Disappointed - now due for second THR in Aug/Sept

Bones, joints and muscles
1

I’m feeling a bit sorry for myself and could do with some fairy hugs!

To recap - I had a surprise diagnosis of severe osteoarthritis last year, leading to a THR on my right hip in June 2016.  Though my surgeon indicated at the time that my left hip would also need replacing fairly soon, I had hoped that it would be at some point in the future, preferably in the far distant future.

During my 6 month follow up in December, my surgeon suggested that the second op should be scheduled for early 2017, but I felt that I couldn’t cope with another operation so soon after the first one and decided to delay making the decision for a further 6 months, which took me to last Wednesday and another meeting with my surgeon.

I have reluctantly accepted that I have got to have my left hip done this year and have been given a waiting time of 2 to 3 months (pretty good for the NHS).

There is also the other issue – now I know (sort of) what to expect.  I am absolutely dreading the first 2 weeks at home – it was a nightmare last time! Sometimes ignorance really is bliss!

Now, I know I’m being daft, but I just wish that there was another option…….

2

Hello there!

I can 100% relate to your situation. I was told at 32 years old I needed a double hip replacement. I left that Drs office saying, "Nope. He has to be wrong... there is no way at my age that could be right." For 5 years and 6 Drs, I was told the same.

At 37 I had my R hip done(the worst) and 2 1/2 yrs later, HAPPILY had my L hip done.

You're right.... those first 2 weeks are tough. Takes forever to get in/out of bed...hard to shower while watching precautions....sleep schedule is all wonky. I 100% get it. BUT after that, the relief is amazing. I CAN PUT SOCKS ON!!!

I am also in your situation AGAIN as a few months ago I started having the same pain in my groin in my first replacement which is only 5 1/2 years old. I have an appointment on Tues to see my Surgeon and am terrified that I will have to do this again so soon.

I trust you will do wonderful with this second replacement and remember, even a bad day can only last 24 hours.

All the best!!

3

Hi Chloe, long time no speak. I often wonder how last year's hippie friends are doing & I guess you're feeling a bit disheartened 😕

I was sort of in the same boat as you as my surgeon said I would definitely need a THR on my left hip in the near future. I went to see him a few weeks ago for my annual checkup & had a few x-rays taken. Despite having a bit of a nagging ache after walking for some distance, my surgeon said he hoped he wouldn't see me for a few years!

Think positive - you know what's to come, you know you can do it, you understand the necessity to do your exercises religiously & you shouldn't worry. Remember Lors? I'm pretty sure her 2nd THR was easier than her 1st because she knew what to expect. It's surely worse when your anxious (the fear of not knowing).

Chin up lovely, be positive, embrace it & remember you have your hippie forum mates to chat to x

4

Hi, I'm sending you a virtual hug! Sorry to hear about your other hip. I'm a month behind you, had my right hip replaced last July. At the moment my left hip is ok, but I suppose it will probably need doing at some point. Hang on in there...I wish you all the best, Judith.

5

I know the feeling well I'm due my second hip replacement on the 26 june I didn't have any pain in my left hip even though the surgeon said it was worse than the right but it was the right hip causing me the worst pain imaginable.....now the left is as bad if not worse pain wise I'm dreading this one too fairy hugs to you xx

6

Thank you Randi

I don't know what I would do without this forum.  It is so nice to be able to say what you actually feel - and for people to understand what you mean.

I hope all goes well with your appointment and that you won't need another op.

7

Hi Fernlady

As you say - long time no speak.

Yep, I'm pretty fed up at the moment.  I KNOW the surgeon said - at our very first consultation back in May last year - that I would have to have a second THR etc but just somewhere in the back of my brain I have been hoping that he was wrong.  Of course he wasn't - but sometimes you just cling on to the impossible and hope it might just happen (or not happen as the case may be).

Of course, the problem with clinging on to the impossible, is that when it has been proven really to be impossible, you then you get really fed up - and I'm FED UP!

Currently I'm not in the right frame of mind to be positive - I want to have a sulk and throw a temper tantrum for a few days first!

As I've said before, and I've no doubt will say again - it is so nice to be able to ask this forum for support and understanding receive it every time.  So, thank you. 

8

Thank you for your kind thoughts Judith

I'm in need of all the virtual hugs I can get at the moment.

I will be ok - but not just at the moment,

9

Hi Jean

Fairy hugs back to you and I hope all goes well with your op.

10

Aaw Chloe, have your silk, smash a few plates or do whatever you feel you have to but then remember that the sooner you get it done, the sooner it will all be over & no more pain x

11

Silk????!!!! Should have said sulk! X

12

If I want to have a silk, then I will have a silk - so there!!!

13

So sorry to hear that you have to have the 2nd hip done. I also have osteoarthritis was diagnosis in Janurary had surgery in March on left and surgeon told me probably 2 yrs the right would have to be replaced. I have done very well with the left hip replacement and 3 days after returning to work the femoral head collapsed on the right due to osteoarthritis went to ER and they admitted me and said surgery in the morning they never did the surgery and released me 4 days later with collapsed femur and see surgeon in 2 weeks. I went to surgeon yesterday and they're going to do right hip in July in the mean time going on a month now I get to sit and I mean sit because it hurts so bad to walk and wait for surgery before I have anything to look forward to as far as recovery. So yes I wish there was another cure for osteoarthritis but I guess there's not. Any advice you can give me would be appreciated because right now I'm very depressed from not having any quality of life since the first hip and then told 2 yrs and 4 months later here I go again.

14

Hi Teresa

First of all big fairy hugs for you.

You are having it rough - far worse than me. so have some more fary hugs.

Currently I'm have a sulk (or silk if you're from the Fernlady school of thought), then I'm going to throw a full scale hissy fit.  Once I've done those things, I will then try to look on the positive side.

The worst part - of accepting professional advice that I need the op - has been accepted and acted upon and I'm now in the system.

So then I need to look at what if any preparation I need to do before the pre-op stuff starts.

Once that has been done, I can then concentrate on the benefits of having the op done - no pain, free movement etc.

So, my advice to you is have a sulk, throw a temper tantrum and then force yourself to find the positives in having the operation.  Try not to get yourself stuck in a negative thought loop - it achieves nothing.

I am fortunate to have a friend who's a Therapist and she showed me a simple technique to stop panicking and calm down.  It is just a breathing exercise, so:

1.  Find somewhere comfortable to stand or sit.

2.  Concentrate on your breathing - breathe in through your nose for a mental count of 3

3.  Still concentrating on your breathing - breathe out through your mouth for a mental count of 5.

As you practice you will find that you can increase the mental counts.

I was THE worst cynic about this - I was convinced that it wouldn't work. But, quite simply it does work.

Give it a go - what have you got to lose?

Last but not least, continue to post to this forum.  I can guarantee you will receive great advice, support and understanding.

15

Thanks. I will try the breathing therapy like what else do I have to do with my time.

16

dear chloe,

awwwww..... that sucks, darling ...

I totally went bonckers when I heard that my other (left) hip needed THE surgery at my 6 weeks follow up appointment of 1st (right) THR ... there was no indication that it needed it, however cartilage went from mild to severe in 6 months time ... 

I immediately informed the forum and then found out that I was not abnormal but that this actually happens a lot ... woohoot, right? I thought I was a freak !!!

you will be on the emtional roller coaster ... from knowing what you are in for to knowing what you are in for ... 

it will be different ... 

I had posterior approach both times and to me, the 2nd time around, I definitely was less worried about the restrictions - of course they will be in place, but  I knew that it all was much stronger than I thought ... and I had 2 new hips ---  

I was in an awful pain and was actually looking forward to the surgery ... well, at times, after the hours of panic  ---- 

and there are advantages too, you know ... you know how to sit down on the toilet etc ...

just come here and sulk away - rant and rave ...

big warm hug

renee 

17

Oh Teresa sweetie – you are in a bad way.

I looked at your profile but you don’t say where you are.  I suggest that it could help if you could speak to someone about how you feel.  Do you have anyone who would just listen to you – and possibly help you too?

If you’re relatively local to me, I would be more than happy to come round and let you use me as a verbal punch bag.  I’m in West Sussex near Gatwick Airport, where are you?

If I’m not local to you, then I’m pretty sure that if you want to speak with someone-who-knows, any number of people from this forum would be only too happy to pop round and listen to you.

In the meantime do take care of yourself.

Lots of fairy hugs.

18

Hi Renee

Isn't this forum wonderful - I post that I'm sulking and will have a temper tantrum too, and no one thinks I'm odd - they all say, just get on with doing whatever you need to do to deal with the situation and offer support at the same time!

How fantastic is that!

Absolutely bloody marvellous folks - thank you all so much.

19

Chloe I am really sorry you have to have the second one fixed.

I am feeling pretty much the same as you....I need another one too....I am not happy about it AT ALL. I have also been putting it off (not because I am scared, that is at one benefit, the blind terror of having the surgery has definitely gone) but because I am trying to enjoy the summer after recovering from the first one...and at least get some happiness in before the next one is due.

I was getting my life back, and now it is all going downhill again, got stranded from my car thinking I could walk further than I now can yesterday. Struggling to sleep. All the usual signs. Hip pain has been getting worse and worse......and I am not feeling especially joyful about the first week or two either after THP!! So I know how you feel, it is not so much the surgery that bothers me, although I always worry about the risk. It is the huge amount of time it takes to get properly better!!

I think we grit our teeth and do it when the moment comes. It will be ghastly, but as Renee so rightly said we know how to get on and off the loo (that is progress) we know we will be awake much of the night (so we will download lots in advance) and we definitely know that once it is fixed, that is it!!!!!!!!! YAY!!!

How exciting that we won't have to do it ever again with a little luck!! We will have two legs that work (dont you think it is interesting to compare how strong the new hip is compared to the pain and difficulty of the other one) 

 

20

Hey Rose, how are you (apart from the other hip obviously)! I can't believe it's been a whole year since my 1st THR, where has that time gone! I've forgotten I've had surgery now & my scar has faded really well (thank goodness for coconut oil)! I really thought my surgeon would be saying the same to me when I saw him a few weeks ago but he compared my x-rays & said he hoped not to see me for a few years!

It's nice to catch up with a few old faces x