Concerned

[Guest guest]

Hi Tash...

It could be anything from a pulled muscle to broken hardware. I think

it would be a good idea for you to call your surgeon's office and ask

for an appointment. If the pain is bad enough, see if you can get an

emergency appointment.

Also, are you sure you have Harrington rods? Harrington rods have not

been routinely used for about 12-15 years. The newer posterior rod

systems are C-D type rods. If you're sure you have Harrington rods,

would you mind sharing with the group, the name of your surgeon?

Thanks and good luck.

Regards,

[Guest guest]

,

Thanx for your advice. I am almost positive they are Harrington rods. That's

what I was told by my surgeon who was a doctor by the name of Dr.

who was/is working for the Shriner's Hospital in Portland, OR. I have seen

x-rays of my spine after the surgery and it consists of two long stainless

steel rods with hardware (hooks) at the lower and upper part of the fusion.

Not sure if this helps explain whether or not they were Harrington rods.

I live in Calgary, AB in Canada and I have to be referred from my family

doctor to a surgeon. I have gotten the referral, but it takes anywhere from

a month to six months to get in for an appointment, and I haven't heard

anything yet. It was one of those: don't call us we'll call you kind of

things. I'm frustrated. Do I wait? But then if something is wrong would it

be a bad decision? I also don't want to seem like I'm just being a whiner if

it's nothing.

I wish someone could just tell me everything straight.....why does it seem

like the majority of doctor's are so misinformed when it comes to

scoliosis?!

Thanx again.

Tash

Re: Concerned

Hi Tash...

It could be anything from a pulled muscle to broken hardware. I think

it would be a good idea for you to call your surgeon's office and ask

for an appointment. If the pain is bad enough, see if you can get an

emergency appointment.

Also, are you sure you have Harrington rods? Harrington rods have not

been routinely used for about 12-15 years. The newer posterior rod

systems are C-D type rods. If you're sure you have Harrington rods,

would you mind sharing with the group, the name of your surgeon?

Thanks and good luck.

Regards,

[Guest guest]

Hi Tash...

Do you have only one hook at the top and one at the bottom? If that's

the case, then you probably do have Harrington rods.

I think you need to be driven by your pain. If your pain is

significant, I can't imagine waiting six months to see a doctor. And,

since no one at this point knows what the problem is, it's impossible to

say whether waiting would be detrimental. If a rod has broken and moved

away from the spine, it seems to me that it could do some soft tissue damage.

I hope you can get in soon.

Regards,

[Guest guest]

Hi Tash

I went to see my surgeon yesterday, as I had been hearing cracking and popping

noises in my spine over the last few days, and was quite worried. He told me he

thought that there was nothing to worry about, but did some x-rays anyway, which

showed that everything was as it should be.

The reason that he saw me so quickly was that I only had my surgery 5 months

ago, and just wanted to check me out properly. However, he did mention that

they are not normally concerned about noises from the back, unless they were

accompanied by pain.

Your message put me in mind of this. I am no expert in medical matters,

however, my surgeon did specifically mention the above, which seems to relate to

you. If I was you, I would see if you can get an appointment ASAP, for piece of

mind, if nothing else.

I hope that all goes well.

xxx

Emma Wygladala

[Guest guest]

Thank you for your helpful advice. After reading more posts on these groups,

I have decided it would be stupid to wait. I called my family doctor last

night and she mentioned something about making an emergency appointment as

well.

I will keep you posted.

Tash

Re: Concerned

Hi Tash...

Do you have only one hook at the top and one at the bottom? If that's

the case, then you probably do have Harrington rods.

I think you need to be driven by your pain. If your pain is

significant, I can't imagine waiting six months to see a doctor. And,

since no one at this point knows what the problem is, it's impossible to

say whether waiting would be detrimental. If a rod has broken and moved

away from the spine, it seems to me that it could do some soft tissue

damage.

I hope you can get in soon.

Regards,

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 3/20/02 12:09:48 PM Central Standard Time,

nbelzil@... writes:

> Any advice? I'm not looking for a doctor's verdict, maybe just some personal

> opinions and experiences that would help me decide to seek medical

> attention

> or not. Thanx in advance to anyone who responds.

>

>

Call your doctor.

[Guest guest]

Hi Kelley

I know this is hard to handle. My son Sam was hyper (before) and more when

first taking HNI. I beleive this was yeast die off, not spectular like you

might expect with 'yeast treatments' but none the less it seetled after about

3 months (ouch!) when we ramped up the yeast treatment again. I think the Pep

helps with yeast, pooping the protien overcoat that it wears. Something to

consider anyways

HTH

Mandi in UK

> Hi all,

>

> My son has been on Pep and Zyme for 4 weeks now. I have seen some

> amazing gains in language and sensory issues (at the moment he is

> putting sticky tape on his face and legs and pulling it off, this is

> a kid who became hysterical when his fingers were sticky and forget

> about ANYTHING touching his face and hair!! lol)

>

> However, he is still extremely hyper. I have been re-directing his

> 'flapping' by telling him to go bounce his sillies out (a song from

> an aussie show called Playschool) and this is going well, but he just

> has soooooooooo much more energy I am finding it hard to keep up.

> Could this be a reaction to the Pep? Or perhaps yeast? I posted a

> while ago about a possible yeast problem, but got no replies, so I

> searched and searched on the net and got nowhere. I have been giving

> him acidophilus and have reduced sugars and some phenolic foods. He

> also has epsom salt cream every other day. He used to live on honey

> toast and apples! Now its plain toast and pears, he seems OK with

> this but still so hyper and stimmy. He is going to bed late and

> waking early, thankfully content to lay in his bed and sing to

> himself - but this is concerning me too as he is usually such a

> social creature and would jump in our bed and snuggle

>

> I dont want to stop the enzymes because of the wonderful gains, but

> if this keeps up much longer I will be counting the brunette hairs

> instead of the greys!!

>

> Kelley

>

[Guest guest]

Thanks Mandi,

The worst part is that he was a 'wanderer', he just wandered around

until he found something to do (usually drawing and on the computer -

you should see the pictures he draws they are fantastic! lol) but

after starting the enzymes he is running and jumping all over the

place! His verbal stimming is thru the roof, delayed echolalia so

obscure that sometimes I think that he is actually commenting but

then I realise that it is something that was on TV a few weeks ago!

But then the wonderful things like him actually going up to a kid at

playgroup and saying 'Hello baby!' and trying to make eye contact.

I am just so confused and worried that maybe I am doing some harm to

him by continuing. I will 'tough it out' a little longer, hopefully

it wont last for 3 months like it did with you!!

BTW, what did you use for yeast?

Thanks for 'listening'!

Kelley

Australia

>Hi Kelley

>I know this is hard to handle. My son Sam was hyper (before) and more when

>first taking HNI. I beleive this was yeast die off, not spectular like you

>might expect with 'yeast treatments' but none the less it seetled after about

>3 months (ouch!) when we ramped up the yeast treatment again. I think the Pep

>helps with yeast, pooping the protien overcoat that it wears. Something to

>consider anyways

>HTH

>Mandi in UK

>

>

>> Hi all,

>>

>> My son has been on Pep and Zyme for 4 weeks now. I have seen some

>> amazing gains in language and sensory issues (at the moment he is

>> putting sticky tape on his face and legs and pulling it off, this is

>> a kid who became hysterical when his fingers were sticky and forget

>> about ANYTHING touching his face and hair!! lol)

>>

>> However, he is still extremely hyper. I have been re-directing his

>> 'flapping' by telling him to go bounce his sillies out (a song from

>> an aussie show called Playschool) and this is going well, but he just

>> has soooooooooo much more energy I am finding it hard to keep up.

>> Could this be a reaction to the Pep? Or perhaps yeast? I posted a

>> while ago about a possible yeast problem, but got no replies, so I

>> searched and searched on the net and got nowhere. I have been giving

>> him acidophilus and have reduced sugars and some phenolic foods. He

>> also has epsom salt cream every other day. He used to live on honey

>> toast and apples! Now its plain toast and pears, he seems OK with

>> this but still so hyper and stimmy. He is going to bed late and

>> waking early, thankfully content to lay in his bed and sing to

>> himself - but this is concerning me too as he is usually such a

>> social creature and would jump in our bed and snuggle

>>

>> I dont want to stop the enzymes because of the wonderful gains, but

>> if this keeps up much longer I will be counting the brunette hairs

>> instead of the greys!!

>>

>> Kelley

>>

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

> I dont want to stop the enzymes because of the wonderful gains, but

> if this keeps up much longer I will be counting the brunette hairs

> instead of the greys!!

This is too funny!

Hyper and sleep can be phenols and/or yeast

http://www.autismchannel.net/dana/phenol.htm

http://www.autismchannel.net/dana/yeast.htm

No-Fenol enzyme helps with both issues.

It also may be his reaction to feeling better with the enzymes, he

just has more energy. A period of " more energy, less sleep " occurred

for my kids for about 3-4 weeks.

Are you giving a vitamin supplement? Some kids don't need extra

vitamins with enzymes, and the extra vitamins make them hyper.

Dana

[Guest guest]

Thanks Dana,

Yes I am giving a very low dose mulitvitamin every other day. I

thought that he may need it as he only eats bread and fruit

(occasionally a couple of chicken nuggets), maybe I should look into

the vitamin content of the foods he is eating. I spoke to a

herbalist and he didnt know about GSE but kept harping on about

citrus extract for yeast - has anyone heard of this?

I was just thinking that my son doesn't drink much liquid - if at all

- with his meals. I give the enzymes in chocolate, so I was

wondering how much liquid is needed to activate the enzymes. Maybe

this is why he is so hyper? He has just ate 2 pieces of toast and

had about 1/2 cup of water, is this enough?

Kelley

>

>

>> I dont want to stop the enzymes because of the wonderful gains, but

>> if this keeps up much longer I will be counting the brunette hairs

>> instead of the greys!!

>

>

>This is too funny!

>

>Hyper and sleep can be phenols and/or yeast

>

><http://www.autismchannel.net/dana/phenol.htm>http://www.autismchannel.net/dana\

/phenol.htm

>

><http://www.autismchannel.net/dana/yeast.htm>http://www.autismchannel.net/dana/\

yeast.htm

>

>No-Fenol enzyme helps with both issues.

>

>It also may be his reaction to feeling better with the enzymes, he

>just has more energy. A period of " more energy, less sleep " occurred

>for my kids for about 3-4 weeks.

>

>Are you giving a vitamin supplement? Some kids don't need extra

>vitamins with enzymes, and the extra vitamins make them hyper.

>

>Dana

>

>

>

>

[Guest guest]

Kelley, hi and congratulations on the improvements!

My thought is that he is sounding like a " typical " child...although

with energy you are not used to. Can you take him to Mc's

PlayPlace or something like that so he can run his energy off? Allow

about 3-4 weeks for him to adjust. He may be getting used to his new

sensory inputs and feeling better. When I started enzymes, I felt a

ton better and was A-W-A-K-E! I had lots more energy (which should be

a natural by-product of enzymes releasing more energy from food). I

just didn't know what to do with myself for weeks until I adjusted.

And I am 40 years old! Then there were all the little things such as

adjustments in vision, depth perception, feeling your body in space

differently, etc. Things such as going up and down stairs felt a

little " different " even though I would say they were " better " .

I correlate it to going to something like Disneyland. You go and

there is a wealth of sights and sounds you are taking it. You know

how people get..

" Let's go here first! "

No, let's ride the train AGAIN "

Let's see the castle and then watch the parade while we eat ice

cream! "

" Yeah!! Yeah! Yeah!! Go! Go! Go!

Overall it is fun and exciting. But it is also draining trying to

keep up with it all, and do it all.

Your liquid content seems enough to activate the enzymes, but you may

want to try to get him to drink more water or liquid just for over

all health. If there are toxins, this will help flush them out of the

body...keep things moving.

.

[Guest guest]

> Thanks Dana,

>

> Yes I am giving a very low dose mulitvitamin every other day.

A low dose multi vitamin should be okay.

> I

> thought that he may need it as he only eats bread and fruit

> (occasionally a couple of chicken nuggets), maybe I should look into

> the vitamin content of the foods he is eating.

If all he eats is bread and fruit, I would consider phenols and yeast,

because fruit especially feeds yeast and is high phenol. Were you

using No-Fenol? I forget now, major brain fade over here LOL

I spoke to a

> herbalist and he didnt know about GSE but kept harping on about

> citrus extract for yeast - has anyone heard of this?

GSE is grapefruit, so similar to citrus extract, but I have not heard

of citrus extract.

>

> I was just thinking that my son doesn't drink much liquid - if at

all

> - with his meals. I give the enzymes in chocolate, so I was

> wondering how much liquid is needed to activate the enzymes. Maybe

> this is why he is so hyper?

I don't know how much liquid would be considered " too little " , but I

do know that the enzymes need to be mixed into the food, and if there

is a lot of food and almost no liquid, it would probably take too long

to get the enzymes mixed into the food in the stomach. Will your

child eat a popsicle or applesauce or other " liquidy food " ?

Dana

[Guest guest]

Don't worry about it Cher. Rebetol (ribavirin) has a much longer

half-life than the Peg-Intron even. It can take up to 90 days to work

out of your system. I don't think missing two day's doses is going to

screw anything up. Just forget about it, get back on it when the

pharmacy reopens. You'll be fine!

Claudine

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Don't worry about it Cher. Rebetol (ribavirin) has a much longer

half-life than the Peg-Intron even. It can take up to 90 days to work

out of your system. I don't think missing two day's doses is going to

screw anything up. Just forget about it, get back on it when the

pharmacy reopens. You'll be fine!

Claudine

__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

I know how frustrating those little blips can be when we don't lose weight. It

happened to me at three months and I gained seven pounds. Yikes!!! I was so

scared it was all over. Then I lost more at a very slow rate. I have been at

72 pounds down for three months now. I need to lose that much more, so I am not

even close to my goal. Don't give up. I am told that it keeps coming off if we

eat right and exercise. I keep at it knowing that one day soon the scales will

again be my friend.

C.

Dr. H/Joplin

6-10-03

282.5/210

concerned

Ok, I'm getting a little worried here. I am 14 1/2 months post-op and I

haven't lost anything for four weeks or more. Plus, I've gained 3-5 pounds

back.

I just got over a bad GI virus and I thought that might boost my weight loss

again, but so far, no. Please tell me I haven't stopped losing. I've had

lots of plateaus throughout this whole process, but this one is starting to

worry

me.

(SC)

12/16/02

298/174/177 today

[Guest guest]

,

Welcome to my world...I am 4 ½ months post op and I haven't lost for 2

weeks and this week I have managed to gian 4.5 pounds..yes thats

right...I am so ticked off...

Kim W

Dr. H

10-20-03

273-223/227.5 this morning.....??????

>>> mlweddle1@... 03/04/04 05:54PM >>>

Ok, I'm getting a little worried here. I am 14 1/2 months post-op and

I

haven't lost anything for four weeks or more. Plus, I've gained 3-5

pounds back.

I just got over a bad GI virus and I thought that might boost my weight

loss

again, but so far, no. Please tell me I haven't stopped losing. I've

had

lots of plateaus throughout this whole process, but this one is

starting to worry

me.

(SC)

12/16/02

298/174/177 today

[Guest guest]

I have noticed on a couple different occasions that I'll gain a few pounds

before I start losing again. It is just so scary when I stop. I am trying to

be more careful about what I eat and trying to get more protein in. I just

feel so fat right now and I weigh less than I have weighed for 15 years or so.

I

have been really tense lately too and I'm having a hard time sleeping. I'm

wondering if my estrogen is out of whack which would be a good sign because it

could mean that I'm losing fat. We just have to stay encouraged together.

(SC)

[Guest guest]

> My name is Janet. I am a new member. My dad will be having a hip replacement

> in July and I'm trying to find out as much info as possible. He's diabetic

> and has had a triple bypass.

>

Dear Janet,

I am 47 but I am rapidly realizing that everyone is different. Your dad is

42 but he has also gone through a great deal prior to this and that is not

like my experience at all. Diabetes causes a person to be more unstable

physically speaking. IOW, it is harder for a diabetic to return to

homeostasis than it is for a non-diabetic. I'm sure you already know that

though. Surgery is traumatic and so when you are recovering from this

operation, you are recovering from the trauma mostly. Muscles have to

regain strength and the tissues need to heal. I don't think anyone can tell

you what to expect. Did I recover quickly at 47? I think so. I am doing

great here at 6 weeks post op and the pain is next to nothing anymore. Just

some minor deep tissue healing is all that is left. I think too recovery

has a lot to do with your faith and your ability to see life positively.

Ie. Is the glass half full or half empty? There is also an element of

determination to work against the pain to regain the movement in your

muscles. In our society it is hard to embrace suffering in any variety or

see any value in suffering. I think we appreciate it in movies far more

than we appreciate it in our own lives. Will there be suffering involved in

this process? Sure. But I never saw it in a despairing light because I

knew I was moving forward. I was reaching the end of a long hard road.

Anyway, I'm not just saying that for your benefit but for the many people

that ask this same question. I just wanted to say that for the record that

I think I am a better person for having gone through this. =-)

Hope that helps some,

Vera

[Guest guest]

Hi Vera,

Thank you so much. That helped a lot. I will relay this to my dad. Again, thank you.

JanetVera Berry <veryberry@...> wrote:

> My name is Janet. I am a new member. My dad will be having a hip replacement> in July and I'm trying to find out as much info as possible. He's diabetic> and has had a triple bypass.> Dear Janet,I am 47 but I am rapidly realizing that everyone is different. Your dad is42 but he has also gone through a great deal prior to this and that is notlike my experience at all. Diabetes causes a person to be more unstablephysically speaking. IOW, it is harder for a diabetic to return tohomeostasis than it is for a non-diabetic. I'm sure you already know thatthough. Surgery is traumatic and so when you are recovering from thisoperation, you are recovering from the trauma mostly. Muscles have toregain strength and the tissues need to heal. I don't think anyone can

tellyou what to expect. Did I recover quickly at 47? I think so. I am doinggreat here at 6 weeks post op and the pain is next to nothing anymore. Justsome minor deep tissue healing is all that is left. I think too recoveryhas a lot to do with your faith and your ability to see life positively.Ie. Is the glass half full or half empty? There is also an element ofdetermination to work against the pain to regain the movement in yourmuscles. In our society it is hard to embrace suffering in any variety orsee any value in suffering. I think we appreciate it in movies far morethan we appreciate it in our own lives. Will there be suffering involved inthis process? Sure. But I never saw it in a despairing light because Iknew I was moving forward. I was reaching the end of a long hard road.Anyway, I'm not just saying that for your benefit but for the many peoplethat ask

this same question. I just wanted to say that for the record thatI think I am a better person for having gone through this. =-)Hope that helps some,Vera

[Guest guest]

>

> Also, does anyone know of a good website where I can read more

about hip replacements? I've seen quite a few online, but not sure

how good they are.

>

He might try these patient-to-patient sites...

http://www.ActiveJoints.com

http://www.hipuniverse.homestead.com

People's recovery times and experiences vary quite a bit, as others

have mentioned your dad's previous medical problems might pose a

greater challenge, but generally younger patients bounce back quite

easily, and 42 is very young for this surgery -- the average age is

up around 65.

Good luck,

-

[Guest guest]

Thanks very much treprice2000 for these links and suggestions. A few comments:

> Try your public library or online bookstores for books on the

> subject. One older title written from a patient's perspective that I

> read was " A Patient's guide to knee and hip replacement " , by Irwin

> Silber. There are others (and newer titles as well) that can be

> located by searching an online book vendor.

I bought Silber's book and have been reading it off and on, but as you note

it is " older " and the technology changes so much from year to year that it seems

better to rely on web sites for up to date information.

> As for online sources of information:

> This from Medline Plus explains the surgery in an easy-to-understand

> format, complete with illustrations.

> http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002975.htm

I'd just as soon not see illustrations ;-(

> The Fact Sheets from Amer. Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons are

> informative.

> http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/category.cfm?topcategory=Hip

This is a good site, but after reading the first article, " Activities after a

THR " I have to ask whether the recommendations and advice there is not unusually

conservative? If what they say is generally true, I think I'd rather postpone

the surgery I've scheduled for next month. So many restrictions on activities

that are essential. I wonder if others on the list are facing the same dilemma?

I've had osteoarthritis and AVN in left hip for 3 or 4 years, have a limp, and

have to take 50mg of Vioxx to deal with pain. One or two nights a week have

trouble sleeping, and can't walk for more than 15 or 20 minutes without a cane.

Can't climb stairs much at all without the cane, though I don't have to. On

the other hand, I can't imagine (I live alone, daughters are here often but are

not much use for housework) life for 6 to 8 weeks without being able to bend

every which way, sleep on my side (both sides), pick things up off the floor,

tie my shoes, use the bathtub (the visiting nurse who came for a pre-op

inspection of my apartment said I'd be better off giving up the bathtub for

life), sit in my chair without arms, etc.

It's a difficult call. Many people on the list report that they'd put up

with pain for too long and wish they'd had surgery sooner. But if the pain is

manageable, as mine certainly is, are the post-surgical restrictions worth

trading for the inconveniences of occasionally having to use a cane, taking

NSAIDs, and so on?

[Guest guest]

Hi:

You say " I can't imagine (I live alone, daughters are here often but

are

not much use for housework) life for 6 to 8 weeks without being able

to bend

every which way, sleep on my side (both sides), pick things up off

the floor,

tie my shoes, use the bathtub... "

These are not really unusual limitations for the immediate period

following THR. And, if it's any consolation, the time does go by

fast and the patient gets better, stronger, more agile slowly day by

day. Your own surgeon will instruct you in whatever limitations and

restrictions would pertain to your particular case.

P.S. the illustrations on the website are drawings, not photographs.

I believe that drawings do a better job of showing the surgery than

photographs of actual surgeries. There are those who actually want

to see photographs and videos of surgical procedures so if you become

curious I can point you to some of those sites also.

[Guest guest]

In a message dated 6/3/2004 9:05:16 AM Central Standard Time, veryberry@... writes:

I just wanted to say that for the record thatI think I am a better person for having gone through this. =-)

_____

And I'm looking foreward to getting my physical life back. I'm doing fine in the mental catagory, but have not been able to walk where and when I want to since about 1995. I watched a group of tapdancers called the Dancing Grannies perform at the Assisted Living Facility I work at today and realized that I could be dancing with them by next year. And walking in the woods I love, and going through a shopping mall without pain, and walking beside the man I adore without him having to "wait up" for me.

y

[Guest guest]

I just read the activities listed. The 90 degree rule, the raised

toilet seat, long shoehorn or other aides for footwear are pretty

much universal. However stairs are doable, recliners are okay if

you can get out without breaking the 90 degree rule. Same with

sitting and picking things up. Bend sitways. Have everything

nearby. Walk as much as possible. I was cemented and on on crutch

at 2 to 3 weeks. Driving at 3 to 6 weeks. Going into work 2 weeks

post op. Alot depends on you and your doctor. You don't want to

wait too long and loose good bone for the prothesis. Talk to your

doc NOW. Find out what he expects and tell him what you expect. Or

she. It is better to err on the side of caution. Lawsuits I am sure

are a big reason.

I am having a revision Monday. Estimated stay of 3 days, no cath and

full weight bearing immediately. Stairs are incouraged. Good thing

since I have 16.

Calm down, take a deep breath and call the doc to ease your concerns.

Sue

-- In Joint Replacement , " Cook "

<lcoqc@e...> wrote:

> Thanks very much treprice2000 for these links and suggestions. A

few comments:

>

>

> > Try your public library or online bookstores for books on the

> > subject. One older title written from a patient's perspective

that I

> > read was " A Patient's guide to knee and hip replacement " , by

Irwin

> > Silber. There are others (and newer titles as well) that can be

> > located by searching an online book vendor.

>

> I bought Silber's book and have been reading it off and on, but

as you note it is " older " and the technology changes so much from

year to year that it seems better to rely on web sites for up to date

information.

>

>

> > As for online sources of information:

> > This from Medline Plus explains the surgery in an easy-to-

understand

> > format, complete with illustrations.

> > http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/002975.htm

>

> I'd just as soon not see illustrations ;-(

>

> > The Fact Sheets from Amer. Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons are

> > informative.

> > http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/category.cfm?topcategory=Hip

>

> This is a good site, but after reading the first

article, " Activities after a THR " I have to ask whether the

recommendations and advice there is not unusually conservative? If

what they say is generally true, I think I'd rather postpone the

surgery I've scheduled for next month. So many restrictions on

activities that are essential. I wonder if others on the list are

facing the same dilemma? I've had osteoarthritis and AVN in left hip

for 3 or 4 years, have a limp, and have to take 50mg of Vioxx to deal

with pain. One or two nights a week have trouble sleeping, and can't

walk for more than 15 or 20 minutes without a cane. Can't climb

stairs much at all without the cane, though I don't have to. On

the other hand, I can't imagine (I live alone, daughters are here

often but are not much use for housework) life for 6 to 8 weeks

without being able to bend every which way, sleep on my side (both

sides), pick things up off the floor, tie my shoes, use the bathtub

(the visiting nurse who came for a pre-op inspection of my apartment

said I'd be better off giving up the bathtub for life), sit in my

chair without arms, etc.

> It's a difficult call. Many people on the list report that

they'd put up with pain for too long and wish they'd had surgery

sooner. But if the pain is manageable, as mine certainly is, are the

post-surgical restrictions worth trading for the inconveniences of

occasionally having to use a cane, taking NSAIDs, and so on?

>

>

[Guest guest]

> P.S. the illustrations on the website are drawings, not photographs.

> I believe that drawings do a better job of showing the surgery than

> photographs of actual surgeries. There are those who actually want

> to see photographs and videos of surgical procedures so if you become

> curious I can point you to some of those sites also.

I think what he meant was the intimate drawings. I thought they were fairly

conservative and that the drawings were bland in terms of anything explicit

and trust me, I have very conservative standards. ly, I would have

appreciated this information very much as it was one of my questions as

well. When you've come so far, you just hate to ruin the operation when it

could have been avoided. That is how I look at it anyway. And let's face

it, this is a part of life and it has to be addressed in some way. Not one

health professional in all this took the initiative to talk to me about it.

Vera