Guest viewing is limited

Depression/post-op blues - open for all

I just started taking Cymbalta 30 mg yesterday. Will eventually increase to 60mg. I have severe pain and depression from TKR 2 months ago. Pain meds just don't seem to really work for me. Now we're trying Cymbalta and Pregabalin. I believe both are to help relieve nerve pain? I will take Morphine for break through pain (bad day as you say) That's my new plan, I'm hoping this plan works for me too!
 
@CareBear63 I'm sorry the depression and pain are still your companions.

Pregabalin (Lyrica) is specifically for nerve and soft tissue pain.
Cymbalta has dual usage, both for depression/anxiety AND nerve and soft tissue pain.

I'm glad both have been prescribed.

It can take a while for either of them to be in the body enough to improve symptoms. If the Pregalbin ends up being not helpful, there's another med your provider may try instead, so there are definitely options for you.

When you have the inclination, consider updating your recovery thread with how your functional status is coming along.
 
I’m starting to feel more depressed lately. I’m 4.5 months post op and my leg length discrepancy makes it difficult to walk long distances. I used to walk all the time and now I’m tired after 15/20 minutes. I want to walk farther and get sad when I see people out walking their dogs. I just want to be normal again.
I do ride my exercise bike and use my total gym, but I want to walk without issue.
I know, everyone heals differently and I will get better with time, but it’s hard.
 
@Sunflower664 I'm so sorry that you're are feeling down about your slower recovery and it is certainly understandable. I can definitely relate as I struggled with soft tissue issues. Are you having pain with walking or are you just tired? Did you get the leg length discrepancy evaluated? Although it's true that everyone heals differently and at different rates, it's important to be proactive and advocate for yourself if you don't feel like you are where you should be at this juncture. If you haven't already, make an appointment with your OS and his team to discuss your concerns. Hopefully, they can help reassure you that all is well but make sure you get the specific answers you need and a follow-up plan. If everything is okay with your implants, "give it more time" is the common advice. Those soft tissues are the "come from behind kids." Make sure the OS understands how hard it is to walk any distance and how frustrating that is for you and how it's getting you down. They may suggest another round of PT. And that is where you may have to continue from. At least, you've made contact and you have a baseline to go from if the waiting and watching doesn't work out.

This process can be frustratingly slow and it's hard to see others back to their normal while you're still struggling. Just prepare yourself for possibly not getting a quick resolution. I'm glad to see that you are still trying to stay active. Don't hesitate to see your PCP if you feel you are getting more depressed to receive support in this area.
Also, if you don't mind posting this to your recovery page, I'm sure sharing your experience there will also help others going through the same thing. Wishing you comfort as you sort this out. Keep us posted.
 
Sunflower664 said:
I’m starting to feel more depressed lately. I’m 4.5 months post op and my leg length discrepancy makes it difficult to walk long distances. I used to walk all the time and now I’m tired after 15/20 minutes. I want to walk farther and get sad when I see people out walking their dogs. I just want to be normal again.
I do ride my exercise bike and use my total gym, but I want to walk without issue.
I know, everyone heals differently and I will get better with time, but it’s hard.
Click to expand...
Currently at 5mnths from 2nd THR.
1 year since 1st THR.
I came to this forum back then, everyone said be patient, just can’t rush the healing, got me down tho many many times. Tiz true tho, just accept the time its taking for our bodies to knit n sew back together. They’re hard at it 24/7.
Be kind to you, it gets better!
You think you’ll never be ‘normal’ like the regular walkers you see, me too, it’s disheartening at the time... but your time will come too. Healing Wishes to you. This forum is so helpful, keep dipping in, everyone here knows exactly how it is, sooo helpful, GP’s/surgeons tell you very little i think. Thanks to all Smarties and Admins for being here for us.
 
Having a tough time emotionally. Day 16 post full hip replacement after an accident. I’m doing pretty well physically. Some pains as to be expected but just can’t get my head around this and seem worried about possible complications. This is my first post here and glad to have found you all.
 
Hi sammi,
Welcome to BoneSmart! Thanks for joining us. I am sorry you're having a tough time emotionally and also sorry to read you were involved in an accident. :console2: Your circumstances likely didn't allow you the time to prepare emotionally for all of this. What you're feeling is common to many and hopefully you'll find some consolation reading through this thread. Complications are rare, so try not to worry,
Joint replacement surgery is one of the most prevalent surgeries performed worldwide. The outcomes of these surgeries have become excellent based on a number of techniques changing over the years. The implants are durable and long lasting, with longevity much greater than before offering an increase in the likelihood you’ll never have to experience this procedure again

I'd like to encourage you to start a thread on the Hip Recovery Forum for a better response because not all read this thread.
Here is a link -> https://bonesmart.org/forum/view/hip-surgery-recovery-area.5/

Also a link to POST OP BLUES

Please join us on the healing side of the forum. We'd love to support you as you move through recovery.
Hope to see you there soon! Hugs! :wave:
@sammi
 
Thank you so much Layla that’s such a comforting message.
 
Hi Sammi,

Me too! I am going crazy (on only my fourth full day at home!) being confined and even more being (relatively) helpless -- I don't do "helpless" well. I wore out my hip over years, had lots of time to consider and research the surgery, and then had the luxury of deciding to have it.

It must be so much harder emotionally to deal with for you, with no lead-up or time for contemplation, and really no choice. The good news is that you've had surgery that was necessary and you're already healing.

Everything I've read indicates a very high success ratio -- I've seen estimates of between 90-98% success.

(and it's good to have a fellow newbie here on the forum -- Welcome!!)

Brenda
 
ddj said:
At nearly six weeks out and experiencing less pain, I think the emotional part of this experience was totally unexpected. None of my pre or post information even mentioned it. Mostly in life I have been the anchor for my family (hubby has had a long standing diagnosis of being bi-polar). I thought my friends from work would come and visit or call. Many of us have worked together for 20+ years.... Instead the few emails I got mostly said rest...take it easy...don't think about work... Of my church friends only one has actually come over. I appreciate her more than ever. She actually was willing to just sit and talk. She still tears up when talking about her hysterectomy, which was almost eight years ago!
The clinical side of my mind acknowledges the depression and anxiety. Self talk varies from "just suck it up and deal with it". (The pain or emotions) to "somebody help me"! I am seeing each day the pain getting a little better ( except for this weekend's detour into kidney stone land). From what I read here emotional stability will return.
Having this site available is helping me get through. When I get back to work I plan to give the "joint replacement" education person some advice from the patient side of the experience.


Sent from my iPad using BoneSmart Forumq
Click to expand...
 
Last edited:
I remember after my first (right) hip operation in 2018 I was surprised about how emotional I became. I think it was the sense of helplessness (I am a very capable person) at having to rely on others for my care. I remember crying silently to myself in hospital as I just wanted to go home. Then at home getting scared every time I experienced a strange sensation. In my defence I had developed a pulmonary embolism during the operation so I probably did have a reason to be fearful. But it was the lack of support (I had to look up what an embolism was) which increased this fear. Fortunately I had a very good recovery and no further concerns regarding the embolism.

Whilst I was far less scared when going into my left hip op last year my slow recovery (in contrast to my previous op) has definitely led to depressive periods which I do think is an oft ignored factor by the health profession in relation to these operations. Forums like BoneSmart have definitely helped me understand I am not on my own in going through this experience. I am extremely grateful for that.
 
Hello SAMMI,
I am glad you found this supportive forum. Sad to hear the cause of your hip surgery.
I'm on DAY 19 POST SURGERY, AND IT'S my 2nd Hip. Each day brings some new pains and noticeable improvements too. Feeling overwhelmed or "Blue" about possible complications can be relieved by reading many posts here, talking to your surgeon, or P.A. or even reading ONLY reputable medical articles on google. Asking us questions here has really taught me a lot. Looks like we had surgery a few days apart, & there are other members on this site at the same stage. The "old timers" who are here too, have abundant experience & good advice. PLEASE Use this forum!! talk, Write, ASK Questions!
From 2nd Hippy
 
I think feeling vulnerable increases underlying fear and depression. I had down days and frustrating days but it was after eight weeks that it really hit me. I don't do crying and being vulnerable around people. I am the supportive one for others so this role does not sit well. I had a melt down (very quietly) a couple of days ago and had to keep disappearing as I did not want the grandchildren to see me upset. I am better but am aware my feelings are very close to the surface ready to bubble up. I fly home soon and have decided to have a few days of hibernation to reset.

When feeling vulnerable I turn into a hedgehog; all soft on the inside and spiny on the outside if anyone comes near me.
 
Oh gosh. I think I've cried some every day for the last 7 or 8 days straight. I, also, try to hide it from others. Tuesday will be 3 weeks since surgery and I am so absolutely sick of this (recovery). I hate the physical limitations. Not that the surgeon imposed many. It's what my body won't let me do. And the pain and strange sensations are getting so old. Yet there's nothing I can do but plow on. I hope for the best but am concerned about complications in the future.
I had a hysterectomy 19 years ago and that was a walk in the park compared to this.
 
Phoebie said:
When feeling vulnerable I turn into a hedgehog; all soft on the inside and spiny on the outside if anyone comes near me.
Click to expand...
What a perfect description this is of the complex emotions we experience during recovery!

I remember one day during my last recovery that I was lying on the couch weeping softly. When hubby came to see what was wrong, I barked at him to leave me alone.

It's so reassuring to know we are not alone when this happens, isn't it!
 
Another hedgehog here...

I came out of my hip replacement with substantial LLD. Now every time I try to take just a few steps at my home without the walker, I get severe back pain, left leg gets crampy, and an increasing array of other issues. I had this surgery to be able to be more active again; I had been patiently waiting for my surgery date, basically being sedentary for months. Now I feel I just traded one problem for another - it's VERY difficult to see any light at the end of this tunnel (Sorry, I guess I'm just venting here, screaming into the void)
 
I had a bicycle accident that I do not remember. I had emergency surgery on my hip 12 hours later. I have three pins from a displaced complete femoral neck fracture. I fear that all this recovery for what I fear will end up requiring a replacement. The most frustrating thing is I have a child that I am very close with and I need to be 100 percent sooner rather than later.
 
HIGHS + LOWS. I'm 47 days post THR and I am amazed by the mobility I have. Walking without pain or a limp for the first time in years is a blessing and I did 22 minutes on my Peloton bike today! There are many positives however I'm very challenged with what feels like mild depression. Now, it could be lack of fresh air (winter here) and sunlight, or lack of exercise in the way I used to or, it could be the effects of this surgery.

I don't even recognize my lower body, I've lost so much muscle...muscle that I worked so hard to build. My butt is flat as a pancake :) And although I know I'll be able to rebuild my strength, what I miss most is my energy, my sense of inspired motivation and my ambition. It's like a switch was turned off and I'm not sure how to turn it back on. Hoping someone understands and can offer a little guidance. I know in my heart this is just a little speed bump but on some days it feels like a big huge barricade.

Thank you! :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Active Antimicrobial Hydrogel
Corganics CBD

Members online

No members online now.
Total: 1,869 (members: 0, guests: 1,869)

Latest posts

Back
Top Bottom