Unfortunately, I think your experience is becoming more and more typical. A friend has been trying to find the cause of an abnormal liver enzyme value that showed up in routine blood work in January and she is still being bounced around between her primary care team and a liver specialist after 3 different kinds of scans — fortunately she is not having symptoms, but this seems ridiculous.
I would certainly suggest a second opinion, if that is an option. I sympathize with you trying to navigate this on your own. I always think it’s best to try the least invasive treatment first. Also, self-care in the form of music can only help!
my grandmother died in a nursing home at 97, and in her final hours a native flute player came to play for her and even though she was at the very end she found the strength to say "More of that! I'll have more of that! Gives me a chuckle...
A few thoughts. Just like any profession, there are always going to be duds. Sound like you met one and I advise to never return. We have moved around a bit and currently are on our 3rd primary care provider here and so far she's a winner. We are also on our second Dermatology office. You don't have to accept being disappointed!
The new guy should inspire confidence and waylay your fears.
After any surgery, the staff will want to see that you can maneuver and take care of yourself at home alone. In and out of bed, on and off the toilet, using the bathtub (or preferably step-in shower), do you have stairs? That will determine if you go straight home or to a rehab center. They don't want you to risk a fall.
My mom had both hips replaced. Her negative outcome was due to unwillingness to do the post-op exercises. Once she was released and home, she stopped doing them entirely. Muscle is totally a "use it or lose it" thing. Thus, she shuffled around and eventually bought a motorized scooter for going much distance. She had no pain though! Best wishes!
Yes, I had a hip replacement 5 years ago. I think the secret to success is the surgeon. Mine did an anterior approach therefore no cuts through large muscles. Recovery was several days. Up and some steps on the first day then more every day thereafter. Some pain for a few days but tolerable with Tylenol after the second day. Anterior approach…find a surgeon who does this and you won’t regret it. My doctor is Philip Downer in Seattle. Good luck and best wishes.
If you need and don't want surgery, you might consider how the quality of your life is being affected. Thus far it sounds like you are getting along except for waking in the night. I had my hip replaced 16 years ago when my hip hurt during the day and so much it was keeping me awake at night. There comes a point, and you would know it if you hit it when you will proceed to surgery.
Sue, I was thinking I'd recommend going to Eugene to the Slocum Clinic for a 2nd opinion; then read you have an appointment scheduled in Corvallis. Good for you. It seems like some of these newbie medical personnel can only think about replacing parts, like automobile mechanics and computer geeks. Get a doc who has been "around the block" and will listen to the patient. Maybe even have read her chart beforehand and gotten her name right. Good luck, my friend. xoA <3
Under these circumstances, I’d look around a bit more. A tear that can be fixed in an outpatient surgery seems worth trying before the big painful step of a hip replacement. I mean why not try?
If you haven’t already done so, meet with a Physical Therapist who does Postural Restoration. Or a rolfer. These people understand full body mechanics instead of “parts”. Even if you have the surgery, PT beforehand can help strengthen muscles & postural issues that contribute to joint problems.
My own experience: orthopedic MD looked at MRI & first impression was that I have a tumor in my hip. Followup determined arthritis.
My postural restoration guy noted my hip was “forward” & gave me simple things to do & within a week I had decrease in what had been unrelenting awake at night pain. That was 10 yrs ago. I continue to work on my issues, which stem from a rotated spine & all the compensating I had done for years. I am undoing tears of twisted muscles. I have pain when I work them too hard, getting impatient with untwisting the compensation in my rotated leg, which causes hip pain, as That is
It doesn’t have to be either or. However if you haven’t looked deeper into body work beyond the general Physical Therapy Dept at your clinic, particularly if it is orthopedic SURGERY biased, where that is the milieu of patients the PT’s know best, explore your options. Unfortunately cost becomes a factor for many. I live a frugal lifestyle & invest in this path I am on, with a good # of blind alleys that were costly in dollars & time & emotion. Many of our older age maladies are results of years of patterns, and take a long time to see significant results, & feeling TOO long when in pain. It has taken 5 years since leaving my medical career where “this symptom = this treatment” to finally start building an intuitive sense when I am on the right path.
Our bodies are wonderfully made. Medical treatment can be a Godsend. Pray & listen to your deepest emotions & trust where you are led. Much of health comes from stepping back & looking at the whole picture & how you are feeling, just as your post indicates.
(These words would not have come from me just 10 years ago)
A friend of mine had a labrial tear in her hip. She was around 50. She did not have surgery, just had to refrain from running while it repaired itself. Also, if your hip doesn’t normally hurt through the rest of the day, you shouldn’t need surgery. You’re doing the right thing by getting a second opinion from n orthopedist.
I had surgery Friday and I'm sitting here in my thank-God-I'm-home robe reading. The experiences sound familiar. It is as if there's too much information, too many people translating it, and no one who really "knows our name." Oh, Norm...rest in peace. Whatever path ends up being the right one, I hope the bumps get out of your way.
Thumbs up for anterior approach hip replacement! Mine was nine yrs ago and I was out of the hospital in a day or two; they practically do them in the drive-through lane these days. I did what I was told with post-surgery PT (it wasn't difficult and it was so wonderful not to be in pain all the time!); if memory serves, I was walking and climbing stairs almost immediately. For a few weeks I got tired pretty quickly so didn't do anything strenuous but I wasn't the most active person in the world to begin with; I bet your mileage would be better. It sounds like a sports medicine person is a better fit for you. Good luck with whatever you and GOOD medical people decide is right.
Up a flight of steps and function fully using a cane only for the first few days. Most, maybe all insurance covers a few days in an extended care facility if you don't want to be alone or if you have both hips replaced at the same time. Suspicion of the medical profession's greed is denying you a chance to be pain free and mobile. I was 100% within maybe two or three weeks. Knees are tougher recovery in my experience, but I think the new orthopedic advances gave me my life back. I wish you the best.
As there stated, the skill of the surgeon is important. My aunt had 2 hip replacements. One lasted 20+ years and the other only 12 years due to the surgeon’s technique and skill.
Same for PTs. Some have reached the level of fine artists and some are more along the lines of an average house painter. Sometimes an average house painter is all that’s needed., I am an OT if it gives more credence to my comments.
Completely agree about the music, important element for many to heal and calm.
Thank you for sharing Sue! Glad you walked around the grocery store and made yourself a veggie burger, little things add up.
Friends who live alone and who had hip surgery spent the first few weeks in a rehab facility for care. A social worker could help with that. Also I take Celebrex for arthritis and it helps a lot
Unfortunately, I think your experience is becoming more and more typical. A friend has been trying to find the cause of an abnormal liver enzyme value that showed up in routine blood work in January and she is still being bounced around between her primary care team and a liver specialist after 3 different kinds of scans — fortunately she is not having symptoms, but this seems ridiculous.
I would certainly suggest a second opinion, if that is an option. I sympathize with you trying to navigate this on your own. I always think it’s best to try the least invasive treatment first. Also, self-care in the form of music can only help!
my grandmother died in a nursing home at 97, and in her final hours a native flute player came to play for her and even though she was at the very end she found the strength to say "More of that! I'll have more of that! Gives me a chuckle...
I love that. Thank you for sharing your story.
A few thoughts. Just like any profession, there are always going to be duds. Sound like you met one and I advise to never return. We have moved around a bit and currently are on our 3rd primary care provider here and so far she's a winner. We are also on our second Dermatology office. You don't have to accept being disappointed!
The new guy should inspire confidence and waylay your fears.
After any surgery, the staff will want to see that you can maneuver and take care of yourself at home alone. In and out of bed, on and off the toilet, using the bathtub (or preferably step-in shower), do you have stairs? That will determine if you go straight home or to a rehab center. They don't want you to risk a fall.
My mom had both hips replaced. Her negative outcome was due to unwillingness to do the post-op exercises. Once she was released and home, she stopped doing them entirely. Muscle is totally a "use it or lose it" thing. Thus, she shuffled around and eventually bought a motorized scooter for going much distance. She had no pain though! Best wishes!
Yes, I had a hip replacement 5 years ago. I think the secret to success is the surgeon. Mine did an anterior approach therefore no cuts through large muscles. Recovery was several days. Up and some steps on the first day then more every day thereafter. Some pain for a few days but tolerable with Tylenol after the second day. Anterior approach…find a surgeon who does this and you won’t regret it. My doctor is Philip Downer in Seattle. Good luck and best wishes.
Anterior approach. Okay. Thank you.
Forgot to mention that my friend had both hips replaced (not at the same time, several years apart) and she had the same doctor with positive results.
If you need and don't want surgery, you might consider how the quality of your life is being affected. Thus far it sounds like you are getting along except for waking in the night. I had my hip replaced 16 years ago when my hip hurt during the day and so much it was keeping me awake at night. There comes a point, and you would know it if you hit it when you will proceed to surgery.
Good advice. Thanks. Sixteen years ago! Good job.
Sue, I was thinking I'd recommend going to Eugene to the Slocum Clinic for a 2nd opinion; then read you have an appointment scheduled in Corvallis. Good for you. It seems like some of these newbie medical personnel can only think about replacing parts, like automobile mechanics and computer geeks. Get a doc who has been "around the block" and will listen to the patient. Maybe even have read her chart beforehand and gotten her name right. Good luck, my friend. xoA <3
Under these circumstances, I’d look around a bit more. A tear that can be fixed in an outpatient surgery seems worth trying before the big painful step of a hip replacement. I mean why not try?
If you haven’t already done so, meet with a Physical Therapist who does Postural Restoration. Or a rolfer. These people understand full body mechanics instead of “parts”. Even if you have the surgery, PT beforehand can help strengthen muscles & postural issues that contribute to joint problems.
My own experience: orthopedic MD looked at MRI & first impression was that I have a tumor in my hip. Followup determined arthritis.
My postural restoration guy noted my hip was “forward” & gave me simple things to do & within a week I had decrease in what had been unrelenting awake at night pain. That was 10 yrs ago. I continue to work on my issues, which stem from a rotated spine & all the compensating I had done for years. I am undoing tears of twisted muscles. I have pain when I work them too hard, getting impatient with untwisting the compensation in my rotated leg, which causes hip pain, as That is
Wow. I'm so glad you found relief. I would happily do PT again, especially now that I know better what's going on with my hip.
It doesn’t have to be either or. However if you haven’t looked deeper into body work beyond the general Physical Therapy Dept at your clinic, particularly if it is orthopedic SURGERY biased, where that is the milieu of patients the PT’s know best, explore your options. Unfortunately cost becomes a factor for many. I live a frugal lifestyle & invest in this path I am on, with a good # of blind alleys that were costly in dollars & time & emotion. Many of our older age maladies are results of years of patterns, and take a long time to see significant results, & feeling TOO long when in pain. It has taken 5 years since leaving my medical career where “this symptom = this treatment” to finally start building an intuitive sense when I am on the right path.
Our bodies are wonderfully made. Medical treatment can be a Godsend. Pray & listen to your deepest emotions & trust where you are led. Much of health comes from stepping back & looking at the whole picture & how you are feeling, just as your post indicates.
(These words would not have come from me just 10 years ago)
Ditto on the second opinion...... hip surgery is usually an easier recovery than knees.
A friend of mine had a labrial tear in her hip. She was around 50. She did not have surgery, just had to refrain from running while it repaired itself. Also, if your hip doesn’t normally hurt through the rest of the day, you shouldn’t need surgery. You’re doing the right thing by getting a second opinion from n orthopedist.
Yes, we can do it alone.
I had surgery Friday and I'm sitting here in my thank-God-I'm-home robe reading. The experiences sound familiar. It is as if there's too much information, too many people translating it, and no one who really "knows our name." Oh, Norm...rest in peace. Whatever path ends up being the right one, I hope the bumps get out of your way.
Thumbs up for anterior approach hip replacement! Mine was nine yrs ago and I was out of the hospital in a day or two; they practically do them in the drive-through lane these days. I did what I was told with post-surgery PT (it wasn't difficult and it was so wonderful not to be in pain all the time!); if memory serves, I was walking and climbing stairs almost immediately. For a few weeks I got tired pretty quickly so didn't do anything strenuous but I wasn't the most active person in the world to begin with; I bet your mileage would be better. It sounds like a sports medicine person is a better fit for you. Good luck with whatever you and GOOD medical people decide is right.
Up a flight of steps and function fully using a cane only for the first few days. Most, maybe all insurance covers a few days in an extended care facility if you don't want to be alone or if you have both hips replaced at the same time. Suspicion of the medical profession's greed is denying you a chance to be pain free and mobile. I was 100% within maybe two or three weeks. Knees are tougher recovery in my experience, but I think the new orthopedic advances gave me my life back. I wish you the best.
As there stated, the skill of the surgeon is important. My aunt had 2 hip replacements. One lasted 20+ years and the other only 12 years due to the surgeon’s technique and skill.
Same for PTs. Some have reached the level of fine artists and some are more along the lines of an average house painter. Sometimes an average house painter is all that’s needed., I am an OT if it gives more credence to my comments.
Completely agree about the music, important element for many to heal and calm.
Thank you for sharing Sue! Glad you walked around the grocery store and made yourself a veggie burger, little things add up.
Friends who live alone and who had hip surgery spent the first few weeks in a rehab facility for care. A social worker could help with that. Also I take Celebrex for arthritis and it helps a lot