Growing Old Sucks

I haven't blogged in several months, but for some reason, felt compelled tonight after a visit to my primary doctor today. A little background: I've had pain in my right hip since probably my mid to late twenties. It's been relatively mild over the years till my mid thirties. Fast forward a few years and I'm sleeping with a pillow between my legs to try and prevent waking up with pain. I also can't sleep on my stomach anymore, which stinks, because I've always been a stomach sleeper. I now have lower back pain, too, and wake up stiff every morning. My husband has been encouraging me i.e., nagging me to call my doctor about my issues. I've avoided doing so partly because it takes time out of my work day and partly because I've not really wanted to hear what my doc might tell me.

I finally scheduled an appointment for today and, after hearing my symptoms, my doc tells me it's very likely I have arthritis in my hip. She wants me to get an x-Ray and is referring me to an orthopedist. Tells me the x-Ray will likely say "mild arthritis," but that really means it's "pretty bad" if it shows up on the x-Ray. Great! Ortho will likely recommend PT, which I do not have time for...who has time to go during work hours 2-3 times a week? I did that before prior to having surgery on both hands for carpal tunnel. Unfortunately, it didn't work for me, which doesn't mean it won't help for my hip and lower back pain. The real issue is the time I do not have in my day during work hours.

Oh, and then my doc mentions that this type of issue is what commonly leads to "hip replacement surgery" down the line. Wth?? I have to admit, this possibility is why I was avoiding going to the doc in the first place. Hearing her vocalize my fear, however, is another thing. I ask her when she thinks I may need surgery if my pain continues to worsen. I say, my sixties? I thought that was a reasonable guess. She surprises me by saying mid-fifties. In my 20's, that seemed ancient, but now that I am on the other side of 40, I hate admitting that, mid-fifties is really not that far away.

So, hear I am sitting on my couch, researching exercises for my hip arthritis, which was confirmed this afternoon by an x-Ray. I was supposed to be going to a work social with my hubby tonight, but didn't feel like going after today's visit. I also admit I do not want to be around the temptation of the food and alcohol there since today's visit has left me feeling like I should FINALLY try and lose the extra baby weight that might be making my hip and back pain worse. I've only ever been overweight in my life since having kids. I'm not that overweight, but any extra stress on my joints can't be good, right?

Like I said, growing old sucks.