Kickas.org Forums Ankylosing Spondylitis General Discussion #1 AS Web Support Group Update

Hi everyone,

I thought I'd post an update. Last time I shared I was recovering from my second hip replacement and dealing with some problems with my psoas muscle and bursitis. It appears bursitis is not that uncommon with replacement hips as a result of scar tissue, the implant, and weak muscles from inactivity.

I had to slow down and take things a bit easier for a while and, gradually, as my surgeon suggested, it began to improve. My hips are now mostly pain free and I can walk about 2 miles.

In the meantime, I had to wait 2 years to get the MRI on my shoulder which showed that it can't be repaired. One tendon has torn completely off and receded as far as it can go. The humerus head is raised and pulled away. It appears I'm likely to get osteoarthritis in it over time which will probably lead to a shoulder joint replacement but, until then, there is nothing to be done but grin and bear it. The surgeon (different guy than my hip surgeon) could only suggest moderating my activities and keeping the muscles strong!

Two toes are now rather misshapen and one ankle is permanently swollen. Apart from that my RA is well controlled. My inflammatory markers are back within normal ranges and I've been able to lower my dose of methotrexate. That's a relief because it's helped to reduce my weekly bout of nausea which comes on shortly after my weekly injection. I work with a woman who has had RA since her early teens. Her poor hands are completely misshapen and fused. So I feel lucky.

So, all in all, I'm doing pretty good.

It is good to hear from you. I wish it was all great news but then we hardly ever get a dose of that. Hang in there I have a bad left knee that is going to need attention in the future, I guess ride more walk less.
ETTE.
Darrel.

Oh Wendy. But TG the hips have responded. Heck of a recovery though.

The shoulder is quite another kettle of fish. How darn silly to let you go until the shoulder was beyond repair ! How crazy is that. Could you make a stink about that Wendy. It sure is costing the Ca. health care service much more in the long term than if they had attended to matters correctly, timely, in the first place ! I'd be livid. Timely done diagnostics are crucial to good health...this concerns ALL in Ca.

My eldest brother was caught out like that - lived in Canada. Could not get an appointment with a dermatologist, ended up as an emergency and died, 16 months ago, of a non-Hodgkins related illness, Mycosis Fungoides. He was in a desp state.

Shoulders are such hell when they go - know that only too well myself ! Wendy dear, take care. Don't do anything to aggravate the problem. Wishing you well hon, in my thoughts.

Molly C
France

Hi Wendy,

I'm glad you checked in!!! Sorry to hear things are progressing as they are, but glad to hear it isn't worse.

Please check in more???

Love and warm hugs,

Hi Darrel,

At least we can get new hips and knees. My poor grandmother never had such options.

What do you ride?

Hi Molly,

I am SO grateful for my hips. Wish that surgeon had also been responsible for my shoulder. The shoulder really is rather miserable as it interferes with so many of my activities. And keeps me awake at night. Oddly enough, I still have the full range of movement in it. Just hurts a lot. My shoulders were my first problem when my RA began. Not a typical presentation at all.

Hi Kat,

Planning to try to get here more! Just have to try not to be so busy. Hope you are doing well.

I am still riding my mules and following my dogs around, still enjoy the solitude. Alone time does me good, cold winter mornings are awesome. Sunrise when you are mule back when the temp is around zero is unbeatable.
ETTE.
Darrel

Sounds wonderful!

Hi Wendy,

It is nice to learn how you've been doing. That was quite a bit to go through 2 hip replacements (I can't even imagine it!), and it sounds like the recovery process turned out to be longer than you anticipated. Wonderful to hear that you are able to walk 2 miles now - that must feel like such a blessing after all the time you spent with your mobility so severely impacted. A new freedom!

I'm appalled at how long it took for you to get an MRI on your shoulder. That's criminal. I'm sorry that it can't be repaired. I'm not sure how you'll get enough activity to maintain your muscle strength when it's in a grin and bear it state.

Glad to hear that overall the inflammation is being well controlled now. That is certainly key. And less of the med is a nice thing too.

Take good care!
mig