I'm the guy with the slight limp

LChris Topher on 09/07/2018 - 14:26

I am 65 and physically disabled by a bungled hip replacement that had a bonus golden staph inclusion.

That was 10 years ago, many ops and a hip revision to get rid of the infection resulted in severe muscle calcification (Myositis ossificans). To improve the situation the infect returned having hidden somewhere waiting for a revenge attack, now strengthened and morphed due to the anti-biotics. More ops to clean it out, making the muscle damage even worse. The staph is now living peacefully on the prosthesis where there isn't any blood flow-through, so very hard to remove. Life-time anti-biotics so far keep it living in it's own little mini-city similar to it being in the cone of silence.

As with most virile men of Oz, age has brought out the results of bad lifting and handling in the younger years and low back pain steps up to bat. With the extremely painful limp and the painful lower back taking over the affected leg for walking, I don't do much of it, very little in fact.

Fortunately I have an electronics and computing background so I don't have to move around much to keep myself amused, entertained and occupied. And I lurve bargains. I'm also a very active member of the local mens shed, without that I would go mad.

I play guitar with one finger unusable, that's a long story for another day, my neighbors listen to some wild sounds, whether they like it or not. For years I have suffered with my music. Now it's their turn.

Introduce Yourself

Comments

  • Ryanek on 09/07/2018 - 14:33
    +1

    Welcome mate, I had no idea AMSA existed. Seems like a great thing.

    • Chris Topher on 10/07/2018 - 12:25

      Thank you. The sheds are great. I go for the social aspect, and it's a good reason to get out of the house. I try not to miss my bi-weekly visits.

      As I said, I go for social reasons but I spend as good as all of my time there doing woodwork projects, both hand and machine. All of that time I talk a lot, a helluva lot, but it's usually to myself. The other guys know that (now) and pretty well ignore most of my nattering. We all get on great and help each other where we can and if it's wanted. We keep learning new ideas by constantly bouncing off each other

  • HighAndDry on 09/07/2018 - 14:34
    +1

    Sorry to hear about the hip OP, though glad you're still in high spirits.

    I play guitar with one finger unusable, that's a long story for another day, my neighbors listen to some wild sounds, whether they like it or not. For years I have suffered with my music. Now it's their turn.

    Haha, I have a neighbour (somewhere on the street at least) who I swear has been practicing playing the recorder of all instruments for about 5 years now. I'm not sure they've improved in that time span but it's so familiar that despite the screeching it's now comforting because I associate it with home. I guess moral (?) is - keep it up! They'll learn to enjoy it hahaha.

    • Chris Topher on 10/07/2018 - 12:31

      Yeah, I moved here about 4 years back, I had annoyed the old lot so much over 30 odd years that I needed a new audience. I also had to move from the hills to flatter ground.

  • mbck on 09/07/2018 - 15:24
    +1

    you might be a good candidate to try hydrotherapy….

    • Chris Topher on 10/07/2018 - 12:35
      +1

      Yeah, been there, I end up with too much pain. Moving in the water is easier but when I get out I suffer badly for 2 to 3 days after. Thank you.

      • Geekomatic on 10/07/2018 - 14:14
        +1

        So I'm not the only one!

        I complained about that for my hip, after a MVA, and they looked at me like I had two heads….The ache afterwards cost days of sleep. xx

        • Chris Topher on 10/07/2018 - 16:51
          +1

          Motorbike? That's how I had arthritis installed in my hip back in '81

          4 deadly words "I didn't see him" - Shullbit I say, you didn't take enough karfen time to look properly.

      • mbck on 16/07/2018 - 16:37
        +1

        Have you tried reducing the exercise intensity? Or even just doing 20 mins to start with?

        • Chris Topher on 17/07/2018 - 12:48

          Thank you, good suggestion but even just getting into the water increases my pain level. I have persisted with very low level activities to still suffer days afterwards.

          It doesn't take much to make the pain shoot through the roof. Just imagine that the muscle from the pelvic crest side and back to half way down the thigh is all calcified, hard as a rock, a deep scar about 30cm long shaped like a 7. It hurts, damn hurts. sitting, standing, movement, trying to walk, bending over, I can't even reach down to my right calf let alone the foot. If I jerk my leg, for example in a stumble, I scream with the pain.

          It's not good. And now my left hip is showing the same as the other one did. Another hip replacement? Umm, no.

  • Hoolio on 09/07/2018 - 16:43
    +2

    Bad infection! Bad!

    Welcome :)

  • try2bhelpful on 10/07/2018 - 07:30
    +1

    Welcome and all the best for your future. Unfortunately these superbugs are taking over because we, as a community, overdid using the antibiotics. Hip replacements do seem to be one of the more brutal operations. Look forward to your contributions.

  • Chris Topher on 10/07/2018 - 12:54

    I should have mentioned that I have been a member here since 2012.

    I have just done a successful spinal nerve stimulation trial and qualified for the permanent implant. Nevro HF10. The spiel is that people that have it are speechless. My inquiries reveal that the vocal cords aren't usually affected. So I'm looking forward to it in about a month.

    Cholesterol is another issue with me, with that and the lower back pain, I have prebooked for the first either single or dual spine and liver transplant. Nothing organised yet. :-)

    Thanks guys. */ gives OzBargain salute *

    • Geekomatic on 10/07/2018 - 14:19
      +1

      I'd love to know how it goes for you? I've been through everything else to help with my spinal issues and nothing has worked. I now have no reflex response in my ankles, causing even walking to be a hazard. I know you have a lot on your plate, but please PM me your experience? I'd never heard of HF10 before.

      Best to you!

      • Chris Topher on 10/07/2018 - 19:30

        Yup, no problem. Thank you.

        Did you google it? It might be worth mentioning it to your specialist or G.P.

  • HighAndDry on 10/07/2018 - 13:09
    +1

    The spiel is that people that have it are speechless. My inquiries reveal that the vocal cords aren't usually affected. So I'm looking forward to it in about a month.

    Hahaha I hope I have your positive attitude and sense of humour if/when I'm in similar circumstances. Based on past experience I'll probably be complaining non-stop.

    • Chris Topher on 10/07/2018 - 19:58
      +1

      Complaining non-stop gives you humour 'cos you soon realise that no one is listening. When you try to explain to anyone how much pain you are in, unless you are missing a limb or have a really grotesque purple growth just under your left eye, they can't believe it because they can't see it. You see it in their faces, that quizzical "you just need exercise" look. That "you'll get over it" look that shows that they don't understand persistent (chronic) pain. Look up CRPS. It just might surprise you… err them. Tell them to look it up. Sorry, I got side tracked there.. sorry.

      I don't suffer CRPS, but I am with some that are. in online groups and in person with pain support groups.

      I try to keep my humour up because of my blood type… B+

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