New diagnosis of congenital hip dysplasia

[nh_user_629333]

Went to see my surgeon for the first time this past week. She was a

little rushed and spent a lot of time talking about the pain

medications I take and the dangers of surgery because of that.

Not sure how she expects me to cut back on my pain meds when

the xrays showed that I have a good reason to be in so much pain. I have

hip dysplasia, which has worn down my hip to bone on bone.

I was probsbly born with this and it just suddenly became

an issue. I go back in a few weeks and if I can show her I

have cut back, the surgery will be in May. I'm scared, but with God

on my side and support, I'm sure I can just keep

putting one foot in front of the other.

[nh_user_594093]

I was on a lot of meds and bone on bone and I couldn't walk for 1 mths before op and I was anaemic which I can only think was because of the meds I was on. They won't operate if your blood cell count is too low which may be your consultant s reason for asking you to cut back on the meds. Maybe you could try for a month if it means you get the op. I hope the time goes quickly for you and you get the op.

[nh_user_629333]

Well, my surgeon told me she was concerned about how

sleepy my pain meds make me and then when you add

anesthesia and post op pain control it becomes a big

issue. I am bi polar as well and take some heavy duty psych

meds, too, so it gets really complicated.

[nh_user_312975]

Hello I am still on painkillers both for the operated side and the other which is almost bone on bone. When will advances enable the joint to be padded out so the bone never deteriorates. You would think there would by now be ways to avoid THR. I did wonder whether the fraternity didn't actually want any advances as it would take away their reason for existence! (Cynic, moi?). Anyway my surgery was not affected by the level of painkillers as I recall I only stopped the day before... BUT A FEMALE surgeon.  Please tell me you are in the UK.  DOES she take private patients... I was thinking of going abroad even. It's a lucky dip, so many angles, permutations, possibilities and outcomes. My experience was so awful that I will explore all alternatives and try to be in peak condition with supplies of food as I was starved. Perhaps because of so much anaesthetic they didn't want my constipation to cause difficulties like needing a temporary colostomy. Also done on a Friday afternoon with a deserted contingent over a weekend. God it was purgatory and then some. 

Can you taper off a bit and try short acting sleep meds for a few days before. Melatonin with a low dose tramacet, then a melatonin alone, then cold turkey?  A5mg diazepam would be out of your system in 10 hours. There must be a way. I would suffer some to have a female surgeon, if only for the sewing!  (Joking).  Courage to you. It will pass and you will have a new hip....

[anon53727290]

Unfortunately it sounds like you are in a catch 22...need the meds but if you continue they could hinder your surgery...perhaps you could get her to go over the meds one by one and see if some you can just cut down so that you have some pain relief, or for a short term sub something else...the thing is after surgery, for the most part you will be able to kiss those pain meds good bye for ever!!!!

See if you can get another appointment, or try to cut down as she said and just know that although the pain may be unbearable it will be short lived.

Relay on friends, family and this forum to get you through the rough times until after surgery!

Will be thinking of you,  Patricia

[nh_user_594093]

The mixture with your bi polar meds could make a lot of difference so you do need to try to cut down so your consultant says she can do the op. I really hope she does, I will be thinking of you, let us know how you get on. Sometimes these things are complicated but from the difficulties that people talk of on this site, it seems they can usually be helped.

[nh_user_629333]

Hello, Patricia. Thank you for your thoughtful response.

I am in a catch 22, no doubt, but surgery is a must. My hip is so badly damaged that we will have to find a work around. What about you? Have you had the surgery? Would love to chat more

[nh_user_629333]

Hi Holofemes,

thank you for your reply. Sounds like you have been through

hell and back, uou must be a warrior! The reason my surgeon wants me to cut back is complicated. I am also bi polar and some of my psych meds make me very drowsy. do she is concerned about putting me under eith all that in my system. And, no, I am not in the UK, am in Portland, Oregon USA. I go to a good teaching hospital, but they are very strict about opioid use. I am on morphine for chronic pain and it's a delicate dance with the doctors and pain control.

Anyway, when are they doing the other side, or is that up

to you? Stay in touch

[anon53727290]

Actually I am somewhat in the same position as yourself...I'm 6l and was born with hip dysplasia which was not found until I suffered for 5years unable to walk far...by the time my family doctore believed I was in pain and sent me to a specialist I had to wait  another year to get tests and results and surgery 6 months after that, for nearly 7 years of waiting....I am now waiting for my left him to get done and although I had the right done (and it is the most beautiful feeling), I'm not out of the woods becasue the pain the left is so bad, and this is how family doctor's can be fustrating...my doctor does not believe in narcotics AT ALL, and she will not give me anything for the pain, even at night, so I can get some sleep....she realizes that this is a short term situation until I have my other surgery (which I'm told could take a year), and I promised her that once I had my surgery she could cut me off cold turkey, but begged her to give me something...she realizes I am in pain as she has given me a handicapped parking sticker but won't meet me half way as far as pain relief.....it is hard to find a doctor here in Toronto (and espcially a women, which I prefer), so you are at their mercy....

Sorry for ranting, when it is you that is looking for support.

Keep me posted on the outcome of your next doctors visit and trust me May will come quick enough.

I'm assuming you have to have both hips done, hopefully she will book the second one as soon as possible in the time frame for your medical to cover everything.

This is a great forum to get support and advice from.

 

[anon53727290]

I'm in Portland Oregon too and will be having THR on my right hip Tuesday morning by Dr. Paul Dewelius.

I a also on pain meds, Tylenol #4 and i also take soma a muscle relaxer. I take 1 valium 10 at night to help me sleep but won't be taking it that night to just play it safe. I also have a mil case of sleep apnea and will be taking my CPAP machine with me for after my surgery.

I just wanted you to know i am thinkinh of you and sending positive healing energy your way. Praying that you have your surgery with a successful recovery.

Sincerely, Sherri

[nh_user_629333]

Hi neighbor What hospital are you having your surgery in?

I'm sending you prayers of good outcome and a speedy

recovery.

I have brecoveringphine and psych meds since I have chronic pain and I am bi polar. So my surgeon is being very

cautious with my anesthesia. I do want to wake up lolAnyway, thank you so much for the kind note and would love to hear how you are recovering. Take care

[nh_user_629333]

Patricia, bless your heart Thank you for replying with such a

heartfelt response. My dear, you have been and are still

going through hell! I can't believe that a doctor, especially a

woman, refuses to give you anything for pain. That is inhumane

Is there anyway to switch to another doc? I'm in Portland and

my primary is a PA-C, one step down from an MD. My surgeon

is a woman, and not nearly as compassionate as my male docs.

Do you take any kind of NSAIDS, like Alieve, Tylenol or advil?

Although, if your pain is as I suspect based on mine, those won't

help. Even with the meds I take I still have chronic pain.

is there anything that helps to distract you from it? I get on

My tablet here by my recliner, I don't have to hold it. We bought

a stand for that. I listen to music all the time, even when I am

sleeping or trying to sleep lol Have to keep my sense of humor,

too! If I don't laugh I cry. And just for the record, you can rant

with me anytime may I ask, are you married or have anyone to go through all of this with? I am blessed with an amazing

husband. He's been through it all since we've been together.

But since we've moved up here from California, I have not made

a single friend. My husband and my sister are my best friends.

Anyway, I don't believe I will need a left thr, with the info I have

now at least. No symptoms, either, knock on wood!

would love to hear more about you, if you want to chat.

Sending you prayers and healing light.

Glenna

[nh_user_629333]

Hi Christine, yes it's definitely complicated. And I am a wimp

when it comes to pain. I do as much as I can to help my pain not get to the boiling point. I am good at distracting myself with my tablet, music, ROKU, and watching the birds that come to my

feeder. I will do what my surgeon says so I can have the surgery

I am scared more about afterwards. I hear some pretty serious

things, but it's scarier to think of not having a chance at getting

my life outside of this apartment back!

[anon53727290]

 You're welcome dear!

I'm with you on the  "waking up" part.  My surgery will be at St. Vincent  Hospital on Barnes rd.

Today i go get the results from a sleep study i had done a week ago. So they can reset my CPAP machine that i'm taking to the hospital with me and get the results of the study. 

I'll let you know how it goes. Let's keep in touch k.

Take care hun.

Sherri

[nh_user_629333]

Wow, Sherri, St. Vincents is our favorite hospital in the area.

Wish I could have mine there, OHSUis pretty good. They are a

teaching hospital, though and very conservative when it comes

to pain medication. My husband and I are both disabled and on

morphine for chronic pain. I'm the only one who's a little crazy

lol. He takes such good care of me and helps keep me as sane

as possible Do you have a significant other or good friends to

help you on your journey? Anyway, yes, keep me posted, or if you just want to chat, I'm here. Have a great day, sweetie

[nh_user_594093]

Hi celticarma don't worry about after the op that will be fine, you hear a lot about the problems on this forum bit there are hundreds and hundreds of people having hip replacements that you don't hear about because everything is fine and most people on this forum will say the same, even those that have had problems. You just have to be patient and give yourself as much time as you need to move forwards which will come naturally once you are able to do each extra thing, meanwhile you can just rest, listen to your music and watch the birds, I love watching the birds too. There is no pain during or in the first couple of days after the op and you will have painkillers which you need to take regularly for as long as you need them. The pain after is nothing compared to the pain before. We all worry about the op but all find its no problem at all.

[nh_user_629333]

Thank you, Christine. That makes me feel better. I should know

that, I've been in the medical field for 40 years! But when it comes to my own procedures and such, I feel like a rookie

[nh_user_594093]

Don't worry, its always different when its your body, I was a nurse for most of my life. I stayed awake throughout the op and thoroughly enjoyed the experience, my theory was, if I was going to die, I wanted to know about it lol. I think the worst thing is the sheer exhaustion of a major operation and also having to sleep on your back, you have to keep getting up to the loo during the night too, but you just have to go with it, take all meds you are told to. The most amazing thing i've found is your body will tell you when and what you are able to do as you progress. My consultant said most people find 5-6 weeks is the turning point, when people suddenly find they can do so much more, which it was with me, but also little improvements I noticed along the way. Just go with iit, rest when you can, watch TV, listen to music, read, watch the birds or whatever your preference is and listen to your body, as to when and what you are able to do cos everyone is different and just cos someone can do something on this site and you can't doesn't mean there's something wrong with you, it just means your body is healing at a different rate. Good luck with everything, you'll soon be out with the rest if us post oppers and soon be running around again.

[nh_user_629333]

Well that makes me feel better. I was just given the idea of

preparing for the surgery by watching videos on utube. That

seems like it will be helpful.

[nh_user_594093]

Not sure I'd like to see the op first, obviously having worked in theatre during my training, I had some idea, but I didn't want to see it on utube before. Everyone in theatre was great and I was chatting and laughing with the anaesthetist. I could feel them doing things, like when they lifted my leg, but I had no pain whatsoever. I saw a swab go past initially with blood on it and I thought "oh they've cut me then" but the whole procedure was great, although the noise of them hammering the joint down my bone did come back to me at night when I was at home, cos I was tired I expect and felt sorry for myself lol.