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I am 66 years old and am having THR on my right hip on September 12th. Have been reading about the experiences that have been posted here about THR and none of them sound very positive. I am so scared of having the surgery and wish there was another alternative but the doctors says no. Hoping he wasn't rushing me to have surgery. I am going to call the office with my concerns. As maybe I should just cancel the surgery and live how I am now walking with a cane and not having a lot of mobility to get around.
I have been waiting since the beginning of July for the surgery and I am terrified of having complications and once recovered not being able to live a normal life again.I understand that recovery takes about 6-12 weeks.
Went to a joint replacement class last Thursday and am even more fearful and worried as there are so many limitations as how to move once the surgery is over and I am home from the hospital. Understand will be home 2-3 days after the surgery and have home PT for three weeks then OP PT after that.
Have no one to discuss how depressed I already am other than my husband and he tries to but just doesn't understand how I am feeling, even though he had undergone bypass surgery this past February and had recovered very well.
The depression is overwhelming me and most days I can hardly function and get out of bed and I haven't even had the surgery yet. I have been prone to depression mist of my life.
I am going to discuss with one of our priests as he underwent THR a few years ago.
Just don't have any close friends that I can discuss with and right now due to the cost therapy is not possible.I am just so conflicted.
Will speak with the doctors office as I have so many questions from the class that I attended.
Feel like the doctors office isn't giving me the support that I need.
Just in such a dark and desolate place with all of this right now.
Sue
1 like, 25 replies
mitnedob susan98968
Posted
Hello, I am a 62 year old male and had my second total hip replacement four days ago. The first one was done when I was 48. This second THR I had spinal anesthesia,and felt no pain after the surgery,was still numb from the waist down in recovery room. I was not awake during surgery,don't think I'd want to hear what's going on down there. I spent one night in the hospital,and was given pain meds when needed. They had me up and moving five hours after the surgery,with a walker,nice and slow. The first THR I spent five days in the hospital,and when I came home,was no longer on pain meds. So, I'm hoping within the next day or two to be off them for this one. One thing you have to remember is,don't rush the recovery,everything has to heal,and that takes time. It is common to feel a little depressed during recovery, you just have to tell yourself..I can do this. Having had my left hip done 14 years ago,and how I felt afterward, was the reason I didn't hesitate to get my right hip done. I was told to sleep in my bed,which was hard to do.getting in and out. So,don't be afraid to spend a few days or weeks in a recliner, like I did for the first one,and am doing for this one. I was taking four pain pills a day when I got home,and only took one yesterday. If you have any other questions,feel free to ask, it does help to talk about it. Take Care.
Mike1122 mitnedob
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ptolemy Mike1122
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jean68130 susan98968
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Hi Sue, sorry you are feeling so low but look on the bright side - once the op is over you have lots to look forward to - no more pain so that's a plus.
Have you opted for an epidural rather than a general anaesthetic? Much better AND quicker to get back to normal as there are no after effects of a general. - I have had epidurals not only for my hip replacement but other surgery that I've had. I give it 10 out of 10 every time.
Love
JX
chrisa306driver susan98968
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jen86183 susan98968
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No one was more scared than I. At 61 never been ill, hubby was pushing me to have the thr as after a fall back in december 2009 I had over the years got worse and I walked like a penguin due to legs becoming uneven.
I had op last april and I promise you the op was nothing to fear. Had op wednesday lunch home friday, I have had no pain since op and legs are level for the first time in years.
I am 19 weeks on wednesday and cannot yet put my sock on operated side or cut toe nail but I was weeding the garden at 10 weeks with a kneeling stool and am doing floor exercises along with using my elliptical walker which, I began using at 8 weeks.
Recovery is really down to you and how much exercise you put in but, please do not cancel and do not worry it is not as bad as you imagine.
As I said no pain since operation therefore no strong painkillers, walking without support since week 8. It is lovely being out of pain. Good luck and do not worry.
karen_53629 susan98968
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Yes I am extremely terrified, but being almost limited to doing nothing but sitting- I have to overlook that, or better than that- look past it, and I can’t wait.
lucy82829 susan98968
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Hi there ,
I'm 51 and had a hip replacement 12 weeks ago and am now walking absolutely fine. No limp and speedier than it was before. I'm about to return to my cross trainer too.
I had the epidural which I recommend and was home after 2 days. The swelling and spasms were a surprise but they went eventually and I couldn't be happier. I'm off to Paris tomorrow with a doting in my step.
Have the op you will feel so much better but it takes time to recover as its a big op.
Good luck
Lucy
lucy82829 susan98968
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Rocketman_SG6UK susan98968
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Sue,
Don't forget that most posts are because of problems, those without problems rarely post because they don't need help or information.
Aged 66, I am having one of those wonderful recoveries this time, and at less than 4 weeks post-op I am walking about without sticks and going up/down stairs normally too.
Even with the problems I had, I'd do it again if I had that awful OA pain in the other hip. The joy of being free
of that OA pain immediately after surgery was wonderful.
Graham
elizabeth27129 susan98968
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I have had 2 hip replacements, the operation is the easy bit all you need to do is lay on the op bed,i had so much support it was amazing.
The one thing was i had to wait 2yrs,now i am 11 wks post op like you i only have my husband to talk to, i do have depressed times and i do get anxious.what i have done is turn my walks and exercises into an outing,i take pictures of bees and butterflies.
When you go to the PH classes you meet some wonderful people. This has helped me so much with my confidence i am now walking 8-9000 steps a day.
Yes i have had a few issues along the way but you push on and say to yourself i CAN do this and you can,i have not walked like this for 7yrs,you will be fine there is lots of help all the way.
Take care chin up and push on.
diannesk susan98968
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Of course with any surgery there are recovery issues.As far as "none being very positive" comment that you made, it could be that people tend to tell about issues they've had. Doesn't mean it's not a positive outcome after surgery. For me, it definitely was positive with a couple of healing issues which are much better now. I had left THR in January and was very happy afterwards. The hip pain for 5+ years was gone.
Most important is to allow yourself to heal and follow guidelines from your surgeon.
My surgeon, after looking at my x-ray of bone on bone, gave me alternatives. One was meds which I wasn't willing to take since they would only mask the pain and not cure the condition. Another was to just wait which I didn't want to and continue to be in pain. The other choice was surgery as soon as he could schedule me after I had medical release from my doctor.
Of course, the decision is yours. The doctor will answer questions but that's about it.
I know there will be more people sharing their positive experiences with you here.
Charlie2018 susan98968
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ptolemy susan98968
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anniepaint susan98968
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Ann
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