Terrified of THR
Posted , 23 users are following.
Hi everyone
I'm 36, have Hip Dysplasia and Im due a THR in three months because im bone on bone and the surgeon says it cant wait. I have never been so terrified in my life and I dont know what to do. I have never had surgery before, and I am overwhelmingly afraid of pain, immobility and feeling trapped/claustrophobic/blaming myself for making a terrible decision on the other side. Everyone is so well-meaning but their focus is always on not having arthritic pain on the other side which I dont have anyway - I just have soreness and a poor range of mobility/rotation. I still walk ok, just not distances. Im painfully aware that there will be no immediate relief for me after surgery and that I might feel worse than I do now.
Ive tried to be proactive and Im accessing mental health and CBT counselling and have been open with my GP, but Im in pieces. Ive never felt so lost or alone, Im crying daily and everyone around me seems frustrated and just tells me it'll be fine in the end. Im so afraid of the first few weeks. Im so scared I wont cope and I'll be in agony. I dont know why I feel this way, Ive overcome a lot in my life but this just terrifies me.
Thank you for listening to me. I feel so lost and don't know where else to turn...
0 likes, 43 replies
damaris.m Agentcooper
Edited
Hi
There are other on here who have the same condition and who have had the operation . The rest of us probably cant understand quite what it is like for you. i do understand a little bit as i had also a condition from childhood that left me with a deformity requiring a THR and also had no pain. It does hurt and leave you initially wondering if you have done the right thing but do read some of the posts here ( vickie1976 had dysplasia I think) and you will see that there are many that express worries ans concerns but if you follow them in later posts you will see that they come through. This is a really supportive forum
there is no point in serving you with the usual platitudes but please do know there are many here who will listen and help where possible. It will be better!
Agentcooper damaris.m
Posted
Thank you for reaching out to me. How painful was it? And how did you cope through recovery? Id be interested in hearing your story.
damaris.m Agentcooper
Posted
Hi
the problem with pain is that it is incredibly hard to judge your pain against someone elses
there is no denying it is painful to start with but they will give you the pain killers that you need. I managed with ibuprofen and paracetemol fir a week or so and then continued with just the ibuprofen mainly for the inflammation. You will be surprised by how mobile you will be and how much mobility you will have almost immediately. I found that i could move my leg into positions they hadnt been in for years!
Sleeping is a problem fora lot if people. If you have a posterior incision they make you sleep in your back for 6weeks and few if us naturally sleep that way.
looking at the replies you have had already you can see that generally we all feel better after the op and what a great and supportive forum this is.
just keep coming back and dont be scared to ask any questions however silly you might think they are. Mist are happy to have direct messages too if there is anyone that you feel particularly connected with
Agentcooper damaris.m
Posted
Thank you so much. Another day in tears today, I don't understand why I fear this so much...
vickie1976 damaris.m
Edited
hi,
yes very familiar with this and to be honest I've ended up having my good hip replaced first as it over compensated due to my bad hip I was born with. i was scared but also realised i needed to live my life to the fullest and thought about the benefits in being pain free and more mobile. it is not easy, you have bad days, but be assured always someone on her to perk you up and give you support. from day one I was pain free, just discomfort from the operation. Believe me when you get passed 2.5wks you then start to see benefits or I did. (everyone differs) but the first 2.5wks you will be up and down but it's worth it.
I'm having the bad born hip replaced in November, they would have done it now but I wanted to get back to full strength in my operated hop and have a holiday booked and yes I will be more nervous for this one as alot more fixing and molding to be done as I dont have a ball joint or stem and no socket.
100% you will benefit from having it done. I'm 11wks pre op and some days dont give it a thought. I went back to work at 2 5wks and best thing I did for me, but everyone is different and no right or wrong way to recover, just at your pace but pls try to block the negative thoughts and concentrate on the benefits.... positive thinking and attitude xxx
Agentcooper vickie1976
Posted
Thank you Vickie
HLMUK Agentcooper
Edited
Hi chicken, there is nothing to worry about, it is over before you even think about it. where are you and what approach are you having, this forum is fantastic and talk you through any worry you may have, listen out for Richard Ken, Ptolmely, they speak sense, and some. Dont fret x
Agentcooper HLMUK
Edited
Thank you so much for being so kind. Posterior I think, but Im so scared that i constantly fear that I cant go through with it...
ptolemy Agentcooper
Edited
You will probably have a spinal rather than a general so you will feel fine afterwards and will probably be offered a cup of tea and a sandwich afterwards. In my case the op was only about an hour or so. I could not believe that afterwards I felt that I still had my own hip, I thought beforehand it would feel odd, but it was just normal. I was amazed how soon I was walking. I was dreading that bit and looking back I cannot remember when it happened, I think there was some sort of to do in the corridor and I just got up and walked!
Agentcooper HLMUK
Posted
Thank you for being so kind. Posterior I think, waiting for confirmation.
Agentcooper ptolemy
Posted
Thank you
judith12644 Agentcooper
Edited
Hi, it's good that you have posted on this site, because there are many people who have hip dysplasia, and I think lots have had a good outcome following surgery.
I was worried before my hip replacement, fear of the unknown I suppose, but it was loads better than I was expecting. A friend's husband had already had the op, and it was good talking to him. Perhaps there's someone that you could talk to?
The first week is tough, really because of a lack of mobility, but after that you should see an improvement, and things get easier. Do you have someone to help you a bit during that time? As far as pain goes, I was worried about that, but the hospital should get that sorted for you, and you will come home with plenty of meds for pain relief (and your sheet of exercises!)
I wish you all the best. Whereabouts are you having your op?
Agentcooper judith12644
Posted
Im in South Wales. Yes, my husband has time off work to help me. Did you experience much pain?
judith12644 Agentcooper
Posted
No, I was lucky, had hardly any pain. It was much better than I expected. (I did take all my prescribed meds for the first fortnight though!) I was very mobile, and out walking, just short distances to start with, from day 3.
I found the nights were pretty rubbish though, quite hard to sleep, bit stiff and uncomfortable, and I was always pleased when morning came! All the best, Judith
ptolemy Agentcooper
Edited
I was really surprised how little pain I had. My sister came to stay for a few days and decided to take me out to lunch the day after I came home. I was a bit tired though.