I'm a 30-something mum of one.
Around 3 years ago my hip started to give way every so often. No pain though. I went to my GP who sent me for an x-ray which came back as mild osteoarthritis. Told by GP "just one of those things" and most people have a slight form of OA.
About 18 months ago I started to get terrible pain when standing up and sitting. Went back to GP who said I had bursitis and told me to take ibuprofen. Pain continued to worsen, put on dicofenlac but still didn't ease the pain. Referred to physio 4 months ago who had to stop the physical therapy as it was too painful. GP referred me for another x-ray in early Nov which showed that the OA has progressed to severe. Was referred to a consultant but then received a letter saying I would be seen instead by the Musculskeletal Clinic (MSK) instead.
At the MSK Clinic, I was advised by the Advanced Practitioner that I have congenital hip dysplasia which is so abnormal and severe that he was surprised it was missed during newborn screening and I hadn't suffered problems until now. He felt that my case needed to be referred to the Orthopaedic Consultant and I would receive an appointment in due course.
Just before Christmas I received a phone call from someone in the Consultant's team who explained that the Consultant has looked at my x-ray and case history and suspects that I have Avascular Necrosis (AVN). I am being referred for a MRI (18th Jan) to confirm the diagnosis and to check for the condition in my good hip as AVN doesn't show on x-ray. If I do have AVN, then it's too advanced for preventative treatment as the blood supply will have already collapsed and given that my arthritis is so severe, then I am definitely looking at a hip replacement. If I do have the early stages of AVN in my "good" hip then I've been told that there is an operation which can save the blood supply.
It's taken this probable diagnosis for my constant pain to be taken seriously and after trying several painkiller including tramadol I'm now on 2x60mg dihydrocoedeine x twice a day for a few days but that isn't touching the pain.
I can't sleep at night due to the constant pain and the worry. I can barely walk either. I feel so bad and guilty for DS who is only 5 and has to be careful how he cuddles me and how I can't do much with him anymore. I feel like a burden on DH (who has been so supportive). I feel like I'm falling to pieces and can't face waking up each day to deal with all this again and again and again. I just want to scream "why me?" (although I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy). I don't feel strong enough at the moment to deal with everything. I think I'm in shock?
I hope no-one has or is suffering from this but I would welcome any advice; on dealing with the condition, questions to ask the consultant, about any of the operations. A bit of hand holding would be very much appreciated too.
Thank you if you managed to read this far!
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General health
Undiagnosed hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis and now probably asvasular necrosis...
10 replies
RokerFace · 07/01/2013 22:25
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