Sunday, February 9, 2020

Hip Problems, X-Rays, MRI's and Other Stuff

I'll be the first to admit I haven't been running at 100% the last week or so. My right hip has flared up, and it hasn't been much "fun".

So, I went to the Doctor's office last Tuesday and she checked things out, asked a bunch of questions, did the rotation/extension/flexion stuff, and sent me down to the walk-in clinic for X-Rays of the hip and lumbar region. The results indicate some arthritis in the hip (no surprise there), and some minor "Bone Spurs" in the lumbar region.

As usual, the X-Rays were just to check that the basic structure is OK, and I'm going in for an MRI on Friday afternoon. And of course, they're going to run me through the Physical Therapy routine, although every time I've had PT it hasn't done much.

In the meantime, it's 400mg of Ibuprofen every 4~6 hours, along with half a Tramadol tablet. The Ibuprofen helps knock down any inflamation, and Tramadol relieves most of the pain. A full Tramadol knocks the pain to zero, but also knocks me into an alternative reality for a couple of hours.

No thanks, I'm wacky enough as is!

And what happened to the spell check function on Blogger? Mine's gone AWOL.

18 comments:

  1. I hope that whatever they find either relieves itself, or is quickly & easily treated. May its duration be SHORT, and may your time be yours to enjoy.

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    Replies
    1. I looked at the X-Rays, but other than real obvious stuff like a broken bone, I can't interpret it.

      I keep thinking pinched nerve, but my Doctor doesn't think so, based on where the pain is, and my description of it.

      Delete
  2. Seeing my primary care doc tomorrow about what I hope is a minor issue.

    Getting old isn't for sissies!

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  3. Damn! Hope it heals up. We're praying for you.

    Damsel and I been doing Yoga and that seems to help us a bit.

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    1. My Doctor commented that I have a very wide range of extension and flexation, along with very good rotation, and said I was better than most guys my age, so I'm not sure if Yoga would help.

      Delete
  4. Tramadol was developed and marketed as a mid serious medication for depression. They have since found out it does relieves pain and is used to treat insomnia, which I quite familiar with the lady. I use full strength pill and wake up late the next morning wondering what century I am in.

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    1. Yeah, a full tablet knocks the pain out 100%, but it's an interesting ride.....

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  5. Replies
    1. Thanks, NFO, and so do I......

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    2. If possible, find a physiatrist (sports doc). They seem to be the best when it comes to the external body functions. I got tired of the GP docs telling me I had "back sprain". The physiatrist laughed when I told him that. Said there is no such thing, it just means they don't know what they are doing. Which they didn't. Years going around in circles with those idiots in the HMO. New doc had me in for two MRI's within a couple days. About 3 months of prescribed physical therapy, and I was in the best shape in two decades. Even got back on the racetrack on my bike at age 46. Passing watercooled Ducatis' with my aircooled Duc, fun times!

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    3. I'll talk to them when I go into PT next week.

      Delete
  6. I hope the results are useful to your doc getting to the bottom of this thing. The Queen Of The world and I have been going through some of this and those meds sure are familiar. PT has generally worked for me, sometimes not so much for her.

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    1. Every time I've had PT it's been pretty much a wash. Maybe this time will be different.

      I'm taking the minimum amount of Tramadol along with Ibuprofen, but I don't like how the Tramadol makes me feel. It also doesn't last very long at the "half tablet" dose I'm taking, but it cuts down the spaced-out feeling.

      Should be interesting to see what the MRI reveals.

      Delete
  7. The GP's kept sending me to "back school", which is worthless generic pt. Got hurt EVERY TIME.

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    1. I've had PT a few times, and it's never done anything except improve my flexibility, which is already OK.

      Oh well....they run you through the whole routine, every time.

      Delete
  8. Dang, I hope you get some relief. I never thought yoga was of value until I started taking classes. Sure helped me keep moving pain free.

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    1. I try and keep active, which is why this is so annoying. I've gotten used to the little snap, crackle and pops of old joints, and the little pains that come and go randomly, but this has gone on beyond a couple of days, so into the Doctor I went.

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Keep it civil, please....

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