THR Deep Breath Reporting for Recovery Duty

[DeepBreath]

@Cynthia777, I would SO love that! I was looking around for a cozy avatar picture and this one just reached out and gave me a hug.
Thank you for your support. I'm very pleased with my PT people. They are kind, knowledgeable, and really listen to me. I am very hopeful that I will be able to return to walking smoothly even though I walked stiffly and with a limp for so many years. Yaa-Hoo!

I hope your day was wonderful, friend.

 

[CricketHip]

Hi Deep! That is a wonderful progress report! Of course you looked good in that mirror. each week you will see improvement, remind them to let you see yourself in the mirror. It helps a lot. If you remember, I had hubby video tape me walking and then I could assess and make adjustments.
I am so sore! I feel sore and creaky. I think the 3700 miles we traveled took it's toll. Hubby is walking all creaky and sore also.. haha and he has "normal" hips. My PT thinks a couple weeks will have me back to where I was before the trip. I also booked a massage with a colleague that I trust and know will take good care of me.
Im so glad that you are opting to do PT Tues and Thurs and rest on Wednesday. That ratio worked super well for me. If needed, I would skip a weekend day, too, and walk more that day.
Ok, off to bed for me.. still so tired after a day of work. So glad to see your updates.

 

[bettifloss]

DeepBreath, thanks for your good wishes - I just read your thread and am full of admiration and amazement at what you have already been through - you double hippies make us singles feel like amateurs! Glad you have found a good PT, long may progress continue


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[Hip Hip Hooray!]

Another great update. I'm so glad that things are going well this time with the PT. I found walking in front of the mirror very helpful, too. I would go in the dance studio at the gym when it was empty. It really helps to see your reflection.

 

[DeepBreath]

@CricketHip, I hope you got some good rest last night and are feeling better.
I like your suggestion about if I skip a day, just walk more. If I have an active day doing housework, cooking, etc, I will tailor my exercises around it. I'm surprised at how much I love walking. It's been so long since it was comfortable I forgot how great it can be.

@bettifloss, thank you so much for your kind words. I think steeling ourselves for a THR is tough stuff no matter if it's a single or a double. I'm just glad to be on the other side.
I hope your day has gone well. Good thoughts flowing for you!

@Hip Hip Hooray! the mirror thing was very helpful. I'm excited to continue working on my gait as losing my limp is one of my big goals.
How are you doing? Are you still studying the Menopause the Musical material?


Today I had a landmark moment. I haven't driven since my first surgery. Although I had my second surgery at 8 weeks, my second hip hurt so badly between the procedures I didn't think driving was advisable.
After the last one I wanted to wait to drive until I had cut down on the Tramadol and also stopped taking the Benadryl for the rash stuff since the combination made me so sleepy. Now that the Benadryl is out of my system and I've cut down on the Tramadol I felt ready, so I just drove around today and ran some errands on my own.
It felt great to reclaim yet another piece of my independence.
I have a sedan and was a bit concerned getting in and out of it would be difficult since it had become so uncomfortable prior to my surgeries. I needn't have worried though. I got in and out just fine and driving felt comfortable and natural again. Yaay for the little victories!

 

[bettifloss]

Congratulations on driving @DeepBreath, must feel great to have that independence again!


Bettifloss - Right total hip replacement 5 January 2016. Posterior approach with ceramic prosthesis.

Sent from my iPad using BoneSmart Forum

 

[Hip Hip Hooray!]

That's really exciting, @DeepBreath. I remember how thrilled I was when I was able to start driving again. You've had a long stretch, since you had the two surgeries. You're reaching a lot of goals. Congratulations!

Yes, I'm working on the music every afternoon. I have several more auditions this month.

 

[DeepBreath]

Thank you, @bettifloss, it does feel great to be getting back to my old self. Things seemed a bit 'stagnant' for a few months while I went through the surgeries and recovered, but the gains are coming at a quick pace lately. I'm really enjoying that! I hope your day is going great and that you're feeling good.

@Hip Hip Hooray! You GO, Girl! It's terrific that you're out there auditioning. Things have certainly changed in the last six months, haven't they? Tons of good vibes flowing for you.



I was thinking yesterday, after having run my errands, about the mental factor of recovery. I know various aspects have been discussed on the forum, and I became aware of another facet yesterday.
I realized just how much I 'budgeted' my movements. Since every step was painful pre surgery, I became adept at getting the most bang for my buck out of the fewest steps possible. I am now in the process of convincing myself that I no longer have to do that. It's a little difficult, but so wonderful to acknowledge that I can take as many steps as I want without being afraid of hurting. One of my stops was to the grocery store. It used to be that if I had forgotten an ingredient several aisles away I'd just shrug and do without it. It dawned on me that the old rules don't apply any more. I zipped back to the section where the needed item was located with no problem.
I don't know how I must look (and don't really care) but the delight in just the simplest mechanics of pain free movement is ever present. I know that in the future these things will likely become more and more commonplace, but for now I am reveling in this new found freedom!
What a miracle. I am very grateful.

 

[Hip Hip Hooray!]

That's so true, @DeepBreath. The mental aspect is so important, because it influences the physical. As we change our habits back to the way we were without arthritis, it affects our subconscious. We become confident again. It really changes us. I'm not surprised that we look younger. We are moving the way we did when we were youthful. I zip around now...

I used to do the same thing in the grocery store. Also, I would just skip certain chores in the yard. It was too much. It's like we had to budget our movement.

 

[DeepBreath]

I did the same thing, @Hip Hip Hooray! Some things around the house just had to go by the wayside and I didn't like that. Taking care of everything was just not a possibility though.
Here's to redoing our budget!

 

[HipSurprise]

Hey, it sounds like you're doing very well after your surgeries! I think it was wise of you to have them pretty close together, rather than waiting longer. I'm so independent with my new hip, now, that I don't even want to think about surgery - luckily, my left hip is fine. Keep up the good work and congrats on being able to drive, again!

 

[Hipster Girl]

@DeepBreath so happy to hear you are now driving and getting in/out of the car with no issues - it's wonderful to get that independence back! And I know what you mean about shrugging it off if you forgot an item in the grocery store but now going back to get it. I noticed myself doing the same thing at work and "budgeting" my trips and I realize I no longer have to do that and it is such a breakthrough and makes me smile. Things like that continue to make me appreciative of these new hips all the time. Who knew how much our old worn out hips affected pretty much every aspect of living, and now we are getting our freedom back. I continue to be in awe every day.

 

[DeepBreath]

@HipSurprise, thank you for your kind words. I'm so sorry about your fall that resulted in a break. It sounds like you are doing great now and that is wonderful. Enjoy that new hip!

@Hipster Girl, howdy! I really like your new avatar. It reminds me of the Bavarian Alps. Gorgeous.
It truly is amazing how much our hips affected our lives. Really in ways I never thought about pre surgery.
I was telling my PT person yesterday how these wonderful revelations are just the best thing ever.
I hope you're doing well and continue to feel great.


I kind of messed up regarding my Tramadol. I saw my OS on Monday and we discussed my tapering off of it. I wanted to do a scheduled step down so that I could avoid withdrawals as much as possible. I have read that Tramadol withdrawals can be similar to the ones experienced with stopping antidepressents. I went through that in 2014 and have no wish to do it again.
He said he would put in another prescription for Tramadol for me, along with one for Meloxicam to take as needed.
Things got busy and I didn't go to pick up my prescriptions until today. Lo and behold, there was no Tramadol refill. The person at the pharmacy counter said there was absolutely no order for Tramadol for me in the system.
I have begun the stepping down process, going from 150 mg daily to 125 mg. I had planned to devote 3.5 weeks to stepping down - - 1/4 of the total time I was on it. Since I messed around and waited until today to go pick up my meds, I now have only one 50 mg tablet left. *sigh*
I was already a little apprehensive about the weaning off process and now I find myself faced with an unexpected cold turkey situation. I emailed my surgeon's nurse as soon as I found out my refill wasn't at the pharmacy, but that was 6 hours ago and I haven't gotten a reply. Reaching her by phone is impossible.
Sooo...it could be a not-so-hot weekend. I guess we'll see.
Some people seem to have no problems, but others say it is miserable. I had really wanted to gradually stop instead of this.
Wish me luck.

 

[Hip Hip Hooray!]

Oh @DeepBreath, I'm so sorry. I hope that you can reach the nurse. Would you consider driving to the office? It is kind of an emergency. I've never been through withdrawal, but I've heard about it. As you said, it can be miserable.

I still have half of my Tramadol prescription, I wish I could FedEx it to you. But I know, that's not legal. I hope you find someone to fix this today.

 

[DeepBreath]

Thank you, @Hip Hip Hooray! That is very kind of you. No luck with the nurse. The office is over an hour away with heavy Friday traffic on the highway. I'm not a comfortable highway driver during the best of times.
I have Meloxicam for any pain that might pop up and I'll just split that last tablet between today and tomorrow.
Whatever happens, happens.

 

[Hipster Girl]

Sorry to hear about the mixup with the prescription @DeepBreath. Have you heard back from your surgeon's office yet? I heard the same thing about the Tramadol withdrawal and there was one gentleman in rehab who was going through it but he had been taking large quantities for years and years.

I'm no medical professional but I am thinking that even if it takes until Monday before you get your prescription, you should be okay. I'm just basing this on when I went through antidepressant withdrawal years ago and I remember it took a week or more before I really started to feel any withdrawal symptoms and I think it's because there was a buildup of the medication in my system and it takes a while for your body to get rid of it all. Once it was out of my system was when the withdrawal hit.

I don't know if Tramadol works the same way, if it lingers in your system or not, but if so, I think you'll be fine through the weekend until you can get your refill.

Another option I just thought of is if you have a Care Now type place nearby which is like a walk-in clinic that you don't need an appointment for, maybe you can go there this weekend and the doctor on staff should be able to give you a prescription, even if only for a couple tablets just to tide you over until Monday?

Hang in there, Friend. I'll be praying for your comfort this weekend.

 

[Hip Hip Hooray!]

Great post, @Hipster Girl. I hope you are doing okay, @DeepBreath. I've been saying prayers for you, too. I understand how you feel about the driving on a Friday. I live in LA, so I can totally relate. Splitting that last tablet sounds like a good idea.

Take care of yourself.

 

[DeepBreath]

@Hipster Girl, you're a sweetie.
@Hip Hip Hooray! you are as well.
I apologize for my tone in that last post. Please know it wasn't directed at anybody here. You all are wonderful and supportive.
I'm just very disappointed with my surgeon right now. He's a great guy and has been really good to me and I realize there might be extenuating circumstances, but I'm honestly irked that he could put in three other meds for me but not the Tramadol.

There was no response from his nurse. I took the final 1/2 tab of Tramadol this morning after a pretty sleepless night. Honestly, this could have been avoided had I gone to the pharmacy earlier in the week. I'd started stepping down on Tuesday, cutting my morning dose in half. I just never considered that the Tramadol wouldn't be there. Because of my poor planning I had to go from 125 mg a day down to 100 mg on Thursday and then down to 25 mg yesterday and today.
I'll see how things go this weekend. It's kind of hard to tell the exact effect of this because this is also PMS time for me (sorry...TMI). I'm not at my best during this time anyway.
The quick clinic is a good idea and I'll keep that in reserve. Right now, things aren't horrible. I still have a bit of the med in my system.
Thank you for the good thoughts. I really do appreciate them.
This current blip isn't forever.

 

[Hipster Girl]

oh @DeepBreath, that's perfectly understandable that you would be a little irked at your doctor's office. It was their mistake and is causing you to be unnecessarily uncomfortable. You should be able to pick your prescription up as late as you want and not have to think twice about if the nurse called it in or not.

This is validation that you are definitely doing the right thing by planning to gradually step down off the Tramadol. That's the best way to do it. Be good to yourself the next 48 hours, get lots of rest, and maybe give some of that green tea a try to at least minimize the PMS symptoms so that doesn't compound the symptoms too much. ((((HUGS))))

 

[Hip Hip Hooray!]

Oh...I was afraid of that. I noticed on one of your posts that it was really early in the morning. I wondered if you were having trouble sleeping.

I remember feeling a dependency on the percoset when I was taking it. I was very protective of my supply, and realized how and why people get addicted. It's a weird feeling. The pain killers really helped me through the recovery, but I would have had a very hard time going cold turkey, too. It took me a few tries to taper off of them, anyway. How is your pain? I hope the other medications you mentioned are helping that. Take care...