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Monday, May 6, 2013

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Yes, this is where I am.  I have to say that I am extremely thankful for having completed my surgery rotation, that was the least fun I've had in medical school to date (well, boards are right up there, but you get the idea). I am thankful that I am able to do my medical school, albeit, with physical difficulty, but I am still getting up every morning, driving to the hospital and do what I need done.  Yes I hurt, but I can't let this stop me.  I know it's not normal for somebody less than 30 years of age to be throbbing by noon time, or have hip pain while going over every bump while driving, but there are a lot of things for which I can be thankful.

I have 10 days before my appointment with a new surgeon.  I am basically freaked out...maybe I'll ask for a Xanax the day before from the residents! (hehehe) --I won't actually do this!  I feel like I'm stuck: darned if I do and darned if I don't.  I realize my pain is abnormal, but if I do find out what is wrong, that may mean more surgery.  Surgery that cannot fit into my life right now.  I have hurt this badly in the past and I have tried to get it fixed, and look how wonderful that turned out for me.  It makes me very weary about seeing yet another surgeon.  Every single doctor I have seen for my hips ends up saying that they can't help me.  What makes this one any different?  I shouldn't be so skeptical, but I can't help it.  With so many failures over the last 7 years, how can I trust that things are going to get better?  I have to, or else I will end up going crazy...it's just amazingly difficult.

So next Thursday I will have my appointment with a local surgeon.  I am basically going there for some direction, for some pain relief.  I have ended up with no doctor willing to write me a single script for pain or inflammation.  This is my main reason (in addition to the fact that I'd like to know what is going on with my hip and to get a fresh set of eyes on my case).  In any event, I'm nervous.

5 comments:

  1. Things will get better, you just have to find the right surgeon and get the correct diagnosis. Do you know what your going to tell him? With everything you been through, you might want to think about going in with just a few key talking points, in order to minimize overwhelming past issues and tailor a new treatment plan. I would think a MRI would be in order too.

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  2. Yes, my main point of interest is managing the pain to get through school...whether it be pain meds, NSAIDs, injection, etc. I don't have anybody who is willing to write me a script for anything related to hips. Secondly, I do want to know why I hurt so much and whether or not a PAO vs. THR would be a reasonable option in the future. I would need a lot of convincing to go through with a PAO though. I can def see how this new dude would want to rehash my crappy history, which will be necessary to a certain degree, but I def don't want to get caught up in that...I need to focus on the future.

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  3. I had a consultation with Dr Sampson in San Francisco, he spent at least an hour with me and my wife going over my hip issues and going over my MRI. So if you want a consultation it might be worth seeing him. He doesn't take insurance, and the consultation cost me about $500, but my wife and I came out of his office and said that was probably the best $500 ever spent. He was extremely thorough. I'm sure you don't want another hip scope, but he could probably tell you what he believes is wrong and what the next step could be.

    You're young, so maybe you might be a candidate for a hip resurface instead of a THR if it comes to that?

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  4. From the studies I have read, the resurfacing yields less than ideal results in women. From what I read, due to the smaller bone structure. Although I may run this past the new surgeon, I don't think that I am convinced by the literature that it would be a feasible option for myself.

    I wish I had the money to get out there to CA, but the flight, time off from school, then the consult fee would not be possible. Here's hoping I get some answers next week!

    Thanks so much for the suggestions and comments though! I do appreciate it! :)

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  5. Thanks Vicky...keep up your blog and let us know how your apt goes.

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