New hippie about to start out
Posted , 10 users are following.
renee01952 suggested I start a new thread to tell people about me, although I'm not sure anyone will be all that interested. I know I'm not!
?So, about three/four years ago the occasional ache in the hip became more than a niggle so I thought I would probably have to do something about it. Long story short, leaving behind a useless GP (who I hadn't noticed was useless on the grounds that I never went to the GP before!), various bits of me started breaking down so that I started 2017 with severe OA in both hips (touch wood, the right one not so far given any problems), a touch of OA in the right ankle (not sure about the left - I have given up MRI's and X-rays on bits that don't hurt because I just don't want to know!), and spinal stenosis from OA in the spine. And gout (a few very bad flares but relatively far apart- three in four years). So 2016 hadn't been a great year and I had discussed the fact that I'd need to start thinking about the THR of the left hip - it was getting worse and worse, and treatments that worked fewer and fewer.
?Remind me never to say, "thank goodness that year is over, the next one can't be so bad"!
?In May I had a bad attack of gout that just didn't seem to clear up. After four weeks of walking around in pain (did I mention, stubborn person? Won't give in?) I decided to go to the GP. Yep, straight to hospital, came back with a cast, crutches, unable to drive for weeks - and everyone asking how on earth I walked around for four weeks on a broken ankle! So... major panic stations for the doctors as (a) you shouldn't walk around on a broken ankle for four weeks and (b) I actually really didn't do anything at all to break it - no falls, no bangs, no traumas (which would be why I hadn't realised it was broken!). Even more perplexed doctors when a bone density scan shows that my bone density is even better than it should be at my age (a very youthful 59 tomorrow). So, never mind, it will be better before I spend my birthday exploring Mayan ruins in September....
?I'm not even out of the cast, four weeks later I stand up (that's all I did!) and it's like a hot knife has been thrust through my left hip. Ambulance, sirens, gas (that gas is great 
?), and an emergency admittance to hospital for an unknown cause.
There then followed three days of hell. No, not the hip. Three days of hell with what may be the worst NHS ward in the country. Where I was routinely deprived of the pain meds that I was admitted with (in other words - the ones that didn't do too well BEFORE my hip got suddenlt worse), and where the nursing staff routinely patronise, lie to, and bully the patients. This sounds like bad news, doesn't it? It was. For the staff. Did I mention stubborn? To mention nothing of the fact that my working background uniquely qualifies me to cause maximum chaos with minimum effort in such places! Although I now have notes on my medical records saying that I am never to be admitted to or treated at that hospital again - I'll go anywhere in the UK expect there!
?After three days I was moved to another ward when they figured out the problem - osteonecrosis. It wasn't there in February. Now it is very bad. So bad that the consultant would have operated immeditaely had it not been for the fact that my opposing ankle is broken and I need it for weight bearing....Okaaay....
?Two weeks later, get out of cast, not walking good but what can you expect? Except for, something doesn't seem right. Right ankle wise. And that would explain the break - the tendon in the ankle is damaged (and I probably never had gout - it was probably ths tendon starting to go), and may need surgery but... And yes, you have got there. They can't do surgery on the ankle because I need surgery urgently on the hip!
?So here I am. I am not in Mexico exploring the ruins at Uxmal for my birthday, about which I am most p****d off! My THR is 8th November, which is the date the consultant came up with as a balance between doing it before it is too damaged, and the ankle having enough strength not to break again. I am fed up to the back teeth of crutches, which are the only thing that get me around, and not that well either now - a couple of hundred feet, and that is at a good time of day, is all I can manage.
?And I thought I was well-prepared and looking forward to it until I started reading the posts here, but having read so many tales of woe, I'm beginning to get worried! Oh, and that whole being awake when it is done thing too - that wouldn't have been my first option. Or my second... or my one thousand, three hundred and twenty-ninth....
6 likes, 16 replies
dominic22930 beth2509
Posted
beth2509 dominic22930
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So you'll be in before me. Good luck with that. At least I have some age on my side so I expect bits of me to be not quite as functional as they were. It must be so much worse to be in this position at your young age. I think I'll go without the sedation - I've survived a couple of war zones, so a surgical theatre shouldn't be so bad! I hope! I'll just crank up the volume on my Irish rebel songs!!!
dominic22930 beth2509
Posted
beth2509 dominic22930
Posted
I have had one but also have another one. There was a problem when I went in on the ermergency because my CRP levels suggested an infection, although they can't find one! But they are monitoring it carefully, because if they come up again, there is a risk that there is infection in the hip from the damage. In which case they will have to do a two stage procedure some weeks apart - which I hope not, as it will mean preparing the hip for replacement but not actually doing it. They would then pack the hip with antibiotics and close it, leaving me with no joint for a few weeks and then have to do the replacement parts. This I do not want!
But yes, the pain of the necrosis is dreadful. In a way I just think well, how bad can it be after surgery, because I can't believe it will be worse than that.
anna87839 dominic22930
Posted
Hi Dominic I had my lthr just 11weeks ago all
that pain gone didn't think that would happen
but its true it's gone ,I had a gen anaesthetic
and a leg block so no pain after ,no after effect
from G/A and only had paracetamol and codien
if needed for pain.Of course uncomfy round
scar area but nothing to what we have put up
with for years best thing I could have done
Wishing you all the best hugs xxx😢😆
renee01952 beth2509
Posted
Hi Beth,
there you are !!! I am not sure whether to cry or to laugh (the way you write is brilliant ...
good lord, what hell you must have been in .. Unbelievable, what neglect -
do you trust your ortho surgeon and like him? that is important - what hospital will you have the surgery?
I live in Holland so can't be of much help here -
I am happy that you posted your story,no better place to share -
Well yeah, tales of woe mostly - that is why we find this forum, I think ... but also great outcomes and victories -
I had 2 THR surgeries (6 months apart) and chose General Anaesthesia - My personal choice as I absolutely did not want to take a chance to hear, smell or feel anything -
Happy birthday darling - Uxmal will be there for you !!!
big warm hug
renee
beth2509 renee01952
Posted
Actually it's the sun I'm missing more than Uxmal. Been there before, and was really returning to Mexico as it is on my best friends bucket list (I am just running down my second and thinking about what needs to go on the third). Luckily she found another friend to buy the holiday off me, and it was all organised for her already, so nothing to plan as I'd done it all.
?I'm consoling myself by shortlisting for the 60th next year. Currently thinking tour of Central America, or Iran, or Bhutan. Possibly one of the parts of India I haven't yet seen. Or Mongolia.... the list just keeps growing! I may have to do two of them
Yes, my surgeon is great - once I had trained him! We are now on first name terms after I pointed out that I am not a "Mrs" or a "Miss" and he doesn't have permission to use my first name while I don't use his because I last did that relationship when at school! After he tried out the fact that I have more titles than him, he settled on Beth
And he is James.
?No, not going to that hospital - I have chosen to go private with the local Ramsey hospital. I've been there before and the standards and staff are much higher than at Bradford Royal Infirmary (which is the place I'm not going to again). I didn't tell you the whole story either - it would take pages to detail the amount of neglect I saw there, and much of it not with me, because I can stand up for myself; and I ended up helping other patients in the place to do the same. I don't expect the complaint to do anything, because the NHS investigate themselves. But I won't be letting it go either. What I saw was nothing to do with cuts, lack of staff or money - it was a culture of neglect and bullying that was fostered by a nurse in charge. I am not the sort of person to roll over....
?Which is why I am determined to have a great recovery. I have my one year old Border Collie to get back to walking with, and places to see. And, I suppose, work to do to get the money to do all those things!
linda81469 beth2509
Posted
Morning Beth! Yes there are some good things that happen on this forum and there are some bad. mine happens to be the bad. dislocating my hip after three weeks and having to have a hip revision I am now seven weeks out doing a lot better had to be nonweightbearing for six weeks. it was tough but I made it now it's going to be another tough road because I'm having to start using all these muscles that were dormant while I was non-weight bearing. I've had thoughts of "I shouldn't of gotten this done", but then I think back of how many years I was starting to be in pain not being able to get around, getting up out of a chair was difficult, not being able to join my family in outings and knowing that my condition was getting worse. the longer I waited the harder the surgery would be because there wouldn't be much left to work with. The surgery is tough and recovery varies person to person. We all have our own journey on this hip road. I'm really sorry what you have been through!! Prayers that all will get better for you! You deserve it!! Hugs, 🤗🤗. LD
beth2509 linda81469
Posted
Aghh. My nightmare. I am so sorry that you've had to have a revision. I ay founate in having an excellent physiotherapist atted to my surgery, and that is her warning to me constantly, because I do tend to "go for it" and push myself, so she's concerned I will end up dislocating the new joint too. I had decades of Judo though, amongst other things - and being a Northerner of Irish descent.... well being stubborn runs in the genes!
?But like you I have all those things I have struggled with or missed out on to spur me on. I haven't liked being impaired one little bit. And if for nothing else, I am going to get fit again for my dog!
linda81469 beth2509
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Yea that's me too....stubborn! But this time around I'm being more careful! I see these dirty floors and cringe! 😖😖. My poor hubby not much of a house keeper. 😆
Trish52 beth2509
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Beth, I feel badly for so many with tales of woe on this forum as I have not encountered these issues with my second thr because I had the anterior approach. Isn't there any orthopedic surgeon in Europe doing this? The recovery is so superior and the possibility of dislocation is reduced. I am following post op orders and have had no problems. The first two weeks were challenging but after that I no longer needed a cane or even the elevated commode. I can sleep on operated side and go up and down stairs unaided. This can be your outcome too if you can find a Surgeon who will put the replacement in from the front rather than cutting through the gluteal muscle! However, the end result should be healing, restoration and no more pain. Both procedures will get you there, posterior just takes longer and demands more patience and perseverance. Keep us posted!
linda38528 beth2509
Posted
And of course, in some ways you did.
I am so sorry for all your horrible experiences and I sincerely hope that your next hospitalisation goes more smoothly.
I wish you the best of luck and keep up a good attitude. And despite recent evidence to the contrary, keep you mind open about the care you receive. Having just come from hospital (4 days post 2nd thr) I am only too aware of hard choices made every day. This has been only too true for one of my closest friends - a stroke victim. I feel horrible for her and the quality of her life.
Hang in there and save some of your energy for your recovery and rehab.
Big hugs,
Linda
beth2509 linda38528
Posted
Oh I know there are some really good people in the NHS - just none of them were on the ward I came in on! The consultant I am using is actually the one from the same hospital, but he is in private practice too. This particular hospital has a bad reputation, I'm afarid, and talking to a lot of other people who have been in there, they all say the same now. But nobody complained, so what can you say? The inspection reports on the place are also pretty dire.
?You must be a tough bird to be psoting four days after the op!!! I expect to still be throwing crockery at the wall at that point.
?Yes, there are lots of people worse off than we are. No point in moping about being hard off, because we are still alive and that's a pretty good deal! For me there are lots of things that could be much worse options, so I count my blessings and then get on with life.
linda38528 beth2509
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I really vwish you well on the next stages of the journey.
L
linda81469 linda38528
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Linda I know what you mean...I feel for my husband tho...he has had to work, clean house, cook, laundry, take care of grandkids, dog, night school, and being a teacher having to grade papers, do lesson plans, take care of him & ME!! He realizes tho how much I did taking care of the house and all the stuff that goes with it. I am slowly doing s few things. But I snap at him at times because I don't like the way he does things!! Then I feel bad. But so blessed thru it all he says he wants to take care of me!! 💖 That I took care if everyone and everything now it's my turn. But I can't help feeling bad. Nite night! 💤😴💤