I have been without insurance for over 10 years and I am finally getting insurance in a couple of days because of Medicare. I was told 3 years ago I needed a hip replacment. My leg was shorter by half and inch. I limped and in pain but kept going waiting for insurance. I am now where I cannot do anything, not even make myself a cup of coffee. The pain level is so high that even the pain medication of Norco 5-325 is not helping. Only making me consitpated. I try to get by with only 1-2 pills but hesitate to take more because of the costipation. And even that dosage only takes away about 10% of the pain. What has happened is that now my other good leg is in really bad pain too. When this all started i was having groin pain. But I just kept going. Now both legs hurt really bad and both legs have groin pain. I yell out because of the pain and I just rub the area and pray to God for the pain to go away. In the house I am using 2 canes. My back pops multiply times when I move getting up or out of a chair. My legs are so weak and I have to think to attempt to get up from the chair. My legs have inflamation and are so stiff. I just don't know what to do. I am no longer able to drive and have not been behind the wheel for 3 months. I cannot go out and do fun things and my house is a mess because i can't clean or cook. I sit on the computer, watch a little tv but then all this pain hits me again. What can I do? Why is my back popping so much? Why is my groin hurting? Medicare starts in a couple of days and hope I will be well again. I know the journey is long and hard, but I need my life back again. I want to go on vacation, go fishing with my husband and invite friends over to entertain. It all seems so far away. Can someone please give me their input? I cry everyday because of the pain and inmobilty. I need help.
Hello Evelyn, I'm so sorry, you sound so desperate. I'm in UK and don't really understand the US medical system but when Medicare clicks in will you be able to get to a consultant so that you can start out on the journey for hip replacement? You don't say how old you are or whether you have any family other than your husband. Are they not able to help you around the house? They may not clean up and tidy as you would yourself but at least it would be done. Have you got a neighbour who can pop in and make you a coffee from time to time? Or can your husband make up a flask for you in the morning and some sandwiches for your lunch so that you don't have to worry about that?
Everyone here says don't put off taking medication as the pain will only get worse and it will take longer for the meds to work - it can take up to 30 mins anyway. I know the constipation is horrible. Can you get anything from the pharmacy to help? Drinking lots of water is also good and my dr suggested red peppers (bell peppers) are also good for constipation as they hold on to the water in the bowel and help it to move. All of us on here have suffered at some time or another, it's a by product of the painkillers.
I don't know why your back pops from time to time but it could be because of the pressure from your hips. Yours legs are probably stiff because you have become so immobile - it's a vicious circle.
I had my first hip replacements 20 years ago, when I was 40 and never looked back. Before then I was in constant pain and some days not able to get out of bed. I've just had to have a revision of the right one and am 8 weeks' post op and doing well. Obviously everyone is different but in the majority of cases hip replacement really is a life-saver.
I really hope you can get something sorted out very soon. You will find lots of friends on here to support you.
Just blast away whenever you want to - even if we can't stop the pain we can sympathise with you and you won't feel so alone.
Take care and keep in touch.
Stella x 
You tried to ease the pain and having both hips that's painful and your mess is not helping. Until you get that coverage there is really much you can do except apply ice to both of your hips to reduce inflammation and this will reduce pain for the moment. But at least, pain is lessential for the moment.Praying will help ease the pain. Trust in the Lord.
wish you well God Bless.
At 65 Medicare was a true gift....in a populated country like the U.S. it's a tough one to give everyone govt health care....nothing is free and govts are broker than ever.... the U,.S. spends way too much on guns and wars and we help everyone around the world.....well enough of that.
Groin mess was my MAIN reason to do the hip replacement at 72, this was 4 yrs ago....groin pain is gone, but I do have a lot of other complications.....
Get on magnesium and get that constipation under control. I take 500mg of a quality mag thee times per day and many take to bowel tolerance....way better to be loose than constipated..... I deal with OA over most of my body and Fibro, so I'm used to the popping.....it almost feels good to pop the back.
I count on ME for help and gave up on a god helping me....hasn't worked for me. J
Even with Medicare I had some copays but all manageable,,,,,docs wait for payments to pay off your balances.....one has to be smarter than them....
Very very sorry to hear of your anguish. Are you in US? I thought obamacare had kicked in by now. But hold on because it sounds like you are going to have insurance soon. When I came home from hospital and rehab, I had visiting nurses come and they were fantastic. Especially the physical therapist.......but that's down the road for you. I am sorry that I can't offer you any relief and pray that you get your hips done soon.
Evelyn I pay and hope you will get your insurance in gear.So Sad for all your suffering. Hopefully you will get into orthopedic surgeon soon.
Have you located one yet?
Hi
I'm in the UK so dont really understand the US medical system...sorry
It seems that you are getting close to getting started on some sort of recovery
As for pain killlers.....dont overdose but take as many as you need.
Stay on top of the pain.....dont play catch up with it...please
Love
Eileen UK
Hi Ginger, thank you for writing. I do not have my surgeon yet as I will get a recommendation from my doctor on who to choose. So actually Saturday I begin to have insurance.I then will know more at that time. I hope it does not take too long to get things rolling. Someone said to me the timing may be that you will end up getting surgery around Christmas time you will probably want to wait. I said no I will not wait as much as I love the Christmas time I need to get help so I can begin moving forward with this. Did you have a hip replacement?
Hello Eileen, it's so good to hear from you and thank you for the advice of not letting the pain get away from me. I guess I have been trying to muscle it out because the painkiller creates constipation. I try to help it out with my diet but it's not that effective. In the United States we have with the call Medicare. That is available once you become at the age of 65 years of age. So November 4 will be my birthday and I am eligible for Medicare November 1. The good thing is that I will be moving forward with this. So far my doctor has given me anti-inflammatory shots and oral medication to help me but I am beyond that now. I so appreciate your input and concern. I am glad I found this website where I can get some support from other people who have gone through what I am about to go through. Do you know how long it takes for recovery after hip surgery? I do have a concern we have a bathtub to be able to shower and right now it's hard to get my leg over the bathtub. I am concerned about after surgery. Any suggestions?
Hi Evelyn
Being over 65 does have its advantages 
I take codeine but not all the time.....when needed....its a fall back and constipation is the main side effect, I'm also on iron tablets at the minute and they have the same result.
I find prune juice regularly helps me.
Rather than taking sachets or whatever.....I quite like prune juice as well.
If you read other posts {other threads} about hip replacements you'll see that everyone is different and recover at different rates.
The UK......we have a 6 week limit where we cannot drive {illegal} cannot sleep on our side, it must be our back, and as for getting in and out of a bath we are told thats a no np be3fore 6 weeks is up. You wouldnt be allowed to lift your leg to get into the bath,
USA may have different rules. I had to have a complete wash down each day {because i couldnt get in the bath} with my hubby doing my legs and feet. Thats another thing....we cant bend more than a 90 degree angle.
No doubt others from USA will be on to tell you what their restrictions were ......Just think how much better you will be and how little you will have to give up for a while
Love
Eileen UK
I went to a hospital that does ortho pedic surgeries.
I met him one week had surgery two weeks. He wanted to do it the next week.But I needed time tomake arrangements for my dog molly and misty my cat.
He was recommended by a family at church who had a daughter and son in law.had an anterior hip replacement.
I needed to know that the surgen has done many this type surgery And does surgery several times a week.
Especially your surgery looks complicated.look carefully. Good bless.please let me know how things go.
Anterior hip replacement require no cutting into your muscle.
They just move it out of the way to get the hip and start the replacement.
I wish i had that Anterior approach in NY, they don't do that approach.
Post op recovery is 6-8 weeks. You have at least one week to get your pets to a kennel boarding or family member. You'll be fine with that Anterior approach.
Hi Stella, I am in the USA...so glad I found this site. Thank you for writing. I am going to be 65 years old November 4th. And Medicare clicks in on Nov. 1st. Almos here yipppppeeee. I already have the paper work for my blood work to be done on Saturday. Doctor gave me that to start things and then x-rays on the 3rd. Do they follow up with a MRI afterwards do you know? Or does that depend on the case?
My husband is retired and he is taking care of everything here at the house. But although I am grateful for him the cleaning is not the same. Today he did vacume and sweap the floor that was good. He is learning how to cook too. lol. I am grateful for what he is helping me. Without him I don't know what I would do. You mentioned getting someone to help me with a few things tidy and such. I did have a friend offer but I was so embarrased to get help and her see all the dust that I thanked her and said no. I am thinking now to call her and say I am ready.
On the constipation I will have to get something to help. Red peppers help hun? Well I like them alot....do they have to be raw or cooked ok?
Your right on the viciuous circle of pain, popping, limping etc. I can't do the big stores so I have to use their scooters to get around that helps.
So you said you had a revision of your hip dose that mean you got another hip replacement after the 20 years?
Thank you for your kind words and someone to be out here. I find comfort already.
Talk soon,
Evelyn
Hi Beachbum,
Thank you for the tidbit on using ice. I have not done that except a couple of times. Guess I better get those ice bags and put them to good use. lol.
Thank you for your prayers. And trusting the Lord is what I have each day to help me with.
God Bless you too.
Evelyn
Hello Joy,
You said that your main reason for a hip replacement was the groin pain. Can you tell me what causes the groin pain? Also is magnesuim helpful for constipation?
Thanks,
Evelyn
Hi Kathryn,
Thank you so much for writing. Insurance starts on Nov. 1st. So only 1 more day to go to start getting help. I am glad to hear nurses come to the house to do physical therpy. I did not know if that was the case or had to go to them but then how I thought? So right now one day at a time. I do have a bath with a shower head and right now really difficult to get in and over the bath wall. Don't know what later I will need with that.
Evelyn
Hi Beachbum,
Is the Anterior hip replacement cutting in the front? Someone told me that it depends how extensive the damage is that they go infront or side. But not cutting the muscel is so much better. Wow.
Evelyn
Morning Evelyn
I discovered that i have had to drop my standards a little bit, It used to annoy me the bits my husband didnt see when cleaning but I am so grateful for his help and if there is a bit of dust now that I cant cope with {down low or up high} or the vac. isnt done the way I do it.....I think well I cant do the vac at all so thank goodness for him. He loves to cook so thats a good thing.
I also had to learn to accept help from friends.....so many people have" "so called friends" that just disappear when they have a THR and aren't as mobile as they used to be.
Love
Eileen UK
Hi Evelyn
You should get a list of do's and dont's after your op.....restrictions for a certain length of time....it varies country to country......but even if you think you can get into the the bath after your op.....DONT....not for a certain length of time. With the uK its 6 weeks
Lots of things we CAN do but are not supposed to do in case the hip pops out
Love
Eileen UK
Thank you Eileen,
You are so right. I am grateful my husband is helping me so much. He washes my clothes, goes with me to buy groceries while I ride the little mobility cart. Loads the car, unloads puts the groceries away. The floor had not been sweeped in a long time and today he did it. It feels better already.
You are right mine does not see the little tidbits either but hey he is already doing so much.
Thank you for the reminder.
And thank you for also reminding me to accept help from friends. I need the help now. I am going to make a list and make small things for my friends to do. Little things that will help a lot.
A BIG Thanks,
Evelyn