How was your pain @ 2 wks out?

[Angie68]

I'm new. Just introduced myself a few days ago. I am 2 weeks out & I think the pain is getting worse! I can tell that my leg is gaining strength and muscle control. But this pain is really shocking me. I have a pretty long walk to my bathroom. I try my best to walk it on the walker but end up having hubby take me in the wheelchair. I just cant stand it. I am fine in the bed & getting in & out of bed has improved as far as strength. But as soon as I try to stand up at that walker I am in agony. I am not even putting weight on it. I have to be non weight bearing for 7 weeks. I cant imagine if I had to put any weight on it at this point. It feels like extreme muscle pain. It is at the back of my leg right under my buttock. It feels like someone has beat me to death with a hammer. My pain pills do give me some relief, but also make me very nauseous. I actually even vomited yesterday. So I have to choose between pain and stomach upset. A reminder...I have metal on metal, non cemented. Was anyone else's pain this bad at 2 wks out? With the last hip I was zipping around on my walker pretty good at this point. I know this one was rougher because of scar tissue, but this seems extreme to me. I have to go to the Dr this Wed. Cant wait to relieve my mind & see if things are ok. I am gonna die of I have to go back into surgery!

 

[Jamie]

Angie....I think you are fine. You are still so very new to recovery. Try not to let your mind run away with thoughts of more surgery....it's not likely. What MAY be likely is that you are pushing a bit too hard for where you are in this recovery. Listen to your body and, if it's hurting, try to cut back on the activity a little.

Be sure you are icing, elevating and taking your pain meds on a schedule.....that means all through the night too!

 

[Texas]

hey Angie 2 weeks out is way early ........lil by lil you will get there it was a tough surgery you had........Patients i know i didnt like that word either.....lol..........take our time i think I was at 4 weeks when i had my turn around.........maybe your wont be that long...........take it easy relax read watch TV or join in and post we are all here for ya anytime.........) Pamper yourself you deserve it......)

 

[Debbs1027]

Did the doctor give you any exercises you can do right now? I remember right after my surgeries, when i did the exercises, it hurt but afterwards it really did make a differance with the pain level! Im not talking major excercising, but like foot flexes and stuff, the stuff they sent home with you to do after the surgery!

 

[Angie68]

I guess I am just really dreading my Dr appt this Wed. I know how hard it was at my 2 wk appt last time. And like I said, this one is 10x harder. I have to get myself down 16 steps. (with hubby there with me) Yes I got myself up those steps, so I shouldnt be too worried about going down them. But I feel so much more sore and stiff now. I guess that I still had alot of the meds from the hosp in me. I am also really dreading the xrays. They get you on that hard table and make you do some pretty unreasonable positions imo! When I went last time I was thinking gosh if my hip isnt dislocated it will be when you get done with me! UGH! Just dreading to soooo much.

 

[rxdawg44]

I am about the same time table as you-my htr was on 9-23. I have almost no pain. Your pain sounds like incision pain to me and not pain from the new hip. But I may be wrong. Hope it subsides soon. I asked my doc for some valium while I was hospitalized because it actually is a great muscle relaxant. I would ask your doc for some sort of muscle relaxant- if he thinks it is musular pain. Tell him you know a pharmacist that reccomended it.

 

[Troweltalk]

I think we may have missed something, why are you non-weight bearing for "7 weeks"?

By 7 weeks I was back to work and walking without a cane.

 

[rxdawg44]

I was originally supposed to be non weight bearing for 6 weeks. Increased it tp 25% for 6 weeks.

 

[Neil]

This is my 3rd hip replacement in 3 years, and the very best straight away after surgery no pain and no painillers and walking full loadbearing.

I wish you well and hope that once you have seen your Doc he will be able to put your mind at rest, unfortunately we all heal at different rates.

 

[Angie68]

I think we may have missed something, why are you non-weight bearing for "7 weeks"?

By 7 weeks I was back to work and walking without a cane.

In another introduction post I said why I am non weight bearing. I was born with CHD. Once my Dr got in there he discovered lack of bone. He just thinks it would be better if I give myself 7 weeks for healing.

 

[Josephine]

What pain killers are you taking, how much and how often? Perhaps I could suggest a small change that would help.

and what's your pain score out of 10?

 

[Angie68]

Jo I have been on Oxycodone/APAP 5 MG-325 MG Tasblets..1 to 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hrs as needed.

But I must update. I woke up this morning and couldnt believe the difference. I am still hurting but would say it is a 5 vs the 9 it has been on a pain scale. I cant believe what a difference overnight made. I had hubby help me with a shower before bed and I just cried and wailed in pain. As I slept last night I kept waking up with what felt like muscle spasms. The spot that has been hurting below my buttock felt like it was balling up and spasming. And then this morn I felt so much better. Hubby said the good lord was doing his thing in there!!!! Anyway, I am starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel today!

 

[Josephine]

That's a very low dose. I would suggest that you take it every 4hrs regardless of how you feel. Thing is, if you allow the pain to peak, it takes that much longer for the pill to kick in and then the pain has increased whilst you're waiting.

Let me show you my chart

So you see - if you take the tablets by the clock instead of by your pain, you'll be so much more comfortable and find it so much easier to do things like your PT. And take 2 tablets for now. One tablet is such a very tiny amount it will not be much good at controlling the pain. You won't have to do this for long - maybe a week or two - but it'll enable you to get going more and that will help the healing. You shouldn't be having a pain score of 5 now - 1 or 2 would be the most.

 

[Angie68]

Thanks for the chart Jo. I figured I was on a low dose with the pain I was having. I started taking 2 tabs every 4 hrs last night. I even set the alarm thru the night. I want to be prepared for the Dr trip this morn. So far I feel pretty good.

 

[Josephine]

Excellent!

 

[brendaM]

Angie, I had LTHR done on 9/24 and everyday, I feel better than the day before. You will notice this yourself. How did your Dr. appt. turn out? Best of luck to you.

 

[Angie68]

Brenda I posted about my Dr appt. The Dr felt that everything was fine. But going thru the xrays and just the rigors of going down 16 steps, the 1.5 hr ride over, and all the in & out of the car really set me back a few paces. I am now doing much better and FINALLY starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. My pain has went down by leaps & bounds in the past few days. Thanks for asking

 

[Jamie]

Angie, I'm really glad to hear that your pain has been reduced. Are you still going to get checked out anyway?

 

[Angie68]

Jamie I did go to the Dr. I posted about it. Basically he thought it would get better.

 

[Jamie]

Of course you did, Angie....sorry....don't know what I was thinking!!! Must have been a case of posting too much too late at night. Bleary eyeballs.....