I am having a left THR next Friday and am petrified! I have been blessed with really good health and have not been in hospital as a patient (although I was a nurse). The whole thing just terrifies me. Am really glad that I found this forum as there seems to be great advice and support. I keep thinking that maybe I don't need the surgery, that other people are far worse than I am, ok I can't walk very far, can't play with the grandchildren as would wish, can't get up off the floor if I kneel down but hey I am not as bad as some people!!!! Please some words of wisdom for this novice from you experts. I go in at 8am for surgery later that morning, spinal anaesthetic (eek) and if all goes well will be out in 48 hours.
Hi.
If it makes you feel any better, I cried a little when they got me into surgery :-). Could even respond to their questions however thats as bad as it got.
I was 39 when I started with the pain and I had the op last october at the grand age of 41. Never looked back and the worst part was the decision to have it done.
Its ok to be scared but let ot go as its great to be pain free and having a decent quality of life.
All the best
Steph
Hi I'm just like you, I'm waiting for a date for my THR and I'm also afraid and thinking doi really need this op. I was really bad and in constant pain when I had a steroid injection last sept. It completely made the pain go away and was fantastic until it started to come back a couple of months ago. I saw the surgeon and he said its time to have the op because the injection isn't a solution and the problem will always be there until I have a new hip... I know that the pain will get as bad as it was before but I'm still walking round (limping of course) and feel guilty that there are people worse off than myself... The truth is although I'm not in as much pain as I was it still affects my life every day and I know this is my only option for a normal life.... If they are going to give you a new hip it's because you need one and you will not get better just worse. X rays don't lie. I know your scared but all these people on here have done it and we can too. I hope everything goes well for you and when you have had it done I hope you can tell me all about it because I'm going to be facing the exact same thing. We can do it ...we can do it xx
I was exactly the same - petrified, terrified and all the rest. But all is well now - had mine in February and am now back to playing gentle games of tennis and walking about 15000 steps a day and I do a Pilates class once a week. I obeyed all the rules (apart from not wearing those horrid DVT stockings ) - did the exercises twice a day and followed all the rules about not bending etc. you will feel very tired after and you need to listen to your body and rest when it tells you.
Thanks you two. It is great to let off steam. I try to be all positive with family and friends and sometimes feel like a lunatic because I do know that I need this but can't quite believe it is happening. It is not really the pain of it that is making me anxious. It is really not being in control of the situation ( I like being in control lol). As I said I was a nurse, although not much experience of hip replacement and my limited experience was some time ago. The thought of lying on an operating table, wide awake, listening to banging and sawing and knowing the construction work is being done on my body and it lasts for an hour and a half. I have made up a playlist on my iPod including some fairly loud rock and classical music. I read a good description by Maeve Binchy in her book 'Aches and Pains'. It was funny. Got the book from amazon second hand. It is worth a read.
Do it! Look on all the threads about the previous scared/terrified/panic stricken pre -ops and then how they got on. 96% happy, relieved, thank-goodness -I had-it-done post ops and you'll get the idea. I am an ex nurse and because I had all the knowledge it was a scary prospect. Four weeks in, all pain gone from day one, very well and never looked back. Lots of my posts on these threads from worried to very happy. Hope you won't worry too much and be very happy afterwards. Good luck!
Thanks Cathie. I will absolutely do as I am told.
Part of your problem is that you know too much - remember that most procedures go well, most anaesthetics are fine and these days pain control is good and anaesthetics rarely make you sick. I spent quite a lot of time looking at orthopaedic implant failures and I told the surgeon that I wanted to know nothing during the op or watch - I got sedation with my spinal! (which went beautifully)
It will take a while for you to get off the floor but walking should improve fairly quickly. Hope it goes well and since it isn't an op which they do 'on demand' they agree that it would be a good idea.
I totally understand! I am an ex nursing sister and I KNOW what happens in theatre!!
When I Tripped and fell in 2012 ( broke my hip and twisted my leg 40% THE WRONG WAY) I asked for 3 hip screws to be inserted, not a THR. They were put in and sadly the hip was wrongly aligned. I made quite good progress at first and then it went wrong. I changed surgeons and I paid £2000 to have my 3 screws removed and hoped that would make things better but my leg length (which is 1 inch different to the other leg now) I have been struggling to maintain a normal life for 21 months and keep my business going. I could moan about all that has gone wrong but what i wanted to say was I too was terrified and realised it was getting me nowhere. I knew I had to change my mindset. I started to get mentally prepared and look forward to my operation instead of fearing it.
I got all geared up by seeing a kineseologist and an EFT practitioner on the day before my operation was due to take place (10th July). Now I was really ready to take that step forward and look forward to dancing again! A bit of pain for a lot of gain! My operation was cancelled at 5.20pm last wednesday ( the night before) but every cloud has a silver lining. I have now been transferred to the private hospital ( in order to stick within NHS waiting times) and it will be done on 8th August. I KNOW it will be Ok.
I keep seeing it all going smoothly and picturing myself making rapid progress. If you are going to have thoughts, make them positive ones as negativity is just a waste of time! I wish you well and feel the positive vibes washing over you.
So much nicer than fear!
Yes think I just needed to let off steam. They do say nurses make the worst patients! I will let you know. Xx
Thank you
Oh yes we can!
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
My goodness this could have been me reading this! Even the day of my THR 7 weeks ago, I was still thinking is it bad enough to warrant this op? I am 47 and have struggled for the last 5 years but it's amazing what you get used to, it's only when you have it done and after a while you are walking so much better than you have for years that you begin to realise how bad you actually was, and don't forget you have been putting strain on other things like knees back etc all the while, it's true what the others are saying, surgeons will not operate if there isn't a need, I had a spinal with sedation and it was amazing, very best of luck x
It's so easy to,say don't worry - but honestly in a few weeks from now you'll be SO much better. Actually the after op pain/discomfort is the passport to a new you! Today, 3weeks and one day after the op I went upstairs one leg at a time. This is major and a sure sign that things are improving fast. Everyone on this forum will be rooting for you. I wept in secret in the loo before my op with sheer fear, yet here I am! Wishing you the very best of luck,with your (undoubtfully) successful recovert
I also was utterly terrified. I was weeping as the epidural was done. But I had no idea of how my life would be transformed by the operation. I was in a room of my own but for my second thr that was not an option. So I took ear plugs and an eye mask to help with sleeping. It requires courage and bravery to go forward and have this operation. The first few days can be tough so adequate pain relief is vital. Believe me, when you recover, you will get a normal life back and most people say it's the best thing they ever did. I have been looking after my one year old granddaughter today. I went for a walk pushing a buggy and I can lift and carry her. That would have been impossible before.Feel the fear and do it anyway!
Hi..
I have had 3 THR...it's not a petrifying experience at all. I want to encourage u to think that THR is giving UR life back.. Mobility and stops the pain u r having now.
Take it one day at a time. Follow thru on UR dr advice and u will be on the road to recovery and happy u did THR. 6 months from now you will have forgotten the surgery rehab etc and on to a better life.
LIFE is a gift...this will give u UR life back... How many people can say that?
CHEERS
HOPE 
This is is proof testimony on how THR does and can make so many lives better.
Good for you Juliette. It was worth it and UR experience can go on record.
Cheers
Hope