THR New hip 3/7/12

[C Mac]

I might not be slow, but I don't think I am a quick healer either

I don't know what kind of healer I am either, but I do know I have never had to heal from something like this THR surgery -- it's really the biggest thing I've ever experienced (as I'm fortunate not to remember my surgery and many casts as an infant...).

Cathy, I think that you are coming along nicely and I do hope that you'll be back on your bike happily riding along shortly!!

When I was around your timeframe after surgery I did most of my exercises/stretches at the end of the day and not the start -- but that was just what worked for me... When I was still in my phase 2 exercises I used to do them at 10:00 a.m. and 2 p.m. roughly, as I was so bored it helped to have something "fixed" into my daily schedule. There's lots of ways of mixing it up.

Are you getting mentally ready for the kayak?
Take care,
Cardie

 

[VThereandnow]

YIPEE, hooray, and yahooey dang that felt good. Sure made me a happy camper to get out there on my bike. Went about 6 miles, and could have gone much further, but want to see what my body says after the fact. Also with friends arriving tomorrow, wanted to be smart. Took my backpack and had my cane in that, just in case :secretaea:

You got it Cardie. Now on to thinking about the kayak. I actually have another follow up with my doctor tomorrow and will make sure he is good with that. For my b.d. Some friends gave me a cushion to sit on in case need a little raise when I sit. I am actually more concerned with getting it on and off the car and carting it around. It is only 40 lbs, but seems i have gotten so weak and when i carry even heavy groceries i feel it in my hip. I think we are going to get some of those wheel things so after it is off the car we don't have to carry it, but wheel it.

End of May and early June has been so busy for us. Our only free wknd in June is the wknd after this coming one (after that some other friends coming to visit from Syracuse). Think we might test out kayaking then.

 

[dianemarie]

Wow! 6 miles...great inspiration for all of us and YOU!

 

[VThereandnow]

14 wk doc appt. all is well, said he did not need to see me till the year mark. I just looked back at my thread and saw 1 month ago today I was whining about a pain in my butt and my first setback. What a difference a month makes. Now I am riding my bike.

Speaking of the bike ride, I swear it did something good to me physically. I was walking around the house much more without my cane today and more fluidly than I have been. Not sure why, maybe it woke up some different glute muscles or something, who knows.

 

[Poppet]

Great news Cathy, and so therapeutic to get outside on your bike, I am sure.

No more OS for a year as well, another plus

 

[adaflorida]

Cathy,

I have spent some time reading through your thread and feel we are somewhat "bookends" when it comes to comparing our progress to others. I really have been freaked out by it this week for some reason, and I am only 17 days out of surgery (5/29/12).

I did want to ask you (not totally finished with your thread yet), which hip did you have done? Did I miss that? I don't see it in your signature.

Also, in this particular post of yours, you mention wine and cheese. I have been wondering when I can have that first sip of my favorite Bordeaux again!

I wish you continued healing and progress... what an experience this is!

Best,

adaflorida

 

[VThereandnow]

OMG

Any suggestions for severe spasms? Last night, 3 separate times, woke up screaming :arghh:and I am not kidding, screaming, with crazy muscle spasms. First time in my recovery i have had this. I can only guess using the new muscles biking 2 days and yesterday walked a lot more without cane is what it was about. After the 3rd time I could not even fall back asleep out of fear - I am talkin intense. Something I have NEVER experienced before, EVER!

Drink lots of fluids, potassium and any other idea would be sooo appreciated. (every day things can turn so quickly

Thanks Adaflorida, I put Left, in my signature. Early on I compared a lot. I still do sometimes, difference is now I snap myself out of it quicker. I have learned it is just wasted energy thanks for stopping by, Cathy

 

[C Mac]

Hi Cathy,

Ok -- I see more details here... but still wonder if it was quads or calves?

I'm guessing that it was definitely related to your muscles waking up more with the bike ride and added exertion. I bet @alexthecat: will have suggestions for how deal with this issue & the science behind it...

Take care,
Cardie

 

[adaflorida]

Hi Cathy,

Boy oh Boy, can I empathisize about your spasms!

My first week back, I posted in my thread about this, as well. It wasn't just my operative leg/hip, I found that my shoulders, arms, "good" leg, torso would spasm, as well.

I called my doctor's office and was disappointed by the nurse who took my call. Perhaps I got her on a bad day. Who knows? Anyway, her response was: "that happens to me all the time." I was surprised and asked her if she just had THR! She was not helpful at all, which I plan to address with my doctor next week at my first followup appt (three weeks).

So, I went to my thread here on Bonesmart. Josephine et al to the rescue! Several members said that a low dosage of Valium would be helpful for these spasms (my nurse would not prescribe nor ask the doctor). Josephine and Jaime were quick to point out that I was really overdoing it on the exercise. I had only been home less than a week, and had been walking the hallways here at the condo (too many laps!).

It sounds like you've done too much exercise too soon, as well.... our bodies are obviously letting us know!

I put myself back in bed, elevated my leg, put a 10lb bag of ice on myself and took it easy. I did eat a banana, but couldn't really tell you if it impacted me at that point or not.... it was so severe it was ridiculous. The spasms prevented me from sleeping, which sounds similar to what you are experiencing.

Not sure if you are open to Valium or not, but if you are, it's worth a call to your doctor. Obviously, my doctor (or nurse) is very conservative with meds.

Thanks for your advice regarding comparisons; I wasn't on the Forum when you first had your surgery, but I see that many of us have had the "comparison struggle." You are right, it is wasted energy. We are all different, and there is absolutely no reason for me to feel bad or guilty that my progress isn't going as quickly as others.

I am amazed each day that I wake up, how the body has healed and improved - just overnight! Truly amazing.

Hoping you are relaxing and taking good care of yourself!

 

[VThereandnow]

Whew, then you know how CRAZY the spasm can be. Freaked me (and my partner) right out. I do have some pain pills left from before, not Valium, but hopefully what I have might help. The heating pad to calm things down too. Besides water have been drinking this coconut water i have that is high in postasium and electrolytes. Don't forget I am 14 wks out, so I have been getting around already. You are much earlier on. Funny thing is I just saw my doctor yesterday to tell him all is well haha.

Thanks for your concern. I am jumping on and off today as my company is coming in a few hours. I will take a look at your thread after the wknd.

Thanks Cardie, I forget about tagging people. It was the front and inside of my thigh :( Cathy

 

[adaflorida]

Yes, TOTALLY crazy! The spasms woke my dog, Walter up!

That's right... you've got company... please take it easy; I hope they spoil you!

Have a great weekend, Cathy!

 

[alexthecat]

I agree with others that it sounds like you have a case of Too Much Too Soon. Rest, ice, elevate, and medicate as needed until the pain (and spasms are just another flavor of pain) has decreased. Then ease back into biking slowly. Start with 5 or 10 minutes of easy pedaling. If that goes okay, stay out a few minutes longer next time.

You'll get where you want to be with cycling but, as with many things in recovery, it takes some patience.

 

[C Mac]

You got it Cardie. Now on to thinking about the kayak. I actually have another follow up with my doctor tomorrow and will make sure he is good with that. For my b.d. Some friends gave me a cushion to sit on in case need a little raise when I sit. I am actually more concerned with getting it on and off the car and carting it around. It is only 40 lbs, but seems i have gotten so weak and when i carry even heavy groceries i feel it in my hip. I think we are going to get some of those wheel things so after it is off the car we don't have to carry it, but wheel it.

Hi Cathy,

Ok, dare I write my thoughts on this after the middle of the night muscle spasms... Actually, my only real suggestion was that you stand by the car and hold your special birthday cushion and let everyone else do the work of getting the kayak onto and off of the car, as well as to the water & situated. If you want to have some time in the kayak you'll need to save all your energy for when you are in the boat. You may want to consider just being a passenger in the boat for a while longer while you are continuing to heal, rowing can be pretty taxing.

I know it's really maddening when you have this shiny new round hip and want to put it through its paces but have to wait while all the rest of your body gets ready for it.... my "over-done it moment" was around 12 weeks. Remember to write about this in your journal because in a few months you'll be in a much different place!!

Have a good weekend,
Cardie

 

[VThereandnow]

Thanks Cardie. For a brief moment there, I was like " ok here we go, my life is back ". Wow did last night snap me back to reality. ...and, of course, all the friends on the forum gently letting me know, too much, too fast :wink1: After this bike thing, I will totally have to approach the kayak a little differently as you suggested.

Taking a little break. My calif friend is here and I told her I would direct her to the bike path, but cannot join her. We did a bunch of walking today but that's not a new thing so. Am safe with that. I have to tell you, even though I have been downing water all day to hydrate I am actually a little nervous to go to bed tonight. Let's hope it was a one night thing. My PT (called her) said I should ice before bed and if it happens tonight to ice instead of heat.

12 wks you say? Guess I lasted a couple more wks than you :th_heehee:

Later gator, me

 

[Poppet]

Certainly do get where you are coming from Cathy, having spent three horrible days with spasms in the unoperated hip..

Time to chill out babe with your visitor... Wine, cheese, crackers... Sounds great.

Oh by the way, Coconut water is fantastic, I wrote about it in my thread way back. You are the first to refer to drinking it

Hope you have a better night.

 

[dianemarie]

Cathy,

My nutritionist recommended magnesium supplements for muscle spasms. I take it every day now and have not had a spasm since I started it. (for spasms in my calves and thighs). It is OTC and readily available pretty much anywhere.

Right after surgery I also took valium for the all over body spasms that I was told were a result of the contortions our bodies are put in to get the implant in place.

I was also told GENTLE stretching might help. I can sympathize with your fear of going to bed as I had a setback after over doing one day and it was in bed that the pain occurred...good luck with finding the solution that works for you...sending you peace, calmness and hope for a restful night's sleep.

 

[adaflorida]

Sleep well, Cathy. We are all thinking of you, and you have the comfort of your friend with you. What's better than that?

Keep us posted....

ada

 

[Anniepops]

Hi Cathy, sorry to read about your spasms.......and there was I very impressed with your 6 mile bike ride and then I read about the fall out!!

Hope sleeping has been okay the past couple of nights and that you are having a lovely time with your friend AND that you are taking it a bit easier and not going crazy.lol.

Take care

Ann.x.

 

[TracyW]

Hi Cathy,

Just checking it to see how it's going since the long bike ride. I'm hoping that the meds and coconut water helped the spasming so you could get some sleep. It's hard not to be overexcited to get back to our normal activities; slow and steady does win the race.

 

[alexthecat]

Hey, Cathy! Have you navigated the transition to the new and improved Bonesmart forum? How was your weekend? Did those spasms clear up for you? Are you ready to get back on that bike?