THR AJinNH’s recovery RTHR
- Thread starter AJinNH
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Jackie222
graduate
Hope you have a lovely birthday 
Thanks @Layla I had a great day. Taking OTC meds going great so far. I slept better last night, I hope it continues to improve. Maybe the prescription meds were part of the problem with my sleeping. Got on my elliptical today, birthday present to myself, did 20 minutes and it felt good and went well.
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I had my 6 week postop x-rays and exam today and all is good and healing properly. They moved my appointment up by one week, so instead of going in next week with my husband (it’s a 1 1/2 hr drive), I drove myself in and back because my husband is away on business. I’m beat! 
All good news though. I got a look at the new hip and it looks good. Leg length is now the same on both sides and my perception that the right is longer should subside.
I’m off the cane, except when I’m out and about for security, but it sits in a corner while at home. NP said that I should see a big increase in activity at about week 12, so halfway there. I’m either out walking or on my elliptical daily, usually about 20-25 minutes. PT twice a week. Still working the psoas and stretching. Going to find a pool next week for walking and swimming. I’m going down stairs normally and seeing a big improvement going up, but not totally there yet.
The big hurdle is to get a good night’s sleep and hopefully be able to sleep on my side soon, either side. PT thinks that some of the problem is coming from my back as well as the really tight psoas. I am seeing improvements, so I need a little more patience (actually I need a lot of patience)
All good news though. I got a look at the new hip and it looks good. Leg length is now the same on both sides and my perception that the right is longer should subside. I’m off the cane, except when I’m out and about for security, but it sits in a corner while at home. NP said that I should see a big increase in activity at about week 12, so halfway there. I’m either out walking or on my elliptical daily, usually about 20-25 minutes. PT twice a week. Still working the psoas and stretching. Going to find a pool next week for walking and swimming. I’m going down stairs normally and seeing a big improvement going up, but not totally there yet.
The big hurdle is to get a good night’s sleep and hopefully be able to sleep on my side soon, either side. PT thinks that some of the problem is coming from my back as well as the really tight psoas. I am seeing improvements, so I need a little more patience (actually I need a lot of patience)
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All wonderful news!
I'm so happy for you. It's so comforting to come out of those appts with a new confidence.
That's a whole lot of driving. Hope you had ice for the trip. I had difficulty being in the car that long at 6 weeks post op. After 30-45 mins I was constantly shifting around, what about you?
I hope you begin sleeping more soundly soon.
Hugs!
@AJinNH
I'm so happy for you. It's so comforting to come out of those appts with a new confidence.
That's a whole lot of driving. Hope you had ice for the trip. I had difficulty being in the car that long at 6 weeks post op. After 30-45 mins I was constantly shifting around, what about you?
I hope you begin sleeping more soundly soon.
Hugs!
@AJinNH
Mojo333
Former BoneSmart Staff Member
Good news for Good report.It is a process...take it slow and balance that activity with just as much ice and rest.
Sometimes the thing we can do to hurry things up is to slow it down.
Wishing you a great week
@Layla you’re right, I’ve been taking a cooler packed with ice whenever I go out in the car, driving or not, it’s very helpful. I broke up my trip home by stopping for lunch half way back. Still a lot of sitting, but at least I walked around for a little bit.
The NP suggested that I try heat instead of ice before bed, that it might help with the side sleeping. I’ll see how it goes. She also gave me the green light for the pool and baths, so they’re next on my list. My next door neighbor is going to go to the YMCA pool with me to do water aerobics and I’ll try that dry run in the tub when hubby gets back from his trip.
@Mojo333 I hear you! I’m surprising myself at how often I pull myself back instead of what I’d usually do, which is plowing ahead and overdoing it. It helps that I like to ice too, especially now that it’s finally warming up outside.
Have a wonderful week!
The NP suggested that I try heat instead of ice before bed, that it might help with the side sleeping. I’ll see how it goes. She also gave me the green light for the pool and baths, so they’re next on my list. My next door neighbor is going to go to the YMCA pool with me to do water aerobics and I’ll try that dry run in the tub when hubby gets back from his trip.
@Mojo333 I hear you! I’m surprising myself at how often I pull myself back instead of what I’d usually do, which is plowing ahead and overdoing it. It helps that I like to ice too, especially now that it’s finally warming up outside.
Have a wonderful week!
Mojo333
Former BoneSmart Staff Member
We figure it out (sometimes the hard way...at least that's how I did it)
You are doing great.
Yay for getting to the pool. Ready to into the too as you don't feel it until later...so see how it goes.
Month four was my big month for feeling am was finally beginning to settle...and for sleep all night!
Hope you have a Good week also
)You are doing great.
Yay for getting to the pool. Ready to into the too as you don't feel it until later...so see how it goes.
Month four was my big month for feeling am was finally beginning to settle...and for sleep all night!
Hope you have a Good week also
Today is week 7 postop! After my massage on Friday I came home and walked up all 14 stairs normally for the first time since my surgery! It happened slowly over a couple of weeks, going up a few stairs here and there, until finally everything I’ve been doing clicked and up I went. Impatient that I am, I’m trying to not overdo it and end up in reverse.
Today is also our 42nd wedding anniversary, and tomorrow we’re heading to a nice retreat for a couple of days with spa and pool. I’m really looking forward to getting in the pool, my instinct is telling me it’s what I need right now. Fingers crossed!
PT is going well, my range of motion has improved quite a bit over the past two weeks. It’s slow but noticeable. I’m still icing regularly. The groin pain is much better, non-existent most of the day.
I also made my first trips out grocery shopping this weekend. I kept it to a moderate amount and got help loading and unloading the car. I was definitely tired and sore, but it felt good to be doing something normal and independent for a change.
Sleep is still an issue, just when I think it’s getting better it’s not again. I’ve decided to try Valerian Root to see if that helps. I’ve also been drinking strong Chamomile tea and been doing some progressive muscle relaxation at bedtime as well. It’ll come, soon I hope.
Today is also our 42nd wedding anniversary, and tomorrow we’re heading to a nice retreat for a couple of days with spa and pool. I’m really looking forward to getting in the pool, my instinct is telling me it’s what I need right now. Fingers crossed!
PT is going well, my range of motion has improved quite a bit over the past two weeks. It’s slow but noticeable. I’m still icing regularly. The groin pain is much better, non-existent most of the day.
I also made my first trips out grocery shopping this weekend. I kept it to a moderate amount and got help loading and unloading the car. I was definitely tired and sore, but it felt good to be doing something normal and independent for a change.
Sleep is still an issue, just when I think it’s getting better it’s not again. I’ve decided to try Valerian Root to see if that helps. I’ve also been drinking strong Chamomile tea and been doing some progressive muscle relaxation at bedtime as well. It’ll come, soon I hope.
SaraK
Former BoneSmart Staff Member
Glad to hear all continuing to improve. I'm a bit ahead of you in recovery but can tell you its still changing some week over week for me.
That spa trip sounds lovely - happy anniversary! Just remember that, while some things will be easier because of no/low weight bearing, other things are more strenuous because of the resistance of the water.
That spa trip sounds lovely - happy anniversary! Just remember that, while some things will be easier because of no/low weight bearing, other things are more strenuous because of the resistance of the water.
BeBe
graduate
Great update @AJinNH !
Happy anniversary ! How fun going to a spa retreat, that sounds like a real treat coming off of hip recovery!
So jealous of your stair progress. But encouraged too - sounds like your PT at this stage is really benefiting your recovery, just good to hear!
It is so important to the mental health aspect of recovery to get out and do as much normal living as we can. Those things give a sense of accomplishment even if we might be a bit slow or weak with parts.
I know the sleep issues well, insomniac all of my life. I do get help from an OTC blend that was recommended to me by a sleep specialist. I stopped taking it before surgery so I wouldn't complicate the medication protocol.
Now might be a good time to try it again.
Yay for week 7!
Happy anniversary ! How fun going to a spa retreat, that sounds like a real treat coming off of hip recovery!
So jealous of your stair progress. But encouraged too - sounds like your PT at this stage is really benefiting your recovery, just good to hear!
It is so important to the mental health aspect of recovery to get out and do as much normal living as we can. Those things give a sense of accomplishment even if we might be a bit slow or weak with parts.
I know the sleep issues well, insomniac all of my life. I do get help from an OTC blend that was recommended to me by a sleep specialist. I stopped taking it before surgery so I wouldn't complicate the medication protocol.
Now might be a good time to try it again.
Yay for week 7!
Jackie222
graduate
Happy anniversary to you bothDon’t worry @BeBe the stairs will come. It really seemed to happen all at once. It started for me when I got brave enough to take one or two stairs normally once a day, even though it caused a grimace. I also practiced on a step that is half the height of a regular step. That really helped a lot. If you start slow you’ll be waking up those muscles in no time. Be sure to ice after.
I’d love to hear about your OTC herbal blend that helps with your sleep. I’ve used Benadryl and melatonin to varying degrees of success, but they don’t seem to be helping much right now. A very strong chamomile tea helps too. The sad part is that my OA didn’t interfere with my sleep prior to surgery and I’m hoping to get back to at least where I can sleep comfortably on my side again. I’m also trying to get in a workout as often as I can which should help with sleep as well, hopefully.
I’m really looking forward to our getaway. My husband calls this time of year the Trifecta because my birthday was last week, our anniversary is today and Mother’s Day is Sunday
I’d love to hear about your OTC herbal blend that helps with your sleep. I’ve used Benadryl and melatonin to varying degrees of success, but they don’t seem to be helping much right now. A very strong chamomile tea helps too. The sad part is that my OA didn’t interfere with my sleep prior to surgery and I’m hoping to get back to at least where I can sleep comfortably on my side again. I’m also trying to get in a workout as often as I can which should help with sleep as well, hopefully.
I’m really looking forward to our getaway. My husband calls this time of year the Trifecta because my birthday was last week, our anniversary is today and Mother’s Day is Sunday
SaraK
Former BoneSmart Staff Member
I hope he doesn't think one gift is enough for the trifecta (unless it's really one spectacular gift)! with a December Birthday, I got so many combined birthday/Christmas gifts - which usually meant nothing for my Birthday because they didn't want to give you a Christmas gift 2 weeks ahead of time.
with a December Birthday, I got so many combined birthday/Christmas gifts - which usually meant nothing for my Birthday because they didn't want to give you a Christmas gift 2 weeks ahead of time.
Mojo333
Former BoneSmart Staff Member
Happy Anniversary and great job on your recovery path.
A December birthday @SaraK ! Our daughter’s birthday is in January and sometimes I’d catch myself wanting to combine gifts, so I know what you mean.
He usually does well with the gifts, I don’t have any complaints. He has nice taste in jewelry too. This year I picked out my own gift. I’ve been feeling a bit panicked at times when I realize I don’t have my phone on me so I went for the high tech solution of ‘I’ve fallen and I can’t get up’ and got an Apple Watch with cellular, just in case. And there’s also our spa retreat. Not to mention how well he took care of me after surgery, so he’s a keeper
I’m very blessed.
He usually does well with the gifts, I don’t have any complaints. He has nice taste in jewelry too. This year I picked out my own gift. I’ve been feeling a bit panicked at times when I realize I don’t have my phone on me so I went for the high tech solution of ‘I’ve fallen and I can’t get up’ and got an Apple Watch with cellular, just in case. And there’s also our spa retreat. Not to mention how well he took care of me after surgery, so he’s a keeper
I’m very blessed.
