THR Double Hippie Now

[Kikki]

Josephine, thanks for reaching out. I’m going to take your advice and let skip pt. Relax and let myself heal.
I’ve read your advice on hip not needing any excercise several times.
I do believe you. I’ve followed the normal protocol- and look where it’s gotten me.

I have left the fracture blisters alone. It’s just alarming to look at. Glad your experience confirms that they will clear up.

Thanks for your lovely advice, experience and gently repeating to just let hips heal.
This forum is sure helpful and so very comforting in a needy and vulnerable time in people’s lives.

Hugs,
Kikki.

 

[MammaT]

Sound like you are doing well @Kikki, except for the blisters which are evidently more weird than a problem.

I started on cane right around two week mark and was done with walker at around 3 weeks. Hit 6 weeks this past Monday. Still take cane with me on longer walks, sometimes use it a bit towards the end if I get tired. Didn’t use it all today.

Hope you have a good weekend and continuing positive recovery.

 

[Layla]

Hi @Kikki
I'm glad you received confirmation and reassurance on the blisters.
I understand your concern. That would have me wondering also.
It sounds as though you're doing well. Ten days today
Wishing you the best as you continue healing!

 

[Kikki]

Day 17 update
I am amazed at how suddenly I don’t need any pain meds-Norco. There was a glimmer on day 13 and haven’t taken any today. Today was also the first day I went out in the world, lunch and a little shopping. I see the light at the end of tunnel one!! Other hip is on deck for fall.

I am still using walker, hope to transition to cane next week. But it’s ok if longer. I was so crippled/ housebound prior to surgery for 3 months that my muscles were weak. Even though I religiously did Matt strengthening excercises every day for months before surgery. Glutes are just weak. My friend loaned me the “Cadillac” walker the kind with brakes. I started the first two weeks with the simple walker they want you on, the kind with front wheels and no wheels in back and no brakes. However this walking is helping me how to relearn to walk without a limp. It doesn’t drag at all, but you need the drag slowness of first walker in beginning.

The fracture blisters have stopped. It will heal, but probably scar a little. I contemplated posting a picture, but that would have totally freaked me out before a surgery if I saw that on someone else.

I’m really pleased at how well and quickly I’m progressing. Crazy that a total joint is replaced and I’m up walking, incision is healing nicely in such a short time. Technology and the body’s ability to heal is amazing. I’m grateful. Wish it was one and done! But I’m getting their. I’m now starting to feel how ouchy the other hip is now that my right is fixed and the pain level is way down.

Hope everyone has a lovely Easter. Especially Layla and Mojo333, you guys have had some challenges in the last few weeks, but are such troopers to keep inspiring and cheerleading others.

 

[Jackie222]

What a lovely update. I’m glad your recovery is progressing well.

 

[Mojo333]

Technology and the body’s ability to heal is amazing. I’m grateful.

I felt exactly same way, and still do.
Good for you...some of that weakness is due to that trauma. Early days floor you.
Not weak, injured.
Plenty of time to strengthen and tone...you've got this.
Easy does it and have a great weekend!

 

[Kikki]

Had my one month check up yesterday. All is going well. No restrictions anymore!!!! Wohooo!!!! Oh my gosh, I slept on my side last night. Heaven!!! My gait is much better, but still have to really concentrate to walk without limping. Then towards end of the day, I need the cane again. Just get so fatigued.

So I thought I could wait until fall for the left hip. Ha Ha. It has other ideas. So..... bilateral hips here I come.
I'm scheduled for May 9th for the left hip. I can't believe how much pain in the left now. Maybe it was always like this? Just the right was so brutal I couldn't feel the left. Crazy. No way was I suffering for months again. So happy he had an opening in 4 weeks. So both hips done in 8 week span.

At least I won't need joint class or even pre op appointment. He'll just do a bloodraw before surgery.
So I'm not the least bit worried, just want this done and over. I'm just starting to feel good and then I'll be back to ground zero for a bit in a month. Ugh. He doesnt do bilateral at one time. I really don't know how those that do can function? I know for me, I'm glad it is separate surgeries.

I'm still having a LOT of fatigue. Doctor said its completely normal.

Hopefully by mid June I can be in pool and can take summer easy recovering.

So just a little update.

 

[BeBe]

Great update @Kikki !

Great you are feeling confident for the next THR in may.
My OS used to do bilateral but has stopped and pts have to have a minimum of 6 wks between. Also must be walking comfortably without assistance. At least that is what he is requiring from me.
I was all set to schedule my left at my three week appt last Thursday but since I am still needing the walker
Just can't do it yet. My left hip is also letting me know it wants its turn! Seems like I will never lose this walker...

Great plan to spend the summer recouperating in the pool!

 

[Mojo333]

Double hippies everywhere.
Glad number one is done and restrictions lifted.
Sounds like you have a plan!

 

[Kikki]

@Layla if you could change title to -fatigue

That would be great.

So what is everyone’s experience with fatigue. I’m going on six weeks and I tire really quickly. Simple things, just walking out to the barn and I’ve got to go sit down. I know everyone is different. THey had me take. Iron pills for 10 days after surgery.
Guess I’m worried that I’m still so fatigued and then I have the left hip replaced May 9th. It is a bit disconcerting. I’ll be wiped out for the summer. Lol.
Just curious on others energy level

 

[Kikki]

I forgot to add that now my left hip is hurting to the point of awaking all times of night because of the pain. Sigh. So I’m sure that’s part of it. Repeating exactly how the right used to feel. Crazy how I couldn’t feel the left pain over the right hip pain.

 

[Celle]

I've changed your thread title for you.

Here's an article about post-op fatigue:
Energy drain for THRs

 

[anny]

Hi @Kikki ......I've just been catching up with your thread, your new title of 'Fatigue' caught my eye! I'm a little behind you (23 March) but I so agree about the exhaustion, I do a bit, sit down and can barely stay awake.....that Energy Drain is really overwhelming, and I take my hat off to anyone who could even contemplate going back to work at this stage! I can understand you being concerned about it with your next op coming up, but, as we have to take it very slowly after these ops maybe you could just look on your recoveries as overlapping, not quite simultaneous.....your first one will have had a head start on the healing.

I'm sorry you and Bebe are in pain with your other hips....sort of takes the shine off your recovery, but it's good that you have a date for the next one. My surgeon gave me the choice of doing one or the other, so I was expecting to be booking in the second one fairly soon.....however, since the op my left one has been pretty well-behaved with hardly a twinge! I don't want to appear ungrateful but I now don't know if the left symptoms were just referred from the right and doesn't need doing, or if it's just in a good space and will bite later . I really wanted to get them both done and dusted with, if they're going to need it.....don't want to have it hanging over me, oh for a crystal ball!

Just a thought, Kikki.....if they had you take iron tablets afterwards, have they actually tested your blood levels or was it just precautionary? I went to the dr a couple of years ago with massive fatigue (thought she would say I was being too lazy and not exercising enough) and they found my B12 and folate were almost thro the floor. Out here, B12 isn't normally in the standard blood test, so hadn't been picked up before

 

[Mojo333]

Very very normal. Your body has X amount of energy to expend.
When it needs to expend that energy to propel healing...it uses it first leaving you little to expend on any thing else!
Energy drain can pull from our stores for many months.
Don't worry. It WILL get easier.

 

[Jaycey]

So what is everyone’s experience with fatigue.

It's energy drain and you just can't fight it! Nap when you can - this will soon ease. I think you will probably be fine but the time you have your LTHR. Please don't worry!

 

[Kikki]

Thanks for everyone’s response. Anny- good thought on b12 and folate. They drew blood after surgery, before I went home, so I assume that’s where they saw I was low in iron.

It’s just good see if anyone else is in the same boat. I kept thinking something was wrong with me, that I shouldn’t feel this exhausted at almost 6 weeks out. Glad your other hip is behaving right now!
Mojo-You’ve been in the trenches x2! I don’t know how you did two at one time. Wow. My hat is off to you and your 1 year anniversary!!

Jaycee, thanks for the napping reminder.

I guess that is my only worry about upcoming other hip- is no energy from the first. I’ll just accept that. And be calm. I think that is my problem of just accepting things as they are. I tend to fight things as I THINK they should be. Sigh. A lesson I should learn and be done with!

Happy Sunday to all

 

[Mojo333]

Well you are about to earn double hippy status yourself.
Just wait...you'll be doing this in no time. Well...some time, but not SO far off.

 

[Layla]

Hi @Kikki
Good old energy drain.....you're certainly not alone in experiencing that.
Our body's energy supply isn't limitless. So when we're in healing mode after major surgery
our energy will be used for healing first, not leaving a great reserve for all the other activity of daily life.
It is completely normal to feel tired for quite some time. How long.....most likely relates to your body's rate
of healing. Making our best effort to get adequate sleep and rest is beneficial. Our body does it's best healing while we're sleeping. So no guilt in sneaking in as much sleep and as many naps as you're able before your next surgery. All the best to you!

 

[Layla]

Hey @Kikki
Tomorrow is your big day. I hope you're prepared and ready to roll.
We'll be thinking of you and looking forward to your first post after surgery.
Best wishes for tomorrow!

 

[Mojo333]

Hope all is well and you are being week taken care of.