THR NuMe2014 Recovery
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NuMe2014
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@Legin I wish it was just swollen foot but it is not. Both hips were bone on bone at time of each surgery, so when I had the first hip replaced that added 8mm( the new joint taking up space just like good cartilage). The surgeon left it since I would be having the other one fixed soon. So as my surgeon explained to me my leg needs to get used to this 8mm plus an additional 2mm( this the amount he allows for "sinkage" !) sounds funny but that's the way he explained it. So 1cm added plus my leg and pelvis is so out of alignment hence why my leg feels so long and why my muscles are doing the "rumba"from being stretched so much. Who would think that a little 1 cm could cause so much grief!
Legin
big-cheese
Oh I'm not surprised you.are.sore then but you.will get used to it as you.have.already.shown.huge resilience and a.considered approach.to.recovery. is it catching at alllllllllll
Legin THR Sep 14
Legin THR Sep 14
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NuMe2014
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Legin
big-cheese
Me errrr.naaaaa.im just a stubborn old so.and so. Its just a case of adapting make error ooooopsie change plan. I will.be honest it has been v v painful and times when I.could have well taken.more drastic.measures but then stubborn strikes. You.are doing really well tho I admire your honesty.
Legin THR Sep 14
Legin THR Sep 14
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NuMe2014
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Day 9 Post - Op
Well yesterday that " energy drain" hit with a vengeance! I slept most of the day. Up at 6am back to sleep at 8am, up at 11am, back to sleep at 1pm slept until 4:30 pm and then awake til 7pm, snoozed until 8:30pm, back to bed at 11:00pm, slept until 4:30(alarm set for meds)! Now it's 5:00am and I'm ready to go back to sleep!
So I'm thinking that my "big trip" to physio the day before was a big event for me, and that my body is going through a phase of some major healing right now!
We had a big snow storm here(20cm), the night before and I look out the window and wish I could be out there snowshoeing! Oh well, next winter!
Brenda
RTHR - Sept. 8 2014
LTHR - Jan. 19 2015
Well yesterday that " energy drain" hit with a vengeance! I slept most of the day. Up at 6am back to sleep at 8am, up at 11am, back to sleep at 1pm slept until 4:30 pm and then awake til 7pm, snoozed until 8:30pm, back to bed at 11:00pm, slept until 4:30(alarm set for meds)! Now it's 5:00am and I'm ready to go back to sleep!
So I'm thinking that my "big trip" to physio the day before was a big event for me, and that my body is going through a phase of some major healing right now!
We had a big snow storm here(20cm), the night before and I look out the window and wish I could be out there snowshoeing! Oh well, next winter!
Brenda
RTHR - Sept. 8 2014
LTHR - Jan. 19 2015
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NuMe2014
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Day 10, 11, 12 Post - Op
These past few days have been pretty unremarkable. I continue to do my physio exercises. One day they are easy and then the next not so easy
. My perceived? leg length still bothers me when I walk(I know I am still really early in my recovery, but I can't help but worry that this is a REAL problem
) Sleep is good one day and elusive the next
I am also starting to get "cabin fever" it's just too icey and cold (-32C) to be outside. I know this post sounds kind of down but really my spirits are good, I've just hit one of those ...."slow to see much progress " times in my recovery
These past few days have been pretty unremarkable. I continue to do my physio exercises. One day they are easy and then the next not so easy
. My perceived? leg length still bothers me when I walk(I know I am still really early in my recovery, but I can't help but worry that this is a REAL problem) Sleep is good one day and elusive the next I am also starting to get "cabin fever" it's just too icey and cold (-32C) to be outside. I know this post sounds kind of down but really my spirits are good, I've just hit one of those ...."slow to see much progress " times in my recovery
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NuMe2014
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Post - Op 2 weeks
I saw my surgeon today and he is happy with my progress and he approved the removal of my staples
,the incision looks nice and clean. With both of my surgeries I have been so amazed at the lack of bruising of any kind!
Had second outpatient PT session and they are really impressed with me, so much that they gave me exercises to do, that with last hip they never gave me until week 5
. As with my first hip I do not do nearly as many sets as they advise and I stop if it hurts or if the next day it's burning this worked well before for me, and I always ice immediately after.
Sleep is still good and bad
my body seems to like in bed by 10pm read for an hour, sleep until 3-3:30 awake til around 5 and then sleep until 7 - 8 then I am good until afternoon when I have an awesome 3 hour sleep!
I have been following my same medication schedule since day 3, but today I noticed that when it was time for my next dose I was not having any pain so I think tomorrow I will switch it up, just not sure if I will cut back on the dose or just spread the doses further apart
My appetite is getting better slowly,I had this issue last time too. Normaly I love food but find I have to force myself which I do, with high fibre and protein. I think one of my issues is my upset tummy...medication induced
I am starting to get more "cabin fever" I wish it would warm up!
Brenda
I saw my surgeon today and he is happy with my progress and he approved the removal of my staples
,the incision looks nice and clean. With both of my surgeries I have been so amazed at the lack of bruising of any kind! Had second outpatient PT session and they are really impressed with me, so much that they gave me exercises to do, that with last hip they never gave me until week 5
. As with my first hip I do not do nearly as many sets as they advise and I stop if it hurts or if the next day it's burning this worked well before for me, and I always ice immediately after.Sleep is still good and bad
my body seems to like in bed by 10pm read for an hour, sleep until 3-3:30 awake til around 5 and then sleep until 7 - 8 then I am good until afternoon when I have an awesome 3 hour sleep!I have been following my same medication schedule since day 3, but today I noticed that when it was time for my next dose I was not having any pain so I think tomorrow I will switch it up, just not sure if I will cut back on the dose or just spread the doses further apart
My appetite is getting better slowly,I had this issue last time too. Normaly I love food but find I have to force myself which I do, with high fibre and protein. I think one of my issues is my upset tummy...medication induced
I am starting to get more "cabin fever" I wish it would warm up!
Brenda
copsham
post-grad
Hi @NuMe2014
I am a few days behind you in surgery and in my progress. I had major bruising though down the back of my leg right down to my ankle. It went really quickly though. My worst aspect is sleeping - it feels it will never be the same again but no doubt it will get a bit better but I have never been a brilliant sleeper anyway.
I am managing the exercises but I think my expectations were too high thought I would be back to normal by now. Oh well need to keep plugging away.
I was discharged taking 1000mg paracetamol 4 times a day (due to sensitivities to everything else). After a few days I kept forgetting it so changed it to three times per day - but not a good idea. I was not in real pain but felt achey which hindered my movement a lot it then took 2-3 days to stabilise it again. So I am sticking with my 4 times a day u til I get more fluid in my walking. It is all such trial and error in relation to everything we do!!
I am a few days behind you in surgery and in my progress. I had major bruising though down the back of my leg right down to my ankle. It went really quickly though. My worst aspect is sleeping - it feels it will never be the same again but no doubt it will get a bit better but I have never been a brilliant sleeper anyway.
I am managing the exercises but I think my expectations were too high thought I would be back to normal by now. Oh well need to keep plugging away.
I was discharged taking 1000mg paracetamol 4 times a day (due to sensitivities to everything else). After a few days I kept forgetting it so changed it to three times per day - but not a good idea. I was not in real pain but felt achey which hindered my movement a lot it then took 2-3 days to stabilise it again. So I am sticking with my 4 times a day u til I get more fluid in my walking. It is all such trial and error in relation to everything we do!!
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NuMe2014
member
@copsham I think we all have these high expectations on how we "want" our recoveries to be! It is a real test of patience! I was fortunate to have been by Mother's side through both of her hip replacements a couple years ago and learned much through her. It is a very slow and steady pace but I think in the end very worth it. Also what I have gleaned over the last 5 months following so many here on this forum appears that those who have had the time to be able to do the"slow and steady" seem to have the best outcomes. I am fortunate that I do not have to rush my recovery in order to return to a job or have young children that would need me to heal " quickly.
sabresfan
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@NuMe2014 Right behind you in my new life journey. The cold and snow are definitely a downer. This journey is helping me to learn we certainly cannot change things beyond our control. Have you ever had issues with your legs shaking? Its worse at night and morning. Not sure how it plays into recovery. I am thinking something to do with not taking Trazadone. I might have to take one tonight and see if it helps. Hoping more strides for the next recovery week. Day 8 for me
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NuMe2014
member
@sabresfan re: leg shaking. With my first hip I used to get at night what I describe as every muscle in the operated leg would tensing right up. This would happen a couple times at night and in the early hours of the morning. It would literally startle me awake! Once I was more mobile during the day it did not happen. This time around I have not had the problem, I think it is because of one of the meds that I am on this time, Gabapentin. So I am not sure if this is the same thing that you are experiencing or not?
RTHR - Sept. 8 2014
LTHR - Jan. 19 2015
RTHR - Sept. 8 2014
LTHR - Jan. 19 2015
FiFi
junior member
Hi @NuMe2014 i know my sister @craftdee had some trouble and worry in the beginning about length ot her leg but it seems did sort out as her weeks went by did you notice this last time you seem to be going very good I hope your weather gets better soon you can have some of ours we are having 35 to 38 deg but in the + range haha very hot to hot to do a lot you seem to be going better than last time Fiona xx
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NuMe2014
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@FiFi I would love to have some of your weather ( well maybe just a wee bit cooler, I can handle 28C - 30C) just so It would melt the ice and I could go outside and walk!
On another note - I have not taken my heavy medication (Hydromorphone) for the last two nights and have slept for 8 hour stretches!
On another note - I have not taken my heavy medication (Hydromorphone) for the last two nights and have slept for 8 hour stretches!
copsham
post-grad
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NuMe2014
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@copsham Oh the elusive thing called sleep! I really have no magic formula I just think I have a few things working in my favour right now.
1. I have not had to adapt or struggle with sleeping on my back because even before my first surgery last Sept I had been sleeping on my back for over a year. Both of my hips were so bad and painful I could not sleep on either side or really move at all once in bed ....the pain was just so bad. I would have two pillows to prop up my head and back and then for my legs since they would just kind of "flop" to the sides but not flat I would have a pillow for each leg to rest on! So once I was in bed I was not moving around! My husband said I always looked so peaceful once I was asleep because I would just be laying there so strait and usually with my hands folded in my stomach!
2. I am 2 1/2 weeks post-op now and what pain I do have, is well controlled.
3. My mantra "sometimes in life it is not what we want, but what is required" carries me through so much of my recovery.
1. I have not had to adapt or struggle with sleeping on my back because even before my first surgery last Sept I had been sleeping on my back for over a year. Both of my hips were so bad and painful I could not sleep on either side or really move at all once in bed ....the pain was just so bad. I would have two pillows to prop up my head and back and then for my legs since they would just kind of "flop" to the sides but not flat I would have a pillow for each leg to rest on! So once I was in bed I was not moving around! My husband said I always looked so peaceful once I was asleep because I would just be laying there so strait and usually with my hands folded in my stomach!
2. I am 2 1/2 weeks post-op now and what pain I do have, is well controlled.
3. My mantra "sometimes in life it is not what we want, but what is required" carries me through so much of my recovery.
LibraryLynn
senior
I'm on Gabepentin @600mg at bedtime for my fibro. I'm thrilled to know that it helps with the hip stuff too. It does make me very drowsy; we tried to put me on it during the day, and I was a drooly mess.
I didn't have the dreaded restrictions, but it was difficult to sleep on my side...either side...so I ended up on my back. I had to prop a lot and then prop my legs too. I know the first night I passed out on my stomach because I was so tired and so frustrated after trying to get into bed.
Do I want to do this over again in May? What am I saying?
I didn't have the dreaded restrictions, but it was difficult to sleep on my side...either side...so I ended up on my back. I had to prop a lot and then prop my legs too. I know the first night I passed out on my stomach because I was so tired and so frustrated after trying to get into bed.
Do I want to do this over again in May? What am I saying?
OP
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NuMe2014
member
I actually took my last dose of Gabapentin 2 days ago. My surgeon had wrote the script, and I thought I would wait and see how things go before I would see my GP for a script of these. I did start back on my Celebrex when I stopped the Gabapentin, I think that is also why I am sleeping and feeling so well.
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