My son is the double hippie - first, LTHR 3/8/16, second, RTHR 7/5/16. He is going to a clinic where the care seems to be more managed - the reason he chose it. He had a PT consult, ENT, internist. He will see other specialists as needed. Included is a nutritional consult, and he had an acupuncture session. He didn't say much about it, except that he had a bruise on one foot and discomfort there as the needle was removed. The acupuncturist is a naturopath, and also suggested he drink a calcium-magnesium-citrate powder to be dissolved in liquid. HORRID! He needs to mix it in juice. The acupuncture session must have been ok - he has 3 more scheduled.
Have any of you had this as part of your therapy to recover from THR, or for other reasons? What did you think?
It's hard to tell a younger person like my son that it could be 8 more months before he is able to walk more than 4 blocks and not feel tired, or to have the energy he once had.
I had acupuncture before my hip was diagnosed . When they thought it was groin strain 😰. Did absolutely nothing for the pain at all .. But then we are all different X
I had acupuncture pre diagnosis too and likewise, it did nothing for me. Am tempted to try it again further down the line though as I quite enjoyed the experience!
Sorry, I have only just joined this discussion so can you tell me how old your son is? Mine is 39 and has been told he needs hip replacement but has to wait until he's 50 before they will consider him. He's in so much pain and, knowing he must put up with this for 11 years has caused depression. To be honest, I don't think he will survive that long. So much for NHS!!!
Hi Soos. I tried acupuncture for pain relief last summer 2015. I did this prior to trying cortisone shots - trying the least invasive options first. I only did 3 or 4 sessions of acupuncture as I did not feel it was working and my pain level was too high to hoping it would work. I spoke to others in the office who said it worked for their aches and pains, (not hip pain or THR). For the record, the cortisone shot was a bust as well. Tried it twice- 4 months apart. Each time I only had some relief for about 6 days!!! 😡
Where are you located? I think the preference would be for people to wait until "older" for a THR but plenty of younger folks NEED and get them. A friend had his when we were in our 30s and thankfully his is holding up quite well. I just had mine. I'm 54. They discussed holding off as long as I could which I did, though it wasn't very long- a few months, not years and I wouldn't advise anyone to wait once a certain level of uncontrolled pain hits. There is nothing but more pain to be gained by waiting!! If your son is having advanced pain -X-rays should be able to document the NEED for it. Make calls and get second and even third opinions. Good luck.
Thanks Hazel. I've never had acupuncture, but several of my friends have it regularly. My son decided to go because it was offered as part of his plan. He finds the naturopath to be intelligent and she has other suggestions. I'm sure he likes the positive attention, too. All of that makes it worthwhile for him.
I'm considering it for myself, Jenny - my fingers and elbow are aching as I type this, and my knee has been giving me grief, too. Thanks for weighing in!
Rich, I have the feeling my son will stop if it becomes more bother than it's worth. Thanks for your answer. The fact that it did help means something!
You are welcome to DM me with more questios, Karno. My son is 30, 29 when the left hip was diagnosed. The first surgeon told him he "was not ready, maybe in two year". Son's response was he wanted to break this man's hands. Me too.
He and his GP worked hard to get a second opinion. At least 2 months passed before he saw the second surgeon, who took one look at son and his hobbling and said he would do the surgery.
As often happens, the other hip showed the same signs, which increased with time. After an MRI, the surgeon agreed to operate on the right hip.
Karno, where are you located? You must get a second opinion. Quality of life is so important. I was prepared to pay for the second surgery out of pocket if insurance didn't cover it.
We're in Gravesend, Kent and, unfortunately, my son has just had a second opinion. They did an MRI scan but also warned that they probably wouldn't do a replacement yet because it wouldn't last long and he'd have to have it done again, second time isn't always successful apparently or is it down to costs?!! He's been in constant pain for years now, has no quality of life and suffers from depression too, brought on by the life he's living. If I could borrow the money to have it done, I would.
Thanks Etta. Son had a month of relief from the first cortisone shot. The second one hurt and only helped for a few days. This is what I've heard from others.
I will add that the acupuncturist did give me alot of info on different supplements to take such as those mentioned- magnesium and other things. Once I'm finished with pain meds I want to resume some of the supplements. I was really just sick of taking so many pills, (magnesium, calcium, tumeric, fish oil, D-3, B this, B that), and still had so much pain. Not to mention, some of these pills are ginormous!! I can open my own little vitamin shop at this point. 😛😏😛😏
This is ludicrous !!! I am 56 and had mine 4 weeks ago NHS wales. I was told the youngest they did was 17 and the oldest 94 ! I was told by my surgeon I would probably need another because of my age but it was to do with quality of life as I am quite active ! That I would benefit more as quality of life was important and that I would reap rewards as it would stop the pain . I was told my age was a ' problem ' as I would need another but they were more than happy to do it to give me a better life . Totally opposite to what you have been told ! They also said they were increasingly putting hips in to
People in their 30 40 and 50 's.
The NHS has to be taken by the horns and challenged ..
I suggest you WRITE personally to another hip surgeon in a different area/ health board explaining the situation and asking if one of them would take him in . What have you got to lose ???
Private is about £7000
Challenge this decision even if you gave to get your MP or the press involved . I have done this about three times ( not in relation to my hip ) and won . They hate the bad publicity and even though it should not have to be like that .. They tend to act if challenged . You could say your son is suffering mentally so your considering sueing them for distress .
An awful thing to do I agree but it is your son so fight tooth and nail and do NOT accept it . Trust me ... It does work . When I found out my dads stroke result was just laying in a tray and would not be reviewed for weeks I said I was contacting the press immediately . I had the head of radiology on the phone in 30 mins and it was done there and then . Fight it .. Good luck c
Thanks for this information. I'm going to get onto this tomorrow. I hate seeing my son like this and when he's going through the depression, I never know if he's still going to be with us when I wake up. It's all down to his lack of a decent life, he can't work so never has any money so never meets up with friends, he used to be very sporty, played football and was being watched by a scout but that's all finished now, he just vegetates. With hip replacement he can live again!!! Once again thanks and good luck with your recovery😊