THR Merrimay's on the other side now THR

[myglasshalffull]

It will take a while to be able to bend all the way down but it will come, I used my long kitchen tongs to pick up stuff I dropped! Seemed like I dropped more when I had my hip done than I did before, some good 4-letter words accompanied those dropsies!
But now I can bend all the way down to pick stuff up, kitchen tongs still on counter but really not needed.
Stiff when I first wake up but I was like that prior to my surgery so nothing new.
Believe it or not it will all work itself out.
Stay in touch.

 

[Merrimay]

Hi all, Day 17, and I'm feeling sore and achy all over my body. Not the flu, no fever or intestinal or respiratory issues. My wrists and hands hurt from the walker, my shoulders, knees, and neck are stiff and painful. I also have a killer headache. Does this sound like something that "can happen," or should I be worried? Thanks so much for any feedback. Feeling discouraged and worried.

 

[Layla]

I'm sorry you're discouraged and not feeling well.
I can see attributing the achy wrists and hands to using the walker and that could also be why your shoulders ache and possibly even your neck if you're tensing up for some reason. It does sound more like flu symptoms though since you mentioned the headache and aching all over. I don't think you should worry, but instead take OTC meds as needed, drink lots of fluids, get adequate rest and see how the day and overnight progresses. You may wake up tomorrow and feel back to normal.
Wishing you comfort, peace of mind and speedy relief.
@Merrimay

 

[myglasshalffull]

When I broke my ankle over 3 years ago I could not use crutches, I would have had another broken bone if I had to continue with the crutches so I used my rolling office chair to get around the house. However, because I have 3 stairs that go up to family room I'd sit on the steps and scootch up the stairs on my backside using my shoulders and hands to get me up to family and and then onto couch. I did a number on my shoulders, ended up getting cortisone shot in my shoulder after I recovered from the ankle.
So fast forward to this year and the hip surgery, walker was easy to use but did find my shoulder flared up once again, not as bad as ankle episode but enough that it was aggravating.
Still hurts now every once in awhile.
I think the way we walk and our body tries to adjust to all that is going on sometimes brings on these aches and pains and therefore...a headache.
Obviously consult with your doctor if you need to but I think some days parts of the body just hurt more than others.

 

[Merrimay]

Amazed how quickly you race to my rescue, Layla and myglasshalffull! Ill take your thoughts as a prompt to relax -- my added worries about "secondary" muscle pain don't help, do they? I do see my OS for the first post op visit on Friday the 11th, and my hope is he'll give me the all clear to toss the walker and use my poles.

It dawns on me that not only am I lugging and pushing this walker around, but I am attached to my phone! I'm no Luddite, but this nonstop texting may be the root of my new knuckle pain! Headache may be from the Mega Boredom of spending the last 4.8 months as a shut-in (my preop pain destroyed my mobility).

The blues make us all a biased. As much as I hurt, I amazed my neighbor today as I walk-ered my dog past her house. Her Ring camera caught me, and she said my gait has really improved!!!

Thank you again for responding so quickly and helpfully. I mean this: I don't know what I'd have done without my bonesmart tribe! Xxoo

 

[Layla]

Headache may be from the Mega Boredom of spending the last 4.8 months as a shut-in (my preop pain destroyed my mobility).

OR from the texting you mentioned you've been engaged in. Think about how we hold our head down while texting. Did you ever hear of "text neck' it's real. Try to abstain today if possible and get lost in something else. You may hate this suggestion, it seems people either love, or hate, but Hallmark channel is now running Christmas movies 24/7. It's pretty easy for me to get lost in them if I am bored. The predictable storylines, over decorated homes, the gazebo shot, fake snow, new romance and the "almost kiss" all corny, but in an innocent way. I am a sucker for their Christmas movies I will admit. Try to relax and eliminate the stress today and feel better tomorrow!

 

[Merrimay]

Gotta love snow and gazebo shots, Layla! I'll put down the phone.

And for you, here's a shot of my Mary. In her boredom, she's taken to hoarding chewies!

 

[K8 Orlando]

Merrimay, I just saw your post about achy hands/wrists. I just gave up the walker (except when I get up at night) and moved to using a cane. I was eager to do that because my arms and hands hurt so bad when using the walker. Especially my upper arms. Stop often and shake your hands and arms. Try not to grip the walker too tightly.
I had my THR on Oct 18, 2022 so we are ‘hippie sisters’! Like you, I was in and out of the hospital in just a few hours. Amazing! But my surgeon was great about talking to me and to my husband; plus everything was written out for us.
Kate

 

[beachgal]

Merrimay, well, dang. I was sure hoping for a few easier days to boost your confidence and your mood! So sorry I’m just seeing this, I spent a few hours with a good friend who is getting her ducks in a row for THR and was full of questions and concerns. I’m happy to help with answers as I can but it occurred to me that this is a subject none of us would like to an “expert”! Having said that, freely sharing any and all info to whomever needs to know is a wonderful byproduct of the experience. Im sure she will be joining us on the forum soon.

But back to the subject at hand….Merrimay, are you finding any relief tonight? We’ve had several cases of the flu here already but it doesn’t sound like your symptoms. Im thinking like Layla, maybe too much positioning of phone and texting along with ordinary tweaks from possibly moving in a different way.

Hoping you are getting it sorted out and a good night’s rest awaits and cures all. Please check in tomorrow morning after stretches and hot coffee to let us know how you’re feeling.

 

[Yogini]

My doggies waiting for their walk in the woods.

 

[beachgal]

Love to be outside in nice autumn weather! Not sold on this nutty time change, tho!

 

[Eman85]

I know you've been outside, it's in the 80's here! outdoors and fresh air are the best cures for a headache and the blues. I never ventured far with my walker, down my drive to the mailbox and back which is a few hundred feet and all gravel so it wasn't good for walking.
Rest and relax and see how you feel. The THR really drains us and makes us susceptible to whatever is out there and there seems to be plenty out there. My THR's were pre-Covid but I ended up with a pretty nasty cold that resulted in a bad sinus infection with my first.

 

[Elf1]

@Merrimay the headache can also be caused from eye strain from texting and being online. And your hands, wrists and shoulders can all be a product of that as well. Agree with @Layla that you should try to just chill and amuse yourself for a while with something else. Hoping its something easy like this and not the flu as that is never fun.

 

[Merrimay]

K8 Orlando,

Merrimay, I just saw your post about achy hands/wrists. I just gave up the walker (except when I get up at night) and moved to using a cane. I was eager to do that because my arms and hands hurt so bad when using the walker. Especially my upper arms. Stop often and shake your hands and arms. Try not to grip the walker too tightly.
I had my THR on Oct 18, 2022 so we are ‘hippie sisters’! Like you, I was in and out of the hospital in just a few hours. Amazing! But my surgeon was great about talking to me and to my husband; plus everything was written out for us.
Kate

Hey Hippy Sister, your walker advice is dead-on. I did use a death grip. When I used poles instead last evening, my wrists and hands eased up soon after. Better yet, my posture straightened so less shoulder and back pain today. I also took Layla's advice and stopped using my smartphone -- and my knuckles are better. So I think I was just overusing and overgripping. I feel considerably better today! Thank you for yourvgood support! Liz

 

[Merrimay]

Merrimay, well, dang. I was sure hoping for a few easier days to boost your confidence and your mood! So sorry I’m just seeing this, I spent a few hours with a good friend who is getting her ducks in a row for THR and was full of questions and concerns. I’m happy to help with answers as I can but it occurred to me that this is a subject none of us would like to an “expert”! Having said that, freely sharing any and all info to whomever needs to know is a wonderful byproduct of the experience. Im sure she will be joining us on the forum soon.

But back to the subject at hand….Merrimay, are you finding any relief tonight? We’ve had several cases of the flu here already but it doesn’t sound like your symptoms. Im thinking like Layla, maybe too much positioning of phone and texting along with ordinary tweaks from possibly moving in a different way.

Hoping you are getting it sorted out and a good night’s rest awaits and cures all. Please check in tomorrow morning after stretches and hot coffee to let us know how you’re feeling.

Hey beachgal, I'm happy to report that I don't think I had the flu yesterday because I feel so much better today. What happened is that I had unknowingly earned the title of Death Grip Walker Girl. As I walked, I slumped and held onto the bars as if my life depended on it. I suspect my having been immobilized for 4 months before surgery weakened my muscles so badly on the operative side that I compensated by holding on so tightly. By easing up, my posture improved immediately. Then I used my poles for several hours, which further eased up my neck, back, and shoulders. I woke up today feeling 80% better! So my all-over body aches were caused by nothing in the world but improperly moving on my walker! Lesson learned!!!!

 

[Merrimay]

Aww. I'm glad they have each other. Mary loathes her feline sibs...

 

[Merrimay]

Love to be outside in nice autumn weather! Not sold on this nutty time change, tho!

The time change has to go!!! Takes me a week to readjust my sleep patterns. Not helpful after THR!!

 

[Merrimay]

I know you've been outside, it's in the 80's here! outdoors and fresh air are the best cures for a headache and the blues. I never ventured far with my walker, down my drive to the mailbox and back which is a few hundred feet and all gravel so it wasn't good for walking.
Rest and relax and see how you feel. The THR really drains us and makes us susceptible to whatever is out there and there seems to be plenty out there. My THR's were pre-Covid but I ended up with a pretty nasty cold that resulted in a bad sinus infection with my first.

Hi neighbor! Yes, do you believe these temps??? (For those of you who don't live in the Knoxville TN area, it's been in the high 70s for several days -- not the custom for us in November.) The good news is, yes, I've walkered myself outside more than I might have in colder weather. The bad news is exactly what you say: THR drains our energy. I haven't been as mindful of that as I should be. My vice is sometimes asking more of my body than it has to give! This latest episode I brought on myself, no doubt about it. Ugh

 

[Merrimay]

@Merrimay the headache can also be caused from eye strain from texting and being online. And your hands, wrists and shoulders can all be a product of that as well. Agree with @Layla that you should try to just chill and amuse yourself for a while with something else. Hoping its something easy like this and not the flu as that is never fun.

Just chillin', Elf1, and looks like I was spared the flu. Today is much better than yesterday, thanks to my bonesmart tribe!

 

[Eman85]

When you do start going to stores and such use what we learned in Covid to help prevent problems. I became a hand sanitizer and cart wiper before Covid hit after picking up what I had in recovery.