I can't say that I'm depressed, but I can say that I am in a valley as far as life goes. I have returned to work for the past two weeks and it has been more than difficult to get through. Though I am working minimal hours (PTL) I am still finding it difficult to stay afloat. I am struggling each and every day with pain and fatigue. Currently I am more than exhausted. I realize God doesn't ever give you more than you can handle, but this surely is a learning experience for me. I am growing as a person, whether I like it or not. I don't have a choice, I needed to have this surgery and I still needed to work. So I did both (with a four week vacation). I wouldn't recommend anybody in their right mind return to work at four weeks.
Currently my right hip is not terribly sore. The muscles are sore, but the joint itself has been quite calm. I have not had any groin pain since surgery. I still have pubic bone pain and my incision is very VERY tender still, but I manage. I did go up on my Butrans patch this past week as my left hip is terrible having to accommodate the added weight of being the sole weight bearing hip. I think the increase has helped but I don't intend on being on it for too long and hope to wean down slowly over the next couple of months. I'm still on my Neurontin for my obturator nerve on my left side from my LPAO, I thought I could get down to 600mg at night, but I need one more dosage during the day to keep the nerves quiet. I hope that I can also wean this medication over the next couple of months as well. I am still non weight bearing on my right side and am totally sick of crutches. I see my surgeon next week for my second post op follow up...hopefully then I will be cleared to weight bear. I plan on starting PT next week as well.
Back to the mental, emotional, and spiritual aspect of recovery. I am finding this surgery terribly difficult to press on with positivity and hope. It feels like I'm a patient revolving through Operating Rooms over and over, never fully giving my body a chance to heal. The longest I've gone without a surgery in 8 years was in 2013 when I went from September 2012 through to February 2014 without a single surgery. Now, it's been two very large ortho surgeries during 2014 and will be planning on screw removal in the spring of 2015. I long for the day that I am wheeled back to the OR for one last time for a few years (when I get my LTHR bc we all know that the replacement IS actually coming my way). I need to place my fears in the Lord, have faith, trust, and persevere onward, through pain, fatigue, and exhaustion. I pray for strength, endurance, and peace; but most of all for strength to get through this difficult time. This has been a major hurdle in life and I had always hoped I would make it through with grace and positivity, but currently, I'm feeling the opposite.
Email Me
Showing posts with label medications. Show all posts
Showing posts with label medications. Show all posts
Thursday, November 13, 2014
Friday, October 17, 2014
Hosptial Stay
POD#1
I felt great considering I had just had my pelvis broken. PT came by and got me out of bed and I crutched into the hall and back to a chair in my room. This was no easy task. I did shed a few tears, but I did not yell at the physical therapist, so that was good. My pain was initially under control with a dilaudid PCA, which was stopped in the afternoon and I had a foley catheter, which was also removed in the afternoon. I had not had a bowel movement but I was able to urinate. My dad went and got me a pumpkin spiced latee with whipping cream from Starbucks too--which totally made my day!! :) I used the CPM every time I was lying in bed. The surgeon came by after his work day at a different hospital and told us that the surgery had gone very well and that the right hip was in much better shape than the left hip and he expects me to get like 20 years out of this hip. That puts me at 50 years old! I can handle never having another right hip surgery until I am 50! (excluding screw removal which will happen in hopefully 6 months time).
POD#2
Early in the morning (maybe even prior to midnight, things are fuzzy as far as chronological order goes), I started having extreme nausea. I was given Zofran which did not help and ultimately Phenergan which did help but not before I was puking my guts out. I think I threw up like 6 times. Vomiting after having your pelvis broken is very, very, very painful. I don't think I had ever experienced pain like that before. And, not to mention this vomiting was not the normal 'let's throw up in a bucket type', it was projectile. YUCK. But after this occurred, things settled down. I had my drain removed in the morning as well as my surgical dressing. Ok, so obviously they just slapped that dressing on haphazardly and didn't even consider where they were placing the sticky bit of the dressing because holy crap it hurt to remove the dressing from the sensitive areas!! Like COME ON, if I had wanted a full bikini wax, I could have done it myself with less pain than when they removed the dressing. Ouch. On this topic, (sorry if TMI, but if you were a gal having this surgery, you'd have these questions too!), I thought I had 'cleaned up' down there enough before surgery. I was all trimmed and shaved the day of surgery laterally just to ensure they didn't have to shave in the OR. Well, they shaved me anyway! I was so put off, like I was NOT messy and it was not in the way and they still removed a significant amount of hair. So, best piece of advice, clean up WELL.
PT also came by today, which again produced tears. I was able to get up, crutch out of my room, and then up the stairs. It was funny, there were only two stairs this time. Last time there were four stairs. Having said this, I could be wrong (was on a lot of dilaudid) and am just exaggerating the number of stairs because it was so painful to move last time that the stairs were very daunting. I passed the PT and was moving well enough to have her sign off. I didn't need OT this time either since I was "a pro at hip surgeries by now". Oof, sad....8 hip surgeries later, you would expect me to be able to navigate and move around alright s/p an operation.
Today, I didn't throw up anymore, I didn't poop, and I did pee. I was still using the CPM. My appetite had significantly decreased from my nausea that comes in waves throughout the day.
POD#3
My night was uneventful, slept a lot as my nurse was incredibly paranoid about controlling my pain. We had chalked up the previous night's events to pain which had got out of control and lead to my nausea (well, when I say 'we' I mean me because when my surgeon rounded later on this day, he took off the dilaudid and wanted the resident to take off the Norco as well and just suck it up with Tylenol, but the resident refused to remove the Norco as he understood I had a big surgery and didn't want me to suffer needlessly). This night also was the start of my urination problem. If you've ever had urinary retention after surgery, you will know it is a big ordeal. So, I had to pee around 2am. The nursing assistant got me up from bed and into the bathroom where I sat for 20 minutes trying to pee. Absolutely nothing was coming out. But I thought I could feel the urge, just I couldn't get it out. They bladder scanned me and found 500cc on the scan, so I got straight cathed for 650cc. This was such a relief to have my bladder emptied, but not a fun experience to have to get that done. I've only ever had a catheter placed in the OR when I am out stone cold. Not the most fun experience.
My surgeon rounded again today in between his cases in the OR. He told me that he wanted to take off all narcotics (as mentioned above) to reduce the nausea. He asked if he thought I could do with just Tylenol, in my head I thought 'ARE YOU CRAZY!?!?!?! YOU JUST BROKE MY FREAKING PELVIS!!!!'....I politely told him no, I didn't think that would be a good idea, so I got Tramadol in addition to the Tylenol to manage my pain. Sweet, no narcotics after breaking my pelvis, a hip scope, and screw removal. Rolls eyes. Anyway, he was so nice otherwise. I don't understand his drastic change in personality compared to my first PAO round. First time he was literally kicking me out of the door with discharge orders in on POD#2 and now he told me to take my time, we were in no rush to get me out of here and that I should stay as long as I felt I needed so that I was comfortable to go home. The only thing we were waiting for was for me to ensure I could urinate decently and my nausea.
After my surgeon left, I decided that I had to pee. Ok, so really, shouldn't be a big deal right? Lug my sore and swollen body to the crapper and pee. Nope. Honestly, there was no way I could get my pee out! Even if my life depended on it, it was NOT coming out. The nursing students were instructed to bladder scan me. The one nursing student had to be a fresh as they come as she didn't know anything. So I had two nursing students trying to figure out the bladder scanner. They were scanning and saw 700cc in there, they quietly whispered to themselves that this couldn't be right when I told them that it definitely could be right, and probably is because it HURTS. They got their preceptor and of course my nurse was on lunch, so I had the covering nurse who was a crazy woman come and fix this pee problem I had so nicely developed. She didn't have an order for a straight cath so she decided to insert a foley catheter just in case they wanted to put a foley back in, then she called the resident who didn't answer, then she called my surgeon! (In my head I thought, great, she's totally over reacting and she was all frantic when talking to him, and all he said was straight cath the freak who won't pee...ok, I bet those weren't actually his words, but I bet that was what he was thinking). Anyway, the foley came back out since they just wanted to straight cath me. It's a joy having catheters put in and out of your bladder every 8 hours. While on the pee topic, they decided that I should be bladder scanned 8 hours later to ensure I didn't have pee in there. Well, 8 hours rolled along and I did not have the feeling of a full bladder. They scanned me and looky looky--600cc of urine in there, my fabulously gorgeous orthopedic surgery resident (yes, he was HOT) so graciously put in an order for a foley catheter to give me bladder rest. Sweet. Not.
POD#4
My night was uneventful. In fact, I actually slept through the night. My pain was worse since I was only on Tylenol & Tramadol, but I was managing alright. My appetite was not there at all, and I was just simply exhausted. I still used the CPM and was basically just waiting for my bladder rest to finish so I could go home. The plan was to keep it in until tomorrow morning when they would take it out and see if I could pee. There was a possibility that I would go home with a foley and then follow up in the urology clinic the following Wednesday to try and remove the catheter. This totally stressed me out as there was no way I was gonna go home with a foley! I came in for hip surgery, I did not want to leave with a freaking foley. UGH.
I basically chilled all day. I got up with the help of my parents and crutched down the hall a few feet (maybe 10?) and then didn't do much. My appetite was completely gone, all I ate was cottage cheese and Jell-O.
POD#5
I was determined that I was gonna go home today. I got my tank top on under my hospital gown, put on my favourite Lululemon headband and sat up in the chair to eat breakfast. While eating the resident came by and was all happy that I was eating and we would remove the foley for a trial of void. I told him that I wasn't hungry but I was eager to try to pee. Not 10 minutes later, I was extremely nauseated. I had the nurse and aid help me to the edge of my bed. That's when the puking started. But this time, it wasn't going away. I threw up over and over until I was just retching with nothing coming up (sorry for the disgustingness of this, but it is what happened). The hot resident came back in and was flabbergasted that I was like this, he was gonna tell me I was going home and now I was throwing up. He waited outside for this to stop and every time he came in, I started retching again. At one point we were talking when I had to interrupt him to dry heave into the cute rose coloured barf bucket. He kept trying to talk to me while I threw up, but I couldn't pay attention to him. Ended up the nurse, kinda sternly, told him that this was not the time to try and talk to me and he agreed to come back later. Before he left he told me that I would likely not be going home today. Really?! I can't go home like this? Ugh. He didn't come back later that day. All I was instructed to do was stay in bed and minimize movement. I slept all day thanks to the Phenergan they kept giving me. What a waste of a day. In the hospital another day.
My surgeon was off this day and could not come in so he sent one of his covering partners to come in. Which was awkward. I was still puking and a strange man without a name tag wearing a plaid shirt and jeans came into my room and stood there staring at me. I turned to him (between pukes) and asked him 'who the heck were you?' In retrospect, I was kinda mean to him :/ He explained who he was and then was like 'Oh! You're the one with the urinary retention. We've had a lot of discussion about you with the residents and your surgeon." At this point I was writhing in pain because, again, that much pressure on the pelvis after having it broken was horrendous. All this doc said was that I had to relax! RELAX?! You try throwing up after a PAO! He said he was gonna take a look at my medications and try to figure something out for me. His solution: Valium for anxiety. I wasn't anxious, I was in pain. I didn't get any Valium during my stay.
I slept the rest of the day after the vomiting was controlled.
POD#6
The night was uneventful again. Thankfully. I just chilled in bed with my buddy the foley catheter. In the morning they were gonna remove the catheter and then I was gonna try and pee. The foley came out at 6:00am. The resident was by at 8:30am and I still hadn't peed, but we were gonna send me home with or without a foley, didn't matter because I needed out of here. He got all of my medications ready and left me to do my thing. I made it to the bathroom and...wait for it...I peed!!!!!!! Praise The Lord! As I was in the bathroom, the resident came by and was checking to see if I peed, and I told him I had. Always nice having a conversation with a hot resident about peeing through the bathroom door.
Everybody was happy I peed. 400cc And no big post void residual either! I got my medications and was discharged. Though, I was instructed to stop my birth control pills for risk of clotting. Ugh, not that I'll be engaging in activities requiring birth control in the near future, but my periods will now be all messed up. Two months without birth control. But at least I didn't have to go home with a foley.
So FINALLY is was discharged home. Nearly a week after my surgery. What a crazy ordeal which I was glad I was over.
Wow, that was long. I detailed this more for my own records than for your enjoyment because who really is gonna read a play by play account of my hospital stay? Ha, not many. But, there you have it: a 6 day stay after a periacetabular osteotomy. Boom.
Over and out....
I felt great considering I had just had my pelvis broken. PT came by and got me out of bed and I crutched into the hall and back to a chair in my room. This was no easy task. I did shed a few tears, but I did not yell at the physical therapist, so that was good. My pain was initially under control with a dilaudid PCA, which was stopped in the afternoon and I had a foley catheter, which was also removed in the afternoon. I had not had a bowel movement but I was able to urinate. My dad went and got me a pumpkin spiced latee with whipping cream from Starbucks too--which totally made my day!! :) I used the CPM every time I was lying in bed. The surgeon came by after his work day at a different hospital and told us that the surgery had gone very well and that the right hip was in much better shape than the left hip and he expects me to get like 20 years out of this hip. That puts me at 50 years old! I can handle never having another right hip surgery until I am 50! (excluding screw removal which will happen in hopefully 6 months time).
POD#2
Early in the morning (maybe even prior to midnight, things are fuzzy as far as chronological order goes), I started having extreme nausea. I was given Zofran which did not help and ultimately Phenergan which did help but not before I was puking my guts out. I think I threw up like 6 times. Vomiting after having your pelvis broken is very, very, very painful. I don't think I had ever experienced pain like that before. And, not to mention this vomiting was not the normal 'let's throw up in a bucket type', it was projectile. YUCK. But after this occurred, things settled down. I had my drain removed in the morning as well as my surgical dressing. Ok, so obviously they just slapped that dressing on haphazardly and didn't even consider where they were placing the sticky bit of the dressing because holy crap it hurt to remove the dressing from the sensitive areas!! Like COME ON, if I had wanted a full bikini wax, I could have done it myself with less pain than when they removed the dressing. Ouch. On this topic, (sorry if TMI, but if you were a gal having this surgery, you'd have these questions too!), I thought I had 'cleaned up' down there enough before surgery. I was all trimmed and shaved the day of surgery laterally just to ensure they didn't have to shave in the OR. Well, they shaved me anyway! I was so put off, like I was NOT messy and it was not in the way and they still removed a significant amount of hair. So, best piece of advice, clean up WELL.
PT also came by today, which again produced tears. I was able to get up, crutch out of my room, and then up the stairs. It was funny, there were only two stairs this time. Last time there were four stairs. Having said this, I could be wrong (was on a lot of dilaudid) and am just exaggerating the number of stairs because it was so painful to move last time that the stairs were very daunting. I passed the PT and was moving well enough to have her sign off. I didn't need OT this time either since I was "a pro at hip surgeries by now". Oof, sad....8 hip surgeries later, you would expect me to be able to navigate and move around alright s/p an operation.
Today, I didn't throw up anymore, I didn't poop, and I did pee. I was still using the CPM. My appetite had significantly decreased from my nausea that comes in waves throughout the day.
POD#3
My night was uneventful, slept a lot as my nurse was incredibly paranoid about controlling my pain. We had chalked up the previous night's events to pain which had got out of control and lead to my nausea (well, when I say 'we' I mean me because when my surgeon rounded later on this day, he took off the dilaudid and wanted the resident to take off the Norco as well and just suck it up with Tylenol, but the resident refused to remove the Norco as he understood I had a big surgery and didn't want me to suffer needlessly). This night also was the start of my urination problem. If you've ever had urinary retention after surgery, you will know it is a big ordeal. So, I had to pee around 2am. The nursing assistant got me up from bed and into the bathroom where I sat for 20 minutes trying to pee. Absolutely nothing was coming out. But I thought I could feel the urge, just I couldn't get it out. They bladder scanned me and found 500cc on the scan, so I got straight cathed for 650cc. This was such a relief to have my bladder emptied, but not a fun experience to have to get that done. I've only ever had a catheter placed in the OR when I am out stone cold. Not the most fun experience.
My surgeon rounded again today in between his cases in the OR. He told me that he wanted to take off all narcotics (as mentioned above) to reduce the nausea. He asked if he thought I could do with just Tylenol, in my head I thought 'ARE YOU CRAZY!?!?!?! YOU JUST BROKE MY FREAKING PELVIS!!!!'....I politely told him no, I didn't think that would be a good idea, so I got Tramadol in addition to the Tylenol to manage my pain. Sweet, no narcotics after breaking my pelvis, a hip scope, and screw removal. Rolls eyes. Anyway, he was so nice otherwise. I don't understand his drastic change in personality compared to my first PAO round. First time he was literally kicking me out of the door with discharge orders in on POD#2 and now he told me to take my time, we were in no rush to get me out of here and that I should stay as long as I felt I needed so that I was comfortable to go home. The only thing we were waiting for was for me to ensure I could urinate decently and my nausea.
After my surgeon left, I decided that I had to pee. Ok, so really, shouldn't be a big deal right? Lug my sore and swollen body to the crapper and pee. Nope. Honestly, there was no way I could get my pee out! Even if my life depended on it, it was NOT coming out. The nursing students were instructed to bladder scan me. The one nursing student had to be a fresh as they come as she didn't know anything. So I had two nursing students trying to figure out the bladder scanner. They were scanning and saw 700cc in there, they quietly whispered to themselves that this couldn't be right when I told them that it definitely could be right, and probably is because it HURTS. They got their preceptor and of course my nurse was on lunch, so I had the covering nurse who was a crazy woman come and fix this pee problem I had so nicely developed. She didn't have an order for a straight cath so she decided to insert a foley catheter just in case they wanted to put a foley back in, then she called the resident who didn't answer, then she called my surgeon! (In my head I thought, great, she's totally over reacting and she was all frantic when talking to him, and all he said was straight cath the freak who won't pee...ok, I bet those weren't actually his words, but I bet that was what he was thinking). Anyway, the foley came back out since they just wanted to straight cath me. It's a joy having catheters put in and out of your bladder every 8 hours. While on the pee topic, they decided that I should be bladder scanned 8 hours later to ensure I didn't have pee in there. Well, 8 hours rolled along and I did not have the feeling of a full bladder. They scanned me and looky looky--600cc of urine in there, my fabulously gorgeous orthopedic surgery resident (yes, he was HOT) so graciously put in an order for a foley catheter to give me bladder rest. Sweet. Not.
POD#4
My night was uneventful. In fact, I actually slept through the night. My pain was worse since I was only on Tylenol & Tramadol, but I was managing alright. My appetite was not there at all, and I was just simply exhausted. I still used the CPM and was basically just waiting for my bladder rest to finish so I could go home. The plan was to keep it in until tomorrow morning when they would take it out and see if I could pee. There was a possibility that I would go home with a foley and then follow up in the urology clinic the following Wednesday to try and remove the catheter. This totally stressed me out as there was no way I was gonna go home with a foley! I came in for hip surgery, I did not want to leave with a freaking foley. UGH.
I basically chilled all day. I got up with the help of my parents and crutched down the hall a few feet (maybe 10?) and then didn't do much. My appetite was completely gone, all I ate was cottage cheese and Jell-O.
POD#5
I was determined that I was gonna go home today. I got my tank top on under my hospital gown, put on my favourite Lululemon headband and sat up in the chair to eat breakfast. While eating the resident came by and was all happy that I was eating and we would remove the foley for a trial of void. I told him that I wasn't hungry but I was eager to try to pee. Not 10 minutes later, I was extremely nauseated. I had the nurse and aid help me to the edge of my bed. That's when the puking started. But this time, it wasn't going away. I threw up over and over until I was just retching with nothing coming up (sorry for the disgustingness of this, but it is what happened). The hot resident came back in and was flabbergasted that I was like this, he was gonna tell me I was going home and now I was throwing up. He waited outside for this to stop and every time he came in, I started retching again. At one point we were talking when I had to interrupt him to dry heave into the cute rose coloured barf bucket. He kept trying to talk to me while I threw up, but I couldn't pay attention to him. Ended up the nurse, kinda sternly, told him that this was not the time to try and talk to me and he agreed to come back later. Before he left he told me that I would likely not be going home today. Really?! I can't go home like this? Ugh. He didn't come back later that day. All I was instructed to do was stay in bed and minimize movement. I slept all day thanks to the Phenergan they kept giving me. What a waste of a day. In the hospital another day.
My surgeon was off this day and could not come in so he sent one of his covering partners to come in. Which was awkward. I was still puking and a strange man without a name tag wearing a plaid shirt and jeans came into my room and stood there staring at me. I turned to him (between pukes) and asked him 'who the heck were you?' In retrospect, I was kinda mean to him :/ He explained who he was and then was like 'Oh! You're the one with the urinary retention. We've had a lot of discussion about you with the residents and your surgeon." At this point I was writhing in pain because, again, that much pressure on the pelvis after having it broken was horrendous. All this doc said was that I had to relax! RELAX?! You try throwing up after a PAO! He said he was gonna take a look at my medications and try to figure something out for me. His solution: Valium for anxiety. I wasn't anxious, I was in pain. I didn't get any Valium during my stay.
I slept the rest of the day after the vomiting was controlled.
POD#6
The night was uneventful again. Thankfully. I just chilled in bed with my buddy the foley catheter. In the morning they were gonna remove the catheter and then I was gonna try and pee. The foley came out at 6:00am. The resident was by at 8:30am and I still hadn't peed, but we were gonna send me home with or without a foley, didn't matter because I needed out of here. He got all of my medications ready and left me to do my thing. I made it to the bathroom and...wait for it...I peed!!!!!!! Praise The Lord! As I was in the bathroom, the resident came by and was checking to see if I peed, and I told him I had. Always nice having a conversation with a hot resident about peeing through the bathroom door.
Everybody was happy I peed. 400cc And no big post void residual either! I got my medications and was discharged. Though, I was instructed to stop my birth control pills for risk of clotting. Ugh, not that I'll be engaging in activities requiring birth control in the near future, but my periods will now be all messed up. Two months without birth control. But at least I didn't have to go home with a foley.
So FINALLY is was discharged home. Nearly a week after my surgery. What a crazy ordeal which I was glad I was over.
Wow, that was long. I detailed this more for my own records than for your enjoyment because who really is gonna read a play by play account of my hospital stay? Ha, not many. But, there you have it: a 6 day stay after a periacetabular osteotomy. Boom.
Over and out....
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
2 Weeks Post PAO
I have neglected to properly update my blog. Shame on me. Hahahaha. In any event, I will, in the future detail my hospital stay, but today is my two week update.
All I have to say is this is one beast of a surgery. Check out the following link. There is a surgical video under the Supplementary Data section that is not for the faint of heart but most certainly justifies my perpetual pain post op.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4017955/
As of now, I am still requiring pain medication on a constant basis. I alternate 2 Tramadol and one Tylenol #3 every three hours. I also take Robaxin every 8 hours, then the regular Neurontin and laxatives/stool softeners. All in all, I'm still pretty unhappy from the pain. The majority of my pain is located in my pubic bone laterally and deep as well as in the pubic symphysis. I also have one part of my abdominal muscle near my incision that is definitely angry. Otherwise, I still have that deep aching pain and SI joint pain. Basically, everything hurts still. The only numbness I have is my lateral femoral cutaneous nerve on this side too. (which actually surprised my surgeon in the hospital since he didn't even see this nerve during surgery--he attributes this numbness from the scope).
Functionally I can crutch around pretty well. Very slowly and methodically, but I can get around decently. Yesterday was the first day that I can easily and safely get up from a seated position by myself. Prior to this, I had been able to do it on my own, but it was not safe and one of my parents would hold the crutches for me in order to stabilize things as I stood up. This adds a lot of freedom as I can go to the bathroom as I please, go get dressed as I please, etc. I have no problem putting on socks since I have been trying to do this since my hospital stay. My main issue right now is pain control. Functionally, I feel like I am right on track.
I have good and bad days. Today was a decent except I had one incident of sympathetic response. Which was weird, because, yes it hurt, but it wasn't ridiculous--all I had done was get up and put some lipstick on. I had to then sit down, put a cold washcloth on my neck, and take a Zofran. Things are so unpredictable with this recovery. But I suppose this goes for any surgical recovery. Our bodies are strange and mystifying organisms sometimes.
The screw removal site it healing nicely. In fact, both hip incisions are healing nicely. But the screw removal surprised me as it hurt more than I expected. I definitely still have some throbbing in the area at night. But this is nothing compared to my PAO'd hip. I know it will get better, it just needs to be sooner rather than later.
Another very real source of my stress is returning to work. I was scheduled to return back to work next Wednesday (a week from today), which would put me at three weeks post op. This obviously is NOT happening. I have another week scheduled to be off as of now, but there is a very real possibility that I will need more time off. This would completely screw up my schedule and would shift my completion of graduation from internship, getting to my advanced residency position in another city for Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, which would shift me all the way through for the next three years after this year. It is a big ordeal and a big decision. One which I will not make until the time comes. But, I realize that I cannot be superhuman and if I can't return at four weeks post op, I simply can't return and would take time off. But, as it stands now, I'm gonna try to return. It's just so stressful; having a timeline to recover.
All I have to say is this is one beast of a surgery. Check out the following link. There is a surgical video under the Supplementary Data section that is not for the faint of heart but most certainly justifies my perpetual pain post op.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4017955/
As of now, I am still requiring pain medication on a constant basis. I alternate 2 Tramadol and one Tylenol #3 every three hours. I also take Robaxin every 8 hours, then the regular Neurontin and laxatives/stool softeners. All in all, I'm still pretty unhappy from the pain. The majority of my pain is located in my pubic bone laterally and deep as well as in the pubic symphysis. I also have one part of my abdominal muscle near my incision that is definitely angry. Otherwise, I still have that deep aching pain and SI joint pain. Basically, everything hurts still. The only numbness I have is my lateral femoral cutaneous nerve on this side too. (which actually surprised my surgeon in the hospital since he didn't even see this nerve during surgery--he attributes this numbness from the scope).
Functionally I can crutch around pretty well. Very slowly and methodically, but I can get around decently. Yesterday was the first day that I can easily and safely get up from a seated position by myself. Prior to this, I had been able to do it on my own, but it was not safe and one of my parents would hold the crutches for me in order to stabilize things as I stood up. This adds a lot of freedom as I can go to the bathroom as I please, go get dressed as I please, etc. I have no problem putting on socks since I have been trying to do this since my hospital stay. My main issue right now is pain control. Functionally, I feel like I am right on track.
I have good and bad days. Today was a decent except I had one incident of sympathetic response. Which was weird, because, yes it hurt, but it wasn't ridiculous--all I had done was get up and put some lipstick on. I had to then sit down, put a cold washcloth on my neck, and take a Zofran. Things are so unpredictable with this recovery. But I suppose this goes for any surgical recovery. Our bodies are strange and mystifying organisms sometimes.
The screw removal site it healing nicely. In fact, both hip incisions are healing nicely. But the screw removal surprised me as it hurt more than I expected. I definitely still have some throbbing in the area at night. But this is nothing compared to my PAO'd hip. I know it will get better, it just needs to be sooner rather than later.
Another very real source of my stress is returning to work. I was scheduled to return back to work next Wednesday (a week from today), which would put me at three weeks post op. This obviously is NOT happening. I have another week scheduled to be off as of now, but there is a very real possibility that I will need more time off. This would completely screw up my schedule and would shift my completion of graduation from internship, getting to my advanced residency position in another city for Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, which would shift me all the way through for the next three years after this year. It is a big ordeal and a big decision. One which I will not make until the time comes. But, I realize that I cannot be superhuman and if I can't return at four weeks post op, I simply can't return and would take time off. But, as it stands now, I'm gonna try to return. It's just so stressful; having a timeline to recover.
Thursday, August 28, 2014
Pain Management
I had finally broke down and decided to try some low dose narcotics to help me get through my days more easily. Late last week I saw my PCP who is more than supportive of me getting the proper pain man't with me having hip dysplasia, very large orthopedic surgeries, and working 80 hours a week.
I was very reluctant to go the opioid way. This is almost entirely due to societies stigma on narcotics and chronic pain. Many people often believe that people who take pain medications are the people who want to go through life numb. People have a tendency to look down on people who take narcotics daily as wimps who automatically want disability, social security, etc. I will admit, many healthcare professionals think this way as well. I see it day in and day out: residents and attendings automatically writing off patients when they see they take opioids. It is an absolute shame. What is also a shame, and what I believe has made it (the daily use of narcotics) social taboo, is those chronic pain patients who rely solely on medication to help their pain. It's those people with chronic pain who neglect to try to be participating members of society. Some people cannot work due to chronic pain, but when one fails to even try to take care of themselves, when they refuse to so physical therapy, refuse to ice, and refuse to do anything that may help their pain except to take pain medications; it is this group of people who ruin it for the rest of the people who legitimately need pain medications.
Personally, I have tried my very hardest to avoid going this route in fear of being seen as the girl, the doctor, the daughter, the friend who is on narcotics. I have been really struggling with this for a long time. I was thinking the other day, if I had a friend, doctor, patient, collegue who was in my particular situation, I would encourage that individual to seek proper pain management. Why was I withholding this relief from myself? It made absolutely no sense whatsoever. I had a doctor willing to write me the script, I had a supportive family, I had significant pain, what was holding me back? Stigma. I should have known better than this, I am a healthcare professional. In any event, I went to my PCP last Friday and agreed to try the Butrans patches. It was such a big step for me, I was so proud of myself for taking this step. And when I went to fill the script I had been debating over for the last several months, the unthinkable happened: the pharmacist refused to fill it!
I am not joking, the pharmacist looked at my script, looked into the computer, and said that they don't carry this medication and that he would not order it in for me, I had to go elsewhere. Talk about a slap in the face: I had been so brave to actually ask for the patch and now the pharmacist was saying he refused to fill it. He made me feel like I was asking for heroin or something outrageous. I politely retrieved my script from him and went to my hospital's pharmacy. They ordered it in for the next business day, no questions asked.
I started my butrans patch on Monday. Immediately I didn't notice anything. I went to bed and slept relatively decently, but nothing I could attribute to more than being exhausted and sleeping well. It wasn't until I was at work the next even when I realized that it had kicked in: I could walk relatively quickly to retrieve my pager and not limp! I worked 16 consecutive hours and barely had to limp at all. My pain isn't 100% gone but I can stand, walk, bend easier because I have significantly less pain. And my mind is not all gorked out. I feel mentally sharp. I may even feel more energized because my mind isn't totally consumed by pain. I can't remember feeling like this before. I anticipate being on this patch for a while since I will be working a lot all year and will be having major surgery in a month. And I am OK with that. Which is a huge thing.
I was very reluctant to go the opioid way. This is almost entirely due to societies stigma on narcotics and chronic pain. Many people often believe that people who take pain medications are the people who want to go through life numb. People have a tendency to look down on people who take narcotics daily as wimps who automatically want disability, social security, etc. I will admit, many healthcare professionals think this way as well. I see it day in and day out: residents and attendings automatically writing off patients when they see they take opioids. It is an absolute shame. What is also a shame, and what I believe has made it (the daily use of narcotics) social taboo, is those chronic pain patients who rely solely on medication to help their pain. It's those people with chronic pain who neglect to try to be participating members of society. Some people cannot work due to chronic pain, but when one fails to even try to take care of themselves, when they refuse to so physical therapy, refuse to ice, and refuse to do anything that may help their pain except to take pain medications; it is this group of people who ruin it for the rest of the people who legitimately need pain medications.
Personally, I have tried my very hardest to avoid going this route in fear of being seen as the girl, the doctor, the daughter, the friend who is on narcotics. I have been really struggling with this for a long time. I was thinking the other day, if I had a friend, doctor, patient, collegue who was in my particular situation, I would encourage that individual to seek proper pain management. Why was I withholding this relief from myself? It made absolutely no sense whatsoever. I had a doctor willing to write me the script, I had a supportive family, I had significant pain, what was holding me back? Stigma. I should have known better than this, I am a healthcare professional. In any event, I went to my PCP last Friday and agreed to try the Butrans patches. It was such a big step for me, I was so proud of myself for taking this step. And when I went to fill the script I had been debating over for the last several months, the unthinkable happened: the pharmacist refused to fill it!
I am not joking, the pharmacist looked at my script, looked into the computer, and said that they don't carry this medication and that he would not order it in for me, I had to go elsewhere. Talk about a slap in the face: I had been so brave to actually ask for the patch and now the pharmacist was saying he refused to fill it. He made me feel like I was asking for heroin or something outrageous. I politely retrieved my script from him and went to my hospital's pharmacy. They ordered it in for the next business day, no questions asked.
I started my butrans patch on Monday. Immediately I didn't notice anything. I went to bed and slept relatively decently, but nothing I could attribute to more than being exhausted and sleeping well. It wasn't until I was at work the next even when I realized that it had kicked in: I could walk relatively quickly to retrieve my pager and not limp! I worked 16 consecutive hours and barely had to limp at all. My pain isn't 100% gone but I can stand, walk, bend easier because I have significantly less pain. And my mind is not all gorked out. I feel mentally sharp. I may even feel more energized because my mind isn't totally consumed by pain. I can't remember feeling like this before. I anticipate being on this patch for a while since I will be working a lot all year and will be having major surgery in a month. And I am OK with that. Which is a huge thing.
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Stupid Crazy Hips
It gets to a point, during such a long and arduous surgical process, where one wants to throw in the towel, call it quits, be done and over with the entire ordeal. I won't lie, I feel like that often. I'll out on a happy face and go about my normal activities, but deep down, it truly is frustrating. I have had so many surgeries on my left hip, the last being the most brutal, and it still hurts. Which is disheartening. The left hip may actually still hurt more than my non-PAO'd hip. It's scary. I am hoping when I get the screws out in September, that it will alleviate some of this pain. The fact that it hurts to weight bear is worrisome bc I know it will need a THR, just when?
As for my right hip, it's been alright. The deep ache is constant, but I've been lucky as it hasn't slipped out in six weeks or so. Now that I've jinxed myself....
Medication-wise, things are still so-so. My new PCP was more than supportive to help manage my pain. During my original appointment, he was pushing for Butrans patches and I was hesitant. I chose the Tramadol ER. Which kind of does work, but I wouldn't disagree that I need more pain relief to properly function at work. In hindsight, I wish I had taken him up on the Butrans patch offer, but hindsight is 20/20. I suppose I should call to see if he would write a script for me prior to my next appointment with him on August 22nd. I will have to gather up enough courage to call. I have no problems calling for other people, or dishing out advice to people, but when it comes to me and my own health and doctors, I hate it.
But on a happier note, the proper Neurontin dosage has done wonders! I can touch my inner thigh skin and not cringe. I don't get those sharp electrocuting pains down my leg anymore. Thank goodness. Hopefully I won't be needing 300mg TID for too too long, but I'm expecting to need it up to and through a while of my right PAO recovery.
Speaking of which, the RPAO is coming up. In 54 days I'll be getting ready to go to the OR for my (hopefully) last big operation for a while. I know it needs to be done, it's such a daunting task. And the fact that I have only 3 weeks scheduled off is worrisome. I know that is almost next to impossible, but the fact I will be returning back to work shortly after the surgery has me stressed.
As for my right hip, it's been alright. The deep ache is constant, but I've been lucky as it hasn't slipped out in six weeks or so. Now that I've jinxed myself....
Medication-wise, things are still so-so. My new PCP was more than supportive to help manage my pain. During my original appointment, he was pushing for Butrans patches and I was hesitant. I chose the Tramadol ER. Which kind of does work, but I wouldn't disagree that I need more pain relief to properly function at work. In hindsight, I wish I had taken him up on the Butrans patch offer, but hindsight is 20/20. I suppose I should call to see if he would write a script for me prior to my next appointment with him on August 22nd. I will have to gather up enough courage to call. I have no problems calling for other people, or dishing out advice to people, but when it comes to me and my own health and doctors, I hate it.
But on a happier note, the proper Neurontin dosage has done wonders! I can touch my inner thigh skin and not cringe. I don't get those sharp electrocuting pains down my leg anymore. Thank goodness. Hopefully I won't be needing 300mg TID for too too long, but I'm expecting to need it up to and through a while of my right PAO recovery.
Speaking of which, the RPAO is coming up. In 54 days I'll be getting ready to go to the OR for my (hopefully) last big operation for a while. I know it needs to be done, it's such a daunting task. And the fact that I have only 3 weeks scheduled off is worrisome. I know that is almost next to impossible, but the fact I will be returning back to work shortly after the surgery has me stressed.
Saturday, July 26, 2014
80 Hour Work Weeks are NOT ok
I simply cannot believe how much I am working. Don't get me wrong, I am thrilled to finally be making money, but working so much is very difficult. I think, rather, I know that my pain is getting in the way. I will keep it brief tonight since I have to get up at 5:15 tomorrow morning, but yeah....wow. Both my hips hurt now. I am hoping that the left is just hurting from the screws. But I'm not sure if screw pain can manifest as groin pain.
This week I saw a new PCP who is very willing to help manage my pain. We have increased my neurontin to 300mg this and then added tramadol extended release 200mg. I haven't taken the entire three doses of neurontin yet as I have to introduce it slowly as it makes me sleepy. I have taken the tramadol and it literally does nothing. Well, it does do something: makes me constipated. But that's it :( I was hoping that it would do the trick. I know my PCP wanted me to start on butrans patches, but I was a bit hesitant so wanted to try the tramadol first. It doesn't look like the tramadol ER is gonna cut it. It's hard to make this decision: hurt or take low dose narcotics at work? I'm not sure which is better.
I also got my tens/e-stim unit this week. The tens is for pain relief and the e-stim is for daily contraction of my adductors. Since the obturator nerve was damaged during my LPAO, we are trying to stimulate the adductors as much as possible to get them strong enough to stabilize the hip while it takes up the slack during my RPAO in September.
I have some things I wanna elaborate on in the near future, but this is (albeit briefly) where I am at the moment.
Needing prayers
xxoo
This week I saw a new PCP who is very willing to help manage my pain. We have increased my neurontin to 300mg this and then added tramadol extended release 200mg. I haven't taken the entire three doses of neurontin yet as I have to introduce it slowly as it makes me sleepy. I have taken the tramadol and it literally does nothing. Well, it does do something: makes me constipated. But that's it :( I was hoping that it would do the trick. I know my PCP wanted me to start on butrans patches, but I was a bit hesitant so wanted to try the tramadol first. It doesn't look like the tramadol ER is gonna cut it. It's hard to make this decision: hurt or take low dose narcotics at work? I'm not sure which is better.
I also got my tens/e-stim unit this week. The tens is for pain relief and the e-stim is for daily contraction of my adductors. Since the obturator nerve was damaged during my LPAO, we are trying to stimulate the adductors as much as possible to get them strong enough to stabilize the hip while it takes up the slack during my RPAO in September.
I have some things I wanna elaborate on in the near future, but this is (albeit briefly) where I am at the moment.
Needing prayers
xxoo
Sunday, June 15, 2014
15 Weeks Post Op
Even though I'm a few days past, I'll still consider this my 15 week update. It's almost four months!!! I can't believe it...it has flown by yet dragged at the same time. Generally speaking my PAO'd side is doing well. It definitely gets tired, but it holds its own. I had over done it on the PT exercises this past week and took a few days to recover from that. But, at 14.5 weeks post op I tried: walking for 20 min, biking with resistance for 20 min, then 1.5 hours of exercises. Not brilliant. So after three days of recovery, I then had my graduation party which involved me standing and walking around for several hours. I sat when I could, but with the number of people at my party, I had to socialize and walk around my yard from 4:30 until 10:00pm (which was after helping with decorating, cooking, etc). So I now need to recover from that.
Overall, my right side is not doing well. It hurts a lot and I don't see how I'll be able to work disgusting hours with a right hip that is as sore as it currently is. D-day is next Monday. My surgeon will see if he feels I am ready for my next PAO. What gets me is that my general energy is still not normal. I realize I had my pelvis broken, but I also feel like any form of physical stamina has been sucked out of my body. And this is still at almost four months out. I can't imagine how long it will take to get my umph back if I go back to the OR in July. Ha. And I can't believe that I'm begging to do it again. Call me crazy, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
My work authorization should be here tomorrow, which will be awesome because then I'll be able to head back to PT hopefully this week, get my medications (I've completely stopped my Neurontin and birth control pills bc I can't get to the US to pick my scripts up). So, if my card arrives tomorrow, I'll be heading over to CVS ASAP to pick my meds up and hopefully get a PT appointment in.
Overall, my right side is not doing well. It hurts a lot and I don't see how I'll be able to work disgusting hours with a right hip that is as sore as it currently is. D-day is next Monday. My surgeon will see if he feels I am ready for my next PAO. What gets me is that my general energy is still not normal. I realize I had my pelvis broken, but I also feel like any form of physical stamina has been sucked out of my body. And this is still at almost four months out. I can't imagine how long it will take to get my umph back if I go back to the OR in July. Ha. And I can't believe that I'm begging to do it again. Call me crazy, but desperate times call for desperate measures.
My work authorization should be here tomorrow, which will be awesome because then I'll be able to head back to PT hopefully this week, get my medications (I've completely stopped my Neurontin and birth control pills bc I can't get to the US to pick my scripts up). So, if my card arrives tomorrow, I'll be heading over to CVS ASAP to pick my meds up and hopefully get a PT appointment in.
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
Off my feet for one week
Me being on vacation is glorious rest for my hips. Seriously. MUCH needed. Although the drive home killed my back. I realize that most of the pain is muscular, but this is unnecessary pain. I had to use a portable heating package thing all day. I literally feel like everything hurts, even with my time off. I can't imagine how crabby I'd be if I was doing rotations now.
Plus, I had decided that I needed to start strengthening core and upper body because I have to be able to hold myself up on crutches in six months and I'm so weak in the arms that it could cause problems (since I am prone to dislocations in the shoulders, clavicles, wrists). I can't see how I could do 8 or so weeks on crutches without making my upper body miserable in my current state of strength. Yesterday I tried with VERY light weights upper body exercises. I will stress that I was taking it VERY easy. Nonetheless, my shoulder hurt immediately after I finished, as did my darn hip. So I haven't done anything and need to let things heal up. I may email my previous PT to have him send me some upper body isometrics/stretching/etc. I need to build up strength without hurting myself.
I also gathered up enough courage to call the surgeon's office to have a chat with his nurse about my medications. I literally ration out my tramadol so I don't have to call back to have refills (they seemed very leery about giving me meds previously). Now though, I can call once a month, leave a message, and she will call in tramadol and voltaren no questions asked until I can get surgery. I should have asked about scheduling, but totally forgot because I was so elated about getting the medications so easily. I will surely ask about scheduling next time I call...in one month.
In exactly six months I will hopefully have had my PAO. Yay and eek.
Plus, I had decided that I needed to start strengthening core and upper body because I have to be able to hold myself up on crutches in six months and I'm so weak in the arms that it could cause problems (since I am prone to dislocations in the shoulders, clavicles, wrists). I can't see how I could do 8 or so weeks on crutches without making my upper body miserable in my current state of strength. Yesterday I tried with VERY light weights upper body exercises. I will stress that I was taking it VERY easy. Nonetheless, my shoulder hurt immediately after I finished, as did my darn hip. So I haven't done anything and need to let things heal up. I may email my previous PT to have him send me some upper body isometrics/stretching/etc. I need to build up strength without hurting myself.
I also gathered up enough courage to call the surgeon's office to have a chat with his nurse about my medications. I literally ration out my tramadol so I don't have to call back to have refills (they seemed very leery about giving me meds previously). Now though, I can call once a month, leave a message, and she will call in tramadol and voltaren no questions asked until I can get surgery. I should have asked about scheduling, but totally forgot because I was so elated about getting the medications so easily. I will surely ask about scheduling next time I call...in one month.
In exactly six months I will hopefully have had my PAO. Yay and eek.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Walking Around All Day = Ouchie.
Yesterday was very eye-opening for me and where I stand with this hip deal. I know that I hurt and have difficulty doing rotations, but it didn't strike me that I can barely be on my feet for any significant period of time without being in significant pain. I realize that pain is all relative, and that by this point, I undoubtedly have some sort of central sensitization and feel more pain, but this does not excuse the reality: I can barely do anything extra beyond my necessary activities.
Albeit, I did see some amazing wildlife at the aquarium!! It was a blast! Just very very very hard for me to walk around. I suppose this is a very important lesson to learn because I do not want to do more damage. But I also need to live my life. I only have one! Sitting around and icing every moment not on wards is not exactly the most healthy way to live.
On another note, I really feel like I am scared to take my tramadol because I am afraid I will run out. I am only given 40 pills with no refills. This is not a very strong medication and there is no way that I should be scared to take meds to make it through the day. I only feel this way because the nurse with whom I speak to on the phone isn't very receptive to my asking for refills. In general, she isn't very receptive during any of our phone conversations. I realize that my surgeon is a surgeon first and deals with operations and post-op care, so I can't blame him to not want to deal with pre-op people like myself. But, it was his idea to call in as much tramadol as I needed, not mine. Which makes me wonder if I should get myself a new PCP who will be willing to prescribe more than simply Aleve (which is what my current PCP believes will help me get through my days). I should be able to have medications to help me get through my days and be able to take my tramadol every evening and not be worrying if I am going to run out. Why suffer when there are medications out there to help? I am not asking for narcotics (although the odd one at night would really help), I just need somebody willing to refills scripts. The surgeon himself keeps saying he is willing to do so, but the nurse is the one who does the actual calling in, and she is a bit persnickety. Ah well. I suppose a phone call when I am on vacation will clarify the confusion.
Albeit, I did see some amazing wildlife at the aquarium!! It was a blast! Just very very very hard for me to walk around. I suppose this is a very important lesson to learn because I do not want to do more damage. But I also need to live my life. I only have one! Sitting around and icing every moment not on wards is not exactly the most healthy way to live.
On another note, I really feel like I am scared to take my tramadol because I am afraid I will run out. I am only given 40 pills with no refills. This is not a very strong medication and there is no way that I should be scared to take meds to make it through the day. I only feel this way because the nurse with whom I speak to on the phone isn't very receptive to my asking for refills. In general, she isn't very receptive during any of our phone conversations. I realize that my surgeon is a surgeon first and deals with operations and post-op care, so I can't blame him to not want to deal with pre-op people like myself. But, it was his idea to call in as much tramadol as I needed, not mine. Which makes me wonder if I should get myself a new PCP who will be willing to prescribe more than simply Aleve (which is what my current PCP believes will help me get through my days). I should be able to have medications to help me get through my days and be able to take my tramadol every evening and not be worrying if I am going to run out. Why suffer when there are medications out there to help? I am not asking for narcotics (although the odd one at night would really help), I just need somebody willing to refills scripts. The surgeon himself keeps saying he is willing to do so, but the nurse is the one who does the actual calling in, and she is a bit persnickety. Ah well. I suppose a phone call when I am on vacation will clarify the confusion.
Sunday, August 4, 2013
208 Days
I may sound like a freak, but if all goes according to plan, I will be able to get my surgery done in 208 days. That's not too too far way when you put it into days like that. I can survive 208 more days of this, right?
My hip slips out of the socket every so often. Rolling over in bed, standing or twisting the wrong way and BAM! Sharp pain that makes me gasp for breath. The other side does not hurt very much. It does on occasion but not nearly like the left hip. It does slip outwards but it goes right back in and then doesn't cause me any further grief. I hope to avoid any type of surgery on that side for many many years, but will see how things shape up after I get the left hip all sorted out.
I was looking at an article of the PAO surgery and had to stop reading because it was making me worked up. The article included some pictures. Talk about graphic! It amazes me that people can break peoples pelvises and other bones for a living. This type of work is definitely not for me on so many levels. But I am extremely thankful that there are special people out there that can do it....this gives me a chance at getting my life back!
As far as pain management goes, now I am taking Tylenol--3000mg total in a day, and Voltaren 75mg daily, and then in the evenings taking Tramadol when I need it and a muscle relaxant at night to help me sleep. This regimen is ok, but does not really cut it for when I am on my feet all day. Ideally I'd be taking the Tramadol during the day, but I can't chance it being that my mind has to be sharp all day. Maybe after my important rotations are up in September I can fiddle around with meds during the day...until then, I'm sucking it up. I didn't ever think that I could have such a sore hip and keep on going on with life. I mean, I have hurt for many years but this is, by far, the most daily pain I've been in since this whole ordeal started. I never have good days, I just have bad and worse ones. I'm not even 30 years old and am popping pills within 5 minutes of waking up and throughout the day just to get through the day on my feet.
And, to add on to the issues, I have seriously hurt my shoulder. About a month ago I dislocated my shoulder putting on my purse and something inside REALLY hurt. I knew I had hurt it. I took it really easy and it eventually started to feel better after 2 weeks. So as soon as I started using it again the pain has come back. The pain is definitely coming from within the joint. I am icing and putting Voltaren gel on it as well. So back to taking it easy on this shoulder. Gotta love being a bendy person. UGH.
My hip slips out of the socket every so often. Rolling over in bed, standing or twisting the wrong way and BAM! Sharp pain that makes me gasp for breath. The other side does not hurt very much. It does on occasion but not nearly like the left hip. It does slip outwards but it goes right back in and then doesn't cause me any further grief. I hope to avoid any type of surgery on that side for many many years, but will see how things shape up after I get the left hip all sorted out.
I was looking at an article of the PAO surgery and had to stop reading because it was making me worked up. The article included some pictures. Talk about graphic! It amazes me that people can break peoples pelvises and other bones for a living. This type of work is definitely not for me on so many levels. But I am extremely thankful that there are special people out there that can do it....this gives me a chance at getting my life back!
As far as pain management goes, now I am taking Tylenol--3000mg total in a day, and Voltaren 75mg daily, and then in the evenings taking Tramadol when I need it and a muscle relaxant at night to help me sleep. This regimen is ok, but does not really cut it for when I am on my feet all day. Ideally I'd be taking the Tramadol during the day, but I can't chance it being that my mind has to be sharp all day. Maybe after my important rotations are up in September I can fiddle around with meds during the day...until then, I'm sucking it up. I didn't ever think that I could have such a sore hip and keep on going on with life. I mean, I have hurt for many years but this is, by far, the most daily pain I've been in since this whole ordeal started. I never have good days, I just have bad and worse ones. I'm not even 30 years old and am popping pills within 5 minutes of waking up and throughout the day just to get through the day on my feet.
And, to add on to the issues, I have seriously hurt my shoulder. About a month ago I dislocated my shoulder putting on my purse and something inside REALLY hurt. I knew I had hurt it. I took it really easy and it eventually started to feel better after 2 weeks. So as soon as I started using it again the pain has come back. The pain is definitely coming from within the joint. I am icing and putting Voltaren gel on it as well. So back to taking it easy on this shoulder. Gotta love being a bendy person. UGH.
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Dumped
Yes, I've essentially been dumped by my surgeon and his team. Unfortunately, despite having continued pain, I was told today that they would only give me 30 more pills of Voltaren and then would have to go on a "drug holiday" Yes, you read it correctly, a freaking "drug holiday" from anti-inflammatories despite being completely asymptomatic and taking a PPI. I fail to understand the logic as they are currently the only doctors I see in the US! My current family doctor is here at home refuses to prescribe me any medications for my hip as he is "not managing it." My hip surgeon's team keeps telling me to "hang in there and things will get better" while I am barely managing through the day on my anti-inflammatory, and now they want me to wean off and not take anything despite me continuing to hurt. I'm confused. It isn't like I am asking for a narcotic of any sort.
So, I am left in limbo, with a family doctor who won't prescribe me anything for my hip and a hip surgeon (PA actually) who won't give me any more medications. I'm peeved to say the least. I suppose I need to find a family doctor or a sports med doctor or a pain management doctor who would be willing to work with me to get me the correct medications to help me get through medical school on my feet with a hip that is less than ideal.
So, I am left in limbo, with a family doctor who won't prescribe me anything for my hip and a hip surgeon (PA actually) who won't give me any more medications. I'm peeved to say the least. I suppose I need to find a family doctor or a sports med doctor or a pain management doctor who would be willing to work with me to get me the correct medications to help me get through medical school on my feet with a hip that is less than ideal.
Saturday, February 16, 2013
I H.U.R.T.
Yup. I do. No question 'bout it. I hurt. Period. Boo. Hiss. Uncool. Bummer. Thumbs down. Sux. Yuck. Ick. Blah. Barf. Etc.
You know, when I made the decision...erm...correction, when my surgeon essentially forced me to stop medical school (which WAS the right decision)...I thought that when my 8 months off and my surgeries were done, that I would be hopping along ready to jump back into life again. Well...this isn't exactly how it has panned out. Don't get me wrong, I am better than I was when I stopped medical school, but I still darn tooting hurt. My right hip is amazing! I am in love with it. Seriously, it feels like an elbow: no pain, full ROM, no clicking, pure joy.
My left hip is still icky. After getting fed up these last couple of weeks I called the PA and asked what we should be doing differently. I got some Voltaren because, in his opinion, my hip flexor is ticked off and causing pain. The ROM reduction he described as the lactic acid build up thus reducing my flexion to decrease. We are working the posterior chain, more pool, and NSAIDs and seeing how it goes. Honestly, the Voltaren does help, but not for the full day. I am still aware of the pain in my hip 24/7, but the Voltaren takes off some of the edge of the throbbing.
Frankly, something I would rather not have to still be dealing with after being off so long. I realize I have had so many surgeries on this left side and still has room for improvement, but life is starting back up again and I still hurt. I can't believe that I am still throbbing all of the time. I also can't complain to my family anymore. They keep telling me that I need to build up my strength, do more work, be on my feet more, get better. I feel like they keep telling me this because I am going back to school that I should be better. I should stop thinking or worrying about my hips. At this point, I AM worried about how I will hold up on my feet all day. I NEED some normalcy in life again and returning back to rotations will help mentally, physically, we will just have to wait and see. It's just tough because everybody around me expects me to be better now. I am still dealing with a lot of pain and simply don't vocalize it anymore. Just because I start back to school doesn't mean I miraculously heal. *sigh*
PS: my next posting will be much more positive. I just needed to vent to my cyber-space....I'm actually not sure if very many people actually read the crap I put down.
You know, when I made the decision...erm...correction, when my surgeon essentially forced me to stop medical school (which WAS the right decision)...I thought that when my 8 months off and my surgeries were done, that I would be hopping along ready to jump back into life again. Well...this isn't exactly how it has panned out. Don't get me wrong, I am better than I was when I stopped medical school, but I still darn tooting hurt. My right hip is amazing! I am in love with it. Seriously, it feels like an elbow: no pain, full ROM, no clicking, pure joy.
My left hip is still icky. After getting fed up these last couple of weeks I called the PA and asked what we should be doing differently. I got some Voltaren because, in his opinion, my hip flexor is ticked off and causing pain. The ROM reduction he described as the lactic acid build up thus reducing my flexion to decrease. We are working the posterior chain, more pool, and NSAIDs and seeing how it goes. Honestly, the Voltaren does help, but not for the full day. I am still aware of the pain in my hip 24/7, but the Voltaren takes off some of the edge of the throbbing.
Frankly, something I would rather not have to still be dealing with after being off so long. I realize I have had so many surgeries on this left side and still has room for improvement, but life is starting back up again and I still hurt. I can't believe that I am still throbbing all of the time. I also can't complain to my family anymore. They keep telling me that I need to build up my strength, do more work, be on my feet more, get better. I feel like they keep telling me this because I am going back to school that I should be better. I should stop thinking or worrying about my hips. At this point, I AM worried about how I will hold up on my feet all day. I NEED some normalcy in life again and returning back to rotations will help mentally, physically, we will just have to wait and see. It's just tough because everybody around me expects me to be better now. I am still dealing with a lot of pain and simply don't vocalize it anymore. Just because I start back to school doesn't mean I miraculously heal. *sigh*
PS: my next posting will be much more positive. I just needed to vent to my cyber-space....I'm actually not sure if very many people actually read the crap I put down.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
This Past Week in Picture Form
 |
| CPM put to good use. |
 |
| My jack-o-lantern. I decided to go to the dark side this year and make him scarrrry!!! |
 |
| My birthday cake: red velvet cupcakes with cream cheese icing. Another year older and hopefully another year wiser. Everybody kept asking me if I felt older. I kept thinking, well, I feel older than I should while I am still in my twenties. I hope that this upcoming year I feel less old than this past year! ;) I can't wait to feel my age again!! |
 |
| The LAST time I'll ever be in a CPM!!! This was the best birthday present of all! |
 |
| An absolutely lovely sunset. It was glorious. What a way for God to showcase His beauty. It was breathtaking. |
 |
| I tried on my old boots and found that I was slipping off my right side. This was the result of my previously outwardly rotated foot!!! It had bent the boots asymmetrically. And now that my foot is kept straight by having my last surgery, I thought it would be wise to not wear these crazy boots any more. My parents actually already bought me a new pair. (I am so spoiled!) |
 |
| While dropping off my SCD and CPM machines, I got my refill on my doxycycline. This is a whole months supply of nausea after I finish up 10 more days of my current bottle. No, really, I have been tolerating the medications pretty well. I still get my "doxy attacks" but I have been throwing up a lot less than last time. woohoo!! |
Saturday, July 7, 2012
21 Days Post Op
Drum roll please........Today marks the day of no more hip brace and no more need to bolster my feet together to prevent external rotation. I can now externally rotate and extend. I have tried both motions and external rotation feels quite nice, not restricted very much. Extension is another story. It is quite tight just to stand up straight and tuck my pelvis under myself. But, I can actually extend a little bit. It will be intriguing to see how much extension I have at my next PT appointment.
I get my stitches out on Monday at my family physician. I really could take out my own stitches as I've done it before (to other people), but if I take my last surgery's suture removal as any indication of how deep they place the sutures, I'd prefer somebody else induce that pain on me. I almost passed out last time. So, I figured I should have my doc do it. I needed to see him anyway as a follow-up from a previous appointment with him, so no harm in getting it all done at once.
Otherwise, the CPM in the day is much better. Although, oddly, I didn't sleep well last night despite not being strapped in the CPM. Perhaps it is the bolster? I don't know, but tonight I am just going to use the calf pumps and see how things go. My back muscles, glutes, and abductors/adductors are all quite tense this evening so I took a muscle relaxant in hopes of alleviating the tension. Plus I took a Norco simply because my right hip is throbbing and, if I have pills that will help this, why lie awake at night suffering?
I get my stitches out on Monday at my family physician. I really could take out my own stitches as I've done it before (to other people), but if I take my last surgery's suture removal as any indication of how deep they place the sutures, I'd prefer somebody else induce that pain on me. I almost passed out last time. So, I figured I should have my doc do it. I needed to see him anyway as a follow-up from a previous appointment with him, so no harm in getting it all done at once.
Otherwise, the CPM in the day is much better. Although, oddly, I didn't sleep well last night despite not being strapped in the CPM. Perhaps it is the bolster? I don't know, but tonight I am just going to use the calf pumps and see how things go. My back muscles, glutes, and abductors/adductors are all quite tense this evening so I took a muscle relaxant in hopes of alleviating the tension. Plus I took a Norco simply because my right hip is throbbing and, if I have pills that will help this, why lie awake at night suffering?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)