So, just a quick note about the pain I posted about a little bit ago.
It's back.
It's mostly just first thing in the morning, and I'm pretty sure it's maybe just stiffness. It also happens when I get up from a seated position where I've been seated for a long while.
It's not so bad that my hip buckles...but it's certainly annoying. It's like a soreness, a crinkly soreness. (Another description of pain that no one will ever understand! I'm stellar at getting my feelings across...however I just don't know how else to explain it...it's pain...and it's crinkly.)
Anyway. The main point is, it's not allllll the time. And I need to keep remembering: I CAN WALK LIKE A BOSS. Really. I never even have to THINK about walking anymore...isn't that fantastic? This is something only my hip-y's will completely understand. It's a truly fantastic feeling. I walk around and I think to myself "these people don't even KNOW I have a hip problem!" No more sad stares in the grocery store. The "Oh my gosh, look at THAT poor girl...she can't even walk." I'm reveling in it all. I try to remember to GRASP to those feelings...I don't want to ever take that for granted.
Otherwise, I still get the SI joint pain...but who really cares? I feel like I'll have that forever...which is mostly fine. It's only sometimes and it's usually really tolerable and minor.
I am GOOD. I am so, so GOOD.
That's all for now. :)
Don't forget! If you want to leave a question, please feel free!
Hi Danielle, I think my msg didn't post. Thx for posting your PAO experience. It is extremely helpful to know how other PAOers are doing post procedure, also you provide a huge support to us because it can feel lonely n confusing when no one else can relate to what you're going through. I had PAO 10 months ago and struggling w/psoas pain, it's driving me crazy and had no improvement after steroid injection. Pls can you tell me did you have this psoas pain as long as me, how did they treat it? Would really appreviate your insight. Thx so much!
ReplyDeleteHi Nina!,
DeleteThanks for your message! It's great to hear from others going through what I've been through. I completely understand what you're saying, about people not being able to relate to what we've been through (both before and after surgery). It's hard to relay the kind of discomfort we've felt before surgery, the inability to walk and the constant pain and limping. I think that that is something that people simply can't relate to because it's a foreign concept to most. It's almost harder to relay what the PAO recovery process is like, because hardly anyone has been through anything quite so daunting! When you find others that "get" you, it feels fantastic. It feels like you're understood! So, thank you for reaching out, it means more than you know!
I'd like to give you as many details as I can about my psoas issues (my stupid, stupid psoas). I'll write a little post about it today, so that this comment reply isn't like a novel for you!
Again, thank you so much for your comment. It feels so nice to hear these things.
We'll talk soon,
-D xox
Hi Danielle! i am 14 and have just recently gone through the same PAO procedure as you, my angle of my hip was at a 0 degree angle so not too good! I have looked through your blog web sight and have fund it really helpful! it has also reassured me with loads of things and it is also very helpful comparing some things we have had in common through out our recovery! Reading back on your walking part of your blog has really made me almost see into the future and creates a picture of what i can be like hopefully very soon! I can not wait to get off my crutches which i have had for 4 going on 5 years!! How long did you have your problem before you had the PAO? would love to hear from you! aj xx
ReplyDeleteHi Aj!,
DeleteWow! I can't believe how young you are. I am so sorry that you've been through all you've been through. However, I am glad that you've had the PAO! I hope that your recovery goes as smoothly (for the most part) as mine has!
I'm so glad my blog has been helpful for you, this is why I do it! It's a great way for me to keep track of my experiences for myself, and also to relay what I've been through and how I've coped to others who are going through similar things. I can't tell you how happy I am to read your comment.
When others reach out to me, it makes my day! I'm so glad to hear from you!
I am so sorry that you've been on crutches for so long, I really hope that you can get off them soon and be as pain free as I have been! This surgery has been a life-changing blessing. I know it may be hard for you to understand at this part of your recovery, but hopefully soon you'll understand what I am saying!
I was born with hip dysplasia, so right from about 1 year old I had problems with my right hip. I was treated as an infant with a body cast for about 9 months, and then the cast was removed and I was sent on my way. I got by okay, for the most part, until high school. High school is when the pain started to be consistent. When I went to a hip specialist at 18 years old, he told me I needed to wait until it was so bad I couldn't walk, and then he'd do a total hip replacement. He told me I would completely disabled by the time I was 25. I waited and waited and waited until the pain got really bad and disabling. Then I got another surgeon (who has been a GODSEND!) and found out about PAO. So, the short answer to your question is: I had hip pain for about 10 years before I had the PAO. It wasn't always debilitating, but it was always limiting.
Keep your head up and know that there are many others out there who are always willing to answer questions and lend some advice. Myself included! When did you have your PAO? I'm interested in where you are in recovery.
Thanks so much for contacting me, Aj, I hope you're smiling!
-D xoxo
Danielle,
ReplyDeleteThanks for your responses to all of us, you're very compassionate and you're a light to us who are going through this daunting journey.
Wow it feels great to know you all totally understand the challenges!!
Thanks again and God bless
Nina