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Hi...I'm new to this forum

Posted , 10 users are following.

maraleezie
maraleezie

Hi everyone, I have bi-lateral hip degeration, completely bone on bone (as well as being diagnosed with Spondylolisthesis) and well, if you're reading this I guess I don't need to tell you about how much pain and stiffness I'm living with.  I will be getting my first THR after the new year.  My mobility has drastically deteriorated and I'm trying to find aids that will help me from this point and post op.   The bathroom seat riser will be an answer to one of the many difficulties I'm facing.  The support being shared here is wonderful.  Thank you! 

1 like, 33 replies

33 Replies

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  • beth2509
    beth2509 maraleezie

    Posted

    Maraleezie, don't fall into the trap of assuming that you are going to be incapable after the op. Everyone has a different journey, but after my op (nearly four weeks ago) I woke up with not a scrap of pain, and I haven't had any pain since either. I was walking further than I had in months the day after the op, and by the afternoon of the second day after I was walking up and down the street where I live. I do still have limited mobility - but nothing at all to do with the hip. I need major surgery on the opposite ankle, which is restricting; and I do have arthritis in my spine as well, which, as I reduce my meds, the pain from that starts to kick in. But the hip is like new!

    I have already started to pack up some of the aids that I got which I no longer require (for now - the other hip has never caused me any trouble yet but I do have severe arthritis in that too).

    ?So don 't assume that you will find everything so difficult. You might find it all a breeze. Hopefully biggrin? Sometimes you can get yourself into a frame of mind that everything is going to be doom and gloom, and make it happen that way. One way or another this operation is going to be great for you, and if you are lucky it will be sooner rather than later.

    • maraleezie
      maraleezie beth2509

      Posted

      Hi Beth and thank you for your input!  It's SO important I get every ounce of 'positive' I can.  Of course no one wants to enter into surgery, but my fear (and procrastination for 2 years!) has been based on my own past surgeries I've had (all major abdominal; the last 2 I had problems anesthesia-wise...like not enough!) so I know it's  a must to be my own advocate and speak with this anesthesialist to get my fears calmed.  I won't assume MY journey will be as easy as yours, but I pray for a safe and fair outcome.  Thank you for sharing and giving me hope.

  • auntiebeanie
    auntiebeanie maraleezie

    Posted

    As with what others have said, the perch stool, grabber, seat raiser for toilet, I also had a commode downstairs as it was difficult for me to get up the stairs fast enough.

    I was also given a long handled sponge on a stick, great for washing you back and legs. a Soxon , which helps you to get on socks/tights easily. I had bought a long handled shoe horn too. At our pre op class we were told to buy slippers/shoes that would be easy to get on and shown ones with velcro on. well you guest it, couldnt put them on my self because couldnt bend that low initially, so a waste of time. comfy slip ons the best. I also bought a few dresses with pockets in to store my phone and as used an apron with a big pocket to carry things in, much easier. Good luck x

    • maraleezie
      maraleezie auntiebeanie

      Posted

      Hi Auntiebeanie...these are all invaluable tips and tools ...(I could greatly benefit from all of them NOW as mobility in any way is an extreme challenge).  I'm making my list and checking it twice!  THANK YOU!!!

    • AnnieK
      AnnieK maraleezie

      Posted

      Oh, I had forgotten about the shoes, gsood point, AuntieBeanie! I got two pairs of shoes, both Skechers slip-ons. I went to a Skechers store between surgeries and tried on about 50 pairs to find the right style and size. Now I can get them online. Got the perfect ones that I could slip on and off easily, but that gave me good support. I use one pair for inside the house, and the other for outside. It was SO nice to be able to get shoes on independently, because bending over was forbidden for 6 weeks after surgery, and I couldn't do it at all during my back problems. If ever I did have trouble with the slip-ons, due to thicker socks or something like that, the shoehorn did the trick.

    • maraleezie
      maraleezie AnnieK

      Posted

      I'm adding a pair of sketcher slip ons to my list!!  (I can no longer wear my 'dress (work) shoes'...my daughter got me a pair of sketchers a couple of months ago and for the last month that's all I've been wearing to work now  (yes they are casual but I, for the first time in my life, have to put myself before my job now.)   

    • AnnieK
      AnnieK maraleezie

      Posted

      Right on, Maraleezie! You have to go with what works for you.
  • ihavenonickname
    ihavenonickname maraleezie

    Posted

    you are so welcome, we want you to be safe and experience absolute success.

    Did you consider a bath chair?

    • maraleezie
      maraleezie ihavenonickname

      Posted

      My husband is re-doing the bathroom off my bedroom...we took out the tub which I can no longer get in and out of and he put in a shower only...with a chair for me.  Just going to get grab bars installed, and a riser for the potty and this will be SO much easier on me...now and after.   Thank you!!!  (I'm SO glad I found this forum...it is REALLY good for my soul (and nerves) right now.    

    • ihavenonickname
      ihavenonickname maraleezie

      Posted

      search Amazon, wait till after Christmas so the cost will be lower...love their white grab bars, especially the 12 and 18 inch ones.
    • judith12644
      judith12644 maraleezie

      Posted

      Your new bathroom sounds perfect! It will be great having a walk in shower, we only have a shower over the bath, and I had a series of plastic steps to get in and out...with my crutch and my husband to help! I think everyone has told you everything you need. Grabber v important! Wishing all the best.
  • rose0000
    rose0000 maraleezie

    Posted

    Welcme Maraleezie, it is a great forum - and if you need any advice this is the place to come - the grinding pain is pretty relentless. Check out Rocketman's post on here, the first one you come to, it is brilliant and full of good tips and well worth a read. 

    • maraleezie
      maraleezie rose0000

      Posted

      looking forward to staying connected...I love the support these posts give me...only someone going thru what I KNOWS the physical and mental toll this pain and stiffness takes on you.  
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