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Finally had enough pain

@enoughpain oh no, that's too bad!! darn.. but worth it, right? I don't know if you''ve tried it but ice packs helped my pre op pain....a lot! It's worth a try if you haven't already... I can't wait to see you on the recovery side in a couple short weeks... :froggies:
 
So glad you're enjoying your week at the beach. The memories you're making will definitely win out over the pain.
 
Good Morning,
Hopefully today feels a bit brighter and the pain of overdoing it has eased.
Not long now and that debilitating pain will be a thing of the past. I'm excited for you, you're going to love the end result. :happydance:Hope today is a great day! :SUNsmile:
@enoughpain
 
@CricketHip Thanks for the tip on the ice packs. Will get a few today and try it. I'm so distracted right now that I hadn't thought to use them pre-op. You've focused me.
@Elf1 I think I'm making more memories than intended. My contortions getting into and out of various kiddie rides on the boardwalk with my granddaughter amused a number of bystanders. When I caught two women grinning at me, I pointed to the right side and said "hip replacement - two weeks" and their smiles turned to looks of astonishment!
 
Yes, get some icepacks,, I didn't realize they would be os effective pre op either, not until my ?Dr mentioned the I had a lot of swelling in the hip and that was a lightbulb moment for me.. swelling=pain. Good luck and keep on making this memories!! :roseshwr:
 
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Hey, @enoughpain, no matter how many contortions it took to get in and out of amusement rides, a huge clap on the back for keeping at it and not letting horrid hip pain prevent you from enjoying your time with your granddaughter. I am not exactly contorted in terms of movement these days, but my husband always comments how slow I am getting in and out of a car--no more carelessly swinging legs to the side and hurling myself up! You're doing great, and surgery and relief are just around the corner--hang in there!
 
Any recommendations on pain management?

Saw primary care doctor today and she issued clearance for surgery. Going to OS's office tomorrow for meetings with his PA who will be in surgery with me and for a pre-surgery PT evaluation. Will also discuss pain management and the prescriptions they will issue. Pick up icing machine on Saturday. This time next week I will be done!
 
Hello @enoughpain recommendations? Hmm, first of all, have you any experience with stronger meds and how you react to them? That is usually one of the things they ask you.. about any adverse reactions, nausea, etc.
The opioids in the beginning are very welcome, I must say.
Your OS will most likely have a cocktail of meds that he likes to use. You've probably heard many on here touting the benefits of Tramadol.. if it's one you can take then it just may be your best friend for the first weeks.
Most importantly. remember the bonesmart mantras and I will post a link here for you to read over: It specifies knee replacements but it holds true for the hips also.

https://bonesmart.org/forum/threads...ing-pain-after-a-tkr-and-the-pain-chart.7969/
 
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@CricketHip Have very little experience with opioids. Have had occasional small prescriptions for Norco after dental implants, and I'm fine with that, other than a fuzzy head. Percoset makes me retch long and hard. Have never taken Tramadol. Will ask about that and see what they say. At my joint class as the hospital, which had three prospective THR patients, all from my surgeon, the nurse joint coordinator stated that most of us would go home with Tylenol and not need anything else! This is the same woman who claimed that icing machines lead to a high rate of infection. I want to be pro-active tomorrow when I speak to the PA.
 
Oh good heavens,, that nurse again! So, with my first surgery I used norco and tramadol and felt great using them. This time, they took away my tramadol and I still am sad about that. I remember getting off the Norco fairly early and depending on their other prescriptions of Tramadol, Tylenol and Celebrex.. You will be fine, that nurse won't be deciding your meds, your OS will. Do you happen to have a phone number that connects with your your surgery team? For instance, I spoke with the physicians assistant when I had questions and then again at my pre admission testing and consult. So I think you are on track for tomorrow to have a good discussion about your meds. They always ask about prior history and hearing about your "long and hard retching" will make an impact. :rotfl:
You sure don't want that again! I am hopeful that tomorrow you will report back and say you are so relieved after your appointment tomorrow.. :console2:
 
I wish my brain would catch up with my thoughts,, I keep making typos.. and it makes me cringe.. maybe Ill sleep more tonight and it'll help. aargh. in reference to "your your surgery team" what is that? :blackcloud:
 
I knew what you meant! Thanks for the info. Think I will try to press for Norco, since I have a history with that. Can you take Norco and Tramadol at the same time, or did you substitute one for the other?
 
it's been 4 years ago but I think so, yes. I seem to recall having to space out the different doses. As in not taking them at the same time.. They will be happy to discuss it with you. Just have your questions ready.. I write mine down so I won't forget.. it's so easy to get in that exam room and get all befuddled..
I think you will be so relieved after your surgery, don't you? You've been patiently waiting your turn and I know its been painful.
 
Hi @enoughpain ! I just had this conversation with my PCP last week. Like you, I’ve had some experience with hydrocodone, both for pain and as a cough suppressant, and feel confident using it. I have never taken oxycodone or Tramadol. He encouraged me to stick with the known and well-tolerated, hydrocodone and Tylenol, at home. I have had some difficulty with antidepressants, so he thought Tramadol might be risky for me, as it has similar properties in addition to pain relief.

I understand I will get Celebrex, Gabapentin and Tylenol in the hospital, too. I’m not sure how long I will be taking Celebrex and Gabapentin after surgery - I’ll find that out 8/31. I am also very curious about the long-acting local anesthetic some of our friends receive during surgery, and will be asking about that.

By the way, my PCP has his ACL replaced this year, and told me he used an icing machine around the clock for a couple of weeks! He was so pleased I was planning to use one. So, I think we can safely conclude “that nurse of yours” has some ideas that are...ahem...outliers.
 
@CricketHip Thanks so much for letting me know that Norco worked for you, as that would be my choice, but wasn't sure if it was good for this type of pain. Now I know that I should stand my ground. We think alike. I was asking these questions last night as I was preparing my list for today's meeting with the PA.

@Ptarmigan It sounds like you and I have the same pain relief preferences. I saw my PCP yesterday, and she agreed that they would give me a prescription if I had difficulty dealing with the surgeon's office. I have been at that practice for more than 25 years and the office is 3 blocks from my house. My walker and I can take up residence in their waiting room if necessary. Thrilled to hear about your PCP's experience with the icing machine (have to admit that every time I type those words I have a mental image of the machine applying icing to my leg!). I will also ask about the local pain block administered at the end of surgery. Don't know if my surgeon does that.

Don't know about either of your experiences so far, but I am becoming increasingly annoyed by medical personnel (like my nurse Ratchett) who keep repeating "It's so much easier than a knee replacement" to justify undermedicating us. It's still major surgery where they cut, ream and pound metal spikes into our bones! I'm girding for battle at this afternoon's meeting.
 
Good morning! You will do well today, you have your questions and requests well thought out. I forgot! I was on Gabapentin for the first two weeks, long with the other meds. Its an interesting cocktail, for sure.
Good luck today, I think you will be pleased after your appointment.
This last week will zoom by!!
 
I am looking forward to finding out what your PA has to say today, @enoughpain . It’s great to hear you have such a good ally in your PCP - don’t you find that reassuring? Mine, also, volunteered to take over pain management as soon as I leave the hospital, and that has given me peace of mind.

I don’t know what your plans are for your hospital stay, but I think it’s useful to think a bit about advocacy. DH will be with me - and in charge of asking for medication. When I am not feeling well, I tend to focus on being a good patient rather than being a good self-advocate. He’s got excellent people skills, and even more motivation than I do to see that I am well looked-after. It will be a relief to me to let him be in charge. You may be completely different, of course - you will know what suits you best.
 
@CricketHip Thanks for the info on Gabapentin - just added it to the list.
@Ptarmigan I agree with you about the advocacy, and will have a long talk with my DH about that. I have booked a nearby hotel room for him. Although the ortho rooms all have sofa beds, my husband snores loudly enough to wake the entire floor, so I will be on my own overnight. I doubt I will have good people skills if I am in pain and they are not responding, however I have practiced law for 44 years and I'm pretty comfortable with advocating for myself and anyone else who needs it. Have already uncovered and remedied one unacceptable practice at the hospital. It's a long story, but when I return from my appointments, I can PM you if you want to hear it.
 
@enoughpain

DH can be invaluable.. My questions for my PA when I had the preop History and Physical ( where I got the little bottle of Hibiclens) was their icing policy and their pain management policy.. It was handy to know what would be done automatically( tylenol ice and the pain block during surgery ) and what I would have to ask for.. ( Pee break and stronger pain meds). As I can't trust myself to do this I educated DH that he can do this for me.. ( not pee but ask for help out of bed and for meds)

Hope your appt answered all your questions!
 
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