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THR Had THR on November 19

ValerieM Sounds to me like you are trying to do WAY too much too soon, and expecting too much of your body. You are only about 3 weeks out and that is very early. Josephine has told us that trying to do too much can cause more harm than good. You've had a huge orthopedic surgery and have lots of layers of tissue that have to heal and your body needs rest to do that. And please don't compare yourself to others who are healing faster or more slowly -- your own body sets the pace. And also, as Josephine says, don't let PT people push you into doing things that HURT. Healing takes time and you can't rush it.

Peace and love to you.
 
Thank you all for your comments I do appreciate them! It brings me back to reality that I am only 3 weeks today post op. I must say it feels more like 3 months but I am looking forward to a somewhat pain free life. After suffering with bone on bone I really have no complaints about my surgery!
Your consensus is I'm overdoing it and this doesn't surprise me I have a very low tolerance for being inactive even when I know it's for the best! I had the same problem with my back and ankle surgeries unfortinstely I get so very antsy like I'm going to come out of my skin it's a terrible feeling. I try to play games on my iPad, read, watch movies and tv but I get crazy!! I read on BS about 8 times a day it helps to keep me grounded!
As for my physical recovery I'm doing good! Pain meds and muscle relaxers have been substantially reduced. Not too much pain just when I move wrong a little twinge but that's my fault. I walk with one crutch around my house, fix my lunch, tidy up here and there but have cut back since my last post when I heard I was probably overdoing! Compared to the first week I feel 200% better. I get in and out of bed no problems. My first appt post op isn't until I believe Jan 9 so I am relying on this group for all of my information. I limp if I don't use a crutch & still have a slight limp with one crutch is this okay or should I go back to 2 so I don't limp?
Again, thank you to everyone for your support❤️


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Today is 3 weeks for me. I'm still limping (the more tired I get the more I limp). The PT says it is because my hip flexors got so "tight" from limping prior to surgery. She says the more flexible I become in the hip flexors the less I will limp.
 
@ValereM Glad you've cut back a bit to give your body chance to recover. Like you, I found not moving around and 'not doing' stuff so difficult but BS reminded me about what I wanted is good long term results....Sigh!! I'm still limping at 10 weeks and using one crutch about 50 % of the time. My PT says that it's my body remembering my gait pre op and I'm still favouring my left side. She says to use the crutch as much as I feel the need to in order to get a good gait. She thinks the muscles still are a little weak on the operated side so I'm going for hydrotherapy in the New Year. What I try to do is think back to the bad old pre op days when the pain was so bad and remember that I'm here for the long haul....trouble is I'm so very impatient and want my life back..now!! But, like you I'm so pleased that I didn't put the operation off any more ( two years was way too long). Keep trying to remember that patience is a virtue......not a virtue I possess. Do hope your recovery goes from strength to strength. Merry Christmas. Chrissie xxx


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Hello everyone! Have we all been busy "trying" to get ready for Christmas I have a couple of questions and I read on here everyday as I don't want to be repetitive so if I am please accept my apologies there's so much information to absorb!
I'm 4 weeks post and I've been doing fairly well. Hard to tell since I haven't had the courage to try to drive yet and my first post op is January 9th. My pelvic area/bone, my incision area (not the actual incision) and top of my thigh have starting hurting substantially about 3-4 on the pain scale. Is this something I should be concerned with? I still have pain meds which I take at night if needed. Should I still be icing and elevating? I'm also wanting to attempt to drive as this cabin fever is messing with my mental health. My husband said he'd take me to an isolated place to drive tomorrow to see if I can. Look forward to any and all feedback! Thank you
 
@ValerieM Glad you've been doing well....it's hard getting ready for a Christmas when you are recovering too!! At week 4 I wasn't ready to drive but more so was my insurance company wanted me to be 'signed off' by the consultant as fit to drive and as I didn't see him until 8 weeks post op so was a long wait. ...Ifyou've got that pain it may mean your under medicated.....are you only taking them at night?....perhaps every 4 hours still would alleviate that pain........Icing is so good for the pain too. I certainly had all kinds of pain, stiffness and 'feelings and still do at 10 weeks. That cabin fever certainly hits you at about the 4 week stage. Up until then you're thinking more about doing the right thing and then you are raring to go.......however, I pushed too far then which I realised (from the good people on here) and had to cut back. In fact yesterday I was out and about for about 7 hours and have suffered since..guess Im still learning about this magical, mystery tour, which is THR. Hope all continues to improve and you get on top of the pain..take care..Chrissie xxx


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@hoppynanny glad to hear you are doing good too! It sounds like you have found a way to be patient, this I have not mastered yet. I'm sure with everyone doing all of their holiday festivities it makes me even crazier!! I can definitely relate to overdoing it albeit I am a lot better. I spent 6 hours on Sunday wrapping gifts that needed to be mailed off. It was a combination of sitting and standing. The Friday previous we spent shopping so in and out and walking with my crutches. By the end of the day I did resort to the store non electric wheelchair I couldn't go anymore. Having done all that I was exhausted but not having the pains I described in my first post but seeing it typed out here makes me feel a tad foolish I have been taking my pain meds at night which is 2 10mg oxycodone and am guilty of thinking "it's time to cut back". I also think my husband believes I should be up and about now like normal. He tells me of guys at his work after 4 weeks are walking normal and back to work in a sawmill. I tried to explain I had the lateral procedure and they had the anterior which are different. He looks at me like I'm being a baby. He makes me feel terribly guilty as he works 60-70 hours a week. I worked up the courage to watch 30 minutes of a 90 minute video of a RTHR...it was awful I almost threw up and turned it off :-0 it's very nice to have this forum to help me keep things in perspective. I was hoping to drive so I could go see my daughter & 3 month old grandson in California for Christmas. My husband is working 14 days straight so I'll be all alone. It's a 5 hour drive and I thought I could stop every hour or so to stretch. I was told I could drive when I wasn't on narcotic meds and I felt comfortable which is why I wanted to see how I felt. So many emotions and physical things going on I hope I can survive this sudden change to my world
 
@ValerieM Ahhhh...yes...THOSE amazing people...you've had them thrust down your throat too !! Those people who are like super man/woman who throw away their crutches/ take no meds/ have no limp/ back to work, etc,etc. ....YAWN! It seemed I was the only malingerer who couldn't manage these feats. Until I found BS at 7 weeks post op I was going crazy trying to achieve all that impossible ( for me, anyway) stuff. I've found patience, albeit in small doses .
Don't listen....it's all a load of...you know what!! Be kind to yourself.
That does seem like an awful long drive on your own for week 5.....but only you know what your body can achieve....I know it would not have been feasible for me.....the energy drain with all that concentration too...please think long and hard about it....the thought of being with family instead of being on your own is the incentive I guess.......please take care...sending best Christmas wishes..love Chrissie


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Oh my gosh I have a shingle outbreak about 6 inches from the top of my hip incision and it is excruciating! Put the hip pain and shingle pain together and I can't get any pain relief at all it's horrible! Should I be concerned about this outbreak affecting my hip replacement for instance infection? Walking is also intolerable as far as pain levels. I have a history of shingles since 1994 brought on by stress, sun or a weakened immune system. In this case I believe my immune system was down from the surgery and insomnia.

On a more positive note I hope everyone had a nice Christmas and are ready to ring in the New Year!
 
@ValerieM So sorry to hear about your shingles out break...that's certainly something you just did not need....I do hope you can get more relief from pain. Sending lots go hugs and good wishes.... I'm sure someone on here can give you advice about the risk of infection but in the meantime sending every good wish your way ........keep us updated won't you...will look out for your posts...best wishes for the NewYear..Chrissie xx


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Hi @ValerieM - sorry to hear about he shingles - you seem to be having a tough time of it but you sure are in the right place for support - a great group of people here to support you. My thoughts and prayers are with you
 
Hi @ValerieM, it is probably wise to give your GP a call, as he/she can ensure that the shingles are treated properly.

As you have experienced it before you know that the Antiviral treatment can reduce the severity of shingles and help heal the rash and the treatment slows the multiplying virus - it is most effective if started within three days of the appearance of the rash. Some Doctors may prescribe antibiotics, at least that is the case in Australia.

Try to keep the rash dry (you can still bathe or shower), keeping the weight of your bedding off your body and wearing loose fitting clothes will also help.

I recall that @Jamie may have had it following her second knee replacement, so I have tagged her for any additional suggestions :)

I also experienced luckily a mild case of the virus following my THR, so I know how painful that was - I feel for you :)
 
Oh @ValerieM, what a bunch of no fun at all this week! I don't have any input on the shingles portion of this, but can relate to the idea of stress affecting our bodies. For that, I wish you calm seas and a real chance at rest, recovery and feeling good. Take care, my hip twin... I am thinking of you!

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So sorry to hear about your bout of shingles. There is nothing worse on this entire earth!!! I didn't have them in conjunction with either of my knee replacements, but I have had shingles.....along my jaw line. TERRIBLE!!!

The suggestions above are good ones. You might want to see your GP if the pain becomes intolerable. Have you looked into getting the shingles vaccine?
 
So sorry hang in there. Sounds like I might need to get a shingles shot ASAP! I have had family members suffer from just shingles and it's bad enough without thr! Be well soon !
 
Thank you everyone for your positive vibes! It helps my mental state tremendously ☺️ I woke up this morning to shingles outbreak on my nose holy heck!! I've had them here in my worse state & risk of infection to the eyes is something you have to keep tabs on! I usually take Valtrex but was told once the rash appears there's no point. I did try to get the shingles vaccine but because I'm "only" 51 I can't you have to be 60 go figure!

I hope they run their course fast as the pain is intolerable to say the least!!

Wishing each of you a very Happy New Year!!
 
Ouch @ValerieM - that must be terribly painful!

I would give your Doc a call and get something for the pain for sure - take care :)
 
I am 6 weeks out tomorrow and pretty sure I've overdone it and looking for some help I drove 5 hours to California last week to be with my daughter & 3 month old grandson. The drive was tolerable I stretched frequently. I don't go back home until the 8th of January. The first few days were okay but now I'm back in bed with ice and tears. My groin area and area where the top of my incision is are hurting pretty good. I'm still taking pain meds which probably won't stop because of my back surgery and continued degeneration. I am taking 10 mg oxycodone every 4-6 hours and 2 at night. My "normal" back pain meds prior to TRHR were 7.5/325 Percocet every 6 hours. Getting up from my daughter's couch is painful and if I'm holding the baby even worse (he weighs 14 pounds) I've been walking without crutches with the baby and I limp. Today I've gone back to using crutches, icing, elevating and limiting my lifting of the baby. Is there anything else I can do to get the pain under control. And is there a way I can carry the baby without causing more pain? On a side note my shingles are on the mend thank goodness!!!
 
I overdid yesterday, too, @ValerieM. We headed east for six hours' worth of driving to celebrate with husband's extended family for a week. It was great, but there was so much snow and ice that I couldn't get in my normal bits of walking. The beds in the rental place were very uncomfortable (couch would have been better?!?), and I got so stiff and sore after the car rides-- both there last week and then today after the drive back. The only difference is that I lent my crutch to my brother-in-law who has done something awful to his Achilles tendon. BUT, BUT it did settle down last week after a couple of days... Rest up before you leave on the 8th?

My favorite carrying device for my daughter was the Baby Bjorn-- it left both hands free, and you can position the baby either inward or outward-facing, depending on what baby likes! Three years later, my son hated that, but loved the diversity of a sling. My arms tire so easily, but I am huge on the comfort (to me as well as the baby) of baby wearing. The only thing is that a sling takes some getting used to, confidence-wise, so that it doesn't feel like the baby will tumble to the floor, and if you can't use your hands to reassure yourself because you're using crutches, it may not be a quick option for you.

In any case, I hope you have a FANTASTIC visit and that your hip and back settle. What a great time to clear your head and be a grandma :-) :-). Happy New Year!!


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Gosh @ValerieM you have had a busy time....all that driving...you must have been so stiff. Picking up a 14 pound baby must be taking it's toll on your hip and back ...of course it must be hard as you really want the cuddles...do hope you can get to rest and ice so the spin hoes...do you have to drive yourself back too...I hope not. I'm 12 weeks out and thought I was good doing an hour and a halfs drive.......don't do too much...take care..Chrissie xx


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