I'm afraid of bad news from my doctor.

#1
I got a test done recently.
The doctor's office called today and asked me to make an appointment.
They said they can't tell me the results over the phone, I have to go in person.

I started looking up what I might have on the internet based on what limited info I have.
I might have to get a hip replacement.
I'm scared.

I haven't exercised in over a year because I had other injuries to deal with.
Now I might just have chronic pain for the rest of my life.

I want to be active and be able to move around.
I don't want to be sedentary.
I sometimes fantasize about driving around the country in a van.
I know that sounds dumb, but it seems interesting to me.

I also might lose my insurance soon.
I wish I lived in a country with better medical care.
 
#2
Sorry that you're going through this
I got a test done recently.
The doctor's office called today and asked me to make an appointment.
They said they can't tell me the results over the phone, I have to go in person
While it's understandably disturbing to not know the results, there's no point in speculating about what the results might be. It might also be that your doctor requires everyone to make an appointment to get test results, regardless of the outcome.
I sometimes fantasize about driving around the country in a van.
I know that sounds dumb, but it seems interesting to me
I don't think it sounds dumb. It sounds really cool actually :)
I also might lose my insurance soon.
I wish I lived in a country with better medical care
Do you want to say why, and do you want suggestions about what to do?

I hope things can get better soon
 

SickAndTired

I give up
SF Supporter
#3
I got a test done recently.
The doctor's office called today and asked me to make an appointment.
They said they can't tell me the results over the phone, I have to go in person.

I started looking up what I might have on the internet based on what limited info I have.
I might have to get a hip replacement.
I'm scared.

I haven't exercised in over a year because I had other injuries to deal with.
Now I might just have chronic pain for the rest of my life.

I want to be active and be able to move around.
I don't want to be sedentary.
I sometimes fantasize about driving around the country in a van.
I know that sounds dumb, but it seems interesting to me.

I also might lose my insurance soon.
I wish I lived in a country with better medical care.


Hello - I don't know what your specific issues are, but I do know a thing or two about hip operations as I've had 2 myself. I had my 1st hip surgery when I was 15 and I've had to walk with a cane ever since then. The doctors now say that my next hip surgery will have to be a full-blown hip replacement and I'm definitely not looking forward to that, but they have come a long way in ~30 years. One of my co-workers just had a hip replacement and he said that he was walking (with help) 45 minutes after he woke up from the operation. Now, I doubt that I'll be able to be walking 45 minutes after I eventually have my hip replacement but I do have to admit that I feel a little better about the eventual procedure after talking with my coworker about his.

What's going on with your hip? Why do you think you'll need a hip replacement?
 

Anonymous ID

Well-Known Member
#4
I wish you good health. I wouldn't worry myself too much because doctors dont really like to give out results over the phone, at least that's from my experience. It might even be a good thing they find something wrong cause it might be fixable. Try not to worry yourself though, it won't help.
 
#6
Thank you for all of these replies.
I truly appreciate the support.

I have had some results told to me over the phone if it isn't that serious.
Like a sprained wrist.
That's why I'm concerned about the situation.

I think I might have something called avascular necrosis of the femoral head.
The blood flow to my bone might be messed up and the bone is dying.
People usually need some kind of surgery, but sometimes it can be fixed with lots of rest and exercises.
I hope I just have to rest a lot and exercise.

The advice would be nice.
But please don't be mean.
 

SickAndTired

I give up
SF Supporter
#9
Thank you for all of these replies.
I truly appreciate the support.

I have had some results told to me over the phone if it isn't that serious.
Like a sprained wrist.
That's why I'm concerned about the situation.

I think I might have something called avascular necrosis of the femoral head.
The blood flow to my bone might be messed up and the bone is dying.
People usually need some kind of surgery, but sometimes it can be fixed with lots of rest and exercises.
I hope I just have to rest a lot and exercise.

The advice would be nice.
But please don't be mean.


Oh my gosh - that's exactly what I had - avascular necrosis in my left hip. The femoral head in my left leg has been ground down to a jagged edge because of the lack of blood flow, and because my femur had shifted out of place and was grinding away against my pelvis. In my case, since my femur had shifted out of place, the doctors had to cut the bone, reset it into position, and put a pin there to hold the 2 pieces together. I had to get a 2and surgery ~6 months after the 1st because my hip wasn't healing right and I was still in pain.

I've never met anyone else that's had avascular necrosis before, but I hear that it's not too uncommon amongst people like me that have sickle cell. If it turns out that you actually have avascular necrosis then you're going to be just fine. If I can survive my operation then I have no doubt that you'll pull through with flying colors.

Keep us in the loop. *hug10
 

Ash600

Of dust and shadows
SF Creative
SF Supporter
#10
As has been said already, @worthless_loser , it's best to wait for the results and progress from there instead trying to speculate. Action can only be taken once you know what you're dealing with. I understand it's something which is easier said than done and the stress and worry must be pretty intense for you at this moment.

However, if it is avascular necrosis, if they can catch it earlier enough, ie before the bone collapses, then it can be treated quite sucessfully by using a technique such as core decompression. This process can help to restore some of the blood supply and promote bone healing. In some cases, it can negate the need for hip replacements.
But even if you do happen to require a hip replacement, that in itself can be quite successful in relieving pain and restoring function in the majority of patients with osteonecrosis (AVN)

Best wishes, and good luck.
 
#11
The advice would be nice.
Acupuncture is my answer to everything, but here's a study related to avascular necrosis
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/29231521
This wikihow article recommends acupressure. You might be able to learn an acupressure self-massage for this
https://www.wikihow.com/Treat-Avascular-Necrosis

Acupuncture and acupressure can both be great for treating chronic pain as well.

I also might lose my insurance soon
If you are in the US or Canada, you might want to try calling 211 or visiting 211.org. They might be able to help.

I hope things can get better soon.
 
#13
I thought I'd make a small update for anyone following this story.

I canceled my appointment because my mom is sick.
I didn't want to go without her.
I rescheduled for next week, but I might get sick and have to cancel again.
 
#15
Good news!
I don't need surgery.

My hip fell out of the socket, but no damage to the bone or cartilage.
I just have to rest a lot.
Thank you for your support.

Sorry I started worrying over nothing.
I know I do that a lot.
I'm working on it.
 

Butterfly

Sim Addict
Safety & Support
SF Author
SF Supporter
#16
Good news!
I don't need surgery.

My hip fell out of the socket, but no damage to the bone or cartilage.
I just have to rest a lot.
Thank you for your support.

Sorry I started worrying over nothing.
I know I do that a lot.
I'm working on it.
It's okay to worry about your health. Don't feel silly over it. At least you now have an answer.
 

SickAndTired

I give up
SF Supporter
#17
Good news!
I don't need surgery.

My hip fell out of the socket, but no damage to the bone or cartilage.
I just have to rest a lot.
Thank you for your support.

Sorry I started worrying over nothing.
I know I do that a lot.
I'm working on it.

glad to hear it @worthless_loser - even though I have crappy health, I still worry about it from time to time so it's perfectly normal to freak out if you don't know what's wrong. I'd say that the good news deserves a celebration - you should go out and treat yourself to something (dinner, a movie, new clothes, etc...).

Take care
 

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