Arthritis Forum
Home.

News.

Personal Stories. Links. Message Board.  
Arthritis Forum  
Add your comments to this topic Start a new topic
Date: 27.10.2011
From: shiffy

Subject: Message for LOULOUBELLE

HI Louloubelle,

I haven't seen you on the forum for a while hope all is well..

I have been posting some questions about hip replacement but haven't got any response.

I have read some of your posts where you mentioned you had a hip replacement and i would like to ask you how long you were on the waiting list on the NHS before ur date and how are you feeling with replacements.

hope to hear from you

Thanks

Shiffy
reply | back to forum

Date: 11.11.2011
From: shiffy

Subject: Re: Message for LOULOUBELLE

HI Louloubelle,

I haven't seen you on the forum for a while hope all is well..

I have been posting some questions about hip replacement but haven't got any response.

I have read some of your posts where you mentioned you had a hip replacement and i would like to ask you how long you were on the waiting list on the NHS before ur date and how are you feeling with replacements.

hope to hear from you

Thanks

Shiffy
reply | back to forum

Date: 14.11.2011
From: louloubelle

Subject: Re: Message for LOULOUBELLE

Hey Shiffy

I'm still here!!!

I'm very well at the mo - back on the anti-tnf and able to get about very well at the mo. My little boy is running riot most of the time so i'm glad to be able to keep up with him.

I only had to wait about 4 or 5months to have my hip replaced. I'd had no problems with my hips until i turned over in bed one night and pierced a hole through the cartelidge! I was completely unable to walk so my rheumy kept me in hospital for a week of traction and then two weeks of physio and hydro therapy. Because of my age (and his shock at my upset reaction - he's used to me being very strong) I was sent for an MRI scan. The bones were extremely worn away so he wsa keen to push things through. I was sent to a surgeon at the same hospital as my rheumy who specialises in replacing hips in young people. I was given a furlong hip as they were exoected to last the longest.

The surgery went well and I was home after 5 days and able to walk with one stick. I was very good at doing the exercises and I think this helped immensley. I was back at work within 3 months.

The 2nd hip went the following year and I was in surgery within about 5 or 6 weeks! I think they were particularly keen to push it through as I was young and in full-time employmen - I think I got a cancellation appointment. My recovery wasn't as good the 2nd time - the pain relieving spinal injection stopped working so I was given tramadol. Turns out it sends my heart rate a bit mental so every time the physio tried to get me to stand up I kept going super dizzy. This wasn't helped by the fact I needed a blood transfusion. So this delayed me getting out of bed and beginning the physio. As a result I have less mobility in my left hip than my right (not too much that it causes a problem but does make it more difficult to put a left sock on when I'm having a flare). I also got a mild infection in the scar 10 days after the op (although I put this down to the filth in the hospital and the staff's reluctance to change the dressing).

Now, 10 years on I often forget that I've had my hips replaced. I carry on as though they are my own. I just have to be mindful not to put a twisting, pulling pressure on the joint (e.g. sitting cross-legged on the floor - not that it's ever going to happen anyway lol). I just hope that I can get another 10-15 years before they need replacing again. They expect them to be ok for up to 25 years but, when I had them fitted they'd only been about for about 15 years. Also, they're not sure if the fact I'm young and fairly active I might wear them out quicker.

I would say to anyone deciding whether or not to have their hips replace to do it as soon as they can. It gave me a new lease of life!

All the best shiffy
Lou x
reply | back to forum

Date: 14.11.2011
From: Shiffy

Subject: Re: Message for LOULOUBELLE

I'm SOOO Glad you have replied back,

I think I had the same thing slept on my left hip one side and felt this unusual twinge of pain maybe i had peiced a hole in the cartilage but bearing in mind I was also drinking milk every morning that month and it just made things worse and now i NEED A HIP REPLACEMENT,

I am quite worried about having surgery but reading your post has given me support on what to expect, 4-5 mths I dont know if i can wait that long on the NHS,I was thinking of having the resurfacing done but it sounds like its not good idea for R.A Hip joints.

I am so glad your happy with your joints and doing well, I just like to ask one more thing, can you feel the long stem down the thigh bone?

Thanks

Shiffy x
reply | back to forum

Date: 14.11.2011
From: louloubelle

Subject: Re: Message for LOULOUBELLE

hey shiffy

can't feel the stem - couldn't even feel it post op. Although, if i'm outdoors in the middle of winter for long periods of time it can feel cold. Honestly, most of the time I forget that I ever had them replaced!

The thought of what they do in the operation is pretty disturbing but if you're able to put that to the back of your mind then it's not so bad. SOmeone suggested I watched one being done on youtube but i refused until after I'd had both hips done. I have since seen one and it's deffo a good idea not to lol. My sister actually saw one in theatre when she was doing her nurse training!

It's quite a daunting operation but is sooooo so so so worth it! I was unable to walk but, after having the replacement and going on anti-tnf, i went on holiday to luxor, egypt and was trekking around the temples and through the valley of the kings!!!

lou x
reply | back to forum

 

Add your comments to this topic
Subject:
Please type your comment here:

Your name:
email:

1+7=
(This sum is to help prevent automatic spamming through this page - thank-you)


top

Site design: T - Creative Home | News | Personal Stories | Links | Message Board