THR I'm finally post op"

[3rd Dislocation]

@lillibet123, yeah those side abductors take awhile. It took me 10 weeks, with daily assistance by physio. I swore she was doing it for me, as I couldn't feel my muscle doing anything. Now no problem on my own. Try putting a garbage bag under the heel, helps it slide better. I used the ole garbage bag for where ever I needed less resistance. Sounds like you are doing well. Sending healing thoughts your way. Is there much snow yet. Wishing you a great recovery! The exercises do get easier.

 

[lillibet123]

The nurse already suggested a bag under the heal. I'll take it a little at a time

 

[lillibet123]

I would like to know when anyone started to have the pain gone. I'm 10 days post hip. I try to walk around the house but it makes my hip feel worse. and i think the nerves are healing and jumping in my leg.

 

[Kim22]

Hi @lillibet123 just to reassure you that it is perfectly normal to have pain still at 10 days which is very early in the recovery.Everyone is different but most still need strong painkillers at 10 days.I took codeine at a high dose for 4 weeks and then gradually reduced it.I still take paracetamol and occasionally ibuprofen for muscle pain.The jumping nerve issue is very common and part of the healing process.I have kept up with your recovery and you are doing really well just listen to your hip and if something hurts don't do it but keep on medicating as long as you need it.Have a very happy Christmas

 

[lillibet123]

I'm not taking many pain killers. Just Tylenol and Hydromorphone. I can be pain free at some times through the day. I'm not taking any after i go to bed. The pain is not so much a problem. I find its my emotions that are worse. I think it being xmas with so much going on in the day. when pain is at it worse in the morning i get emotional. I'm also curious how people went through their hip surgery. Thanks for caring. Its very welcomed

 

[Kim22]

I was very emotional too and cried at the the drop of a hat.This is also very normal and I believe that there is an article in the library on here which is worth reading.It isn't surprising that we are emotional after all this is major surgery we have gone through and of course Christmas adds to the emotions.We just want to be over all the discomfort and all the restrictions to get on with our lives but recovery usually takes time and a lot of patience Try to enjoy this time with your crafting and you will soon be feeling much better.

 

[lillibet123]

The crafting is on hold because all my stuff is upstairs. Danny won't let me fall. Von was just here. I'm looking good. No bruising.

 

[Kim22]

How amazing that you have no bruising I didn't have much and my swelling didn't last too long either but I did have quite a bit of pain in those early weeks.I was thinking more of sewing or crochet etc or something small you can do on your lap.

 

[lillibet123]

I still have the swelling. And itchy. I was thinking of a sewing panel. Something to quilt and hang on the wall of my new bedroom my husband made for me

 

[JennyHipcakes]

@lillibet Congratulations on being Post-Op!! I can relate to your feelings of relief at being home, and also to being overwhelmed at times. I learned to sleep on my good side with two pillows jammed between my legs. Maybe that will work for you.
Isn't it hard to be in bed when there seems to be so much to do to get ready for Christmas? I am really feeling that. I hope you are resting well. Take care!

 

[lillibet123]

Yes. I sleep some of the night on my good side. But after awhile i get a strong pain in my new hip . I have to toss onto my back. I'm not in bed much anymore. I tend to stay in the lazy boy or am walking around. Not sure why my new hip does that

 

[lillibet123]

This morning i didn't take any narcotics only Tylenol for pain. im comfortable. And i started walking a little with the cane. I'm moving ahead

 

[3rd Dislocation]

@lillibet123 Glad to hear its slowly getting better. I'm sorry your going through an emotional rollicoaster. I wonder if some of it isn't do to the time of year and personal expectations. I hope you are being kind to yourself. I know you are anxious to get up stairs to your projects. I hear you about the stairs, it was all I focused on. I think as we start feeling less pain we want to do more and cant, its very frustrating. Then when boredom sets in is another challenge. Once Spring arrives you will be so much further along. Remember there is good things ahead. Wishing you a wonderful Christmas and many blessings.

 

[lillibet123]

Yes. I do think some is from the time of year. And its coming fast. Friday it will be all over. And bring house bound. .I'm always out for something every day. .it was my way to get out and walk. Go for tea.

 

[DeepBreath]

@lillibet123, every recovery is different, but it does sound like yours is pretty on par with the usual. Kim is so right that 10 days is very early on in the process. The crying is so normal. It seems to come out of the blue and hit with a force. Christmas time and busy-ness would only compound that. It does get better, I promise.
I also agree with Kim about most of us being on some pretty stout pain killers/narcotics at least during the first few weeks. So many posts here see folks having troubles if they are under medicated. That pain seems to really work against not only the physical but the emotional well being. Again, everybody is different and only you can tell what works best for your body. Just please make sure that you listen to what your body is telling you and if you find you're in a lot of pain, maybe try to up the pain meds for just a bit. It's not forever.
Personally, and I've read other posts from folks who experienced this, there was a shift during the 3+ week stage for me. It just seemed like all of a sudden I could do more and felt better. It was like a corner had definitely been turned.
Regarding the Lazy Boy, a lot of folks sit and even sleep in them. It seems to be much easier for many people.

I promise that you're going to feel better, both physically and emotionally. It's a process and it just takes time, which can be aggravating, but it is worth it when you really start seeing those forward strides.
Hang in there, friend. I'm keeping you in my thoughts.

 

[lillibet123]

Thank you for your kind words...i know I'm doing good. And i won't let pain get ahead of me. But i really don't feel bad. The hip is a little achy getting up and walking. .but it feels so much better than before. I can't wait till Thursday. .the staples come out and i know the leg will feel so much better

 

[DeepBreath]

Oh my gosh, @lillibet123, I think you'll feel so great after those staples are out. My surgeon used glue and the super duper strong bandage, but from reading many people's posts about the aggravation of the staples and the relief of getting them removed, I'm betting it will make a difference.
Just know that you are normal. That's sometimes hard to remember in this sea of twinkling lights and busy people who are able to walk around with no effort while the simplest things still take effort for us. (This is embarrassing, but I have, during my two recoveries, looked at people who have no mobility problems and thought, "You have no idea how doggone lucky you are, buddy")
For what it's worth, I'm super impressed at how great you're doing with just the minimal pain relievers. I could not have done that. I got busy one afternoon at about 3 weeks post op with my first hip and forgot my meds. I thought, "Meh, no biggie". Boy, by that evening I wasn't thinking that any more. I had to take a bigger dose than usual and lay down with an ice pack.
The getting up and walking really does affect the pain level. From the incision clear down the soft tissue and muscles and ligaments, it's all affected. Even now at 12 weeks post op from my first THR, my incision will burn a bit if I have a full day of moving around behind me. Nothing that can't be handled, but it reminds me that it will take several months to fully heal all of that and to be kind to myself. It's SO much better now though.
Your break through moments are already starting, I can tell.

 

[lillibet123]

Thank you do much. Just talking about my emotions had helped me alot. I feel so bored. I miss doing my sewing. I was so busy. .i also sell some of my stuff. So its my job i guess. I'm already thinking of a small quilting project wall hanging to do after xmas to keep me happy. My new bedroom is blank so i could make it for my wall.

 

[lillibet123]

Im excited. .i was able to do the side hip abduction exercise by myself today. That's a huge step.

 

[gardengal]

Yay for doing exercises on your own! That does seem exciting seeing your new hip do things the old one could just barely do. It sounds like your husband has been helping tremendously, and maybe getting a bit tired himself. Do you feel confident being home alone? I guess I'm wondering when you start to feel ready to be left alone for decent stretches of time? My mom will be staying here with me but going to her own home once my husband gets home from work. My mom can't sit still, so during the time she's here she'll keep my house up & help with food prep, but her patience for doing these chores will only last so long. I was kind of only anticipating needing her for a week or so. realistic or not? if you don't want this in your thread I have one over in pre op area "ninny can't decide"