spinal stenosis and now trochanteric bursitis - PMRGCAuk

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spinal stenosis and now trochanteric bursitis

Doraflora profile image
51 Replies

maybe some of you will remember me posting a while back about hubby’s chronic degenerative spine (& spinal stenosis).

He’s been having pain in his hip and groin for a little while now and he’s just been diagnosed with a reducible inguinal hernia & is seeing a consultant on the 3rd December re having surgery or not. The US scan also showed troncheritis bursitis in the hip.

We’re due to fly to Australia mid December and deep down I’m feeling concerned about going. He says he’s alright to go - and we will have mobility assistance - but I’m scared of being so far from home if he’s ailing. Although we will be staying with our daughter & family.

Only yesterday we were out for a walk & I remarked on his sprightliness (it was a good day walking for him).

Thanks for the offload. (I’m really missing my bestest ever friend atm (who died suddenly last year)

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Doraflora profile image
Doraflora
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51 Replies
Koalajane profile image
Koalajane

I take it you have travel insurance and that you have both declared your medical conditions.

If that is the case you will be fine. It will be hot in Australia and hopefully the heat will help.

Go and enjoy yourselves.

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply toKoalajane

Thank you so much, Koalajane. You’ve made me feel heaps better!

And yes, we have travel insurance. We’ll be updating them very soon with our additional “ailments”. x

LemonZest11 profile image
LemonZest11 in reply toKoalajane

Hot in December??? We're just warming up! 😉

Koalajane profile image
Koalajane in reply toLemonZest11

Yes I know. My lovely daughter lives in Sydney. We don’t visit when it is very hot as my husband can’t cope with the heat!

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply toKoalajane

Oh Sydney is wonderful! Darling Harbour. Bondi beach on Xmas day.

When they first went out there, Amy lived in Sydney, they had an apartment overlooking the Paramatter (spelling 🙄) river. Gorgeous it was.

Koalajane profile image
Koalajane in reply toDoraflora

Yes, we love Sydney, the beaches are amazing, all the ferries in the harbour, the Opera House, Watson’s Bay, so, so much to enjoy.

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply toKoalajane

Oh don’t! I’m envious of that life. 😎

Koalajane profile image
Koalajane in reply toDoraflora

We were in Sydney just over a year ago and went to Bondi. As we got there I realised I had knocked my elbow on something and blood was pouring down my arm. My husband panicked and forced me over to the lifeguard station where a lovely lifeguard put a bandaid (his word) on it for me! It hadn’t worried me as I know if I hold my arm up it will stop but I don’t think he had seen it like this. Made my day!

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply toLemonZest11

Ha, yes. Last time we wore our fleece or a jacket a fair bit!

HeronNS profile image
HeronNS

I've used this website, and personally found the clamshell to be very helpful. We're all different so perhaps he should carefully try whichever looks like will help him most?

myhealth.alberta.ca/Health/...

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply toHeronNS

Thanks, HeronNS. I’ll show him these.👍

Pixix profile image
Pixix

travel insurance was my first thought! We had problems getting insurance whilst waiting to see a consultant, & then waiting for results of a test. It’s really important you tell them about forthcoming appointment…usually have to ring them to do that…otherwise it could negate the policy whatever you maybe claiming for, whether it relates to that condition, or not! I have trochanteric birsitis…it was so bad out walking the other day I seriously thought I may need to be stretchered out of the woods. A steroid injection helps bursitis quite a lot…I’m just waiting for a date to get one…should help your hubby if it’s very bad. Damp & cold make mine worse, so weather in Australia should be good for him! As you’re staying with your daughter, you will have great support out there!!

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply toPixix

Hi Pixix. We had problems with the travel insurers before we went to Rhodes in September so we are well prepared with our list of updates to give them shortly.

My husband has been diagnosed with trocheritis bursitis & he asked the GP about the injections, but he poo-pooed them, saying it doesn’t work for many people! My hubby could be one of those it does work for!

And the same with hubby, he always suffers greatly with the damp & cold. So a very humid Singapore and a hot Oz should help a considerable amount.

Pixix profile image
Pixix in reply toDoraflora

Oooh, bit naughty imho! I’m not a Dr, but I can say that my last injection gave 8 weeks of pain free hip, then it didn’t come back so badly as it was late Spring, &, for me, heat helps so much! We can’t afford to go long haul now…we have the money for the air fare accommodation, car hire, but the insurance quote (for USA) is £4,500 just for one trip! We were refused by several insurers & only one will offer annual premium! We had a few quotes at £6,000+! Have a wonderful trip, I envy you being well enough to travel! S x

Koalajane profile image
Koalajane in reply toPixix

America is one of the most expensive places to get travel insurance for!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toKoalajane

Asia is similar!!!

Pixix profile image
Pixix in reply toKoalajane

Not as bad for us as Asia, Australia & others. We have had many wonderful holidays in the nature areas, mountains, & cities of the USA, but never had any trouble until two years ago…when I’d spent some years disease collecting!!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toPixix

Er - do you really want to go there? My son in law is wanting to back out of the cruise they booked a month or two ago!!!!

Pixix profile image
Pixix in reply toPMRpro

I had a self drive National Parks trip all planned for our Ruby anniversary…no cities, just nature…& along came Covid! Don’t suppose we will do it now, but yes, well planned before recent events!! S x

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply toPixix

Aw, thanks, Pixis. We are fortunate that atm we can travel, but I’ll breathe an enormous sigh of relief once I’ve got hubby on the plane.

I’ll definitely get him to pursue the injections once we come back from our trip. It’ll give him encouragement what you’ve said 😀

B***** insurance companies. They’ll try and get what they can out of you and those quotes you got were outrageous!

I’ll report back in the new year ✈️🤞

Pixix profile image
Pixix in reply toDoraflora

They are what they are…I have 12 diseases, & my hubby had pneumonia twice this year. We aren’t young any longer!! It’s a bigger risk! Just a shame that travel was(is one of our favourite hobbies!!

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply toPixix

Wow, you’re a greedy one, aren’t you, Pixis.

Would it be as expensive insurance-wise going on a no-fly cruise maybe….

Pixix profile image
Pixix in reply toDoraflora

Cruises are dearer, sadly! Plus there are too many bugs & viruses for us to risk it…we are shielding at the moment, & will have to do it through this winter! S x

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply toPixix

Oh dear, that’s tough for you both.

It seems as we’re getting older we’re being penalised for it by various industries hiking prices up extortionately, it’s as though they’re discouraging us from going anywhere!

Look after yourselves this oncoming winter. H. x

Pixix profile image
Pixix in reply toDoraflora

Yes, we are! Now at the age where we can afford all the holidays we couldn’t take when both worked fulltime!!But…..! Take care, S xx

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toDoraflora

Insurance is all about risk assessment - and you do have to admit with Pixix's list, the risk does look a bit high - and the potential costs of hospitalisation in the USA are astronomical! Europe is fine by me - though it was better for you pre-Brexit. I still have an EU cover card as I live here and have Italian medical cover plus an amazing worldwide medical cover from the Weisses Kreuz because I am a member and live in this region.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toDoraflora

"My husband has been diagnosed with trocheritis bursitis & he asked the GP about the injections, but he poo-pooed them, saying it doesn’t work for many people!"

I'd be looking for a better doctor - it is one of the 2 remaining pain problems I have. Saw my wonderful rheumy yesterday and we discussed the things the Pain Clinic and rehab/physio haven't managed to improve. Rehab had offered extracorporeal shockwave therapy for the trochanteric bursitis - non-invasive but repeated time-consuming not entirely painless sessions required. The first time with 4 sessions at the recommended intervals worked well for a couple of years, the second time the intervals were too long and not as good and the same with just 3 the last time. So yesterday, my rheumy prodded the sore bits and there and then gave me 2 steroid injections, one over the trochanter on the outside of my right thigh and the other in my back, above the SI joint and below waist level. The pain today is gone apart from a muscle-ish pain in my buttock. He gave me a different type of steroid injection back early in the year and the pain that was for has improved steadily over the 9 months since - much to his surprise and my delight!

If it doesn't work - I'd consider the doctor's technique was less than ideal!!!

Pixix profile image
Pixix in reply toPMRpro

Brilliant! I still intend to talk about the shockwave therapy…but I’ve got so many joints in trouble that I think a ‘general’ depo medrone is best right now…then see how long it lasts! Glad yours has worked well, S xx

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply toPMRpro

Oh that’s another encouraging story, PMRpro. But I’m afraid it is what it is with our surgery. They all seem to be as bad as each other here😒

As I said to Pixis, he’ll definitely push it with his GP once we get back, even if we have to go private. Ouch!!

My only worry is whether the tronch bursitis is linked to his spinal stenosis, but what do I know, I’m only a secretary (well, working from home occasionally).

Onwards and upwards for you. Did I read you’re planning to move back to the UK, near your daughter?

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toDoraflora

WITH the daughter - but not yet! She and her partner have bought a largish former manse which has a single storey extension which is separate from the main house with a loo capable of enlarging to a wetroom and an office to become a bedroom. I will build an "orangerie" as they call them now which is suitable for use all year round. Result - one granny flat. But not ready to leave here full time yet. This is just future-proofing.

Nextoneplease profile image
Nextoneplease in reply toPMRpro

Sounds wonderful 😊x

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toNextoneplease

It is a great relief really - I know I can't stay here alone forever, much as I'd like to, the flat is perfect in every respect for an oldie, size, running costs, LIFT, in a village with everything you need for basics, train, bus and a town with the non-basics and excellent healthcare in terms of PMR. But no-one avoids aging and at some point it won't be practical alone. If something were to happen suddenly, it could have been messy. The new house is big enough to accommodate me in an emergency should one crop up before my bit is complete. So sorted as far as is possible.

Now it needs a weather transplant for Scotland!!! What was that about global warming would make the UK like the Med? Doesn't seem to have worked ...

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply toPMRpro

You’re right there, PMRpro. We’ve got an extremely cold weekend awaiting us apparently.

We’ve only been in this house 3 years (new build) and we absolutely love it - but we hadn’t anticipated hubby getting spinal stenosis and thus making the stairs a tad tricky. It’s a big house and we’re often talking about downsizing to a one-level place.

Daughter is in Australia and son 200 miles away, and with only little granddaughter and her mum (our former d-in-law) our only relatives around here, I like the sound of these apartments with a manager in residence. Hey ho….we’ll see how things go, but I envy you being able to join your family when it’s necessary for you.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toDoraflora

"I like the sound of these apartments with a manager in residence"

Don't go there - really. Yes, the simple ones appealed to me because they are the nearest to what I have here, right size, identical layout, lifts, usually close to shops etc etc. But the ongoing management fees are hefty - and the properties are next to impossible to sell when you die but the family have to keep paying the fees until it is gone, if you can sell it at all, often for a massive loss. 150K flats new sometimes only make 30K after a few years.

Get a good stairlift and shut up upstairs rooms you don't use regularly. No sales/purchase fees and you are still amongst your friends as long as you can be. It is very hard moving somewhere at our age. I still have family and friends in Scotland, I lived there for a third of my life and my brother and his family are in Dundee, still have friends there as well. But otherwise, I will be starting from scratch again - it is hard, not like when you met other mums at the school gate. We moved about every 10 years since I was 21 so I've done it a lot. It is difficult to explain to people who have lived in the same place for years.

LemonZest11 profile image
LemonZest11

Come on Downunder Dora!! Which state will you be visiting, that really determines how the weather will be. Nonetheless, it will be warmer down here, and our health system is good. Don't give up the chance to see your daughter at this late stage. Hoping it works out for you. 🇦🇺 🪃 🐨🦢🐬

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply toLemonZest11

Aw, bless you LemonZest11. You bet I won’t give up!

We envy our daughter’s health system. They are private but when she had recent surgery she had her consultant’s private number & he said she could call him any time - 24/7. How the other half live🤣. And her surgeon was an absolute dish: win-win for her!

Amy is in Melbourne (Victoria). Last time we were there - same time of year- we had all four seasons in one day. So we’re ordering wall-to-wall sunshine this time🤣

Which state are you? H.

LemonZest11 profile image
LemonZest11 in reply toDoraflora

I'm from Melbourne and yes, the weather is changeable but definitely warmer. I live in Perth now, have done for years. I love Melbourne, go back regularly, but Perth is now home and it is the most beautiful city and WA is a stunningly beautiful state. Weather-wise, gorgeous and reliably warm. And yes, our doctors are incredibly generous. My Rheumatologist calls me almost weekly after my recent relapse and a visit to the haematologist last week concluded with "call me any time". It's not always smooth sailing, but we are fortunate in Aus. Make the journey if you can 🙏.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toLemonZest11

I didn't get to Perth - which I regret.

LemonZest11 profile image
LemonZest11 in reply toPMRpro

That is understandable, it’s the most isolated city in the world. When you visit the east coast you have Queensland, NSW and Victoria all there. To travel across the country is a vast distance, equal to several countries in Europe. If you ever get the urge, there’s plenty of room at my house!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toLemonZest11

I would love to - but it is rather a long way when you don't have family to tour around!!! Though I do fancy the Indian Pacific! Well aware of the distance - but probably no more difficult than Europe. Flights here to Edinburgh are 2 1/2 to 3 hours - but you take 2 to 4 hours to get to an airport by car and that is just to Central Scotland. Train to London used to be OK - any further is hopeless!! Flying is good in the winter because of the ski season but outside mid-December to early April it means a change somewhere - and if that is Frankfurt you are ******!!!! Though now there is Bozen to Gatwick all year on certain days. Much more attractive - wonder if they will ever add Manchester.

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply toPMRpro

It definitely does sound like the sunshine state in Perth. We have friends there and they go to some amazing places/beaches as a family. More expensive than Melbourne: my daughter would love to relocate to Perth if she won the lottery😂

LemonZest11 profile image
LemonZest11 in reply toDoraflora

No, not more expensive than Melbourne, far from it! Yes, you haven't really seen a beach until you come to WA.

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toLemonZest11

At least yours have warmth - but have you seen some of the beaches on the west coast of Scotland???

LemonZest11 profile image
LemonZest11 in reply toPMRpro

Yes! Beautiful to look at but treacherous to swim, if it wasn't freezing and you ventured in. And the sand? Well, that's not really sand. Don't mean to sound parochial, but it is true, and I'm not from here!! But I do have Scottish blood flowing in my veins!

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toLemonZest11

Actually I hate sand - hate the feeling on my skin!! So the more solid Scottish sort is fine by me!

LemonZest11 profile image
LemonZest11 in reply toPMRpro

Haha, probably because you've never experienced white powder sand. But that's ok, rocks are easier to manoeuvre 😂🤣

PMRpro profile image
PMRproAmbassador in reply toLemonZest11

The Scottish stuff is white sand when it is dry - but is usually wet and hard packed!!!

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply toPMRpro

Some of the Hebridean beaches are fantastic - until you get out of vehicle and almost get blown away… or covered with seaweed after an Atlantic storm [aptly named as Stinky Bay ] - mind our dog loved swimming in the sea, and a daily dip kept her skin free of eczema type issues she had on the mainland.

Wouldn't be allowed there now, it’s a birding site -

birdguides.com/sites/europe...

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply toDorsetLady

I’ve always fancied the Hebrides but hubby says it’ll be too cold for him! He’s just a soft southerner 🤣

DorsetLady profile image
DorsetLadyPMRGCAuk volunteer in reply toDoraflora

We lived there for 2 years when late hubby was in military… and a “soft southerners” we didn’t find it that cold… but extremely wet and windy!

As I said the dog loved it, but the cat hated it! 😾 Teenage daughter wasn’t too keen either at the time, but she’d love it now..

Doraflora profile image
Doraflora in reply toDorsetLady

Hubby was at Tarbert when he was in the RN and loved it (although it was 60 years ago🤣)

And we visited Plockton on the west coast many years ago, which was beautiful: so warm being in the Gulf Stream and palm trees everywhere. Lovely…

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