THR Butterfly Flutters Over
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Butterfly
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How much post op pain did you have? Did it hurt to sit down? I've become very OCD in the way I use my walker and am trying SOOO hard not to mess up anything!
PS: I pooped last evening! Who would have ever thought I'd be posting on the internet about that, but apparently it is a great milestone.
PS: I pooped last evening! Who would have ever thought I'd be posting on the internet about that, but apparently it is a great milestone.
sharonslp
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Butterfly, as the title of the kids' book says, everybody poops! So yes, it's one of the very nicest early milestones, and not to be taken for granted. 
There is a LOT of early post-op pain, so it's important to take enough pain meds to give you serious and sustained relief. Take the full dosage of whatever was prescribed for you, and take it as often as allowed. If it says....one or two tablets every 4-6 hours, then take TWO, every 4 hours. Then stay on that schedule....don't stretch the time just because you aren't in pain yet....you need to stay ahead of the pain. In a week or so, you can ever so slowly start tweaking it just a bit, one tiny tweak at a time, till you see if you are ready to cut back a bit. But right now? Pain meds are your friend, especially if they make you very drowsy and you sleep a lot. Sleep is your friend too.
And yes, in these early days, it hurts to sit down or get up. But it shouldn't hurt much once you are seated comfortably on your chair or couch or in bed.
Sharon
There is a LOT of early post-op pain, so it's important to take enough pain meds to give you serious and sustained relief. Take the full dosage of whatever was prescribed for you, and take it as often as allowed. If it says....one or two tablets every 4-6 hours, then take TWO, every 4 hours. Then stay on that schedule....don't stretch the time just because you aren't in pain yet....you need to stay ahead of the pain. In a week or so, you can ever so slowly start tweaking it just a bit, one tiny tweak at a time, till you see if you are ready to cut back a bit. But right now? Pain meds are your friend, especially if they make you very drowsy and you sleep a lot. Sleep is your friend too.
And yes, in these early days, it hurts to sit down or get up. But it shouldn't hurt much once you are seated comfortably on your chair or couch or in bed.
Sharon
bionicmedic
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Butterfly! So happy to see you home and healing! You have given me even more hope!! Thank you and god bless. As always everyone here are in my prayers!!
Poppet
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Hi butterfly, I know you have fluttered around the forum for some time pre your surgery however.... I have provided some links to useful articles from the library for you to read when you are feeling up to it. So pleased you passed the major milestone t'other end
First the BoneSmart mantra
- rest, elevate, ice and take your pain meds by the clock
- if it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physiotherapist - to do it to you
- if your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again
- if you won't die if it's not done, don't do it
- never stand when you can sit, never sit when you can lie down, never stay awake when you can go to sleep!
- be active as much as you need to be but not more than is necessary, meaning so much that you end up being in pain, exhausted or desperate to sit down or lay down!
And then the recovery articles
Pain management and the pain chart
Healing: how long does it take?
Chart representation of THR recovery
Dislocation risk and 90 degree rule
Energy drain for THRs
Pain and swelling control: elevation is the key
Activity progression for THRs
Home physio (PT)
Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds
First the BoneSmart mantra
- rest, elevate, ice and take your pain meds by the clock
- if it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physiotherapist - to do it to you
- if your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again
- if you won't die if it's not done, don't do it
- never stand when you can sit, never sit when you can lie down, never stay awake when you can go to sleep!
- be active as much as you need to be but not more than is necessary, meaning so much that you end up being in pain, exhausted or desperate to sit down or lay down!
And then the recovery articles
Pain management and the pain chart
Healing: how long does it take?
Chart representation of THR recovery
Dislocation risk and 90 degree rule
Energy drain for THRs
Pain and swelling control: elevation is the key
Activity progression for THRs
Home physio (PT)
Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds
Peaches
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How are you today, Butterfly? I've seen your postings on other people's pages and am just astounded at how great your recovery seems to be going. Also can't get over how fast they "sprung" you from "the joint." No time for any Nurse Ratcheds to give you a hard time. Seriously, I am so happy for you and how it has become so clear to you that the old, horrific pain is truly in the past and any current pain is "just" surgery pain. This surely will give you continued confidence when going back for phase two, which will be here next month. I think I saw too where you posted somewhere that you are not buying into the "work hard" mantra of some PTs. Slow and steady is the way to go. Of course we learned that from Josephine and BoneSmart, but isn't it just common sense, too? My god, this is major major surgery. It's not about "working hard to get back in shape." Anyway, you sound like you are doing well in every way and I am truly ecstatic for you. A week ago it was all these unknowns ... and now you know! Have a good weekend.
P.S. Don't worry if you are never comfortable when sitting down. That seems to be a given, unfortunately, in the early days. "My kingdom for a perfect chair" was something I kept wishing (still do ... I am asking Santa to bring me a moderately priced, moderately sized recliner of sorts).
P.S. Don't worry if you are never comfortable when sitting down. That seems to be a given, unfortunately, in the early days. "My kingdom for a perfect chair" was something I kept wishing (still do ... I am asking Santa to bring me a moderately priced, moderately sized recliner of sorts).
flowergirl
member
Ahhhhhhh one milestone after another My Dad is a big believer in being regular...I always thought it was a bit odd until the surgery...I not only kept track of meds I kept track of that too...more than 2 days I took my laxative, felt better every time!
I thought I had all the perfect seat picked before surgery...only to find out that the most comfortable before were the worst after. I was most comfortable in a hard wooden kitchen chair (with a towel for the seat cushion) than I was in the soft office chair. The bed was no problem...I slept almost all thru the night from day one, I guess my body was trying to make up from all those months of lost sleep...
Take care!
My Dad is a big believer in being regular...I always thought it was a bit odd until the surgery...I not only kept track of meds I kept track of that too...more than 2 days I took my laxative, felt better every time!I thought I had all the perfect seat picked before surgery...only to find out that the most comfortable before were the worst after. I was most comfortable in a hard wooden kitchen chair (with a towel for the seat cushion) than I was in the soft office chair. The bed was no problem...I slept almost all thru the night from day one, I guess my body was trying to make up from all those months of lost sleep...
Take care!
shrinkette
graduate
Butterfly... Just thinking about you & hoping you're continuing to do well. Pooping would make me ECSTATIC, so congratulations. How'd you manage that -- laxatives, stool softeners, what? By the way, was it a given that you would go directly home and not to a rehab? I get the impression that most people do go home, actually. I hope I can... Another thought: what happens when you've gotta pee -- I'm worried I won't "make it" in time. Eek!! Keep up the good work.
shrinkette....stool softeners are best for constipation. One shouldn't take laxatives for any length of time, whereas you can safely take stool softeners for weeks or months (as long as you are on prescription pain meds and need them) with no problem. Here is an article from our BoneSmart Library on the subject.
shrinkette
graduate
Jamie... Many thanks for the helpful info. I read the article as well as all the delightful recipes that 'facilitate' matters & will bookmark them for likely use. I have that problem even now -- without using any meds -- and have started to drink prune juice fairly regularly as well as increase my fruit intake. I have become very sedentary out of necessity and believe this lack of activity is a contributing factor. I appreciate your input.
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Butterfly
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shrinkette As to your question about not making it to the bathroom in time when you have to pee -- This happened to me. All I can say is just to get on to the bathroom and clean up, change clothes, etc, and get on with your day. I had to make a quick decision whether to pee on myself or fall. I chose the former. Kinda gross, but survivable.
About going straight home --- my surgeon actually prefers this approach, unless it is really medically necessary to go to an inpatient place. He had some questions about the fact that I live alone, but my DIL and I had planned that she would more or less stay with me for a while until I could manage on my own. She has been doing so, and on the rare occasion when she can't, one of my grandsons stays over. It has worked out just fine. My grandson seems to find it cool to "go take care of grandma."
I've been taking the stool softeners the OS prescribed, and have renewed my acquaintance with prunes. There is also a gentle laxative called Miralax which I've seen mentioned on this forum, and it helped, too. Don't want to take anything that causes cramping, And I've tried to be careful to get enough dietary fiber each day. (Gosh, I sound like one of those commercials.)
Peace and love to you.
My entire clan is coing over this afternoon to watch the Dallas/Broncos footballl game (big TV) so I will have a housefull. I get first dibs on my recliner!
Peace and love to you
About going straight home --- my surgeon actually prefers this approach, unless it is really medically necessary to go to an inpatient place. He had some questions about the fact that I live alone, but my DIL and I had planned that she would more or less stay with me for a while until I could manage on my own. She has been doing so, and on the rare occasion when she can't, one of my grandsons stays over. It has worked out just fine. My grandson seems to find it cool to "go take care of grandma."
I've been taking the stool softeners the OS prescribed, and have renewed my acquaintance with prunes. There is also a gentle laxative called Miralax which I've seen mentioned on this forum, and it helped, too. Don't want to take anything that causes cramping, And I've tried to be careful to get enough dietary fiber each day. (Gosh, I sound like one of those commercials.)
Peace and love to you.
My entire clan is coing over this afternoon to watch the Dallas/Broncos footballl game (big TV) so I will have a housefull. I get first dibs on my recliner!
Peace and love to you
OP
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Butterfly
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Is it common for the knee on the operated side (hip replacement#1) to swell like mad? It looks like I have a cantaloupe on my knee.
I had a lot of pain in that knee before the hip surgery. The knee pain is almost totally gone now but I have acquired this cantaloupe!
Any advice/comments gratefully accepted.
Peace and love to all.
I had a lot of pain in that knee before the hip surgery. The knee pain is almost totally gone now but I have acquired this cantaloupe!
Any advice/comments gratefully accepted.
Peace and love to all.
inthebeginning
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Peaches
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Butterfly, the swelling in my knee wasn't quite so defined as you are describing, looking like a cantaloupe, but it did swell. And my lower leg and ankle and foot were really swollen. I remember being obsessed with elevating it--was I doing it enough, high enough, etc. The visits from the nurse and PT the first week helped monitor things and I felt better when they said it looked normal. I think Josephine and the moderators can help you better with "how high and how much" to elevate. Ice, of course, is your new best friend and bedfellow. I hope you are doing okay this weekend.
inthebeginning
graduate
I need to add, mine isn't so swollen so I'm not icing. Just Tylenol a couple times a day for all my pain needs.
Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart®
Sent from my iPhone using BoneSmart®
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Butterfly
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crystals5 Except for the cantaloupe!
Josephine Any input on the knee swelling? I am resting, icing, elevating, not icing the knee, just the hip.
I had a small glitch yesterday,and almost fell because the stupid toilet elevator thing shifted while I was trying to get up. Very scary at the time, but I think all is OK. It would take quite an amount of force to dislocate, wouldn't it? Would you instanty know something was very wrong if you had dislocated??
Just being my normal OCD person and concerned about it.
I and those home health people are going to go head to head very soon, so if you see a big explosion coming from my way, that's what it is. We had all sorts of confusion about when they were going to come here. I absolutely insist that my DIL be here when they come (OK with DIL -- she wants to be here for them). We had it all settled that they would come Tuesday (they say they can't give me a time yet -- oh, puh-leeze). So they called yesterday morning (Saturaday) and said they were on the way, but didn't have the address. It was not a convenient time for me or DIL, so I said no. I guess these ladies are not used to hearing "no." They insisted they HAD to come yesterday (or what? The world will end? My leg will be repossessed?) Then they said they had to come ("only take a minute") and get my medical history (really? They have all that in at leat 4 places) and get me to sign some consents (to what? Well, she didnt want to discuss it on the phone. Oh, puhleeze again) and check my medications and see that my house is safe. I told them the meds didn't need checking, as they are exactly what I was discharged with and that info is ALSO available to them. As to my house, what if it isn't safe? They forcibly remove me?)
Josephine, I am NOT going to have people I do not know rattling around in ny house "checking" my medications and doing safrety checks. I am a grown woman, and, despite my age, I am neither senile nor stupid. This alleged first visit is stupid on a lot of levels -- they said they couldn't take ,y history on the phone, nor could they go thru meds on the phone. I am not about to fill out yt another fifty pages of medial stuff for them -- theyhave it all on file at the hospital, plus, if they are who they say they are, they can get permission to log on to what we call "My Chart" and get history, test results, meds, etc. Makes me wonder if they are really who they say they are -- especially since she said she did not have the address (weird to go off on a house call and not know where). She also said I could call their office right then and talk to the nurse on duty for verification. I did call their office -- it is closed on Saturday and I got their service. Easy way to get into people's homes and steal meds and/or decide if it were worth comng back later to steal your TV or something. Maybe this is a way to be able to bill another visit (I think I get 4) without doing anything. I do not think they have the right to insist I admit them to my home to check it over, and I will not do it. I wouldn't let them in if they said they were plumbers coming to check on the water, so why sould I do so if they say they are home health care people?? I also will not let one of my REAL visits be used up for stupid duplicative stuff (medical history). They also tried to give me the song and dance about how my leg will fall off if they don't start therapy and "work hard" right away and I was "losing the oportunity." Geez, my surgery was less than a week ago and I don't think I am losing any opportunities at healing
I don't want to be a complete jerk about all this, but my privacy is important to me, as is my safety,
and I'm not going to just let unknown people come into my home and rummage through my stuff. Am I being totally unreasonable??
Thank you for all your help, and thank you for listening. I am doing well this first week after.
Peace and love to you.
Milli
Josephine Any input on the knee swelling? I am resting, icing, elevating, not icing the knee, just the hip.
I had a small glitch yesterday,and almost fell because the stupid toilet elevator thing shifted while I was trying to get up. Very scary at the time, but I think all is OK. It would take quite an amount of force to dislocate, wouldn't it? Would you instanty know something was very wrong if you had dislocated??
Just being my normal OCD person and concerned about it.
I and those home health people are going to go head to head very soon, so if you see a big explosion coming from my way, that's what it is. We had all sorts of confusion about when they were going to come here. I absolutely insist that my DIL be here when they come (OK with DIL -- she wants to be here for them). We had it all settled that they would come Tuesday (they say they can't give me a time yet -- oh, puh-leeze). So they called yesterday morning (Saturaday) and said they were on the way, but didn't have the address. It was not a convenient time for me or DIL, so I said no. I guess these ladies are not used to hearing "no." They insisted they HAD to come yesterday (or what? The world will end? My leg will be repossessed?) Then they said they had to come ("only take a minute") and get my medical history (really? They have all that in at leat 4 places) and get me to sign some consents (to what? Well, she didnt want to discuss it on the phone. Oh, puhleeze again) and check my medications and see that my house is safe. I told them the meds didn't need checking, as they are exactly what I was discharged with and that info is ALSO available to them. As to my house, what if it isn't safe? They forcibly remove me?)
Josephine, I am NOT going to have people I do not know rattling around in ny house "checking" my medications and doing safrety checks. I am a grown woman, and, despite my age, I am neither senile nor stupid. This alleged first visit is stupid on a lot of levels -- they said they couldn't take ,y history on the phone, nor could they go thru meds on the phone. I am not about to fill out yt another fifty pages of medial stuff for them -- theyhave it all on file at the hospital, plus, if they are who they say they are, they can get permission to log on to what we call "My Chart" and get history, test results, meds, etc. Makes me wonder if they are really who they say they are -- especially since she said she did not have the address (weird to go off on a house call and not know where). She also said I could call their office right then and talk to the nurse on duty for verification. I did call their office -- it is closed on Saturday and I got their service. Easy way to get into people's homes and steal meds and/or decide if it were worth comng back later to steal your TV or something. Maybe this is a way to be able to bill another visit (I think I get 4) without doing anything. I do not think they have the right to insist I admit them to my home to check it over, and I will not do it. I wouldn't let them in if they said they were plumbers coming to check on the water, so why sould I do so if they say they are home health care people?? I also will not let one of my REAL visits be used up for stupid duplicative stuff (medical history). They also tried to give me the song and dance about how my leg will fall off if they don't start therapy and "work hard" right away and I was "losing the oportunity." Geez, my surgery was less than a week ago and I don't think I am losing any opportunities at healing
I don't want to be a complete jerk about all this, but my privacy is important to me, as is my safety,
and I'm not going to just let unknown people come into my home and rummage through my stuff. Am I being totally unreasonable??
Thank you for all your help, and thank you for listening. I am doing well this first week after.
Peace and love to you.
Milli
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