THR Second round ... and I sure hope it goes as well as the first

[Mojo333]

Hope you've been able to get some relief and that all else is going well too!
Hang in there!

 

[Knitquilt]

One week out of surgery deserves an update. I’m feeling pretty good - no pain when reclining on the couch and only mild pain when moving around. I had the bandage taken off today and the scar looks great and I really don’t see much bruising, although there is swelling.

Felt so good on Saturday, I decided to stop taking Tramadol and just continue with Tylenol. Even though I’m just taking 50 milligrams, apparently the 50 mil. are very needed! I felt fine all day and was happy not to feel so sleepy as Tramadol makes me want to nap, but by evening I was hurting and feeling very foolish! What was I thinking! Back on Tramadol for the foreseeable future

Saw PT today and she took me off the walker and I graduated to the cane. I felt ready for this because when using the walker, if one of my dogs was sleeping in my path, I would pick up the walker so as not to disturb them, and then put the walker down and continue on my way - it’s probably way safer to use the cane.

Having gone through this 11 months ago has definitely been an advantage. There are some things I obsessed about after the first surgery - especially if I should do outpatient PT. This time if anyone asks, I just say no - end of story -no discussion!

And I sewed today - just a bit of hand sewing, but I actually felt like I’m beginning to get back to my old self. Crossing my fingers (and toes) this recovery continues on this way ...

 

[Mojo333]

So glad to hear...You sound more than fabulous at ONE WEEK!!!!
Yesss...shhhh...lets do a quiet WOW....NO JINXING THIS.
Hope your week is sweet.

 

[Layla]

So great to read when second recoveries match or are better than the first.
I feel sorry for those who breeze through the first and struggle through the second. But it happens.
I'd imagine there's a degree of familiarity the second time around making it less stressful than the first THR.
You're doing great. May it only get better!
@Knitquilt

 

[Alitm]

@Knitquilt So jealous that you went to the loo so soon! I haven't been so lucky! Might have been the type of raised toilet seat I had...and it was so uncomfortable. Hubby has changed that up for me, and the replacement seat is much better for sitting down!

 

[Knitquilt]

Yah, that was exciting news for me, too @Alitm !!! This is where having previous experience came in handy. I was prepared- it looked like a small pharmacy on my kitchen island. What worked for me was Miralax with dinner. If that didn’t work by mid morning the next day, I took stool softeners. I’m still hyper aware of when I do or don’t go.

I hope your system adjusts soon -it’s celebration time for sure!

 

[Layla]

Hope you have a great day entering your second week already.
Time flies, as you know from your last.
Wishing you a peaceful week of healing.
@Knitquilt

 

[Knitquilt]

What a horrible night’s sleep! I seem to have developed this “twitching” that happens when I’m falling asleep. Last night every time I fell asleep, my leg or arm would twitch and wake me up. Several times I woke myself up with little yips!
I did take a Dilaudid at 1:00 and I’m also taking Gabapentin 3 times a day - this is in addition to Tramadol.

Is anyone else experiencing this side effect? I have had these twitches when falling asleep before, but never all night long!

Between the dry mouth from sleeping on my back, twitching limbs, and yips, I’m exhausted!

 

[Alitm]

@Knitquilt I did have really dry mouth when on the Dilaudid. I did some serious twitching about two nights ago. That feeling of falling backwards when you are going off to sleep? It was quite a strong twitch, more so that usual. I've been better since off the Dilaudid. Hoping you have a better night tonight.

 

[Knitquilt]

@Alitm much better night, Actually slept through for the first tine! And yes, I’ve had that falling feeling which I guess is the ultimate twitch - kind of scary!

No more Dilaudid - I need to get rid of the rest - maybe bring it to pharmacy or police?

How has sleep been for you?

 

[Layla]

Happy Wednesday to you
Hope your days are feeling a bit brighter.
A sensation of falling as you're drifting off would be disturbing.
Great news you slept well last night. Hope tonight is a repeat.
A great rest of the week to you
@Knitquilt

 

[Mojo333]

Boy, the pain reliever I used that caused me No ill effects sure has had some bad side effects on some of my fellow hippys.
All goes to show you, each with our own individual experience.
Such early days...all kinds of fun still to be had for a bit, but the payoff will be Huge.
I hope that you feel better soon @Knitquilt

 

[Knitquilt]

all kinds of fun still to be had for a bit

@Mojo333

Love that quote! Sometimes you just need to laugh!

I have my friends all confused. I could say I feel great to one friend in the morning, and say the opposite later the same day - it’s quite the ride

 

[Alitm]

@Knitquilt I somehow missed your Wednesday post. I'm sleeping in the recliner and that is working for me. I'd take the meds to the pharmacy to be discarded.

Has the dry mouth improved since you stopped the Dilauded? I found my mouth to be super dry when on that med. It has improved dramatically since I switched to the Tramadol.

I can't sleep in bed..just can't get comfortable, so am sleeping on the recliner. That seems to work.

How has the rest of your week been?

 

[Layla]

Hi
Hope you're doing well over the last couple days.
Stopping by to wish you a nice weekend.
Coming up on two weeks already on Monday. Time sure flies when we're having fun, lol.
Take care!
@Knitquilt

 

[Knitquilt]

@Alitm I’m so glad your sleeping problems have resolved. Whether you’re sleeping on a recliner or in a bed, sleep is sleep! My bed is adjustable so it’s very much like a recliner - I feel very nestled in. Bought the bed when I had problems with vertigo and it sure has come in handy for these 2 hip surgeries.
And my problems with twitches and dry mouth have greatly diminished since I stopped the Dilaudid. Been reading your recovery thread about walking on uneven ground and find that to be so true. The only even ground we have is in the house and that gets boring pretty quickly.

Also, so interested when you talk about train rides - it’s on our list of things we definitely want to do. Our daughter is in Vancouver BC and my husband and I have been discussing a train ride either going to see her or coming back. Is there one route that is more picturesque than others?

Hope your recovery is coming along and this week is a good one!

 

[Layla]

Happy Two Week Anniversary!
I hope your recovery is going well.
Wishing you a great week as you continue healing.
@Knitquilt

 

[Mojo333]

Eman swears by grocery store rehab!
Flat floors, cart to lean on.
Not a bad idea I have to admit especially if you go midday when not so crowded.
Hope today is a Good Day @Knitquilt

 

[Knitquilt]

Two week update: thanks for the nudge @Layla

This second surgery is completely different so far from the first. I seem to have more pain (not excruciating) this time, but my head is clearer and I actually feel like doing more things. My son is getting married next spring and I am working on a wedding quilt for him and his fiancée. It’s slow going, but I’m enjoying it.

The pain is coming from around the incision where it is still swollen and behind the leg, so I ice on both places.

This time I’m walking with a limp even with the cane. Layla, your suggestion about heel/toe makes a big difference- thank you!

Taking Tramadol along with Tylenol 3 times a day. Cut back my afternoon dose so I don’t feel so sleepy. 50 mg. Tramadol helps but doesn’t get rid of the pain entirely. I take 100 mg. at night to help me sleep.

Last time, I saw improvement early on almost day to day. This time, I seem to have stagnated- it’s not awful, but I’d love to see some sort of sign that I am indeed getting better! I keep telling myself it’s still early days ...

 

[Layla]

It is definitely early days. I'm sorry your second feels a bit lackluster compared to your first.
Even so, it sounds minor and seems you're doing well. I gauged progress by weekends, trying to pay little attention to day to day progress. It feels more productive and rewarding. It's usually easy enough to remember from weekend to weekend, what you were doing because hubs is usually home, or company is visiting. Thinking back you recall how mobile, or immobile you were. Whether you were in a good mood or wincing with each move.
I have faith you'll get there. Without your first to use as a means of comparison, you're doing great!
@Knitquilt