THR So this is what the 'other side' looks like!..

[finn1913]

Any one else feel tired most of the time? Not really sore... Just wiped out?

My first 2 weeks were good... But this past week has been a mission. Fainted in the shower on Friday, scared the daylights out of my poor husband, and spent the day in hospital. Low blood pressure and low (but increasing) red count. Guess that's why I'm tired... But it only seemed to kick in since Friday.

octopus the nurses at Waitakere are really nice... Even if it did take 3 goes to get a line in. I felt like a pin cushion but can't blame the nurses it can be difficult tapping one a good day!

I hope this low energy rights itself soon! On the upside... The pain is in check,I'm learning my limits, and overall I still feel like it is getting better slowly but surely..

Got a few questions for anyone with an opinion..,

1. How long before you lost the crutches?

2. We get a 6 wk appt with the OS here, but other than that your on your own. I'm doing my exercises, but feel like I'm flying blind. My new hip and old muscles are still in the process of making friends. Hip wants to lead the way, but the muscles aren't so sure about the new kid on the block... The physio at the hospital said I should be fine with the exercises until 6 weeks then I might want to look at more physio... I'm thinking I wouldn't mind a bit more guidance now... Thoughts????

I hope everyone is having a positive recovery and thanks for any and all suggestions or ideas you may wish to share...

Have a good one!

Cheers
Finn

 

[bottomshollow]

Well, Finn, between the low BP, the anemia, and surgical energy drain, it's no wonder you fainted---so glad you were not badly hurt--you could have been. But even getting the BP and anemia taken care of won't eliminate the energy drain from your surgery for a while. As a reminder, here's a link to the library article about the drain: Energy Drain for THRs

Hips tend to sort themselves out with just normal activities and a lot of formal PT really isn't needed. But if you would feel better having some specific exercises to do, here is another link from the library: Exercise websites For THR

Having a 6 weeks waiting period from surgery to seeing your OS again is pretty standard everywhere. Unless you have problems, your OS expects you to rest and heal and do the exercises the physio gave you, and that's about all. No real guidance needed. So just relax, you're doing fine.

Take care and keep us posted. We care.

 

[puddle fish]

I was just looking back at my recovery as the dizzy spells took a while to go a least up to the 6 week point. I was aneamic and had low blood pressure it takes a while to get back to normal even after tranfusions and iron. The energy drain is still there but getting better. I wouldnt worry to much at continued vists to the OS I was discharged from his care at 6 weeks any problems they are at the end of a phone. If its all going well and no problems then having an x ray just to confirm that is more harmful. The most important part of the healing is time and its got to be the hardest part of the recovery. I lost my crutches in a stages, cructhes, sticks, walking poles. Starting with less use at home. I was not using anything at 6 weeks for short distances but any sign of the limp then you need the extra support. I still take a folding stick with me when I travel to London, it gets me a seat on the train which I sometimes need.

 

[octopus]

Hi Finn

I hope you are feeling a bit better today. Good to know about the nurses at Waitakere. It's one of my many concerns! I'm not too worried though, I have a friend who works there, so she knows the system inside out and who to talk to if there's a problem.

6 days of work left! And by are they gong to be busy ones!

Best wishes
Diane

 

[finn1913]

Thanks for the re-assurance!

Feeling better again and a bit stronger...

octopus - not long now! I'm thinking of ya!

 

[octopus]

Thanks Finn, I have 8 days! It's good I have so much to do at work, it's keeping my mind off things.

 

[sharonslp]

Finn, I got very wobbly in the shower my first time. I quickly realized I needed to eat something right away in the morning, before I attempted to do anything. Didn't need to be much....a few crackers were fine; just something.

The energy drain continues for quite a while. In the beginning, every little effort wipes you out. That's actually good....you need all that rest. As you get stronger and do more, you'll feel so good. And then wham!! Exhausted. That's good too....you'll quickly realize that pushing beyond your limits is counter-productive. Give yourself many weeks to let your stamina return gradually. By the time that happens...your hip will be feeling pretty darn good.

How long it takes to walk unassisted depends on a lot of things....how bad off you were before surgery; how long you were bad off before surgery; how much twisting and turning and tugging and yanking and cutting and reaming and so on that your surgeon had to do to wrestle off the bad hip and put in your shiny new one. Some of us get a good walking gait before the first month is up....others can take a lot longer. Managing pain effectively will help you develop a good walking gait more easily, so keep ahead of any pain with an adequate amount taken consistently. Sounds like you're already doing that, so just let the healing continue. Lots of rest, ice, elevate, and gradually increasing your walking and whatever exercises you decide to do.

Sharon

 

[Queenie]

Hi finn1913

I've been catching up with your recovery and it looks to me like you're right on track. I understand the frustration of feeling you could push your body more but if I were you I wouldn't do any extra exercises until you see your OS. It's just not worth it. You'll have plenty of time to catch up. I promise you, be patient and before you know it you'll be up and at 'em and bouncing around like a bionic spring bunny!

Keep smiling warrior.

Queenie xxx

 

[Queenie]

I forgot to mention that I, like you, was in a bit of a quandary before I had the op because I wasn't in constant pain but when the pain came it came in bucket loads!! Some days my pain levels were so low that I questioned my decision to get a new hip. My decision was made on my quality of life. I'm not a big fitness freak, all I wanted was to be able to walk the dog and go to Pilates. I was ok toodling around town but couldn't walk at a decent pace for longer than 20mins without limping home in tremendous pain. So because I'm only 45 I figured I'd rather have a good quality of life now rather than get to 60 and wish I'd done it years earlier.

Queenie xxx

 

[finn1913]

Hi sharonslp and Queenie..

Thanks for your posts... They help keep me on track and keep the frustration at bay!

I'm getting around on 1 crutch these days.. Concentrating on the heel-toe and standing straight! I still don't have enough extension in my left hip but My hip flexors were so stiff pre-op that I had a bit of lean when I walked. My OS told me it was very stiff during the op so maybe thats why its coming along slowly. I may not be quick, but at least my gait is getting better.

Not much if any discomfort these days. Just 2 paracetamol with breakfast and 2 before bed. Lots of icing, resting, elevating, and doing my exercises. All good except the extension and any abduction except in standing. Still finding those difficult.

I'm going to hold fire on anything else until after my 6 week appt.

octopus - I'll be thinking of you tomorrow and sending heaps of good vibes your way! Looking forward to see on this side!!

Cheers
Finn

 

[bottomshollow]

finn---good report. Just keep working slowly and gently on the extension issue and slowly but surely it will get better and resolve itself. Can't expect things that took us years to create to be gone instantly just because we had surgery. Just have to work those things out. And I know you will. So good you're able to be off the loopy pills now (but you no longer have an excuse of doing crazy stuff ).

Take care and keep us posted. We care.

 

[octopus]

Hi Finn

Thanks for your good wishes. I've just had a phone call from the hospital, my surgery has been delayed!!! I can't believe it. It's due to the specialist equipment needed not arriving yet. Can't believe it, I've been on the waiting list four months!

Glad to hear you are ding so well!

 

[finn1913]

I have a question...

How do you know when you are good to get back to work?

Im going to ask my OS next week when I see him for my 6wk appt.. He didn't really give me a timeframe that I recall, more of a it depends kind of answer... I'm a teacher, so basically on the go and on my feet all day..

I am using 1 crutch, feel pretty good most of the time. I know it's quite possibly my head being more able than my body...

Any input, advice, things to consider, etc... Is appreciated!

 

[Poppet]

I went back to an office job at seven weeks on a phased return, three days for three weeks. It was the energy drain that bothered me every day until around the twelve week mark.. it hit me around 3-30 pm, I would wriggle and eventually get breakthrough pain.. so what did I do.. I took pain meds at 3pm and used ice packs and that helped me get through a full day.. my days are long.. nine and half to ten hour days.

When I have my other hip done, I will take as much leave as I can, at least three months. Everyone is different

 

[Davefd]

it hit me around 3-30 pm

That's funny- right about the same time I always got my 'drop'- Still hits from time to time and I'm almost 4 mos out! must be the 'magic number'

finn- my experience was I didn't really feel up to more than a few hours work a day til around 2.5 mos (also in part due to my 'setback')- even then it was a stretch, and I still couldn't pull a full day even right now I think. My advice is just don't 'overcommit' yet if you have the option to take it easy for a few months.

 

[finn1913]

Thanks Poppet and Davefd...

I'm a teacher and told my principal that I'd like to be back after 6 weeks. That is next week.. But I'm still fading around lunchtime/early afternoon, have just moved to one crutch all the time, and still take pain meds... I know I'm not ready, but feel like I'm letting them down... What a strange mindset!

Everyday gets better.. A bit more energy, a bit more strength, a bit less pain... It's just such a slow process!!! I underestimated how long this might take.

Even though I can see the progress... Argh!!!!! I'm frustrated.

Sorry to vent!

Cheers
Finn

 

[octopus]

Hi Finn, can't believe you're almost six weeks, time flies! Take some more time if you can, I'm sure the school won't see it as you letting them down. Enjoy the beautiful weather while it lasts.

 

[Poppet]

Yes definitely take more time.. So important to your recovery.

You will get there.. I told myself not to have expectations about the length of time for recovery.. It helps.