THR dee1970 has transfered over!!

[randy62]

dee1970 glad to hear every thing is going better. Keep your head up and before long you will over come this also. Peace be with you.

 

[dee1970]

hi guys, im 3 days off 3 weeks now and im still on my crutches, I have no pain while sitting or laying down, but when I stand up I get pain in the front of my thigh up to top of hip, I have to try and stretch it out and walk around for a bit to get it to stop, is this muscle pain?, im only finding I can partially put weight on it and then the same pain is there is this muscle pain too?, what can I do to help relieve it? thanks for any help x

 

[sharonslp]

Hi Dee. You mentioned in an earlier post that you were taking only codeine for pain. You're still in very early stages; maybe you need something else to fill in the gaps. Paracetamol or maybe ask your doctor for something stronger. Let's get Josephine to give you specific advice. She will want to know your dosage of codeine and how often you take it, so if you see this before she replies, then fill in the pieces.

But do be assured that this is normal post-op pain. You're doing quite well, really.

Sharon

 

[dee1970]

sharonslp, thanks for your reply, ive been taking 2 30mg codine every 4 hours apart from middle of the night when I sleep, when I was in hospital they was giving me 2 codine and 2 paracetomol every 4 hours but it made me feel light headed, so they stopped the codine saying it was that, then checked to see what I could have like tramadol or nefopam, but im epileptic and apparently they interfere with my tablets and said only thing I could have was morphine, but when I came home I just took codine and felt ok but not taking pain away well, so like you have suggested I will try 1 paracetomol aswell as codine and see if it helps , thankyou for your advice and maybe Josephine will be able to suggest something else, xxxxxx

 

[BeckyR]

dee1970, You are a medical miracle! Amazing that they can build a new socket for your hip. So sorry for the dislocated hip, but it sounds as though everything is back on track. You are so brave and a great role model for everyone here on BoneSmart.

 

[dee1970]

BeckyR awww thankyou you've made my day, thats the nicest thing anyone has said to me in a while, ive took an extra paracetomol as I said in my previous post and has made a difference, not as painful getting up now, maybe I can put a bit more weight on and get walking more, I feel im getting there slowly but surely, take time doesnt it? xxxxx

 

[Josephine]

It do indeed! Along with the 2 codeine and 2 paracetamol, you also need to make sure you don't do too much. There's no point in complaining that the meds aren't working if you're not resting along with it. You're only three weeks out and perhaps would be good if you read these articles, specially the one on activity progression

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

 

[BeckyR]

dee1970, My PT said that it is normal to be stiff (which includes pain!) when you stand up after sitting down for a while. She said everyone gets stiff in different amounts of time -- many after just a few minutes of sitting. She recommended I do seated ankle pumps if I'm sitting in my armchair reading, and ankle pumps before getting up if I'm lying down. I've found they do help. It also helps just to stand for a few moments after standing up, to let the stiffness fade away. Knowing it isn't a "relapse," but a normal part of the process helps me relax about it.

 

[dee1970]

thanks @ josephine and BeckyR for the advice, ive had a good read of those articles and they are so good and informative, and im doing more of the foot pumps see it that helps, just taking 1 extra paracetomol every 4 hours has helped me alot, shows I wasnt taking enough pain relief, its so good to have you guys when I need any advice and knowing that we are all going through the same thing, your a god send thanks xxxxxxx

 

[dee1970]

well im 5 weeks and 2 days in, and not in any pain at all, and my leg is slightly swollen, but hopefully goes down, im feeling ok and have drooped my pain killers to 3 times a day and have been ok , I have finally been out for dinner with my sister and enjoyed being out of the house, im now trying to go down to 1 crutch, im abit scared but did a few steps and feels ok, I thought my progress was really slow but all of a suddcn my leg stopped hurting and muscles felt good, and now hope I can drop a crutch, I see my surgeon next week and hopefully everythings ok,

 

[bottomshollow]

So happy for you that you're seeing that light at the end of the tunnel. Things will continue to get better and better for you. Just be careful not to overdo things!

 

[dee1970]

hi guys, im doing ok im 7 weeks post op and I have a couple of questions, when I walk I have a muscle pain behind the knee down my leg and also my foot keeps swelling up, I ice it all the time and elevate as much as I can and at night it does seem to go down overnight but doesnt take long it come back in the day, thanks in advance xxx

 

[Jaycey]

Hi dee1970, not unusual to have aches and pains at your stage. Muscles you haven't used correctly are now complaining. Are you taking any pain meds? Also, are you still using the same shoes you wore pre-op? We recommend buying new shoes post-op as the old ones may be worn to compensate for a limp.

Swelling at this stage is also common. Many hippies see swelling for several months post op. Keep up the elevating and icing. Are there any particular activities that bring on the swelling?

 

[dee1970]

Hi Jaycey I'm taking paracetamol and codeine, I am using the same shoes as I had before. I suppose I'm more active now and using muscles that haven't been used in 7 weeks. I will invest in a new pair of shoes if I can get a pair what will be ok with my swelling. I will keep up the icing and the elevating. Thanks for your advice, don't know what I would do with out you guys xxx

 

[djklaugh]

Dee1970 - Like Jaycey said - get new shoes! Or have old ones resoled. Before you had hip replacement you were walking with a limp (probably) and that wore down the soles of shoes in a maladaptive pattern. You need new flat soles to prevent continuing the not right gait.

 

[Josephine]

I'm taking paracetamol and codeine

Okay, but you haven't said how much (mgs) and how often!

 

[Josephine]

I merged your threads. Please read this One thread for your recovery please?

 

[dee1970]

sorry Josephine, im taking 2 paracetomol 4 times a day and 2 codine30mg at bed and morning, codine gives me really bad constipation so ive tried to lower it, im also having restless leg syndrome at night keeps me awake its in both legs and cant get rid of it for ages, the pain behind my knee is bad today dont know if ive pulled it or done too much, im ele vating and icing it see if it helps thanks for your advice

 

[Josephine]

Your pain is due to your inadequate med coverage. Since codeine only lasts in the system for about 4-6 hours,
you'd be much better taking 30mg codeine with the paracetamol, 4 times a day. You could still take the two at bedtime. Rather than cut back on your pain pills, you should take pro-active measures about the constipation. You can get a lot of tips and hints about that here Constipation and stool softeners. There's also an article in the Library about Restless legs

 

[sharonslp]

Dee, have you ever tried Magnesium for the restless legs? I had good success both with taking oral supplements for a while, and also with soaking in bath filled with epsom salt just before bed bedtime. Just a thought.

Sharon