THR Roger's Story

[The Cappuccino Kid]

Hi Roger,

Another milestone reached - staples out. My incision did exactly the same - bled from a couple of holes. I just allowed the steri-strips to fall off and it was fine.

I wouldn't worry about the weight bearing issue. Different surgeons have different opinions on the best way to deal with uncemented. I'm sure that if you were meant to be non - or partial - weight bearing then they'd have made sure that you knew.

You're doing well - just keep going with the meds and exercise.

 

[nanamac]

Roger, you seem to be doing really well, and please do continue with the icing and elevating. You don't mention pain meds though. What are you taking and how often?

Five out of ten sounds pretty uncomfortable to me and you are pretty early out yet. You need to be medicating on a regular basis as well, if you aren't.

Otherwise, keep up the good work !

 

[Jollyroger]

You don't mention pain meds though. What are you taking and how often?

I'm taking one Naproxen (the least 'heart unfriendly' NSAID - I have a heart condition) plus maybe 6 paracetamol a day. Not sure if they are doing much good, to be honest but the pain is OK; uncomfortable but not unbearable. It is worse when I am sitting still. Moving around it seems easier - in fact, I think I am getting more pain from my un-operated hip now (which is also due for replacement . . . sometime!).

I didn't get on with cocodamol and/or tramadol when I was in hospital (nausea, light headed etc.) so reverted to my pre-op meds which are OK. Maybe immediately post-op was not the time to blame cocodamol and tramadol for feeling lousy, though!

 

[The Cappuccino Kid]

Roger, I tend to agree with Janet - 5/10 is too high a pain score. You may want to talk to your GP about options.

 

[Renate]

Hi Roger, you are only 2 weeks post op, and I have to agree that you need something stronger for now. Pls talk to your doctor about it.

 

[lisanewmc]

Think you've hit the nail on the head there Roger, when you say just post op was not the time to blame drugs for feeling lousy. 5 out of 10 for any length of time could get you down, I agree with the others that you should seek advice .

 

[Jollyroger]

5 out of 10 for any length of time could get you down, I agree with the others that you should seek advice.

Hi Roger, you are only 2 weeks post op, and I have to agree that you need something stronger for now. Pls talk to your doctor about it.

Roger, I tend to agree with Janet - 5/10 is too high a pain score. You may want to talk to your GP about options.

Five out of ten sounds pretty uncomfortable to me and you are pretty early out yet. You need to be medicating on a regular basis as well, if you are!

Thanks all.

Maybe I've overstated the pain level slightly. 5 is perhaps the peak and the background level is 1 to 4. As I said earlier, it is uncomfortable but not unbearable.

I am prescribed 2 naproxen and 8 paracetamol but am only taking 1 naproxen and 6 paracetamol. I will try stepping up the doses a bit to match the prescription and see how it goes.

As you have probably detected I don't like taking more meds than are absolutely necessary. I am already taking 4 pills for the heart condition. I also don't want to get 'hooked' on the opiates (codeine, tramadol etc.).

Things are improving slowly, day by day. For instance, the swelling has almost gone and I can start to do the vertical leg lift that seemed impossible a few days ago.

If I'm not comfortable on the current prescription after a few more days then I will seek advice from my GP.

 

[Phillygirl]

Roger you do not have to worry about becoming addicted to these drugs for the short period of time you will be taking them. It is better to have good pain relief. Talk with your Doctor, Tramadol is a nonnarcotic. For me using lots of ice at this stage was helpful, several times a day. Hope your feeling better. :flowerysmile:

 

[Josephine]

I am prescribed 2 naproxen and 8 paracetamol but am only taking 1 naproxen and 6 paracetamol.

Those are extremely mild pain killers for a knee replacement.

I also don't want to get 'hooked' on the opiates (codeine, tramadol etc.).

People don't get dependent on codeine. But read this Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds

 

[Jollyroger]

Those are extremely mild pain killers for a knee replacement

Hi Josephine

It's a RTHR, but I'm sure the same applies.

I'll see how physio goes on Monday.

Thanks for 'myth bust' pointer - I'd hate to become dependent. :wink1:

 

[Jollyroger]

After another broken night I decided not to wait until next week to get some extra painkillers. I contacted my GP today and he has prescribed codeine (30mg) plus paracetamol.

I'll take some tonight and see if I can get a decent nights sleep.

 

[Jamie]

Good for you, Roger...hope it helps!

 

[nanamac]

Glad to hear you made the call Roger. It will make a world of difference.

 

[The Cappuccino Kid]

Nice one Roger

You might want to order in the prunes too!

 

[Josephine]

I'll say! Mind you, codeine has always seemed to be the favourite analgesic for hips in the UK because it works so well.

 

[Jollyroger]

Six hours sleep last night plus some further dozing. The new meds certainly seem to have made a difference.

Now, about those prunes . . . :skeptical: :secretaea::th_heehee:

 

[vivb]

Yay! I remember the first decent night (even 6 hours is decent!) I felt like a different person. Go with the flow Roger! :th_heehee:

 

[newhipchick]

Reading your story is very helpful Your surgery was 5 days before mine.... and I am still experiencing many of the same issues you are.... my biggest issue as of today is I just can't seem to put my weight on the operated leg when I am walking. I can do it while standing still... but walking still hurts pretty bad.... I also like you though have not been using my pain meds to the fullest. I have a mental block against using them I guess... I work for a law enforcement agency in California and I see how people abuse the meds so I guess I am scared of using them to some point. Keep up the progress and your posts... it is so helpful to read Have a lovely day Roger.

 

[Jollyroger]

Thanks Kelly.

I have had a good day today. We took a picnic to the forest, sat outside in the hot sun while we ate it and then went for a one mile trail walk. I took 1 crutch and used it to good effect for the last few hundred yards when I could feel some discomfort in the new hip, as well as general grumbling in the old one. However, I felt good when we returned to the car - so that is 1 mile(stone) completed.

I'll let you know if I pay the price tomorrow as I've got my first outpatient physio appointment. :eek:

 

[Jollyroger]

I was a little bit stiff this morning from my 1 mile walk yesterday, but not seriously. However, I woke up with heart palpitations/AF, which I suffer from occasionally, usually after alcohol, too much rich food or general stress. Not sure if this episode was hip related - probably not, but it doesn't fit any of the other triggers either. Anyway, after taking my usual heart pills and an hour of total relaxation it went away, thank goodness.

My first outpatient physio session this morning was OK - in fact, they seemed pleased with the progress I'm making. They checked out walking, balance and flexibility and gave me a few more simple exercises to do. I also did some gentle cycling. There were 4 of us in the class - 2 who were 3/4 weeks out and 2 'newbies' (I was one) who were 2.5 weeks out.

Next week I move on to resistance exercises, with the big elastic bands, apparently. I must remember not to overdo it the day before!