Become an Insider

THR Pain Meds

Wow, thanks so much! You have expressed exactly what I am feeling. It’s hard to believe right now that this will ever get better.

I appreciate the encouragement.
 
I noticed last week that I started forgetting to use the walker. PT was here and recommended a cane. Now I find that I am forgetting to use the cane. (I am almost 10 days out from surgery.) I do however, reach for the walker when I’m tired.

Wondering what thoughts might be re. - other than for balance - skipping the walker and the cane and just walking? Thanks
 
At only 10 days out, it probably doesn't matter which you use, but you're proabably safer if you continue to use something. You don't want to risk a fall.

Indoors, you can probably use the furniture for support occasionally.

By the way, you'll notice that I have merged your two threads together as it's best if members in recovery only have one thread.
This is because:
  • That way, you have all your information in one place. This makes it easier for others to go back and review your history before providing advice.
  • If you start new threads, you miss the posts and advice others have left for you in the old threads, and some information may be unnecessarily repeated
  • Having only one thread will act as a diary of your progress that you can look back on.

Please keep all your questions and updates on this thread. We won't miss your new question as, between us, the staff read all new posts each day.
If you need an urgent response to a question, tag a member of staff.
Tagging other members and answering tags

If you prefer a different thread title, just post what you want and we'll get it changed for you.

Here are the instructions on finding your thread, How can I find my threads and posts?

A helpful hint - Many members have found it useful to bookmark their thread so they don't lose it.

Best wishes,
Celle
 
I have been taking Norco 5-325 since my surgery December 1. At first I took 2 tabs every four hours 24/7 for about a week. Directions are 1 to 2 tabs every 4 to 6 hours.

I am now taking one tab about every 5 hours.
I have pain not relieved by Tylenol. I have tried! I keep hearing from others around me that I need to transition to Tylenol and and to start now taking Tylenol in between the Norco. (I know that there is a limit in how much Tylenol you can take.) Is there something wrong with continuing to take the Norco for pain and then when the pain is less switching to Tylenol, if needed?

I hope that this isn’t too confusing. Thanks
 
Hello and Happy Saturday to you! :wave:
I just read a post of yours on another’s thread and thought I’d take the conversation to your thread.

Please do not look to your PT for advice on your meds. You need to discuss this with your surgeons office as he’s the one who prescribed the meds. Your PT has no authority to urge you to cut down on your prescription. I would advise you stop PT for now, especially since you mentioned waking at 1:00 am this morning in “severe pain”.

Following is the BIG TIP from the Recovery Guidelines in case you haven’t made your way through the articles yet.
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.

Please take your meds as prescribed by your surgeon, on schedule, and if they aren’t working for you, contact your surgeons office so they can adjust / change meds or dosage.

The Activity Progression for THR is a good example of the activity you should be engaging in within these first weeks of recovery. Using this as a rough gauge should keep you reasonably active without pain. Check it out -
bonesmart.org

Activity progression for THRs

For THRs. Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) are assessed in hospital as a means of assessing your fitness to be discharged home. Your domestic circumstances will be taken into account as in if you are living alone, etc. ADLs include: ~ Personal hygiene and grooming ~ Dressing and undressing ~...
bonesmart.org bonesmart.org

I hope you have a peaceful relaxing weekend. :)
 
Merrytaylor said:
I keep hearing from others around me that I need to transition to Tylenol and and to start now taking Tylenol in between the Norco.
Click to expand...

Those around you should not be advising on your meds. Please call your surgeons office for advice. They have your records and history and will be able to advise best.
 
@Merrytaylor
You will notice we have been merging your newest threads with your old threads every time you create a new thread.
We have found that keeping a members story in one place, keeps a diary of your recovery for you to look back on and see how your recovery progressed.
Staff reads your posts every day and will not miss any questions or concerns you may have. Posting multiple new threads means staff has to search out previous threads to better answer your questions and address your concerns.

Please book mark your thread so you can easily find it for future questions, concerns, and updates about your recovery.
How can I find my threads and posts?
 
I think trying to access Bonesmart on my phone might be making it more difficult. I’ll switch to a tablet.
 
@Merrytaylor I agree, accessing BoneSmart using a phone can limit what you view. A tiny phone screen hides the bottom of a page meaning if you don't scroll down you can't see where to post. You should have a much better experience with a tablet.
 
OK first post on my tablet hopefully in the correct area!
I am doing better. Two weeks today. I have decreased pain and cut down to two Norco a day - from 12! I am taking one midday and about 9 pm. Hard to believe that I was taking that many. Walking is better, cane now. I walked outside today for the first time today. Unfortunately, probably the coldest day of the year here in NC. Enjoyed it, though.
 
Glad to hear you are feeling better, taking less medication, and were able to go for a walk outside.
 
Great update @Merrytaylor! :santa-dance: It's amazing what a difference two weeks makes isn't it? Do be careful not to join the ODIC (Over Did It Club), it's really easy to do as you start feeling better. Probably a good time to review the THR Activity list to remind yourself that while you are feeling much better you don't want to push that hip, otherwise it will tell you about it the next day, and it won't talk nice! :heehee:
 
@Merrytaylor .... I'm glad to hear you're doing better! Since you were using your phone for a good bit of the time initially, perhaps you didn't see the Personal Message I sent you on December 10th. If you would, please take a look at it and let me know if you are interested in participating in a pilot program we have for recovering hip replacement patients. All the information about it is in the message. I'm hoping you'll join your fellow SuperNovas in this wonderful opportunity - no cost to you at all and you will receive a $50 Amazon card when you complete the pilot program.

To access your Personal Messages, click on the little envelope in the blue tool bar at the top right of your screen.

[Bonesmart.org] Pain Meds
 
Last edited:
The first couple weeks can be a major discomfort, and then one day you realize you keep forgetting to take your pain meds. Your body will let you know, still takes a bit to get going but well worth it! I'm almost 14 years out from replacement and doing great, sure there are a couple small pains here and there that make wonder if something is wrong, usually because you put yourself under stress.

If you start getting calve muscle cramps, I used to stand by the kitchen counter, take a couple steps back while keeping your foot flat on the floor lean into the counter to stretch it out. You can go back further as it feels comfortable, don't go too far too fast.
 
I can’t believe it - I’ve turned the corner!
I am walking well with a cane, only taking one pain pill at night (which I need to taper off now) as I really don’t have much pain - I’ve been using them at night for sleep, I think and I just generally feel much better!
I was very anxious about all of this when it turned out to be so much more than I expected. Thanks to this site I’ve been able to read about others and receive encouragement. It’s been wonderfully helpful.
 
Yay, for turning the corner! :yes!: There comes a day you realize it does get better and you made a wise choice in scheduling surgery. You begin feeling stronger, steadier on your feet and the dreams of a brighter future are becoming a reality.
Wishing you a happy Christmas and many blessings in the New Year!
@Merrytaylor

:merry-xmas-smiley-emoticon::carols:
 
Wow @Merrytaylor, you have turned a corner. Yes, those first weeks can be frustrating. But I gotta say reading your earlier posts where you said you were forgetting the walker at times (and sometimes even the cane) told me that you were actually recovering quite well.

There is a huge mental challenge in recovery and a lot of it has to do with expectations. It's so scary to be immobile for however long we are and scary to be still in pain.

Good luck ... keep taking things easy ...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Active Antimicrobial Hydrogel

Members online

No members online now.
Total: 2,387 (members: 0, guests: 2,387)

Latest posts

Back
Top Bottom