Hip or back please

Oh Lynn I feel for you. Neither will improve without treatment, but I would be inclined to do the hip first as once it settles it would take pressure off your back, but it's chicken and egg. Recovering from back surgery with a duff hip would be very difficult. My BP had been really high when I was waiting for surgery. On my way to theatre it was 170/110. Ever since it's been normal ( on medication)

It must be very difficult trying to make sense of everything in French. I'm 63 too, this growing older lark is a swine.

Thank you so much for your understanding, I never thought of all these things when I was younger, I thought it would be cancer thst would get me !! My BP is 150 over 90. I noticed you have had the op, did you have to have blood, that's another thing, I will not have it, too toxic. How long before you were back to norma? Have got a flight booked to visit my daughter in Chicago in June for a month, so don't think I will be able to have it until I come back on July !!! (Trying to delay) am all at sixes and sevens. What was it like having the op?

Oh to be young

Lynn, sorry to hear of your problems. I had/have hip diplasia and had both my hips replaced 4 years ago with 4 months apart. I also had terrible back pain and was told that two of my vertebrae in my lower back were fused. I was terrified - and I mean terrified - of going into hospital, having an anaesthetic etc etc. In the end my walking was so bad and the pain so excruciating even with high doses of painkiller (some of which - tramadol - made me feel as if I was going doolally) and I felt so depressed that I decided surgery couldn't be worse than what I was already experiencing. After my first op I did have two blood transfusions as, although the dr said my blood tests were ok I looked and felt so wiped out. They certainly give you a huge boost of energy. My back pain disappeared after the surgery. With the second op I went camping at a festival 4 months after, probably a bit too early as all the lifting etc was quite hard. I would recommend you have your hip done first. My BP was a little high as I am overweight. The language barrier is difficult, but I am told the French healthcare is superior to the UK's as they spend more money on it. The typical age for hip replacement if you have displasia (a birth defect) is 43 so you have got away with it for a long time. This forum is very supportive.

Hi Lynn sorry to hear your so poorly I would not worry about the ops them selfs as I'm sure if the surgeon thought you where at hi risk I don't think they would operate I'm 57 yrs old and when I went to have my first hip

Op my blood pressure was 197/112 and when they took it I thought they would not operate however they did and all was well no problems I'm back driving my artic truck after having 1 done in march and the other done

In may last yr and I've never felt better so my advice is if there willing to operate think on which you won't

Done first and go for it best wishes take care

I didn't have to have blood, however when. I had a blood test to check on my clotting time they found I was slightly anaemic. I have another test next week.

It will be 5 weeks tomorrow since my operation. I walk well, if slowly with 1 crutch. In fact I got carried away yesterday and walked to the village and back, about a mile! This morning I am abit sore, my mind runs ahead of my body! In fact as I got back OH was coming to look for me,as he thought I was only going to the postbox.

I think it takes different times for everyone. I am improving all the time ,I do a diary,so I know last week I struggled getting to the postbox and back. I am down from 8 strong cocodamol a day three weeks ago to one ( usually in the morning ) or two a day. I sometimes forget my crutch inside. I think another month will make all the difference. Feel free to PM me if you like.

Thank you all so much, it makes me feel better knowing that you are all there for me. What sort of pain management did you all have? I ask as I had to have an operation a few years ago for a prolapse and everything they gave me in the recovery room dropped my blood pressure too much. So I worry about that.

I don't know what has caused one of my hips to be 5mm lower, have had no problems until now, so can't see that I was born with it, am sure I would have known , will it be a bigger op because of it. I know I am going n a lot but am so scared. What would everyone recommend as to the type of ok and the type of the hip ie, ceramin or titanium?

Thank you all again you are great

At 63 you will be offered a ceramic hip, they have the potential to last us out at our age!

When I was in recovery, they kept topping me up with tiny bits of morphine until I was painfree, I had long acting painkillers for 24 hours then I was sent home on Tramadol and paracetamol for a week. I already had the cocodamol from before the op so reverted to that, so today I just had one this morning. I have a gel pack which I can either freeze or heat in the microwave which usually sorts me out in the evening.

Lynne, you have very sound advice from judi and everyone else, there's really nothing more I could offer, but I do agree with the amount of pain you are having and the amount of disability you're experiencing, that won't get better without surgery. I don't think the medical staff will put you at risk. If communication is a problem, don't know about france but hospitals in Britain ha ve an interpreter service. May be worth checking if you are worried. Good luck.

Hi went and had my nuclear scan which showed extensive inflammation in my spine

And like we thought arthrose of my right hip and left knee

I go and see the specialist the orthopedic one again on

Monday so will have to wait now and see what they

Think needs doing first, don't know which Iam more

Scared of the spine one or the hip. Will keep you all informed

When I have been to see him

Thanks all for your help, it's nice to know there are

All of you put there for me

X

Hi all, went to see the orthopedic surgeon and he thinks I should have the spine done first, he thinks my hip pain would be eased by the spine op first as he didn't think I could do the phsyo with my back like it is.

Has anyone had spinal surgery? Does it work? What can I expect from it, I feel really really down, my hip is hurting my hip is hurting and my knee hurts, I thought I would hav green able to sort it out by now but have to trail all the way down to Lyon now, feel upset, scared, and really down.

Thanks for listening to the rant x

Hi lynn, I'm sorry you're so mixed up and confused. I don't know anyone who has had spinal surgery, so I can't help you with that. He's possibly right about the physio. It can be really challenging without having back pain as well. Whatever you decide, keep posting and let everyone know how it goes and of course to have a rant:-) blessings.

Well I have plucked up the courage to speak to my neurosurgeon today, via email, and he was brilliant and replied within half an hour, he said he wans me to have my spine done also!!!!!! To say I am scared is an understement, but what alternative do I have, I hav no quality of life, I am due to take my grandchildren to Dieney in the USA in June and that is an 9 hour flight for me from here, but he says he will have it done by then...I feel sick writing this and am in tears...am such a wuss, the thng is that we live a four hour drive away and hubby has to work so will not have any one to talk to as m French is limited.

I bet I sound a real moaner, sorry but as you get older you get dafte x

Any comments welcome please....

Hello all,

Well neurosurgeon has said it has to be my hip, so he is speaking to one of his colleagues and said he will contact me over the weekend, so maybe in in the next couple of weeks!! Any suggestions as to what to take in with me as hubby will not be able to visit as he has to work? Feeling a bit better about things....I thnk...

Hi Lynn

I had my L5disc removed 22 years ago and had no problems in all those years. My new hip is just over 3

Weeks old now. Don't know whether having the back,op years ago caused my hip to wear out but I feel really good just 3 weeks on. I am a young 57yrs ago -well like to think I am. Good luck but the hip or back surgery is not as bad as we all think before we have had the surgery. Keep in touch if you want.

Anita

Hi Lynn...just found your post...I've no experience of back surgery but its 3 weeks since my right hip replacement and feeling fine!

Sleeping on my back has been uncomfortable but apart from that everything else has been just fine. You will probably only be in hospital 3 days if its like it is here in UK but I suggest you take some facial wipes, a knee length nightie, some good old fashioned slippers with velcro as your foot may swell and some reading material. They had me up the day after surgery and hobbling on a zimmer, crutches the next day and then home as soon as I could do the stairs. Getting in and out if the car was a struggle you need some cushions and a bin bag to slide around on as you twizzle your legs in.....it's not as bad as the thoughts of it are....I had a general Anesthetic too but you may have an epidural...anything else you want to ask don't hesitate...

Chris