Kelly, is there some specific fear you have of taking the 2 pills every 4 hours. You know, it's not forever, but when you need pain relief...you really NEED it.
THR Some worries and questions... day 6
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Phillygirl
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Sorry to hear about your pain. If you are taking hydrocodone or oxycodone and only take one try taking an extra strength tylenol with it.(This should only be done every 4 hours) This should help, call your pharmacist or doctor. If your doctor lets you see what kind of antiinflamatory you can also take; ibuprofen, meloxicam, naprosyn, there are many. The combination of the two should help. As you know icing several times a day also helps.I hope you feel better real soon.:flowerysmile:
Josephine
NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITA
That was going to be my question too, Jamie.
The drug is prescribed at a certain dose for a certain period of time because that is the way it has been designed to work.
Have a look at this chart and you will see what I mean How long pain medications take to work and to wear off
But you're not 'splitting the difference', Kelly. Do you think your doctor doesn't know what he's doing? Or how medications work? If you were prescribed, say insulin for diabetes, would you only take half of what you were prescribed then and at different times to boot? Of course you wouldn't! Your nurse has given you excellent advice and you should follow it.
The drug is prescribed at a certain dose for a certain period of time because that is the way it has been designed to work.
Have a look at this chart and you will see what I mean How long pain medications take to work and to wear off
newhipchick
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Good morning all....
I had a very good night..... but let me answer the pain med question above..... I do trust my doctor, believe me I would have never let the man cut me open if I didn't trust him..... (big grin) that being said... I work for a law enforcement agency in California, and I see what people do with this drug and what they make from this drug.... so the years of seeing the bad things folks do with it has polluted my mind I think to the good it can do as well. I did cave in yesterday and took the recommended dosage during the day especially during the times I was doing most my walking and exercising and it did take the pain away. I can not take it with some of the other over the counter meds mentioned at this time because I am still on a blood thinner...... but...... I do feel better today and got lots of exercise yesterday
Last night was also the first night I slept in my bed all night and got up during the night for bathroom breaks with NO assistance getting up.... I feel like this was a HUGE step for me.... my poor Mom has been staying with me and my Dad wants her back... ha ha......
It was a very very good day yesterday and a very good night... the best I have had since surgery.... so hopefully that bright shinny object I can see is the light at the end of the tunnel......
Here is hoping for another good day... and huge hugs to you all for helping me get this far <3
I had a very good night..... but let me answer the pain med question above..... I do trust my doctor, believe me I would have never let the man cut me open if I didn't trust him..... (big grin) that being said... I work for a law enforcement agency in California, and I see what people do with this drug and what they make from this drug.... so the years of seeing the bad things folks do with it has polluted my mind I think to the good it can do as well. I did cave in yesterday and took the recommended dosage during the day especially during the times I was doing most my walking and exercising and it did take the pain away. I can not take it with some of the other over the counter meds mentioned at this time because I am still on a blood thinner...... but...... I do feel better today and got lots of exercise yesterday
Last night was also the first night I slept in my bed all night and got up during the night for bathroom breaks with NO assistance getting up.... I feel like this was a HUGE step for me.... my poor Mom has been staying with me and my Dad wants her back... ha ha......
It was a very very good day yesterday and a very good night... the best I have had since surgery.... so hopefully that bright shinny object I can see is the light at the end of the tunnel......
Here is hoping for another good day... and huge hugs to you all for helping me get this far <3
nanamac
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Well I'm sure glad you took the RECOMMENDED amount of medication! It is the ONLY way you are going to get thru this recovery in a humane manner.
If you think about what has been done to you, a few pills a day for a few weeks or months for legitimate pain relief, is certainly NOT going to be abuse of the drug by any stretch of the imagination!
Believe me, when the time comes, your OS will begin to taper off the amount he prescribes. They know when people are abusing them and when there is a legitimate need for them.
Take advantage of them being available for your comfort. Believe me, there is no reason to suffer any more than necessary if at all. Good luck with this Kelly. You are on top of the situation
!
If you think about what has been done to you, a few pills a day for a few weeks or months for legitimate pain relief, is certainly NOT going to be abuse of the drug by any stretch of the imagination!
Believe me, when the time comes, your OS will begin to taper off the amount he prescribes. They know when people are abusing them and when there is a legitimate need for them.
Take advantage of them being available for your comfort. Believe me, there is no reason to suffer any more than necessary if at all. Good luck with this Kelly. You are on top of the situation
!
Josephine
NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITA
You don't need to, and shouldn't, take your prescription meds with otc meds - provided you are taking them as prescribed. And yes, we all know how the drugs can be abused but they still have their proper place in the right circumstances. Don't confuse the two - chalk and cheese!
I don't think it's for the surgeon to decide when to taper off pain meds. Only the patient knows when it's time and that doesn't occur to a schedule!
nanamac
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It should Jo, but I know I was cut back by the OS in the amount prescribed after my THR. That was when I had to go to my GP and still do.
The OS expects you to do that as well. I was actually told by the OS that it was hospital policy that after a certain amount of time they can no longer prescribe the meds.
The OS expects you to do that as well. I was actually told by the OS that it was hospital policy that after a certain amount of time they can no longer prescribe the meds.
Josephine
NURSE DIRECTOR EMERITA
Perhaps they can't but that's not your problem! Just because the hospital has an administrative problem doesn't mean you have to go without. There are other avenues.
nanamac
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Absolutely!
newhipchick
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Fabulous day.... got to take a shower for the first time since the surgery (no more sponge baths yahooo), exercised and walked with near to no pain... started cooking dinner..... (my Mom finished for me).... wow what a difference a day makes.....
nanamac
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So glad to hear this Kelly! Slow but sure, you'll get there !
!
S
special lady
Happy for you.... hopefully every passing day you will continue to feel better with each day. 
newhipchick
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Haven't updated in a few days... I am still very discouraged.... this Monday will be 3 weeks on my new hip, and I still can not walk without the walker. My poor hands and arms are so sore from using the walker.... I am getting up and walking every hour, but the most I am going to 100 yards or so.... the pain is still pretty intense and I just can't seem to put my full weight on the leg.
The good news is I was able to showering and getting in and out of bed is starting to get easier.... but I am still pretty discouraged with my progress. My therapist tried to get me to use a cane... with no success. My nurse tried to draw blood (since I am still on a blood thinner) and stabbed me 3 times and still could get no blood... so off we went to the hospital (I was able to go down 2 steps in the garage.... using the walker of course) the hospital also had to stab me 3 times before getting blood..... I have been drinking fluids.... so I don't understand the problem. I have never liked having my blood drawn, but usually I don't have to be poked more than once.... I feel like a pin cushion.... LOL.
I don't feel as blue as I have in the past, which is also good.... but I am very frustrated about not being able to walk on the new hip.... anyone else have this problem?
The good news is I was able to showering and getting in and out of bed is starting to get easier.... but I am still pretty discouraged with my progress. My therapist tried to get me to use a cane... with no success. My nurse tried to draw blood (since I am still on a blood thinner) and stabbed me 3 times and still could get no blood... so off we went to the hospital (I was able to go down 2 steps in the garage.... using the walker of course) the hospital also had to stab me 3 times before getting blood..... I have been drinking fluids.... so I don't understand the problem. I have never liked having my blood drawn, but usually I don't have to be poked more than once.... I feel like a pin cushion.... LOL.
I don't feel as blue as I have in the past, which is also good.... but I am very frustrated about not being able to walk on the new hip.... anyone else have this problem?
nanamac
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YES! Not being able to put full weight on it is not uncommon. I couldn't put weight on mine for 6 weeks as I had a femur fracture but three weeks is VERY early in recovery. PLEASE do not get so discouraged. Think of what you have had done to you. Re-read what Alan posted. Funny but true!
Are you being diligent about tkaing the full amount of meds? Icing? It is really very important to stay ahead of the pain. Believe me, you will get thru this. I can't tell you when it will happen, but one day you will be able to put weight on your leg and it won't hurt, promise!
My guess would be around the 6 to 8 week mark. That was when I started to see significant changes. This is NOT going to happen overnight. Forget all the stories about other people. Everyone heals differently. All in good time.
Are you being diligent about tkaing the full amount of meds? Icing? It is really very important to stay ahead of the pain. Believe me, you will get thru this. I can't tell you when it will happen, but one day you will be able to put weight on your leg and it won't hurt, promise!
My guess would be around the 6 to 8 week mark. That was when I started to see significant changes. This is NOT going to happen overnight. Forget all the stories about other people. Everyone heals differently. All in good time
.
vivb
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Oh poor you - don't hate me but it's still really early days. ( I hated it when people said that to me on here lol) Count the good things, showering, getting in and out of bed - these are great things! Rest, rest rest, treat yourself and keep taking the painkillers. It will come. :console::wub2::sleepz:
I WISH there was a smiley for chocolate!
I WISH there was a smiley for chocolate!
newhipchick
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Thank you ladies.... I try to not get discouraged.... at least the spontaneous fits of crying have stopped for now... ha ha.
I live by myself, although my parents live next door, and they have been a tremendous help to me; however, they are both extremely active... my father still builds houses, and I have never been very active... and in fact have become much worse since being diagnosed in 2005, and my level of exercise is really embarrassing to admit....... sooooooo even though I could never have made it through this without my parents, I kind of feel that they are pushing me more than my body is ready for. I need to not only get over my surgery, but I need to rebuild muscles that literally have not been used much in years... all this on another hip that needs to be replaced and lugging around 100+ extra pounds....
I do appreciate your comments and the reassurance that I am really not falling behind. My therapist didn't seem overly concerned that I could not walk without the walker yet, and should have taken her feelings to heart instead of my parents (who I know only want the very best for me).
I live by myself, although my parents live next door, and they have been a tremendous help to me; however, they are both extremely active... my father still builds houses, and I have never been very active... and in fact have become much worse since being diagnosed in 2005, and my level of exercise is really embarrassing to admit....... sooooooo even though I could never have made it through this without my parents, I kind of feel that they are pushing me more than my body is ready for. I need to not only get over my surgery, but I need to rebuild muscles that literally have not been used much in years... all this on another hip that needs to be replaced and lugging around 100+ extra pounds....
I do appreciate your comments and the reassurance that I am really not falling behind. My therapist didn't seem overly concerned that I could not walk without the walker yet, and should have taken her feelings to heart instead of my parents (who I know only want the very best for me).
nanamac
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There ya go! Just say thanks to them...and only do what YOU can do! I am in pretty much the same boat as you Kelly. My muscles are so atrophied as not only did I have the THR issues, but back surgery and a bad back for years. And now my knees!
I can not compare myself to anyone else, and you shouldn't either. Thank God they are next door and that they are active and healthy! Make the most of it. Let them take care of you, that's wonderful.
BUT...Only you know what you can and can not do! Try not to take their words hurtfully. Their intentions are good, they just don't understand as they are NOT the ones going thru this! They only want the best for you.
What about crutches? I meant to ask that earlier. They are pretty inexpensive and I had much better luck with them after the walker, and then to one and then off it totally over time. I have NEVER been able to get a feel for a cane. Don't know why but I just can't!
Anyway, this will all come together...with time!
I can not compare myself to anyone else, and you shouldn't either. Thank God they are next door and that they are active and healthy! Make the most of it. Let them take care of you, that's wonderful.
BUT...Only you know what you can and can not do! Try not to take their words hurtfully. Their intentions are good, they just don't understand as they are NOT the ones going thru this! They only want the best for you.
What about crutches? I meant to ask that earlier. They are pretty inexpensive and I had much better luck with them after the walker, and then to one and then off it totally over time. I have NEVER been able to get a feel for a cane. Don't know why but I just can't!
Anyway, this will all come together...with time!
C Mac
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Kelly said," My therapist tried to get me to use a cane... with no success. "
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Hi Kelly,
Are you able to try crutches before the cane? I had the walker and then two crutches and then one crutch before going to the cane, and at first the cane felt a bit unsteady compared to the other supports.
How does the PT think you are doing? Do you have exercises that s/he helps you with during the visit? How are those going?
Does your doc have you taking any inflammatory meds like Celebrex, volatren or something along those lines?
Sorry about all the trouble with the blood draw. I hope that today will be a little brighter for you. I found that there seemed to be a lot of peaks and valleys during the first weeks as well. The milestones are different at this point and walking 100 yards, having a shower and getting in and out of bed a bit easier are all REALLY good ones at 3 weeks!!
Take care,
Cardie
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Hi Kelly,
Are you able to try crutches before the cane? I had the walker and then two crutches and then one crutch before going to the cane, and at first the cane felt a bit unsteady compared to the other supports.
How does the PT think you are doing? Do you have exercises that s/he helps you with during the visit? How are those going?
Does your doc have you taking any inflammatory meds like Celebrex, volatren or something along those lines?
Sorry about all the trouble with the blood draw. I hope that today will be a little brighter for you. I found that there seemed to be a lot of peaks and valleys during the first weeks as well. The milestones are different at this point and walking 100 yards, having a shower and getting in and out of bed a bit easier are all REALLY good ones at 3 weeks!!
Take care,
Cardie
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