Anyone have second thought/doubts before surgery
Posted , 22 users are following.
I see my surgeon on March 7th to likely set up for right hip replacement surgery in late March. Has anyone had second thoughts/doubt as the surgery date nears? Several thoughts are going through my head. I have been told the right hip has severe arthritis and needs to be replaced and to wait as long as possible if pain manageable. However, I have struggled with pain at night. I have some success using ibupropen, tylenol and a muscle relaxant...but still get some pain at night. So my primary care doctor thinks I should go ahead with the surgery based on quality of life issue. He said most people are glad they did the surgery. My second thoughts are will this really be successful and eliminate the pain? how long out of work and will the new hip be somehow disabling? maybe I can hang in there a few more years with the pain meds? Despite all the second thoughts I am leaning towards the surgery as I know two co-workers that are glad they did it. Anyone go through this and what made you finally take the leap to surgery?
3 likes, 62 replies
samantha_2158 sandyscamper
Posted
Hi Sandy
I am a week away from mine (TLHR) on 20th and I know how you are feeling but I have definitely waited a few months too long. Mine stared with a sore knee (referred pain) and then ground pain and night pain, trouble sleeping. The problem is it only gets worse.... and worse. Am now in a lot of pain and wish I had done it before it got this sore. It is no fun living with chronic pain and it severely limits what you can do. I am 51 so young forbyjus and hoped to put it off but am glad to be getting it sorted.
That's just my experience but I don't think it's unusual!
Good luck and all the best,
Sam
sandyscamper samantha_2158
Posted
Mine also started with knee pain, then ground pain and now sleep pain too. I am 59 and was hoping to delay it until my mid 60's. Very unlikely at this point. Best wishes on your surgery. From people I talked to, they are glad they did it. Hope you update us after the surgery. Take care.
paul170864 sandyscamper
Posted
Hi Sandy
I remember my first visit to my consultant and I said I would like to last a couple of years so I could sort lots of things out. He showed me the x-rays and said 'I dont think so mate!' He said more likely 8 months and only if cortisone injections were helpful. He has been absolutely bang on with everything he has said to me. So I guess the answer is - if your consultant says you are ready then I would take his advice. They have all the knowledge and experience. And also my sister who lives in Edinburgh saw me just before Christmas after nearly a year without seeing her and she could really see the toll that these hips have taken. She quietly had a word about the physical and mental damage caused by long term pain and advised not living with it for too long.
I think you will know when the time is right - but you will also doubt your decision occasionally that is natural too
Good luck with everything
Paul
Mollypolly samantha_2158
Posted
Hi Sam your story could be mine too. I waited too long because I think I really didn't want it to be a hip problem. Thought it was my knee at first. Good luck for 20th. My op is on 1st march - mixed feelings. Apprehensive but want it over and done with
samantha_2158 Mollypolly
Posted
Ah You are having your op on my birthday!! Good luck!! The nerves have set in now as it's tomorrow but can't wait to get rid of the pain now. Let me know how you get on and hopefully we will be enjoying a pain free summer
Take care,
Sam
Angie_york sandyscamper
Posted
Hi Sandyscamper , I put my op off for 2 years due to fear but pain got so bad nothing eased bone on bone pain and I bit the bullet got new hip September now pain free , the op was nothing to fear and I actually enjoyed my stay pain was controlled and I'd do it again in a heartbeat in fact 4 weeks ago got other hip replaced now looking forward to a new pain free existence, also it's best not to wait as muscles etc become week and recovery then can take longer , I was just like you and the lovely folk on here helped me cope leading up to my op date , Any worries we are here for you , if I can do it so can you
Big Hugs Angie
maureen44782 sandyscamper
Posted
I was soooo frightened. I'm 64, bad hips for 7 years...hospital put me on waiting list for 5 years. Both hips done together last August. I knew that I had to have it done. Once it was over my hubby said that one worry was over and all I needed to do was concentrate on recovery! Onwards and upwards! Bestest of luck!
maureen44782 sandyscamper
Posted
One last thought, my consultant asked me if I could wait a little longer. My husband said, 'Look at her'. It was done within 5 weeks!
julie40975 sandyscamper
Posted
Hi there
Look I will be absolutely honest with you I was terrified don't like needles or anything and as I waited to go down I nearly changed my mind I cried all the way to theatre! The first two weeks are tough but after that each week gets better and yes the hip pain lower back pain has gone! So yes it's worth it. I am 9 weeks on and the difference now is amazing but it's hard work and frustrating. On one crutch now and driving so feel human again. Carpe diem! Be brave and get it done!
Julie
judith12644 sandyscamper
Posted
Hi Sandy, I'm a similar age to you. First started getting pains in my right hip about 5 years ago, and was shocked when the doctor told me I would eventually need a hip replacement. Like you, I thought I'd try to keep going until my mid sixties, because I thought that I would avoid needing a revision. I got to the point when sleeping was really difficult, and I was in pain and limping when I was walking, even though I was taking meds, paracetamol, naproxen, codeine. I also went to physio and got some good exercises.
Eventually had my hip replaced last July, (aged 58) now pain free, and able to walk, swim, and bike to work. (Apart from the hip I was healthy.) Went back to work for a few meetings at about 7 weeks, but went back properly at 10 weeks.
It's an amazing operation, the bone on bone pain goes immediately. I was lucky, I had a very straightforward pain free recovery. (Took all the meds prescribed by the hospital for a month.) I wish you luck with whatever you decide to do.
nick88041 sandyscamper
Posted
Hi Sandy, I know exactly what you mean. I am now due for the op on 15/2 after having problems for over 20 years. I guess we all get to a point where the likely benefits outweigh the risks and temporary disability. At present, like most people, I have good days and bad days...and when I'm having a (relatively) good day I can't but help question why I'm putting myself through the op. It is hard to volunteer for a period of 'disability' when at present I can get-by ok on a day-to-day basis.
Just remember the bad days and the bad moments though, and having the operation then makes sense. It's only natural to have some mixed feelings but having decided to take the plunge I now manage to push the worries to the back of my mind and am very much looking forward to the operation and Adoubtless challenges of the recovery.
Assuming that you go ahead, good luck with the operation and recovery....and don't forget what drove you to it!
Nick
paul170864 nick88041
Posted
I notice you are having your THR tomorrow - good luck mate. Everyone on this forum will be thinking of you and hoping you are up and about really quickly
Paul
samantha_2158 nick88041
Posted
Good luck tomorrow! Right behind you (on Monday)!! Hope it all goes really well for you. Chat on the "other side"!
Sam x
julie40975 nick88041
Posted
Julie
judith12644 nick88041
Posted
nick88041 judith12644
Posted
Thanks Paul, Sam, Julie and Judith!
I suspect not much sleep tonight as it's a 7am check-in. I will be back soon, but will take the opportunity to wish you good luck for Monday Sam! Nick
Nick
judith12644 nick88041
Posted
We'll all be thinking of you!
nick88041 judith12644
Posted
Thanks for all the support folks. Back at home yesterday after the right replacement on Wednesday. Although it's still early days I'm feeling very positive and glad that I have had it done.
I have to say that I was overwhelmed by the whole hospital experience which was absolutlely brilliant from start to finish, and having put up with pain and immobility for years I found it a quite emotional experience...perhaps the drugs played a part in that too!
I had been dreading it and putting it off for probably far too long. My circumstances combined to make the time right and I am now so happy at having had it done. As I launch into the recovery I am looking forward to improving rather worsening pain
Anyway..this is just a brief log in while resting between gentle exercises ...all the best on Monday for Sam! (somewhere above in this thread).
samantha_2158 nick88041
Posted
Thanks Nick!! Am so happy to hear it's all gone well for you and good to hear about your experience as I am feeling ridiculously nervous at the moment! Mind you am in so much pain and have had to stop the ibuprofen this weekend which is hell, so Monday will be a positive thing I'm sure. Just fear of the unknown and never having an op before just hip injections which is not quite the same thing!!
Will follow your recovery with interest and will start a thread on my journey on Monday!
Hope you have a good weekend at home.
All the best!
Sam
judith12644 nick88041
Posted
Excellent news Nick, I've been wondering how it all went! My hospital experience was brilliant too, so much better than I was expecting.
All the best, Judith
(And definitely keep on taking all the drugs for a bit!)
paul170864 nick88041
Posted
ps. good luck Sam
judith12644 samantha_2158
Posted
judith12644 paul170864
Posted
Yes, I'm sending positive vibes to all you hippies/almost hippies!
julie40975 samantha_2158
Posted
Julie x
julie40975 nick88041
Posted
Really pleased you are doing well keep at it must be a huge relief now. Just concentrate on getting better but take it easy or you will pay for it!
Chill out and plenty of rest
Julie
samantha_2158 julie40975
Posted
Aha thanks Julie... no one has mentioned paper pants 😳!!! Yikes!! That will give me a laugh anyway. Very nervous now but ready to get rid of the pain. Will be a relief to move on.
Thank you!
Sam x
samantha_2158 judith12644
Posted
Will let you know how it goes!
Sam x
paul170864 samantha_2158
Posted
Seriously though keep calm and in just a few hours now you will be out the other side. Lucky spud