Re: thanks for /newbie

[Guest guest]

Hello, I am a 53 yo female with pain in lower back/hip on the R side

and thigh/groin pain...also pain like a toothache in my leg. I went

to an ortho surgeon who did am MRI and found nothing to cause the

pain but said he figured the pain was from my back. He sent me to PT

for my lower back but it didn't help. I went to see another Dr who x-

rayed my hip and said it was arthritic and I had thinning

cartilidge ? He said the first Dr should have x-rayed my hip.I am

overweight by 80 lbs and he wants me to get the weight off and do

pool therapy. I'm to start Monday. He talked about a hip replacement

the first time I was there but the second time, he said I shouldn't

run out and get a replacement. My pain keeps me from sleeping and I

can't lift my right leg while getting dressed or sitting. I called

ANOTHER Dr in Birningham, Al....Dr. Flanagan who I hear is very good.

He doesn't give second opinions but will start from scratch. I have

never had chronic pain and it is rough. I am terrified...REALLY

terrified of having the replacement. I know one is coming but I need

to find a Dr who will tell me what is what. I can't understand the

second Dr telling me I will need one and then telling me not to get

one now. Does losing the weight and therapy help with the pain

before ? I have an arthritic hip. I hope I am not rambling but I'm in

a lot of pain today and so depressed. I'm very confused.

Thanks for listening,

BABY

In Joint Replacement , " jsmaker1951 "

<jhsmaker@c...> wrote:

>

>

> Thanks for the responses regarding my THR surgery. To answer a few

> questions... I'm 53 y o. With regard to my health, because of my

> back surgeries, I have peripheal neuropathy in my legs and some

> numbness. I am overweight and trying to lose. My Dr. uses

> OrthoP.A.C.E. which is a program utilizing exercises including

> swimming, cycling and stretching/strengthening leg/hip/buttock

> muscles BEFORE surgery to enable a quicker recovery.

>

> It was really exciting to hear from positive people regarding the

> recovery process and that my Dr. does seem to know what he is

> talking about. I posted to another group (and left that group)

> because all I got from that group was 12 week -3 month recovery

> information. I know everybody is different but the positive is

> really good to hear.

>

> I think if I can wait until spring, lose more weight,

exercise/swim,

> I'll be ready for my THR and a SHORT recovery process. I must

think

> positive!!

> Again, THANKS

> in AL

[Guest guest]

Baby: I hope you have some medication for your pain, and can talk to

someone about the depressed moods from chronic pain. What did the

therapist say about your pain? Did they think it was coming from your

back or hip? Losing weight and exercise should make you feel better,

but probably won't eleminate all of your pain, but it will make it

easier to diagnose the origin of your problems.

The second doctor probably did not want to rush into surgery before

he was certain that you would benefit. Also, some doctors don't like

to do THP on such a young patient as you.

The low carb diets are excellent for losing weight when combined

with exercise, and proper vitamin supplements are taken to keep up your

nutrients.

Good luck, Marilyn

babynightnights wrote:

Hello, I am a 53 yo female with pain in lower back/hip on the R side

and thigh/groin pain...also pain like a toothache in my leg. I went

to an ortho surgeon who did am MRI and found nothing to cause the

pain but said he figured the pain was from my back. He sent me to PT

for my lower back but it didn't help. I went to see another Dr who x-

rayed my hip and said it was arthritic and I had thinning

cartilidge ? He said the first Dr should have x-rayed my hip.I am

overweight by 80 lbs and he wants me to get the weight off and do

pool therapy. I'm to start Monday. He talked about a hip replacement

the first time I was there but the second time, he said I shouldn't

run out and get a replacement. My pain keeps me from sleeping and I

can't lift my right leg while getting dressed or sitting. I called

ANOTHER Dr in Birningham, Al....Dr. Flanagan who I hear is very good.

He doesn't give second opinions but will start from scratch. I have

never had chronic pain and it is rough. I am terrified...REALLY

terrified of having the replacement. I know one is coming but I need

to find a Dr who will tell me what is what. I can't understand the

second Dr telling me I will need one and then telling me not to get

one now. Does losing the weight and therapy help with the pain

before ? I have an arthritic hip. I hope I am not rambling but I'm in

a lot of pain today and so depressed. I'm very confused.

Thanks for listening,

BABY

In Joint Replacement , "jsmaker1951"

<jhsmaker@c...> wrote:

>

>

> Thanks for the responses regarding my THR surgery. To answer a

few

> questions... I'm 53 y o. With regard to my health, because of my

> back surgeries, I have peripheal neuropathy in my legs and some

> numbness. I am overweight and trying to lose. My Dr. uses

> OrthoP.A.C.E. which is a program utilizing exercises including

> swimming, cycling and stretching/strengthening leg/hip/buttock

> muscles BEFORE surgery to enable a quicker recovery.

>

> It was really exciting to hear from positive people regarding the

> recovery process and that my Dr. does seem to know what he is

> talking about. I posted to another group (and left that group)

> because all I got from that group was 12 week -3 month recovery

> information. I know everybody is different but the positive is

> really good to hear.

>

> I think if I can wait until spring, lose more weight,

exercise/swim,

> I'll be ready for my THR and a SHORT recovery process. I must

think

> positive!!

> Again, THANKS

> in AL

[Guest guest]

Dear Baby,

I had almost exactly the same experience -- 80 pounds overweight, in pain, out of shape (no muscle strength), almost unable to walk.... I did lose the weight, starting with pool therapy (which is wonderful!), then weight-training and deep-water workout, then a doctor-supervised diet program. Had my THR in May and I am fine.

It's almost always arthritis that causes your hip joint to disintegrate. Ask to see your x-ray, if you haven't seen it. You may be able to tell just by looking if you joint is wrecked. Mine was obviously gone, but I still had to (wanted to)lose the weight and add the strength before the surgery. (I could not imagine being on a walker and crutches at 255 pounds!)

Losing the weight and getting strong will clearly help you to come through the post-surgery period more quickly and safely. But... my regular doctor told me to wait as long as I could stand the pain before having the surgery, and I really waited too long. The surgery was more difficult and intrusive because the joint was so badly damaged, and as a result it has taken longer to mend. So I wish I had compromised on weight loss vs. pain.

Good luck to you, and blessings,

-----Original Message-----From: babynightnights [mailto:babynightnights@...] Sent: Friday, November 26, 2004 10:43 AMJoint Replacement Subject: Re: thanks for /newbie

Hello, I am a 53 yo female with pain in lower back/hip on the R side and thigh/groin pain...also pain like a toothache in my leg. I went to an ortho surgeon who did am MRI and found nothing to cause the pain but said he figured the pain was from my back. He sent me to PT for my lower back but it didn't help. I went to see another Dr who x-rayed my hip and said it was arthritic and I had thinning cartilidge ? He said the first Dr should have x-rayed my hip.I am overweight by 80 lbs and he wants me to get the weight off and do pool therapy. I'm to start Monday. He talked about a hip replacement the first time I was there but the second time, he said I shouldn't run out and get a replacement. My pain keeps me from sleeping and I can't lift my right leg while getting dressed or sitting. I called ANOTHER Dr in Birningham, Al....Dr. Flanagan who I hear is very good. He doesn't give second opinions but will start from scratch. I have never had chronic pain and it is rough. I am terrified...REALLY terrified of having the replacement. I know one is coming but I need to find a Dr who will tell me what is what. I can't understand the second Dr telling me I will need one and then telling me not to get one now. Does losing the weight and therapy help with the pain before ? I have an arthritic hip. I hope I am not rambling but I'm in a lot of pain today and so depressed. I'm very confused.Thanks for listening,BABYIn Joint Replacement , "jsmaker1951" <jhsmaker@c...> wrote:> > > Thanks for the responses regarding my THR surgery. To answer a few > questions... I'm 53 y o. With regard to my health, because of my > back surgeries, I have peripheal neuropathy in my legs and some > numbness. I am overweight and trying to lose. My Dr. uses > OrthoP.A.C.E. which is a program utilizing exercises including > swimming, cycling and stretching/strengthening leg/hip/buttock > muscles BEFORE surgery to enable a quicker recovery.> > It was really exciting to hear from positive people regarding the > recovery process and that my Dr. does seem to know what he is > talking about. I posted to another group (and left that group) > because all I got from that group was 12 week -3 month recovery > information. I know everybody is different but the positive is > really good to hear. > > I think if I can wait until spring, lose more weight, exercise/swim, > I'll be ready for my THR and a SHORT recovery process. I must think > positive!!> Again, THANKS > in AL

[Guest guest]

Hi Baby

I have to say that in my experience being terrified of

having a THR is completely normal. Its is the fear of

the unknown. I also think that if you were to take a

survey of the people here that were terrified before

their operation and have had it done, very few, if any

would say that they made the wrong decision.

Pre op is horrible. We all know about the pain and

sleepness nights. I was such a grumpy cow at times

and snapping at people, just coz I was in pain. At

nearly 8 weeks post op I feel like a new person. I

know it is daunting but I believe it is worth it.

Hope you have some good pain killers, and good luck

with the weight loss if you decide to go that route.

Best wishes

Liney

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