 Weeks And Doing Very Well. I Too Am Overweight And Had Been Miserable For 5 Years Before I Found Out I Had An Extreme Left Arthritic Hip. I Have Lost About 12 Pounds Now And Plan To Lose More. Part Of It Was The Surgery Because You Tend To Change Some Of Your Not So Good Habits And Part Of It Is The Relief From The Pain All Those Years. Unfortunately I Will Have To Have The Right Hip Replaced Within A Year. It Is Also Extremely Arthritic. I Have A Few Blogs On The After Hip Surgery And Believe Me, It Has Helped. Wish I Had This Website Before I Had The Surgery Because I Would Have Known So Much More. Take Care. Patty In West Texas.

 

[Swright]

I'm also a 47 yr old x-runner with a new RTHR. My OS said due to osteoarthritus, eventually I would have had problems with my joints, running just sped it up. I ran for about 17 yrs, from age 16-32. I figure that means I may not have needed a THR until I was about 64.

I also had problems with my knees and after THR, I'm only having some discomfort in my knees as the result of using muscles I wasn't using prior to THR due to a limp.

My hip pain is GONE, I can sleep through the night, I can get in and out of my soaker tub. I'm still walking with a cane at 6wks, due to lack of glute muscles, again from limping prior. Overall it has been a good experience for me. I'm anxious to ditch the can, but, I know in time that will happen. Since having the surgery, I'm not sure what I waited so long for.

 

[mssully]

Since you mention arthritis, I had good success will Celebrex for many years. Everyone's doctor would have to access this for them. A lot of people are afraid of Celebrex, but I knew about it because my Mother took it & she had a history of stomach ulcers. That would be my recommendation. It works well in that you can get 100 mg. capsules & use increments of 100 to determine what strength you need. I had arthritis do to an broken hip in my youth. I waited until I was 56 to get it replaced, since I was about 40 I used various pain relievers, but for at least the last 9 years I have uses Celebrex & with exercise (to relieve stiffness) I was pain free for many year. You normally take the medicine once a day which for me was a big plus. It is expensive, & to my knowledge there is no generic for it. Good luck do what you can to get in better shape, but............. I would also seek another doctor. I am not sure it is realistic to try to loose 100 lbs. prior to surgery, based on others I know that have had the surgery. If you can do it, you would be better in recovery, but 100 lbs. is a lot. You do not put that on overnight & it will take a while to take that much off.
Good luck.

Bummed out!

I finally mustered up the nerve to go see an orthopaedist to start the THR process, to put an end to this pain, and he turned me away!
He wants me to lose a massive amount of weight first.
I gained 80 lbs in only 1 year and 4 months because of the severe side effects of Chantix (the quit smoking drug that has been all over the news lately). He said I need to lose 100 lbs! That was a real kick in the butt, but I'm not mad at the doctor, he is just looking out for me I know.
He took x-rays and said my hip is in an advanced stage of arthritis. He gave me the name of another doctor to see for pain management so I can get out of my chair. No movement to avoid pain is part of the reason I gained all this weight. In addition to the hip pain, Chantix gave me fibromyalgia and depression (both known side effects of chantix).

So now I have to lose 100 lbs before he will do the surgery, with limited movement for exercise. I can lose the weight, I used to be in the weight loss biz years ago, so I know how, but it will be difficult relying on diet only without much exercise because of pain.
Motrin does nothing, I want to go to this pain management doctor he recommended. Can anyone tell me what pain relief drug makes you the least whoozy? I want to stay sober so I can exercise. Do you think I could request a cortizone shot in the hip?

Thanks
HopAlong