THR I am titanium!

[calikat]

Thanks Jaycey. My doctor did prescribe Percocet. I may give it a try if the ultracet does not work. I am going to try the regimen Josephine recommended today. I think I may just have to get my blood levels up to a certain level...maybe? This morning I am feeling better than I did through the night. My hip/butt is starting to look normal as a lot of the swelling has subsided. I still have some swelling, but when I came home ...I should have taken a picture. It was twice the size of my left. It looked like I had a butt implant. :rolleyes:

 

[flowergirl]

Talk to the PC about the depression too...or see if your health insurance has any sort of mental health line, there could be a very easy fix for you. The pain and sleep depravation can do a lot to mess with the brain and it's functions...I know, I dealt with that once in my life and the fix was very easy and wonderful!

I know how dealing with pain and others can be frustrating...by boss told me to "deal with it" or "get some pain killers and live with it" No one really understands the debilitating pain until they have to deal with it. Taking a vicadin a day for "the extreme pain" is a lot different than 2 vicadin every 6 hours with no relief. Some people just don't get it.

I had a large swollen 'lump' on the back of my operated side thigh for 6 weeks, iced it religiously and then one day it was gone. My feet are still not back to normal, close but not close enough for a few pairs of shoes. This to will go away.

 

[calikat]

You know I am curious to see my surgical report. My surgery took more than two hours. My OS said everything went smoothly, but I think they always say that. But doesn't two + hours seem like a long time?

 

[alexthecat]

I don't normally recommend this, but do you think you could get your husband to watch one of the YouTube videos of THR. This is major surgery and your body has been through a great deal. You're not making this up or being dramatic. Maybe seeing the video would help him respect that.

 

[calikat]

alexthecat I think he has an idea. He is a pt and actually thinks I should do as little as possible for the first two weeks. He just doesn't like the way I am handling it. I have disappointed him. You know I went into the whole thing very positive. I bought into everything I read online about the anterior approach and quick recovery. I told my co-workers I would be back at work in 6 weeks at the most. LOL. They called me from work last week because they had not heard from me. I had made it sound like it would be no big thing. I explained that it was a bit more difficult than I had anticipated, and I had not felt up to talking to anyone. They said they suspected as much. It probably helps that one of my co-workers had a TKR a few years ago. Prior to my leave she would look at me like I was delusional when I talked about when I would be back at work. She thought I should take 3 - 4 months. I have since revised my take on hip replacement recovery. ;).

On a positive note I have actually been walking a bit unaided. I am moving slowly, but I am so excited that my hip feels so much more steady and able to support my full weight. My son is stressing a bit. He is asking me if I should be doing that? I think it's because his dad scolds me every time I get up and walk around. Feeling hopeful, and so far I have only had to take the ultracet.

 

[Vetgirl]

calikat. Sending you a huge big (((hug)))

I have been depressed due to pain and it can seem like there is no end in sight.....

There is.

Talk to your dr and get some help and get that pain SORTED. You shouldn't have to live like that!!!!

I don't want to be mean to your husband but he could really be a little more sympathetic......no one can understand unless they have walked in your shoes.

Keep talking to us.....and I hope that helps

I was a basket case when I found out my suspected muscle injury was a THR. These wonderful people got me through it and its the best decision I made. Yes my recovery has been smooth.....but maybe you can think of it this way....at least you are on the right side of the problem

I really hope that the schedule of relief Josephine suggested kicks in and you can feel a little brighter.

Take care and talk soon

 

[calikat]

Thanks Vetgirl. I am on my third dose of the day following Josephine's regimen. I am feeling the best I have felt thus far. I have been wobbling around my house unaided. This is my first big milestone. This surgery certainly knocked me back. I believed everything I read on the internet and expected a quick recovery. I was completely unprepared for the pain.

 

[sharonslp]

Calikat, if by wobbling, you mean walking with a less than normal gait, then it's too soon to ditch your walking aid around the house. Your goal is to walk with an even, stable, non-limping gait. If that's what is happening, then it's fine. But if you are still favoring your operated leg even a little bit, you need to use your cane. Once you have your pain meds working optimally, a good gait will not be far behind....but you don't want to reinforce the old gait at all. Your muscles have to adjust now to your new and improved hardware.

Sharon

 

[Jaycey]

Hi calikat - hope those pain meds are kicking in and you are feeling better today! Take care!

 

[calikat]

@sharonsip yes I am a little wobbly without an aid. I was just experimenting. My leg is getting stronger, but I am primarily using an aid to walk. I need to get a cane. Does anyone have any suggestions as to what type? My pt is coming tomorrow. I will ask him also, but he said he wants me to go straight from the walker to independent walking. I think because of the gait issue.

 

[Jaycey]

My pt is coming tomorrow. I will ask him also, but he said he wants me to go straight from the walker to independent walking. I think because of the gait issue.

Can't say I agree with your PT. When you first start walking unaided you can easily tire. Then it is very important to use a crutch or cane so that you don't start limping again. You want to stay away from the habit of limping. But once you have all your strength on that side you should be good to go!

 

[calikat]

Josephine Is it normal for my pelvis to feel twisted and out of alignment? Even when I look at myself in the mirror my hip /pelvic bones look off. The operated side looks a little higher and forward. My right leg feels slightly longer also, but I have read about this illusion on this site and I imagine it will get better. The sensation of my leg being longer has lessened, but it is still there. I am more concerned about my pelvis being out of alignment. I am thinking that this could be causing a lot of my pain.

 

[Josephine]

The sensation of my leg being longer has lessened, but it is still there. I am more concerned about my pelvis being out of alignment. I am thinking that this could be causing a lot of my pain.

You're still talking as if you should be all healed and better by now but you're not! Far from it, my dear. You're not even two weeks out yet so why do you suppose this is something that should have cured itself by now? It could take several months before it sorts itself out, so please don't be in so much of a hurry and don't worry about it! You know, it took your body a lot, LOT longer than 10 days to develop these habits, rectifying them never comes quickly but it will come.

 

[calikat]

Thank you for the reality check Josephine.

 

[calikat]

Well after a really rough start to my THR I think I have turned a corner. The in home pt came yesterday and did soft tissue work (massage) all around my incision, glutes, and low back. It was heaven I must say! Then he had me do some glute activating exercises, and I took my first real walk outside. I know I am behind most everyone else, but I really have not been able to do much walking because of pain. Well I actually walked about three blocks unaided! It was very exciting, and I am feeling much more hopeful. I did have some pain and soreness while walking, but I felt like my leg/hip was strong enough to handle it. I was exhausted after and promptly took a nap.

I have now given up the walker, but I am still using one crutch. I really need to get a cane. I was pretty sore after the walk, and a bit uncomfortable for the rest of the day. However, my pain seems to be more controlled now. The ultracet regimen suggested by Josephine works so much better for me than the Norco or Percocet. My medicine cabinet looks like a pharmacy I have so many different pain medications. LOL. Nights are still fairly difficult though. My leg just aches and aches and I cannot get comfortable. I will be happy to get off the blood thinners so I can add an NSAID to the mix. NSAIDS have always worked the best for me for pain. Oh and my incision itches like crazy!

 

[Jaycey]

Keep using that one crutch until you are totally confident. When you start leaving it behind it's time to transition off it. I didn't use a cane. I went from one crutch to nothing. Early days - just keep doing what you are doing!

 

[calikat]

Hi Jaycey. I think I will keep the crutch too for a bit. I just took my first drive! I had to go to the drug store and pick up a scrip and I wanted to try out some canes. I had no problem driving. I am not so sure about the canes though. I felt much more stable with the crutch.

I am a little tired from my outing. I'm icing and elevating now.

 

[Josephine]

I know I am behind most everyone else

No you are not! Your progress is yours and yours alone. From my perspective, you are racing ahead too quickly! You should read this again Activity progression for THRs.

One the other hand, I don't mean to diminish your excellent accomplishment! Just remember you're only two weeks out!

I have now given up the walker, but I am still using one crutch. I really need to get a cane.

You don't 'really' need to do anything until you are feeling ready and confident enough to make the transition naturally. Don't force anything. The day you find yourself walking across the kitchen unaided is the time to transition from one aid to another!

Nights are still fairly difficult though. My leg just aches and aches and I cannot get comfortable.

Are you taking a dose in the middle of the night or trying to go too long without? Also try going to bed with an ice pack.

I will be happy to get off the blood thinners so I can add an NSAID to the mix. NSAIDS have always worked the best for me for pain.

Well, if you really must but all advertising hype to the contrary, NSAIDs are actually fairly mild pain killers and have far more side effects than any other meds. Read this NSAIDs, acetaminophen (Tylenol, paracetamol) differences and dangers and if you really must take them, keep it short like just for a week or so. Taking them on a daily basis increases the risks tremendously.

 

[calikat]

Hi all. About an hour ago I just stated having this stinging pain sensation in the top part of my incision. It is scaring me a bit. I am terrified of getting an infection. Has anyone else had anything like this? I am seeing my doctor tomorrow afternoon.

 

[Jaycey]

Hi calikat, I don't think you need to worry about the odd aches and pains. Nerves and muscles start "waking up" post op. Icing will help. Let us know how it goes with your appointment.