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THR New pain 14 days out from anterior left hip replacement<

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I have learned so much. Wish they had just given me this web site and a couple extra dressings change kits! Today is five weeks and I think (hope) aches and pains will level off. I'm guessing it is normal for everything to be uncomfortable, back, other leg and hip.

Have very little energy and NO patience left, with the people around. "You look like you are completely well, must have been easy for you..." Today I couldn't resist...an acquaintance of mine who generally lives in continuous drama-land, Started bombarding me with how easy it must have been. I spent 10 minutes describing the surgery and manipulation of my leg during...she turned sort of grey when I got to the part of inserting and pounding in the stem!! Most fun I have had in a month--or at least 5 weeks.
This really is the hardest experience physically and emotionally....I would say it even tops the gold standard of "having babies" ( had three so I can be a judge)


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ddj said:
Started bombarding me with how easy it must have been. I spent 10 minutes describing the surgery and manipulation of my leg during...she turned sort of grey when I got to the part of inserting and pounding in the stem!! Most fun I have had in a month--or at least 5 weeks.
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Great stuff @ddj ! People who have not been on this journey can make things harder with those sweeping assumptions. You are doing just great. This recovery takes time!
 
Hehehe, I LOVE the way you shut that person up by describing the surgery!! Hammering and sawing and moving the leg all over the place and twisting muscles and tendons are hallmarks of replacement surgery. Hey, there are plenty of videos of the surgery on You Tube. Next time someone says you're having an easy time, invite them to watch one or two. They'll definitely turn about 50 shades of gray, LOL! Keep up with gently taking care of yourself and with that wonderful sense of humor!!
 
Thank you for encouraging words! Guess we never know what is coming. Took a short trip to zoo with grandkids. Just to test my distance " endurance" walking. We are about 150 mile from home, traveled on the train. Up all night after the ride and before zoo time with back and abdominal pain...taxi ride to hospital ..surgery for a stuck kidney stone. Because of the recent THR I spent night on the ortho floor! Nurses had fun examining a 5 week incision. Were very supportive with information about continuing recovery. Lot more helpful and informative than at my own hospital! Of course I am much more ready to listen now.
My daughter is coming to pick us up...do not think I can tolerate bumpy frequent stops of train ride.


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Oh my life! Some trip to the zoo you had there! I do hope you're okay now.
 
Yes doing ok. Very tired from second surgery. Now hopefully will be able to put off return to work another week! So will be 7 weeks. Guess could say "yea for emergency out of town surgery!" It is always more impressive than a scheduled event...


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I have to say that looking back I am very surprised at how difficult and painful and emotional recovery has been. Ready to go back to work Monday, go on with life and forget about the last two months. Sort of... Still have a pronounced limp and pain but each week is getting better. Noticed a big change at week 6, now 3 days into week 7. Guess kidney stone thing trumped left over surgery pain! Now I just need to remember where I put my name badge so I can get into the hospital employee parking lot!!


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@ddj So sorry that you have to return to work so early out of 2 major surgeries. I hope you can take things easy! Energy drain is a real part of this recovery and you just can't ignore it.
 
Tomorrow is my long awaited first post op appointment with the surgeon. Oddly feeling like I do not even want to go. Seven very long weeks of trying get through pain confusion and feeling like an orphan, beat up and left on the side of the road. Is it important that I am still hurting? It is less than before so I am grateful for that. What am going to do with this crazy left over emotional stuff going on inside my head.
I imagine tomorrow's appointment will be a quick X-ray to look at the handy work and a brief "looks like you are doing well" conversation.


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ddj said:
What am going to do with this crazy left over emotional stuff going on inside my head.
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Talk about it. This recovery is a roller coaster and sometimes the ride gets very bumpy. There are plenty of members out there going through the same feelings. Talking about it does help.

Be sure and discuss all your concerns with your surgeon. Believe it or not, they are equally concerned that you have a successful outcome.
 
Interesting day...surgeon pleased with progress. New replacement parts starting get friendly and share bone growth with e rest of the joint. Yes limp will be there for a while. I did tell him pain management was minimal but I am surviving . He believes the ongoing pain is the IT band. Life was a lot less complicated before all these tissue structures started demanding attention! Good thing I paid attention in anatomy class.
Still struggling with recent kidney stone removal ( last week) and the fact that I can't get the stint out. As I had surgery while we were out of town ...very nice on all for the ER urologist. Left a "string" attached so I could just put the stint ( which goes all the way into my kidney) out after 7 days. I think the string came untied. Anyway very nice X-ray tech took a wider exposure so I could see what is going on. Stint is intact but stuck up against the top of the bladder. Orthopedic surgeon was concerned. Oh that must hurt... You need to get into the urology office quickly...funny thing is that kidney stone pain seems to be a universal definition of #10 pain! Even for someone who saws off body parts for a living!
Issue now is I still do not have a primary MD. Urology will see me in about 10 days but first I have to give them $200.00. May end up driving back to Portland.....about 150 miles to the on MD that did the surgery... Calling insurance tomorrow to see if they will authorize out of town visit. Sorry about long story. ...it has been a crazy two months.. Healthcare in this country really does need revision.
Back to work officially put off for two weeks. Supervisor not happy , because I am on short term disability she can not legally terminate me. Will have to be very careful to pull my share and more when I get back.




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End of the saga...a lot better than the beginning! Nice 300 mile round trip drive...very nice urologist quickly and with no pain removed stint and said no follow up needed...go live your life! Office nurses intrigued with my 8 inch scar...which is looking better each day. Even helped me buckle up my boots, which I can actually do by myself but she wanted to help.

Just past the 8 week mark. Feels like forever since the hip surgery. I know I am echoing what I have been hearing...really does just take time! Going to spend last two weeks off building stamina and strength. This last week my new parts and I are actually developing a working relationship...especially as the pain stuff is just bothersome at night with achy occasional shooting pains.

Going back to work fill time. I am also in school full time, finishing up a bachelors so I can interview for a faculty position at the university, which is hopefully the next big event.
Doing school work when you do not feel well is not fun, so I am happy to get my life back.

I do have a question.... To treat my "getting old" back I have an inversion machine..stretches the spinal discs and relieves pressure on nerves ....ok to get back on it?.. Anyone have experience with using an inversion table after hip surgery? Don't want to undo anything...important like new ball and socket joints!



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ddj said:
To treat my "getting old" back I have an inversion machine..stretches the spinal discs and relieves pressure on nerves ....ok to get back on it?.. Anyone have experience with using an inversion table after hip surgery?
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I would call your surgeon's office about this. You don't want to do anything that will pull on that new hip.
 
Got a call back this week from a person in the surgeon office. She did not know if inversion table was ok or not. Will just wait and ask when I have next appointment at end of March. Not worth it right now. Online information is on both sides of yes it is ok and no don't use it. Right now just focused on going to work...hoping I still have a job ...and putting the last months behind me...aa much as a person can. Interestingly looks like long term pain management has resolved back to about the same amount of ibuprofen (800mg 3-4 times/day) as I was taking before surgery. Positive thing is I can go up/down stairs now and go back to my martial arts which I have missed a lot. I think I will still enjoy reading conversations here, and advocating for this site to be offered as a resource.


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Very wise decision about your inversion table. Let us know what your surgeon says. I have not run across this question before so will be interested.
ddj said:
Right now just focused on going to work...hoping I still have a job
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Gosh - hope you aren't under threat of losing your job! It's enough stress going back to work let alone that added!

Please don't be discouraged. Your recovery does not stop at a certain time post op. You will continue to see improvement. For some of us it takes up to a year or longer.
 
Back to work now for three weeks. I did go back to a very hostile reception from my direct supervisor...her and one other manager clearly want me gone! So far I am hanging on and trying to deal with it. Am not going to give them a reason and it is kind of funny in that no one else there wants to do my job...(stressful but to be continued). Am looking for another job but have 6 months of school left before I can apply at the university.
I am still experiencing a lot of pain ...(8-10 hrs a day walking floors are cement under the carpet). At end of day it is worse. I am trying to figure out which is better...aspirin products...Tylenol....or ibuprofen ...I have asked 3 different MD's and received 3 different answers. Family MD ( I finally found one!!)=aspirin. Rehab MD= ibuprofen Orthopedic clinic triage = Tylenol.
My counselor. (Helping me with this crazy depression /emotional rollercoaster ride) says "find something...continued pain is not helping the emotional healing". Any ideas? Still icing each evening...even while I am studying.


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Oh I forgot to report. Orthopedic surgeon said no inversion table ...maybe in a year or so. But not now. Using acupuncture ( and ice) to treat the back injury...which so far is helping.


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Thank you. It is amazing the different medications used in different countries. This week I have my 2nd appointment with the surgeon (surgery was 3 months ago). As my previous post indicate it has been a constant battle to find some level of pain control . I have heard from a person I work with that it really was six months before she began to have more comfortable days. I am careful with maximum dosages....have no intention of looking for more replacement parts!! Livers and kidneys are too hard to find and aren't available in metal or ceramic models.


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