My PAO story

[Katz]

2nd step to my goal went without hitch- went out with friend today and took my 1st step into biking up sloped areas - I call them hills but hey werent they were steep bits of road - got in 45 kms tpoday with bumpy areas! Good hip is a little grouchy about it and new hipn is having words wth me as well but I figure an antiflam will shut them right up! and a GLASS OF WINE LOL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Plus my new pedals and cleats arrived today now just need A TOOL TO GET THEM ON THE BIKE - sorry shouting!
I have the cleats on the shoes though!

[oscarsmum]

YAY!! Well done Katz I fgure an anti inflamm or two when needed is worth it-especially followed by a big glass of wine.

You're doing great.
Kate x

[Katz]

Thanks Kate - I think I can safely say I was so tired and sore last night even my hair hurt but I kept on smiling - but today all was better - well apart from the weather it was shocking raining and the like - mind you it is late autumn here so what should I EXPECT ? Well it could have stayed away for 2 hours so I coud go ride! on the upper side I took wee bikey thing to a cycle shop and had my pedals put on now I just have to get used to them so I dont fall off and be still clipped in because I always fall on the operated side = I always have even before hip problems- now probably more likey than ever since I am packing an artifical joint - it must weigh heavier ! Surely!!

[Janet]

Kate - have a fantastic time on your hols!!

[Rayray]

How are you doing Kate. Would love an update as it really keeps me going at the moment!

[Janet]

Me too Kate! I'd love to hear that going through these surgeries is finally all worth it. I know you've had your ups and downs, but I sincerely hope that you are still continuing to improve everyday. However, I know that your other hip is playing up now, and that must be on your mind a lot. Any more thoughts on that one?

[oscarsmum]

Hi Rayray and Janet,

Yes its been worth it (overall) but I have given up all thoughts of ever having pain free hips.Have totally given up all dreams of running, impact exercises etc and still waiting for a totally pain fee few days, but hey, I am way better than most of you on here, so am still pretty pleased about how things have turned out. Operated side is pretty good and the actual joint feels great, but am struggling a bit with some inflammation at the moment and a stinging knife like pain that strikes randomly which I think is probably psoas tendonitis (thoughts anyone?) so am hoping for maybe a steroid inj on that. The screws are pretty annoying , and constantly rub on my waistband or get pretty uncomfy if I am carrying anything, not sure whether to ask for them to be removed, but don't really want another GA just for that. Unoperated side is deteriorating and is sore for most of the time, but bearable most of the time with just paras, and diclo if I am working. It often feels as if something is getting caught in there and I need to wriggle it around to free it. It isn't the same as the leftie was pre-op though so Im not sure if it needs a PAO or maybe just some tidying up ? Am waiting for the sharp giving way pain to kick in, which would confirm it, but thats not happened yet.

I see Mr Witt on 30th July, looking forward to getting his opinions on everything, and need to check out my private insurance before that to see if my left side is covered, but I'm not really expecting it to be. I am ready now to have that side done, if he thinks I should, but it will have to wait until spring as I can't be off my feet during the winter unfortunately.
Will let you know how that appointment goes,
Thanks everyone,
hugs
Kate xx

[oscarsmum]

Well that just taught me to keep my mouth shut-leftie gave way twice in a row this morning, I guess the dysplasia downward spiral is kicking in faster than I thought.

Roll on 30th July appointment ( glad its not this week, think the worlds media is now camped on UCLHs doorstep.)

Kate xx

[Rayray]

M'mm maybe we all expect too much from these surgeries and expect to be totally back to normal. I hope things improve some more although maybe we have all been oversold?? Interesting on you mentioning that something feels caught in leftie - I am getting that a lot in leftie too. This started last autumn after surgery on the right. It always caught around the front before that. I hope the 'giving way' doesn't start being a real nuiscance but I am glad that you have an appointment soon!

Let us know how you get on.

[oscarsmum]

Warning whinge coming, please skip this post if you want.......

Rayray, do you think we will ever be back to normal? I am starting to truely doubt that!

I don't know how you have managed to keep going with all the problems that you have had. I am trying not to take any anti inflams this week because I am still having ongoing stomach issues due to 3 years of taking them, have lost 2.5 stones and haven't really felt well since my PAO. Dunno whats worse, not feeling like eating or bloody hips playing up. Leftie not happy as I said before and now righty is joining in as its not appreciating having to do more than its fair share for once. I feel like caving in and spending the next few months relying on crutches for whichever side is worse, only the sensible part of me knows that the muscles around the joints will only get weaker if I do that, so long term it doesn't do any good, but I am fed up with being a skinny zombie!
I think we are oversold the surgeries, although I wouldn't have listened to the negative points anyway pre-op so it wouldn't have made much difference, but maybe I would feel less of a failure if I had been told that my hips might not ever be pain free. I don't think any of us should blame ourselves for ongoing problems as we have all put 100% effort into our recoveries, but right now I can't help wondering if I could have done more?Or did I do too much? Who knows? I don't think even the surgeons do.

Sorry for moaning, just having a downer day, thinking about facing it all again,plus my dad who lives alone is having tests for cancer in the next couple of weeks and I am not sure how a PAO would fit in around that.
I am better way better than I was before the surgery so it is worth it, just can't get to grips with why I can't work all day without pain, meds etc like others of my age,and I know you will understand,plus I don't want to keep moaning to those around me so am afraid you lot are getting it instead.
Will stop rambling now, thanks for letting me vent, off to paint a smile on my face,

Kate xxx