So I returned to the hospital yesterday as my arthritis pain has been continual most of this year. I had been told when initially diagnosed 3 years ago that I would need a THR at some point but they wanted to delay it until I was 50. This year I've felt it's detetiorated a lot and have had to give up the gym (pain still the same though). Saw consultant again yesterday who spent first 15 mins trying to put me off however my gp has put me on pain meds (2tramodol, 2 naproxen & 2 paracetamol at night which should knock out a horse but doesn't touch my pain for more than an hour at best). My concern was that if I'm on that much high dosage pain meds now what am I looking at taking over next 4 years. Anyway had the obligatory xray at which point he just said THR was only option as it had deteriorated so badly. Great I thought, let's do this, get my life and fitness back. Now a day later my head is buzzing with doubts and questions and I'm driving myself mental with research! Would rather hear from people who have had it done. I'm a single parent- 2 kids 18 and 13 at home, I do everything including working full time which is not salaried, I cannot afford to take 3 months off (also mentally this would do me in) so if I'm up and about would I be able to go back to work (I sit down all day not a manual job) after 2 weeks? How much "looking after" will I actually need on returning from hospital? (I'm an independent bugger and hate asking for help of any kind). My kids are at school and college and my 2 older ones work and dont live at home so I feel like I'm pretty stuffed. Am I ok to rest then just get up to make a brew or a butty? I've read stuff that says you can never cross your legs again? How is this possible if it's habit? I'm scared of what will happen if I can't bring in a wage plus I love my job!! Head is spinning sorry for all the questions- I know it needs doing but practicalities are scary!
Hi Kirsty
Nice to hear from you.
It sounds to me as if your only option is a hip replacement wow so many painkillers!! I personally don't think they help but like you they have to be taken re the pain.
All those questions ....do what's right for you ...but you know you can't go on like this .... I felt my world getting so narrow ..no gym no shopping no social life and such pain!!
I had my op 5 months ago and oh boy am I back on form I have my life back. I live on my own and for the first couple of weeks needed help with domestic things but could Cook and shower etc.
Do what's right for you get your life back.
Let us know how you get on ...you aren't on your own all of us hippies understand.
Julie 🖒
Hi Kirsty, I had my right hip replaced almost two years ago. I was 54 at the time. I won't lie to you it's a big operation BUT I now have my life back. I can do everything that I could prior to the arthritis starting. I go to the gym, I'm active and I do occasionally cross my legs (but not often).
To be honest it took the best part of 18 months to feel totally normal but that's just me. Some on here recover much quicker. There are lots of restrictions at first - six weeks or so but t depends on the surgeon and the aproach you have for your surgery. The hospital gave me lots of tips and aids and I had lots of physio which helped a lot. My children were 23 at the time and one lived at home. I would have found it hard to cope without her and my husband in the first week or so but people on here do manage alone.
As regards work work I work from home and didn't start till week six and very slowly. You have to keep getting up for a walk and I would get VERY tired very quickly. Everyone is different though and it's hard to say how you will be until it happens. You can deffo make a cuppa and a sandwich once you are home. Surely you would qualify for sick pay in your job? Are you in the U.K.?
Its a a big step but ultimately one you won't regret.
C
Hi Kirsty
I am in exactly same position as you, 46yrs old and facing THR. I have bilateral hip dysplasia diagnosed too late, so now I have too much cartilage damage and a very painful labral tear. Was also told I would need to wait until I was at least 50 but it has deteriorated so much this year that I now take oral morphine every day and walk with a stick. I have no life outside of work, but its office based and about the only thing that keeps me going.
Not sure where you are, I'm in Lincolnshire but under The Royal National Orthopaedic hospital at Stanmore London. I've basically told them that I can't take anymore and have asked for a cancellation, even if it's xmas eve! Like you, I just want my life back.
After reading how most people have coped on here, I think we will be fine compared to how life is at the moment. I'm scared too, but more scared that life is slipping me by.
Sorry I cant answer any questions but maybe we can give each other a bit of moral support when it gets a bit tough 😷.
Best wishes
Kay
Ill keep it short X 1 the quickest THR to recover from is an anterior approach. Posterior is more common as its a cheeper operation for the NHS . 2 the fitter and healthier you are going into the operation the quicker you will recover. 3 you will deteriorate fast (sorry ) but from what you have said you need it done . I'm 35 they made me wait, far too long because of my age . I'm a mess now and will take an extremely long time to recover. If you have a anterior approach you will still need some help for the first 2-3 weeks but could be back to work 6 week easy. Hope that helps X keep in touch xx
A bit of a dilemma for you, but remember that you won't start healing until you've been operated on and at the moment your life will just get more painful.
You must take time out to do this before it takes over completely. We've all done it and are coming through on different levels, but ultimately the result will be a pain free, normal life.
Hi Kristy,Poor you! Please remember that your op Isa major one.None of us are the same.I had my hip replacement last year,& although they say six weeks.I had no choice but to get off my butt! As I am a carer for my Hubby.But to be honest I suffer from tension & the op has failed with me.As I have had to guide my husband as he's severely sighted,as well as having awful mobility issues.He too has oa of hips,& knees.Like me.Hes on medication which over a long period of time has caused ulcers in his stomach.I had a care package for my Hubby,but no one took care of me.And yes I could scream at the social worker.I have reflexology once a fortnight.I hope this hasn't put you off.But you must have help for the first 2 weeks.regards Amanda H
I have had JRA since I was 11, 54 long years of arthritis.
I have learned that not all narcotics behave in my body...but, I have learned what works for me. I want to take the least amount of anything and have the best result.
Have you tried something other than Naproxin ..many different NSAIDs are available ..because we are all the same yet different. Ask your rheumatologist.
Paracetamol is acetaminophen is Tylenol...is a non narcotic pain reliever and antiinflammatory...which can be quite effective taken every 6 hours, dosed no closer, at a higher dose, like 500 mg. Also discuss this with your rheumatologist.
And narcotics...should be reserved for emergency flares. I prefer Morphine Sulfate Extended Release because it is effective for 12 hours and oxycodone 5 mg typically split in half
Work with your rheumatologist...a good rheumatologist should be able to manage your arthritis well with minimal use of narcotics.
You have not shared what type of arthritis you have, so I will use Rheumatoid as an example. Next to Lupus, it used to be savage.
Rheumatoid is a dynamic disease that morphs....this is why a medication that helps today may not help tomorrow.
By observing a person's reaction to a drug, we can learn a lot about the rheumatoid in that person's body...Both Enbrel and Humira are TNF, tumor necrosis factor. Individuals whose rheumatoid responds well to either Enbrel or Humira are said to have TNF driven rheumatoid. Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody against the protein CD20. For those who respond favorably to Rituximab, we say their rheumatoid is CD20 driven.
Sometimes rheumatoid arthritis can be successfully treated with an NSAID...non steriodal anti inflammatory drug...such as Orudis, Feldene, Naprosin, Naproxin, Motrin, Indomethacin, Butazolidin to name just a few.
Steriods...not to be confused with anabolic steroids...prednisone, budesonide, methylprednisolone are three of many. Many decades of study have taught us to use steroids judiciously because steroids cause unwanted side effects such as bone density loss. Today, steroids are prescribed using a burst approach...high dose fast start, immediate graduated decrease, off.
DMARDs & Biologics... disease modifying anti rheumatic drug...
This class of medications modify, literally change the way rheumatoid behaves... Methotrexate (now the gold standard), hydroxychloroquine, sulfasalazine, Orencia, Remicade are all typically oral.
Rituximab is delivered by infusion.
Enbrel in the mid nineties was the first DMARD. I still remember watching the television news that night with tears running down my face. Those of you who face rheumatoid today should never face the full fury of this disease. Nevertheless, matching a sufferer with the best medication to defeat their rheumatoid continues to take time. As the class of medication used increases, so too do the possible adverse side effects. Be patient and work with your rheumatologist, only a board certified rheumatologist, to fine tune a treatment effective against your rheumatoid.
54 years of severe juvenile rheumatoid has left my body permanently damaged and deformed because medicine did not have the wealth of knowledge it has today.
I am grateful for all of the analgesics, NSAIDs, and steroids that made it possible for DMARDs & biologics to modify even my severe juvenile rheumatoid. Today my JRA is relatively quiet. And once my rheumatoid quieted down, I forgot about the really tough times it raged.
Oh, I had my first joint surgery in 1971, at the age of 20. My first joint replacements were about 1985, at 34 I have had many revisions...I once asked a very famous surgeon, when won't you be able to replace them. He smiled and said, when you have no more skin.
Remember, medical knowledge is griwing exponentially each day. When I was born, you died with the same parts you were born with. Not any more.
What can not be done today will be done tomorrow.
,
Locate a university with a medical school with a clinic..famous...travel to be seen. This is your body, do not settle for second best.
And your children have been watching you suffer, admiring how mom manages to do everything....not until I stood at the side of my dad's bed did I learn that it is so much easier to be in the bed than it is to stand at the side of the bed wanting to do anything to make my dad feel better. Perhaps your children feel as I did...
A few years ago I asked my dr. for something other than Tylenol for arthritic pain in my hands. He told me to try an NSAID. He said that while Tylenol only helps with the pain, an Nsaid will also help with inflammation which is often the cause of the pain. He said to try different NSAIDS since they have different actions, thus different results in relieving pain.
Hi kirsty,
warm welcome to this wonderful hippies forum where we share our personal stories and experiences- we come together here in all ages and stages of Hippieland ...
It is so overwhelming, isn't it ... We know ...
One thing is for sure, life the way it is for you right now is not working anymore ..
Pain medication stop working but if you don't take them the pain is almost unbearable ...
Please go to the website created by one of our forum members, Graham, aka Rocketman :
get the ball rolling, darling --- How long is the wait?
and of course, come back here anytime you have a concern or question -
big warm hug
renee
something weird is going on :
Okay, here is the web site:
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/thr-useful-resources-487147,
scroll all the way down to A layman's Guide ...
It will work out, it always does .. so take a deep breath
Aah thanks for your reply. So good that you've got your life back - I can't wait for mine!! I'm not even bothering with the painkillers anymore as they just don't work so just living with it. I think if it was a constant pain or ache it'd be easier but with it being sharp spasms it makes me squirm! Not a good look in work ha ha. I'm going to rally the kids but reading all the replies here I'm feeling a lot more confident that it's doable! X
Hi, thanks for your reply. Yes I'm in UK but my work is sessionally paid - I'm a counsellor so unsure if I qualify for anything! Plus I don't want to be leaving my clients for a long time (I work with quite badly damaged young people so takes ages to build up any sort of trust). I'm thinking of ways I can make it work and I'll speak to my bosses when I've got some idea of when it'll be so I'm feeling confident I can sort it. So looking forward to not having this pain! Glad yours has worked out too. Fills me with confidence. I can do this I'm too bloody stubborn not to but love this forum and so glad I discovered it. I feel better already!! X
Aah thanks, yes I've also agreed to cancellations including xmas eve (sorry kids!). I'm off for 2 weeks so would take the stress off a bit! I'm in Stockport. Had my pre op done day they decided to do it just got an occupational therapist meeting on Tuesday then I'm good to go. Definitely would be up for some moral support both ways, already feeling better after reading some replies and actually I will make this work! Don't have a choice ha ha. Shame we can't pm and exchange numbers really as looks like we're in this together! Xx
Thanks for your reply, I've given up the gym as hurt too much but to be honest it's not made any difference to it so do you reckon I would be ok to go back to restart my fitness for op? I'm feeling so sluggish not being able to go and know I've put a bit of weight on! Not been for about 3 months and miss it (well not exactly miss but know I need it!! Ha ha).
Thanks for your reply! I can't wait for that!! So excited/scares- not of op just of limitations after! X
Aah thanks for your reply, sounds like you're having a tough time. Hope it gets better for you. From all I read I'm not put off. We are all different with different situations and bodies so nice to be on here to get all the perspectives and scenarios. X
Aah thankyou. I have osteoarthritis- perhaps I should have said this. Just falling to prices really ha ha. So frustrating as I'm never ill otherwise! Sounds like you've had a journey and a half. My issue with the pain meds is that they don't actually touch the pain and it never goes as I've got an unusually high tolerance to them apparently (of course I have I can't be normal and be knocked out by 1 tramodol I have to be different 😂
so I'm not taking any. For it to work I'd have to triple the dose which I'm not willing to do but feel I can cope now the end is in sight! My kids are all great and sure it'll be fine just me being a stubborn and hating to ask but I have to so I need to get over myself and get on with it!! Which I will. X
yes, I use both
smile, hug