Mobility Issues: Specific Question for those who have seen improvement (xray, pain)

[pathrunner]

Hi all, I am planning to move to the Phoenix/Scottsdale area because of arthritis/congenital hip deformity issues.

I am wondering how many people have experienced direct improvement after moving to a hot, arid climate. I've noticed improvement on hot, dry days of which there are very few in the Pacific Northwest. I never dreamed that living in the PNW would turn out like it did for me. I have hip arthritis stemming from a congenital deformity I never knew about until 5 years ago.

Now, 5 years later, it's gotten much worse to the point where I was awarded SSD last month. On cold/wet days I'm in agony. Sometimes my hip stays locked up until 2pm, sometimes it never gets better. Other days I have less pain. Getting very dependent upon Ibuprofen, and Vicodin is for the days when I cannot avoid physical activity (moving boxes, many errands around town, etc.) Vicodin is heaven but also evil. I've noticed the pain is worse after it wears off, making you want to take more.

I'm getting ready to fly to PHX tomorrow. I can barely move due to severe pain in the TENDON/LIGAMENT in my hip. Here in Portland it is cold, cloudy, and the humidity is over 85%. (It's not hot/humid here right now, it's cold/humid if that makes sense). I have the heat on, for pete's sake!! I've never seen a summer like this where on July 19 I have to have the heat on in the morning and keep the windows closed at night (cold wind).

Very worried that I'll make this big move and not see improvement! I don't expect things to magically get better, but I need to see improvement. Less pain, more mobility. My specific problem is not bone on bone, it's the tendon/ligament that is compensating for the hip deformity. Wearing a right heel lift has helped tremendously, but on mornings like this, when I cannot walk without extreme pain and a stabilizing cane, I'm beginning to wonder if I can live an independent lifestyle.

I'm praying that moving to the desert will allow me a few more years of independence/mobility. I would welcome input from those who have experienced this situation, good, bad, got better, no improvement... whatever. It's pretty daunting.

Thanks.

P.S. I will be on Medicare starting in January, and concerned that I won't be able to get a hip replacement because of that. They'll be taking $110/mo. as co-pay but my understanding so far is that it's not Part D Advantage, just very, very basic coverage. Any input on that is appreciated too.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

I worked in a hospital before I retired and I asked one of the social workers who dealt with hospital coverage about Medicare. Her advice was to go with basic old medicare, Parts A& B, with a supplement. She said if I was pretty healthy, no chronic conditions, I could consider one of the medicare Advantage plans but absolutely NOT if I had a chronic condition. I did/do have several so I followed her advice. Never regretted it as i have been in the hospital twice since then.

Those Medicare Advantage plans are basically HMOs, limiting you to certain doctors, and other restrictions. Also, they don't pay as good when you're hospitalized.

[pathrunner]

That's interesting SouthernBelleinUtah. My mother just passed away from ALS and had excellent care at Providence in Portland, Medicare Advantage Part D for which she had a copay of about $140/mo I believe. So now I'm confused. Her condition was fatal; ours are chronic (I have several too). I guess fatal disease on Advantage is different than chronic, so we need to NOT limit ourselves to a certain HMO or doctors, so that we can go to a specialist when necessary?

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Part D is strictly prescription drugs so I'm confused by your question.

[pathrunner]

Oh yes, I remember now... sorry about that. It's been a while since I dealt with my mother's Medicare business.

I'm having a really bad day so i'm chalking my confusion/memory problems up to stress. In a lot of pain and Alaska Airlines wants to charge me $368 to change my ticket to a later time (instead of the ungodly 4:30am I have to leave the house). Southwest charges $30. I will never fly Alaska again. It used to be a good airline, but no more. All these airlines should take a cue from Southwest which is one of the few still profitable.

I never realized how stressful it is to live with a mobility disability - especially with intense pain. And just like Binder & Binder says in their commercial: people don't want to listen to you when you're disabled. Fortunately I'm normally an upbeat person but today it's the pitts!

[Emeraldmaiden]

I have a hip mobility issue, and live in Tucson. However, mine is yet to be diagnosed, and seems to be relatively unaffected by weather. I'm also waiting for xray results before getting a referral to an orthopedist, and I'm stressing about that. Stress really does seem to make it worse.

I wish you all good luck in your move.