grateful for any tips

beowolf

Hi everyone.... thought I would finally dip a toe in the water and start posting at this unearthly hour of the morning. Went on the chit chat forum and couldn't resist the thread about books

Went to my doctor a few months ago thinking I'd pulled a muscle in my leg.... totally wishful thinking as the x=rays showed I have OA in my lower spine, both hips and left knee. Saw consultant last week and I'm on list now for THR, should be in about three months...fingers crossed. I will be on my own when I come home ,and wondered if anyone has any tips or advice for coping alone and how should I prepare beforehand? Thanks in advance for any help. Beowolf

dorcas

Hi beowulf and welcome to the forum from me too.

You must have got quite a shock to be told you had such extensive OA :shock: I guess you have a high pain threshold to have coped with the pain for so long without seeing a doc. :roll:

I have no experience of THR...my surgical 'experience' is upper limb and back surgery, although I do know how it is to manage at home on your own.
There are lots of peeps on the forum who have had hip ops and I'm sure will offer you lots of good advice and oodles of support.

Nice to meet you....glad you 'dipped your toe in the water' and joined us.

Iris x

frogmorton

Beowolf

Welcome from me

I am glad you jumped in too

There are threads on here worth a read from those who have had THRs etc so get reading.

My ex MIL had one hip done a year or so back and lives alone - she was suprisingly ok. I amd SIL helped with showers and the teds stockings though...

I saw you looking at the books too...

Love

Toni xx

dreamdaisy

Hello and welcome. What a shock for you, I am so sorry that you are facing this. I have not had any joint replacements, so I cannot help on that front, but two forum members have had work done quite recently, so I hope they will spot your thread and chip in with advice and practical tips. I wish you well. DD

carola

Hi Beowolf

And welcome.

I don't have experience of this so cannot offer any practical tips aside from remember to ask for help when you need it.

There are a few people with similar experiences to you and I am sure they will reply to your post soon.

Carol

woodbon

Hi, Just to say I'm pleased that you are getting a new hip in the near future. You'd better get some microwavable meals in!

Love Sue

beowolf

Many thanks for all your replies, it is such a relief to know that I can turn somewhere for help and support. It was a tremendous shock and I don't think I've completely come to terms with it yet.... as many people have said, some days are good and some really bad.

For some weird reason I seem to have a high pain threshold but when it gets through it really hits hard :roll: . I don't know that I will be able to offer much advice to anyone else but I will try to offer all the support I can when needed

Books are my all time favourite thing....soooo much better than soaps lol

skezier

Hi Beowolf,

Nice to meet you again. hey books are better than a lot of things... but for me a rock is better than the soaps

I also got oa in most my spine and they asked me about a thr as well but I am waiting cus though mine have lost rotation they don't hurt to bad. Been very lucky with my knees, when they first found the oa they to take out the cartilages and I think I have been very lucky on that one and they are not as bad as the rest of me now.

Its hard on your own, this I know but OT will help you and Speedy was on her own and managed so I am sure she will be able to help you a lot when she comes in.

Its hard to be told all this news..... Shock for a minuet but its going to be ok and us lot are past masters at pocket duties and will be about for you as well. Nice to meet you again. Cris x

dreamdaisy

It's not a question of being able to offer 'quality' advice. what is appreciated so much on these forums is that we're chatting to people in very similar boats to our individual ones. This is the place where we can come and sound off and vent frustrations and irritations about families' responses, what arthritis does to us mentally and physically, how rubbish our docs are, how good our docs are, what med does what and should it be like this, etc etc etc etc. This is where we prop up our fallen-by-the-wayside people who are recovering from ops, where we boost those who are preparing for ops, and where we all just commiserate with each other. I couldn't believe my luck when I fell across this site by pure accident: I'd been struggling on my own (I'm married but I mean with the arthritis) for so many years, the only person in our group of friends to have such a thing and then this whole new world of similarly afflicted people opened up! You get stuck in with the rest of us beowulf, we're a grand bunch. We'll get you through this, but it can be pretty quiet on the weekends! It's just us diehards who hang around then! DD

beowolf

skezier you are so right that a rock is better than soaps lol personally I would rather watch paint drying but each to their own

DD thank you so much for your posting, it is really so great to meet people who don't mind you talking about arther...i get so fed up of the glazed eye look whenever i mention it :?

some days i feel really positive, like today, and others i just cry, cry, cry like a cry baby who does nothing but cry lol

i'm still working full time and thay have been really great to me at work, so I feel i have so much to be grateful for. I work as a cleaner so i'm on my feet all day but i can rest when i need to.....can't use my stick at work so i go round permanently attached to a broom

skezier

Hi Beowolf,

Yep the old broom... or fork in my case and I use the wheel barrow like a frame We are so good at utilising things eh?!

Post here if your feeling positive or not as someone will always be about to help support and help you as well as just talk around on a positive day. They really are a good lot here and the support this forum gives has stopped me from being so alone on so many occasions.

You keep coming and posting as us old die hards also worry if people disappear....... A ((( ))) and a pitch fork cus they are excellent for stick duties... though why you would have one at work I can't help you with Cris x

beowolf

hey skezier, i think they might look at me a bit odd if i swapped my broom for a pitch fork...might just be tempted to try it and see :idea:

have you got a spare one

skezier

Hey Beowolf I will trade you a pitch fork for a good yard broom Its nice to meet you and don't forget positive or not this lot are here for you. ((( ))) and my best fork Cris x

dreamdaisy

Ah, a touch of humour, I like that! I go around attached to my crutches, can't stand still for long without them, can only walk with them. I make a point of not talking about my arthritis with anyone, 'cos, let's face it, they ain't gotta clue. When people do ask after me I always say that I'm OK, or if they notice I'm looking rough I just say I don't want to talk about it. It is a boring subject, it's enough to live with, never mind discuss! Right, a personal question 'cos I like to know stuff: are you a girl or a boy? DD (who is a girl, albeit an old one)

beowolf

awwww shucks that's real nice of you

joking apart i really appreciate the company today....many thanks

and anyone who's got their own pitchfork can't be bad lol

gosh i feel even better now....i will certainly be back if you'l have me

skezier

Hi Beowolf,

You pop in anytime and please keep posting. Can't beat a fork... but I also really appreciate brooms A ((( ))) and its good to meet you. Cris x

ironic

Hello Beowolf,
Nice to met you. Gosh you have done well working full time.

Like the broom by the way It's amazing how we adapt.

Welcome to the forum and hope to see you around soon.

Lv, Ix

mjking

Hi Beowolf

I was diagnosed with severe arthritis in both hips last August and have since had one resurfaced on 28/6/10.

First thing I did (or rather my wife) was got our local Social Services Occupational Health team to come to our house and do an assessment. They gave me a grabber, a long shoe horn, a sock putter on aid, a raised toilet seat, a block of plastic to stand on to help get in the bath and arranged for one of our chairs to be raised up.

All these things really help - some before the op and some after.

You can also apply for the Disability Living Allowence, which can be used to pay for things you may have difficulty doing such as house work etc.

Hope this helps!

Mike

beowolf

many thanks mjking and ironic for welcoming me to the site and thanks for your help. Believe me I would not be working full time if I could survive on sick pay, but alas thats impossibe.... I will carry on as long as I can, or until my boss spots that I'm ot actualy doing anything

I have got a sock putty ony thing and that made life much easier, and someone gave me a grabber thay had and didn't need....so I've made a start and I will definitely take your advice and seek help for the other things :P

I've applied for DLA but will not be holding my breath.... a wise move I think.

Thanks again Skezier for your warm welcome........forks and brooms rule

dreamdaisy

Don't let pride get in the way of getting help - use all the aids you can discover and accept help from others, that way you preserve precious energy for the things you want to do! DD

beowolf

you are so right DD. I have have spent my whole life putting others first and have found it really difficult to admit that i need help, but now it has got to the stage where I don't have any choice and am graeful for all the help I can get.

I have quickly learned that there is no shame in not being able to do everything for myself .....a good lesson to learn as I tend to be hard on myself

mjking

Hi everyone

My wife said I should type out all the things we've learnt about coping with my op, which was a hip resurface due to severe arthritis.

This is what we've come up with -


HELP FROM YOUR LOCAL SOCIAL SERVICES (CALLED ADULTS & COMMUNITIES IN BIRMINGHAM)

They gave me:

A grabber
A long shoe horn
A sock putter on aid
A raised toilet seat (essential after the op as you cannot get too low down at first)
A frame to go around the toilet to hold onto - essential after op and maybe helpful before
A block of plastic to stand on to help step in and out of the bath
Grab handles for the bath
Arranged for one of our chairs to be raised up (you cannot use a low chair after the op)

Most of these items can also be bought from ARGOS. A second one can be useful – to keep up stairs maybe.

Get Social Services in BEFORE op as its too late after and some things help before it!

JOIN LIBRARY ON LINE

Reserve books and CDs.
Talking books may be useful if you are too tired to read after your op.
Register as disabled and they should deliver to your house – Home Delivery Service.

SHOP ONLINE – HOME DELIVERY

TESCOS - tell them to carry into your kitchen.
AMAZON etc for books, CDs etc.
ARGOS for household items etc.

MISCELLANEOUS

Tidy house, esp floors.
Put often used items at a height you can reach without bending.
Slip on shoes – no laces to tie!
Compression stockings – may be OK to use next size up, if find they are tight and hot. Get a second pair – they need to be washed every 3 days.
Make sure your computer/laptop is accessible (& internet connected) for when you come out of hospital.
Ditto for your land phone and mobile charger.

NHS MEDICAL EXEMPTION CERTIFICATE

Spread the cost of medicines over the year.
Can be worth having, depending on what medicines are needed etc.
Probably worth it if you have at least 2 prescriptions a month that you pay for.

NEIGHBOURHOOD OFFICE WILL HELP WITH FILLING OUT FORMS

Disability Living Allowance. Not means tested.
Social Services Fairer Charging – financial help to look after you at home.
Blue Badge if drive. May be able to qualify for free road tax. (or refund if already bought it)

FRIENDS

You must have someone at home before the hospital will discharge you after the op.
Try and have someone sleep over for the first week or so.
You will need help with washing and (if you have to wear them) putting your compression stockings on and off.
Don’t be afraid to ask for and accept help.

Hope this helps - no doubt others can add to it.

Mike

beowolf

Mike you are an angel and thanks to your wife too

That is going to be sooo helpful to me. I know it's slightly early to be planning but I do like to be ahead of the game and you have certainly given me loads of tips.

many thanks

hileena111

Hi Bewolf,
Sorry I'm coming into this late.....havent been on line this past few days....I had my first THR in February and am having the second one in about 7 weeks time.
I have my husband at home....well he works but he will have a few days off and then hes there in the mornings and the evenings....does surveys so works funny hours.
Those white passion killers LOL I'm sure you'll have to wear them....I dont know anyone on here who hasnt...ask speedy and marion {as well as me} they are dreadful.....they wouldnt give me a size bigger.Anyway...sorry to be negative....
What happened to me...
Physio group threapy before hand....didnt do anything....she just told us what to expect etc...fast track or not ...depending on the consultant.
Then a pre assessment,,,,thats just blood height weight, ask any questions you have etc.
OT come out before you go in or at least ask you to measure things in the house. I had 2 toilet seats with handles {a blessing}...grabber, long shoe horn, sponge on a long handle, stool for the shower....even if you have a block to stand on you're not allowed into the bath for 6 weeks. Have to sleep on your back for 6 weeks as well. I had a hospital chair...my settee was too low. I also had a trolly. If you are on you're own you'll have 2 sticks/crutches....cant really carry anything...so you put the sticks down, grab the trolly and push it into the kitchen, make coffeee, put it on the trolly and push it back.
You must not bend forward when sitting....90degree angle...you'll hear about that....so have something...trolly/high table/whatever to set a coffee on......my coffee table isnt low but I would have had to bend forward a bit to lift the cup and thats a no no
Just come on here and ask any questions you need to.....last Jan I was firing questions at people right left and center LOL All the things mike says....keep things at a level you can reach without bending, move things around before you go into hospital.
Thats about all I can think of at the minute and its probably not very clear....just typed as I remembered things LOL
Love
Hileena

mjking

I just couldn't sleep in the one's the hospital gave me so I went to my Dr. and he wrote me a prescription for the next size up (XL) - they were toe less - which we both thought might be better than the ones I got from the hospital.

But they were worse! Much tighter across the foot and just as tight around the leg.

So I went on line & found the company that made the ones the hospital gave me & ordered XL from them.

Here's the link, if anyone wants to have a look:

http://www.med1shop.com/products/thigh_length_stocking.phtml

They were a better fit and I found my 13 year old son was able to help me put them on (& off!) with the aid of my SOKON device!

I managed to sleep in them for about 2 weeks after I was discharged but sleep was very poor.

In the end I stopped wearing them at night as I was VERY mobile during the day. Kept them on all day though and right up until I went to bed. Made sure I did all my exercises too.

(should have kept them on for 6 weeks!)

Mike

hileena111

Hi, When the district nurse came to do my dressings she thought they were a bit tight...rang the hospital and they said measure my leg {same as in hospital}she did that and they said I had the right size and any bigger would be no use...for the first 2 weeks they were on day and night but you were so hot in them at night.....I took them off going to bed and they went on first thing in the morning...much better and I'm still bere to tell the tale LOL.....I must try that link when I go in again....thanks for that

Hileena