THR Shawnna's Right Hip Recovery

[Shawnna]

Hi Jaycey,

I have not had any restrictions since surgery - which is nice but I think it's led me to be very complacent with post-surgery exercises.

As for PT, my insurance requires me to drive a good 40 minutes to 'their' PT and I wasn't too impressed the first time I went so I haven't gone back.

It seems the least little twist or turn the 'wrong' way makes it flare up. And by 'wrong', I mean any way that causes pain.

This time, I drove my regular car (which sits much lower than my Ford F350) and getting out I felt it tweak - if that makes sense?

It's been hurting something fierce since then.



Took two extra strength Tylenol and two of my 5 mg Oxycodone and as long as I'm laying down, it feels fine.

But I have to work tomorrow (from home - thank goodness!) but then Tuesday & Thursday this week I go into the office for the whole day. Am really hoping I can get this under control or I'm going to be miserable while at the office.

I am planning to take one crutch when I go in - just to force me to take it easy.

 

[Poppet]

Hi Shawnna

So sorry you are experiencing groin pain. I just hope it is related to your increased mobility that you had with Ryan etc.

I will be thinking of you going back to work and send you big hugs and lots of warm fuzzies xxxx

 

[Jaycey]

Wow - you are so early out to be thinking about work. But I know it's not always a choice. Do take a crutch. You will get tired and that's when the limping comes back.

Can you ice at work at all? If you are sitting maybe ice when you can. Obviously certain movements are aggravating your hip. You need to keep that under control.

Hope you have a good chair at work! Sitting is very hard for new hippies. Proper workstation placement is very important.

Enough of my lecture - good luck with your return. Slow and steady!

 

[Poppet]

Hi Shawnna

Just checking in with everyone's progress..

How are you doing back at work full time for the two days this week? I do hope you have that comfy chair and ice and Meds with you?

I find getting you from my desk every 20 minutes and stretching and just walking a bit around my office helps. It is only for a few minutes, but makes all the difference..

Lots of love, prayers for an easy transition into work and hugs xxx Sandy

 

[Shawnna]

Hi Sandy and everyone else who finds this thread useful.

First full day in the office was yesterday. And I didn't quite make the whole eight hour day. By about 3:45 I was extremely exhausted so I came home an hour early.

And rather than take the commuter train then bus, I decided to drive. I am concerned about the walk from the train/bus station to my office and thought driving would make me feel more comfortable. It did - for sure - but it costs me $12/day to park so I can't do this for too much longer.

I'm grateful to have a job to go back to - especially when so many don't.

But honestly, after working part time from home last week and this past Monday and Tuesday and then 'full time' yesterday in the office and 'full time' from home today - I'm ready for hip #2 to be done just so I can get away from the dysfunction and corporate politics!

I seriously forgot how awful it can be there. Whatever happened to treating people like you want to be treated? That is a wonderful rule to live by - especially in a corporate environment.

I did take one crutch with me. While I'm totally confident and comfortable in the house without any walking aids - being away from home is a little intimidating so having the crutch gave me more confidence as I navigated my way around meetings and what not.

I have ordered a cane which should be delivered next Tuesday - than I'll ditch the crutch and use that.

I did get a new chair in my office and had to call the facilities guy to help me get it set up so it wasn't causing undue pressure - seems to be ok.

And Sandy is 100% right - getting up at a minimum of once every hour is an absolute must!!

 

[Poppet]

Hi Shawnna

Yes, full days are tough... I posted on my own thread a few weeks ago that 3:30pm seemed to be the magical time for me when it all seemed too hard.. I am only taking the occasional Paracetamol and have now worked it out with that timing, I take two around 3pm and stop the pain rush before it happens now.. Just a tip for anyone in the same situation.

Yes, the good old organizational pressures.. I certainly have been hit by those! Heaps of political pressures in my job! And the work has to be finished - 'yesterday'..

Hang in there Shawnna, I have found that it is getting easier as I work out my requirements and routines to move. I have a PC application installed that runs according to the PC clock and forces me to get up and stretch or whatever for a set period. I do have the ability to over ride it if I absolutely have to stay put. But after three 'snoozes' by the clock it locks my PC..

It is difficult when one just has to keep working - we just put one foot in front of the other - we are getting good at that now !

lol xx

 

[Jen]

Shawnna you are amazing for being back in the office just five weeks after your surgery. I'm sorry that you had to deal with the drama of corporate life your first day back. Hopefully as you continue to recover it'll be easier to deal with the nonsense. Or you could just imagine bopping people on the head with your shiny new cane :biggrin:. Don't do it of course. At least not until you are fast enough to get away afterward.

 

[dianemarie]

Good luck as you return to work and Shawnna your posts are vey helpful, caring and beneficial to so many of us. I don't know when I will be able to return to work but yours and Sandy's posts are great reminders of what we may need to make it doable. Thanks!

 

[Jaycey]

Just more proof that there is more to returning to work than just the physical activity.

Glad you went home early! Just take things slow and steady and rest when you need to. The trick is not to let the energy levels drop too low. Then you must play catch up!

 

[Shawnna]

Help please?

I worked two days in the office this week and took one crutch each time - primarily gives me confidence navigating around the building etc.

But tonight on the way out the door - while walking with the one crutch - I must have turned or done something because the muscle right in my right buttocks is killing me. Feels like I pulled it or something?

I did have my laptop on a bag with rollers that I was pulling behind me. I'm wondering if that had something to do with it?

Geeze - I never imagined using one crutch could possible cause pain?

 

[haldox]

Ouch!Sorry to hear that happened.

Im sure Jo will be along soon though to help out but maybe Piriformis Syndrome??, info in the library. I would definitely get some ice though!!

Take it easy

 

[Poppet]

Hi Shawnna

I am sure it is muscular.

Rest, elevate and ice and take some pain Meds and monitor.

It might be an idea to go back to two crutches to take some pressure off for the next 24 hours or so.

I am sure there is no problem with the hip

 

[Jamie]

Read this thread and see if it sounds like what you are experiencing.

 

[Shawnna]

Read this thread and see if it sounds like what you are experiencing.

Yep - that sounds like what I've got. Thanks Haldox and Jamie!

Tried some of the stretches in the library thread, took a hot bath and some of my meds.

Now I'm going to hit the sheets early as I'm beat.

:sleepz:

PS - Have I said how grateful I am for all of you and this incredible forum and library??

 

[Jamie]

That's what we're here for, hon.....glad to be available to help you. Rest well!!!

 

[dianemarie]

Shawnna,

Hoping this is a minor blip and you can get back to where you were ASAP. Good thoughts and caring being sent your way.

diane

 

[Jaycey]

Shawnna, in my experience those rolly bags cause you to twist slightly as you are walking. For a new hippie that's a big no, no!

Stretches, ice and rest. But think about another way to carry your laptop. Find a friend who can help you to your car while you are still using your crutch.

 

[Z15]

Shawnna,

Sorry about your pulled muscle...and the exhaustion...I feel your pain.

I should probably come a little bit clean with folks here, I started back parttime at work (3-4 hours a day) last week on Day 15 and I've been increasing since then...and it TOTALLY takes it out of you. We have a number of major activities going on in the next 3 months at work and I need to be at least partially engaged to keep them on track. People's jobs are at stake...

BUT, my office is down an add'l 13 steps in my house...and I can attend a mtg on my headset while walking around my living room...and I probably crash for 20 min around noon and 4 PM. I'm maybe doing 5 hours a day at this point. My Mgr is NOT pushing me and let's me do what I can.

And as we've mentioned before...the STRESS of the workday is a key negative. I do find myself sitting down to do a couple emails and it is peeling back the onion...that leads to 2 more and three others and then an hour+ has gone by and I haven't moved. Twice now I got caught up in one thing or another and was an hour late on my meds.

I do get in my exercices...early and late. And I do have time to kick back as my kitty pictures prove... But, to all those listening, I think Shawnna and I would say, take all the time that your situation permits. In some ways I may have been better off taking 6 months and letting someone else manage my group and deal with business decisions. But that would've been a major decision that I was unwilling to face.

If and when it is time for #2 I will TRULY set aside 8 weeks and go from there. Another factor is that I've been fortunate with a crazy good recovery. It makes it hard to ignore work when I am getting around and managing so well...

Live and learn. I will be a better manager going fwd when I can insist that my team take the time for healing...and I will be speaking from experience.

Shawnna, take it as easy as you can and rest as much as you can. It should only get easier week after week,

Z

 

[DallasSarah]

Hi Shawnna,

Your amazing to be heading back to work this soon, and commuting yikes!! Please be careful and watch everthing you do. I think that's where the dr doesnt quite explain this....that you can function very shortly after the surgery, however everything will be slow and you need to be cautious with every step you take, especially going back to work. You are very brave!

Hope the pain heals up quickly. Hopefully this weekend you can rest up before next week!

Happy Friday!

xxooxx

 

[Josephine]

Help please?
Geeze - I never imagined using one crutch could possible cause pain?

'just' using one crutch?

What about this "I worked two days in the office this week"
And this "I did have my laptop on a bag with rollers that I was pulling behind me"

It all adds up.
:wink1:

Best treatment for piriformis is rest and pain pills.

However, I am very sorry to hear this has happened. What a bummer (pardon the pun!)