THR Had THR 29th November 2012 - Thought It Was Going Too Well

[casey]

I am going to work again on Thursday to finish up before Christmas so have tonight and tomorrow to rest up.

 

[casey]

Miscalculated my clexane injections my last one is on Saturday. So happy. Had another bad nights sleep last night. Seems a regular pattern of 1 good followed by 1 bad. Went out for coffee this morning and only used 1 crutch so a little more progress. I am amazed at the little daily improvements being made after such a traumatic surgery.

 

[casey]

Have not posted for quite a while. Had a good Christmas and New Year, my youngest daughter cooked most of the Dinner on Christmas Day but I found it very difficult to give up control. Life has been uneventful, still having good days (and do too much) followed by a couple of bad ones. My daughter expressed great concern that I was taking 4 x 50mg of tramadol still and has developed a bit of a phobia that I will become addicted. Some days I don't take any but other days I may take up to 1 x 3 times a day. I am not sleeping at all well now and seem to wake every couple of hours and take hours to go to sleep in the first place. I was sleeping so well very soon after my op. Do you clever people think I should still be taking regular pain meds as I have quite a lot of muscle and butt cheek pain, also groin pain after walking. There is so much conflicting stuff about tramadol around.

 

[Debowma]

I wouldn't even hazard a judgement about your use of tramadol - even as an addictions therapist! Sounds to me like you aren't taking very much, and yes, while tramadol CAN be addicting, read Josephine's article on addiction to pain meds. What I have done, which works for me, is take the bonesmart cocktail which is ibuprofen and acetominophen (you can look it up here) regularly, and although I haven't had to take any additional narcotic or narcotic mimicing pain meds, I would if I had break-through pain. From what I've read on this site, it's not unusual to still be taking pain meds at this point in your recovery - or even much longer.

 

[casey]

Thanks for your response. I cannot take ibuprofen or codien. I have decided to go back to taking 2 tramadol morning and night. Stillusing ice packs and seeing my OS next week.

 

[Nannyannie]

Hi from Kent! I'm impressed that you are doing so well, after 6 weeks I am still on 200mg slow release Tramadol twice daily topped up with paracetamol, partly because of OA pain in knees and shoulders (made worse by using elbow crutches!). I can't take nsaids after a gastric bleed. I still have not driven my car and feel very frustrated at needing transport!
Keep smiling and take notice of this forum - it is BRILLIANT!

 

[casey]

I am using 1 elbow crutch hoping the physio will give me a cane tomorrow. I can walk around indoors with no aids for a couple of hours but still need the stability at other times. I think I came off my meds too soon.

 

[Vida]

Hi Casey. I got over-excited and came off my narcotics too soon.. tried the ibuprofen/tylenol cocktail but didn't get enough relief. Now I'm paying for it: in too much discomfort to do my physio, stiffening up and depressed. I believe I've wasted over a week with this. Please read Josephine's articles on the importance of maintaining pain control for recovery and the myth of 'addiction.' I learned the hard way! I know your daughter means well but this is your journey... share the information with her if she is worried.

 

[casey]

Thanks Vida I totally agree. Started them again yesterday and slept really well and sailed through my physio appointment this morning. I will listen to my own body from now on probably a little white lie to my wonderful caring daughter.

 

[casey]

Physio went well this morning, so well in fact he has discharged me and given me a cane for using outside. I still have to continue the exercises obviously, plus a couple of new ones, but he was pleased with my walking gait and I have no difference at all in leg length so that is good news. Started using bio oil on my scar last week and it certainly appears to be softening up the lumpy bits. Not sure if it is the oil or the fact that you massage it in for quite a while. Have my first appointment with my OS next Wednesday and am writing down my questions for him to answer as I know I will forget something. Even though I don't post a lot I do read the forum every day including the very helpful articles. Thank you for all your experiences they do go a long way in making me realise that my progress is "normal" Best wishes from a cold UK.

 

[badgerfan]

casey, what is bio oil ???

 

[Debowma]

Yay! Glad you are feeling better and found a solution that works for you!!!!!

 

[Cookie42]

Ah, daughters. Mine told me I wasn't doing enough PT. I posted it here and had several people telling me to tell her to buzz off! I was doing what the doctor told me to do and am doing quite well, thank you. So I listened to her then did just what I have been doing. I suggest you do the same. I know they're concerned but only the owner of the body knows how much pain relief it needs (or how much PT it needs). I don't know what I would have done if I could not take tylenol -- I'm still taking it on days I know I'll be doing more.

 

[casey]

Hi Badgerfan, Bio Oil is used to reduce scarring, I had plastic surgery on my face a couple of years ago and my Plastic Surgeon recommended it. The scar was a bit prominent as I tend to have slight keloid scars. I used it for about 6 months, twice a day (you use very little) and you cannot even see my scar unless you use a magnifying glass. I have looked and some Walgrens stock it but you can definately buy it and read about it on Amazon.com. It is not cheap, from memory about 25 dollars but it is so economical I am still using the same bottle I bought for my face. In fact if you look up "bio oil" in America on google there is a list of stockists.

 

[badgerfan]

Thanks casey, being a male i'm not really up on all these skin care products. I have heard vitamin E lotion is also good for scars. I typed in scar care after surgery on this website and there alot of opinions and ideas on this. Thanks and happy healing....

 

[Vida]

Good news Casey. Agree about the Bio Oil, I tend to keloid and my scar is looking pretty good considering it has been opened up 5 times. Fantastic stuff. Its cold and super wet over here but I'm an ex-pat and feel your weather pain!

 

[casey]

Good news today, been to see my OS he is very happy with me and my new hip and I don't have to go back to see him for 6 months. Still have to continue walking and excercising etc. I have not used any walking aids for the past 3 days even going to the hospital this afternoon (in all the fog and snow) and walked from the car park and feel really good. The best news is I can drive again which will be fantastic like getting my freedom all over again.

I did not know that the 90 degree restriction is for life but apart from not crossing my legs across my thigh they are the only two. Small price to pay for being pain free.

I am still having trouble sleeping but as I now no longer need to keep a pillow between my legs maybe tonight will be different. Here's hoping.

With regard to driving, I phoned my Insurance Company and they said as soon as my OS said I could drive that is good enough for them. I also phoned my Annual Travel Insurance provider and now I have been given the all clear today there are no restrictions on my Travel Insurance and my new hip is covered without any extra premiums. Can go to Florida again in September with no worries. I am actually going to Spain in June and Venice in July so lots to look forward to.

Hope everyone else is doing good.

 

[Vida]

Happy to hear that Casey, sending wishes for a continued good recovery and a better sleep. I believe Poppet posted some sensible sleep-related dietary suggestions. might be worth searching for the list. I took no chances: have been taking half a sleeping pill since surgery and have always slept. Not likely to become addicted with such a low dose, especially since so much healing happens during sleep. Last night I even forgot to take it and I slept well, think it has only been a psychological boost!

 

[casey]

Slept better last night without the pillow between my legs. Probably 3 hours straight and dropped off again so that's good. No medication needed for 3 days now. With all the snow we haveI have not ventured outside today.

 

[casey]

I woke up this morning with a high temperature and redness across my incision. Been to out of hours surgery and I have Cellulitis. Been given a double dose of antibiotics and have to go back tomorrow if it gets worse. I don't know much about this infection and do not wish to scare myself with Google so thought I would post here instead. Anyone more knowledgeable who could reassure me would be great.