THR Merrimay's on the other side now THR

[Merrimay]

Hi bonesmarters, surgery at 7:30 this morning, PT at 8:45, and a 1 hr drive home, arriving at 11 am EST USA. If they'd shot me out of the OR in a cannon, it couldn't have been quicker. Never saw the surgeon that I recall, though he did call my sister and told her he was pleased with the results. Pain managed well until I got out of the car...I'd not been shown how to do it and literally Felt the implant shift. Terrifying, and I'm angry I wasn't shown how to do it. Also took my sister and me awhile to figure out what pain meds I need to take and when because we only received oral instructions. So...the takeaway I'd like to share from my experience is this: make sure they take the time to show you how to not just get in a vehicle, but out. Have them write you out a detailed meds schedule. Oral instrux alone are unsafe. Other than that, it was far easier a procedure than I feared. Ice, ice, ice! Oh, and I know that it's not uncommon for THR patients to return to an empty house. In my experience, if I didn't have my sister's help, I'd be lost.

Also, I was all freaked out preop that I'd have difficulty sleeping on my back. Big laugh! No way would I want to roll on my side now. You all were right!!

 

[Shadowstar1951!]

Hello Merrimay, well that was a bit of a whirlwind! I'm surprised you had time to breathe...
Were you expecting everything to happen so quickly?
I hope you are not in too much pain and that you do manage to get some sleep.
I look forward to reading about your progress. Take care...

 

[Woodstockhip]

Wow! Can you believe they used to keep people in the hospital for 4 or 5 days after this surgery? You might have set some sort of land-speed record for hip replacement surgery. Sorry you weren't fully prepared for the car exit -- I don't think they told me, either, but I remembered what worked from last time. I'm glad to read you are home and safe and I hope you can get in front of the pain soon. I found that my brain was so addled I had to write down every time I took a pill or by the time I'd swallowed, I forgot whether I took it or not. I have a little book next to the bed. It also helps gauge how well I'm progressing. Get some rest, ice ice ice!

 

[djklaugh]

@Merrimay Welcome to the recovery side! It is appalling that you did not get written instructions for medication schedule and other after surgery care! When you are feeling up to it do write a letter of complaint to your surgeon and the hospital as IMO that is definitely NOT standard of care!

Here's our after care list of helpful information.

Hip Recovery: The Guidelines
1. Don’t worry: Your body will heal all by itself. Relax, let it, don't try and hurry it, don’t worry about any symptoms now, they are almost certainly temporary.
2. Control discomfort:
rest
elevate
ice
take your pain meds by prescription schedule (not when pain starts!)
3. Do what you want to do BUT
a. If it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physical therapist - to do it to you
b. If your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again.
4. PT or exercise can be useful BUT take note of these
BoneSmart philosophy for sensible post op therapy
5. At week 4 and after you should follow this
Activity progression for THRs
6. Access these pages on the website
Oral And Intravenous Pain Medications
Wound Care In Hospital

The Recovery articles:
Pain management and the pain chart
Healing: how long does it take?
Chart representation of THR recovery

Dislocation risk and 90 degree rule
Energy drain for THRs
Pain and swelling control: elevation is the key

Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

BIG TIP: Hips actually don't need any exercise to get better. They do a pretty good job of it all on their own if given half a chance. Trouble is, people don't give them a chance and end up with all sorts of aches and pains and sore spots. All they need is the best therapy which is walking and even then not to excess.
We try to keep the forum a positive and safe place for our members to talk about their questions or concerns and to report successes with their joint replacement surgery.
While members may create as many threads as they like in a majority of BoneSmart's forums, we ask that each member have only one recovery thread. This policy makes it easier to go back and review history before providing advice.

 

[Merrimay]

Checking in, hipsters! Very good night 1 and morning 2. The hydrocodone made me nauseous and dizzy even with an antinausea med, so I made the decision to just use ibuprofin and tylenol. Slept like a baby! Woke up to no real swelling or bruising and low pain, just stiffness. I think my sense of "no pain" thus farmay have something to do with the fact that I experienced such severe pain for 4 months prior to surgery. And perhaps the pain just hasn't set in yet. So the takeaway as I embark upon day 2 is this for anyone who finds the opioid side effects an issue: i'm proof that it is possible for some of us to treat our pain with just NSAIDs and Tylenol. I was terrified of "letting the pain set in," but it turned out that in my case, the opioid was the biggest pain. Thus far, I'm marveling how well things are going for me! Every case is unique, of course, and by tomorrow things may be different for me, but, hey, hipsters, so far, so good! Wish I could give everyone of you a hug!

 

[Layla]

Welcome to recovery! It is good to see you here. That was definitely a record setting discharge from the surgery site. Wow!

I am sorry you were not instructed how to get in and out of the car and experienced that frightening sensation. I would definitely raise that concern with your surgeon. I was fortunate enough to have a nurse escort my husband and myself to our vehicle for instruction on getting in and out. What I did and found really helpful was place a large trash bag on the seat which made it super easy to swivel into the forward facing position. It works well on the bed also, if you're struggling to get away from the edge of the bed and closer to the middle by removing the friction. I suggest you try it especially if you go for another car ride anytime soon. It really works well.
I wish you lots of comfort and well managed pain as you begin the journey. I hope today is a good one!
@Merrimay

 

[Shadowstar1951!]

Hello Merrimay from a very wet and soggy part of England, so pleased you had a good night and morning. Dreading having to sleep on my back. Did you have to sort out your bed with pillows etc before you were comfortable?
Just curious for any tips. I'm getting my 'nest' prepared for when I come home after surgery.
Wishing you a speedy but steady recovery with less and less pain.

 

[Merrimay]

Greetings, dear shadowstar1951 from the border of VA, TN, and KY! My sister and I experimented with the fort post op and went with one pillow under each leg just below the knee. Around each calf Im wearing a compressor sleeve unit to prevent blood clots. Then we put a folded lengthwise pillow between the thighs, and a smaller folded pillow between the ankles. Atop the pillows we draped another pillow to keep things in place, then put a blanket over that to keep or steady. Very pleased with the result. My suggestion would be to experiment postop with your caregiver's assistance. I also
placed pillows alongside each shoulder. The result? I felt safe. But I also suspect that post op the thought of sleeping on your side will be very far from your mind and instincts because while your pain may be controlled, your brain is very aware of that incision. The stiffness and soreness.

Best of luck to you in beautiful England. I studied in London in the mid 70s and England holds a special place in my heart. I'll be watching for your posts with interest.

 

[Woodstockhip]

I also did the pillow thing, but with somewhat less finesse than @Merrimay. I stationed 2 fat pillows between my legs, one at knee level and one around ankle level, and sort of sand-bagged myself in with the side of the couch or, if in bed, more pillows. I used pillows by my shoulder as well. You will figure it out, promise.

 

[Shadowstar1951!]

Thank you Merrimay and Woodstockchip, sounds very cosy!
I'm starting to overthink now.. bear with me...If you need the bathroom in the night, how do you get all the pillows back again? My hubby will be in another bedroom I think.... I suppose if I was struggling I could give him a ring?
He's going to love that!

 

[Ocean]

I had a pillow under my lower legs and ones each side of my thighs. I like one for each of my elbows and I have one to cuddle too, like a teddy bear and I can rest my face on it.

My husband is in the bed beside me and for the first few nights he helped me to the bathroom and made me comfortable in bed but I was soon able to do it myself.

 

[lanstan]

You will probably need your husband the first couple nights at least to help you into the bathroom. At least I did

 

[Brookeer]

Hi Merrimay. Oh my goodness how on earth did you get home so soon? I was in hospital for three nights and still didn’t feel ready to go home.
Like you I found the opiates had horrible side effects and stopped them after a week or so. There wasn’t any pain just sore and stiff (occasionally achy) so not worth taking. There’s certainly less pain than before the op and I coped without painkillers then.
I also thought I could manage on my own but luckily my daughter and grandsons came to look after me. They’re still here over two weeks later and we’ve had a lovely time watching movies in the evening. It’s turned out to be quite a special time.
Anyway wishing you lots of luck and best wishes for a good recovery

 

[DK63]

Hi to you all at Pillow Fest. Having read your messages I am now in therapy due to pillow deprivation, I only have two. Have tried to buy more since reading your advice but apparently there is now a world shortage. If you have ten or so to spare, and I know you do, please send them to me, thank you. @Shadowstar1951! If you look on Google for PP&P, Pillow Placers and Plumpers near me you may find help. Failing that I am in the UK and can guarantee exorbitant rates for this service coupled with unreliability, oh that makes me a candidate for next Prime Minister. Keep up the good work Merrimay, I could not imagine leaving hospital so soon after surgery, well done to you.

 

[myglasshalffull]

Congrats Merrimay on your new hip and that was sure a whirlwind experience at the hospital!
The narcotics they prescribed me also made me nauseous so extra strength tylenol and ice became my best friends.
I also had 800 mg Ibuprofen but my primary care physician told me not to use on a regular basis.
I needed help out of bed maybe first few days to go to bathroom and help back in.
Getting in car I'd sit with my legs out and then my better half would swing them in, my left leg was totally fine just needed some help with right surgery leg. Repeat getting out.
I've read here a plastic trash bag placed on your bed sheets will also help you slide in and out easier, never tried it but does make sense.
Happy you have your sister I think first several days it's nice to have someone with you.

 

[Layla]

I experimented with the fort post op and went with one pillow under each leg just below the knee. Around each calf Im wearing a compressor sleeve unit to prevent blood clots. Then we put a folded lengthwise pillow between the thighs, and a smaller folded pillow between the ankles. Atop the pillows we draped another pillow to keep things in place, then put a blanket over that to keep or steady. Very pleased with the result

Pillows are a must, in my opinion. Yay for pillows, the more the better. They're soft, lightweight and comfy. You mentioned you felt "safe". I did also and have often used the word "swaddled" surrounding myself with numerous pillows in those early days / weeks. I felt like I imagined a baby feels in the snug confines of a wrapped blanket.
I hope you slept well last night and that today is a good day!

 

[Merrimay]

Shadowstar1951, I sleep on a daybed in the den and my sister sleeps upstairs. I needed help to the bathroom in the middle of the night and phoned her. The call went to voice mail, so I shouted! Fortunately she heard me and rebooted her phone -- no more voice mail for us! If your husband is in a room near enough yours, perhaps you could ring a bell? Thinking of you and hoping everything is going well.

 

[Layla]

I needed help to the bathroom in the middle of the night and phoned her. The call went to voice mail,

Went to VM. Ha-ha, I'll bet that scared you for a second. Sis, asleep on the job...how dare she?!

 

[Merrimay]

I agree with you, Layla. If you create a swaddling sensation with 4 to 5 pillows, you do feel much safer and more secure. I use everything from sleeping pillows to sofa throw pillows. I even have a little stuffed sloth that I put under my neck! My sister laughs, but, hey, it works!

 

[Merrimay]

Hi, myglasshalffull. Love the trash bag idea. Can I rent your better half to help me swing my legs out of the car? My sister is terrified of my legs, thinks she'll hurt me! Thanks for your feedback. Very helpful!