THR Hi! Post THR recovery

[Layla]

I’m sorry you’re dealing with the hiccups, JW. It sounds miserable. I did experience spells of hiccups during one of my pregnancies, but the episodes were minor compared to what it seems like you’re dealing with.

I’ll add a few remedies to the mix. Since your episodes seem to be ongoing you’ll probably have an opportunity to try many of the ideas suggested in your thread.

1) Swallow three times, quickly, in a row, without drinking any water.

2) Correct Breathing - Practice belly breathing. To do this you need to relax the abdominal wall so that your stomach hangs out. This in turn will cause the diaphragm to drop into the abdominal cavity, which opens up the bottom of the lungs and allows you to take in more air. Most of us forget this step and breathe by starting with the chest. Now fill the lungs from the bottom and only once you’ve done that, expand the chest too. It’s hard to do while hiccuping, but it requires concentration and control while relaxing the sympathetic nervous system.

3) Hold your breath. (this has been my tried and true method since childhood, I’d hold it for as long as I could tolerate) it worked all the time for me. Holding your breath can help to once again ease movement in the lungs and thereby give your diaphragm a bit of a break to recover.

4) Stick your tongue out hard (Your family will think your nuts ) Apparently just sticking your tongue out as far as you can once again helps to stimulate the vagus nerve. The other option mentioned in Mojo’s post above is to just grab the end of your tongue and pull on it a little. Crazy sounding also.

5) Breathing in and out of the bag trick also mentioned above. Cover your face entirely with the bag, then breathe in and out of that bag without looking up. The idea is that you are now recycling the same air and removing all oxygen. This in turn can calm you and also alter the action of the diaphragm.

I hope you find relief through one of these remedies and also end your episode of constipation so you can get on with the biz of normal recovery.

Best of luck. Happy Saturday!
@JohnWilky

 

[JohnWilky]

The only only instructions I was given was for the meds which were prescribed. I could phone up if you thought it was necessary.

 

[Layla]

We’re here for you, JW. When you’re feeling up to it, read through the Recovery Guidelines. I believe you’ll find the info really helpful. In addition, you have us. Feel free to seek advice here and we’ll try to advise to the best of our ability. Beyond that if you need reassurance, use the contact info you received at discharge from the hospital. I hope you’re giving ICE a second thought and possibly enjoying the benefits already.
Have a great weekend!
@JohnWilky

 

[JohnWilky]

Day 6 and best night post, still having trouble sleeping but best news Hiccup / diaphragm spasms have gone horrendous experience, enough they have gone. Next on the agenda is the bilge room, now over a week since movement, so Mrs and daughter Wilky now obsessed with filling me with with prunes and hot drinks more crude methods on the horizon this morning
Pain wise sticking to paracetamol (codine not used due to bunging property) and is enough, only slightly uncomfortable. Still not that mobile at getting in / out of bed, need assistance not great if you have supped a lot, Mrs Wilky is a saint. How anyone manages on their own, well they deserve a medal.
Target today is dreaded bowel movement operation hopefully don't need the capsules onwards and upwards or downwards as the case maybe can't thx this forum enough.

 

[Mojo333]

Yay no more hiccups!
I am glad you got some rest... And I do hope that things "go" well this morning.
You will feel so much better.

My surgery was a humbling experience..
Though I didn't end up with the measures for relieving constipation, there were several embarrassing experiences that my saintly better half helped me with and it does truly make one grateful for our loved ones.

The initial recovery struggles can make us feel vulnerable and dependant...
But it is All Temporary!
Try not to worry too much. Stress is horrid for our immune systems and our constitution.
Hope today is the start of a big turnabout.

 

[FCBayern]

Hopefully you got to watch United play and got a little boost to your day @JohnWilky!

 

[Layla]

Yay for no hiccups!
Keep Mrs Wilky -> on prune duty so you can do the happy dance soon.
Hope your sleep improves too. Look at the yawning guy. He makes me yawn every time. Seriously, not even kidding.
Have a great Monday!
@JohnWilky

 

[JohnWilky]

Day 7, Bouncing this morning Bayern , although I,m not daft enough to believe Utd are anything but at very best second best ,but yes brilliant. And Munich having a great game and result.

Halelujah sweet lord !! Success in the bilge room , what a relief almost worth all the agony enough I say .Pheew.
Made more progress yesterday and under strict orders from daughter ( she who must be behaved) has left instructions to exercise regularly today , she says every 30 minutes , I say yea right .

Main problem on day 7 is now getting gammy leg to work on its own without assistance. Thigh is just not strong enough in itself , in fact the hip leg is fairly dead sort of wooden. It’s a real problem getting in bed .

So for info and help left hip thr , getting in bed on left, right leg first, using hands and heel to shuffle mid bed can’t twist bad onto bed need Mrs Wilks help , and it’s always a bit traumatic, in fact I,m knackered when I get straight in the bed such is the effort, just can’t get any power into bad leg , getting is not so bad , I know it’s only day 7 but was hoping for better.

Daft question of the day , is longer standing useful , albeit all the weight ( most ) on right leg.

Miserable morning folks in Manchester ( especially the blue fifth) have a great dat day all.

 

[Mojo333]

Good morning (early for me) @JohnWilky
Glad your load has been lightened and I'm sure that in itself makes you feel better.

I used a walker/Zimmer frame for the first weeks as I could be weight bearing but it was steadier for balance.
Wondering what assistive device you are using?

One of my legs was less responsive (log leg) for longer period but slowly...but surely all started to wake up and get stronger.
Unless you have weight bearing restrictions from your surgeon, it is certainly okay to walk and stand as long as you are steady enough and that will help get your leg back on line.

When sitting in your chair, pump your ankles for circulation and try moving your leg up and down a bit bending your knee. Keeps the circulation going.
Just walking and concentrating on heel to toe gait is the best exercise at this point and short walks are fine.

I slept in my recliner for the first month as the bed was tough and getting up and down was easier for bathroom trips. Power naps during the day got me through it.
The log leg feeling made me anxious but your body is working hard to heal and bounce back from the trauma of surgery.
All normal and all temporary.

Hope today is a better day.

 

[JohnWilky]

Any tips on how and how soon will I
Be able to lift my ‘log leg ‘ with my good one onto a stool day,I know I have done this before when I had thigh injuries .
How soon after the THR could you attempt this , am I being too optomistic.

 

[Layla]

So for info and help left hip thr , getting in bed on left, right leg first, using hands and heel to shuffle mid bed can’t twist bad onto bed need Mrs Wilks help , and it’s always a bit traumatic, in fact I,m knackered when I get straight in the bed such is the effort, just can’t get any power into bad leg , getting is not so bad , I know it’s only day 7 but was hoping for better.

Happy Monday, JW
Have you tried sitting on the edge of the bed on a garbage bag yet, then using it to swivel into position on the bed, removing it once you’re in place? Try it once and see if it helps.

Here‘s some info on Log Leg -
The first stage of healing is the inflammatory phase. During this time it is very common to notice swelling. After lower extremity surgery, or trauma involving bleeding and inflammation, there will be fluid in the leg causing the sensation of heaviness. Gravity pulls the fluid downward and since the patient is less mobile the fluid is not pumping back through the heart as quickly. The swelling gradually eases, but can persist for up to 3-6 months in some cases. Regular movement will assist in the reduction of swelling, as will elevation and ice. Your surgeon may prescribe compression stockings for a short period of time.

Following joint replacement, you may benefit from the use of a Leg Lifter. The Leg Lifter is a mobility aid that can assist in getting in and out of cars, wheelchairs, beds, recliners and much more. The Leg Lifter is an inexpensive option that helps provide safe movement in the early days, to weeks, of recovery.

Make sure you continue to ice, elevate and walk around for 5 minutes or so each hour. The icing, elevation and movement should help reduce the sensation of heaviness.
Have a great afternoon and evening.

 

[Hip4life]

Hi, John. The hardest thing I found was to be patient with myself. Everyone has a unique recovery timeline. Even my surgeon said “it just takes the time it takes” when I was disappointed in my progress. You are so early on in yours. The first weeks can seem like your just slogging around. It’s normal. It gets better. Ice, elevate, move a little each hour, and use that walker or those crutches for a while. No rush. Be kind to yourself. Remember: recovery is a marathon not a sprint (no matter what anyone else says.) Blessings.

 

[JohnWilky]

I have started icing ,but how do I elevate, cheers many thanks

 

[JohnWilky]

Great advice J, don’t go anywhere we need you.

Day 8, day to call out for all carers without Mistress OWilky I just wouldn’t have coped, impossible and she’s a very active grandmother for most of the day too.
No 1 daughter has that no nonsense approach and has housed us at their lovely home (3 little girls 7,5,2) and brilliant son in law have been Marvelous, just what we needed.
So massive forum shout for all carers, thank you.

Hip wise, small step managed in / out of bed on lonesome, although very tiring, appetite a little better but still Bungy Bungy down low, been icing as recommended and even a short walk in the street.

So small steps, giant leaps, it’s been tough.

 

[Layla]

Good Afternoon!
How grateful for you to reflect on Mrs OWilky, Daughter 1 and SIL during a time when it’s easy to be self focused. You’re blessed with a lovely family of care-givers.

Here is an article on ELEVATE -

Elevation: Doing It the Right Way

Updated June 11, 2024 by Jockette Proper elevation is one of the best ways to help with pain and swelling following either hip, knee, or ankle surgery. Many people elevate improperly, which can dramatically lower the effectiveness. In the weeks following your surgery, make sure you elevate...

bonesmart.org

When you ice, for maximum effect, ice for 45-60 minutes each time you ice, no less.
Target 4x daily, but you can do it more often also. Just make sure you always have fabric in between the ice source and bare skin. Woohoo on “in and out” of bed on your own!

So small steps , giant leaps , it’s been tough.

Pick a day of the week, a single day, and reflect back on that day each week on the progress you’ve made since that day last week. You’ll be pleasantly surprised with your progress.

 

[JohnWilky]

Still don’t get it J , I find the explanation confusing

In simple terms how should I sit relaxing ( watching tv ) in the first few weeks .

I have been using a chair for leg , but I’m finding it’s putting pressure on my knee ( don’t want that to get injured now) and tbh not that comfy .

Can you point me in the way of another guide , how to prop your gammy leg for dummies would be great.

 

[Humbleservant]

Do you have access to a recliner? If not maybe try putting a pillow ponder the leg for some comfort and support! That’s what helps me anyways!

 

[Eman85]

I'm guessing you don't have a recliner, what type of chair are you sitting in now? If I wasn't in a recliner I would sit in a comfortable chair with an ottoman propping up my feet but it does put pressure on your knee. Because I could go back to the recliner the chair was good for stretching out the back of my legs with my feet up. Comfort is hard to find in the early weeks.

 

[Hip4life]

Also, you can do some elevating while in bed or on a sofa. Pile up pillows under the calf and knee until you get the toes higher than heart level. Think draining fluid back to bigger vessels and heart. That’s the simplest idea. Anytime you can get that leg up will help some. Try different props: different chairs turned different ways, a box, etc. all with pillows positioned to cushion but not putting pressure on that knee or hip. It is difficult to find a comfortable position for any length of time those first weeks.

 

[JohnWilky]

Day 9 , well I,ll start with what a horrible heavy stormy rainy morning here in Gee Cross Manchester poor Mrs Wilky has taken kids to school she’s gunna get drenched , but I suppose it’s preferable to caring for me !

Much better night , had 3 shots of good kid , managed twice to get to the loo without disturbing Mrs Wilks, the plastic trash bag idea worked .

Today’s question, what is the most relaxing pain free ish position you can safely adopt ? It’s draining ain’t it whether stood , leaning, sitting , lying , there is just no relief . Sorry I have realised I am losing the plot ,I asked yday , but feel free to continue.

Still Bungy Bungy though in bilge room , uncomfortable

Have a great day all.