THR Sometimes peachy, sometimes the pits

[Peaches]

Hi, TeeEm, ByGosh, LeeApril26, @zauberflote, Poppet, Elosarabrab, Songlady, Liveringer, Littlejem, nmscienceteacher ...

Just "for the record" (in case it helps anyone), I'll recap:

PEACHES 'N' PITS 8-weeks under-my belt report:
--Week 2 of work; got through it okay. Mid-morning fatigue, but that could be due to sleep problems I've had forever, plus boredom and frustration about my job
--Not much change from the prior week except some days had more aches and twinges than the latter part of the prior week
--Still taking 4 or 6 Extra-Strength Tylenol. QUESTION: This is now 8 weeks of taking this. When do I have to stop? Anyone have any ideas? I do worry about the side effects, but can't imagine mere ice getting me through the idea. I confess I take the Tylenol as a preemtive strike, so to speak, to get ahead of any pain. No idea how I'd feel if I didn't take any at all, but am afraid to stop.
--Still have not started outpatient PT. The copayments, and going to/from there overwhelm me. Scared of overzealous PT leading me down a path that will end up with a setback.
--Walked one mile yesterday (Sat.), including stopping in a couple of stores for a few minutes, but had to stop to rest 3 times. Pain free for the first block after each rest; then, various aches and pains here and there--but not nearly as bad as the latter pre-op days when I could not walk 2 blocks without horrible pain and inability to move my leg correctly. Trying to adjust my expectations ... maybe it's good enough for right now that I can walk several blocks, even with some pain here and there. Maybe having bad pain for so many years prior to surgery, I now have low expectations and assume some pain somewhere is normal? Not sure. Am conflicted.
--Thanks to you guys, I adjusted my attitude about tackling stairs. Was near a large church yesterday, saw tourist groups going inside, and thought, "There's no time like the present." This is a church I've been inside many times in my pre-pain life because it's is quiet, serene, has lovely architecture ... anyway, there are about 20 steps, I think, and they are not subway-steep, and don't go straight up. So I tackled them: some of them toddler style; a few regular style. With cane, and bannister, of course. Tried to get into a "I'm back to regular life" mentality rathe than a "this is a PT exercise" mentality that I approach when I am in my apt. bldg.'s fire stairs (which I hate because they are steep). I made it just fine! Just fine! After sitting to rest in the church, I went back down again, and no knee pain. Did some toddler, some adult. Took my time. Like songlady & leeapril26 were saying, maybe being out in the real world, with adrenaline, etc., kicking in, it is easier to ease back into certain activities.

I think that's about all to report. The stairs were the highlight. Other than that, not much progress.

Oh, and I should say that my "good" hip is now twitching. It's a pain along the top of my thigh, toward the joint. Not sure if that's because of lugging tote bags to/from work or what. This week am going to try a backpack or some other way to carry a lighter load and see if that helps.

 

[Elosarabrab]

Peaches, I cant help with the pain meds but maybe tag Josephine for her advice?
You sound like you are progressing well, even if you cant see it yourself. Doing stairs is a big milestone. I cling on to hand rails for dear life.
Sorry your other hip is twitching. You could be right about the tote bag causing problems. I hope the back pack works for you.

 

[Peaches]

Hi, Elosarabrab: Funny, but I don't think of over-the-counter stuff as pain meds, though I know they are.
I felt fine dumping the prescription pain pill a few weeks ago. But can't fathom giving up Tylenol. Just wondering how many weeks/months of using it daily is considered too much ... for a THR patient, that is. As for hand-rails, I will always use them, I think. I passed another church yesterday, by the way ... and it had only about 5 steps ... but no handrails at all. I thought that was terrible. What are they thinking? Not everyone feels they qualify for an official handicapped entrance, wherever that might be. This was an old, beautiful church, but no handrails to its entrance? Weird...... I hope you are doing well. How are the wedding plans???? I keep thinking of your BoneSmartMaids/Maidens walking heel-to-toe down the aisle, wearing the white kneesocks, then doing a few heel pumps as a final flourish for you before you march down the aisle!

 

[Songlady]

Peaches ByGosh TeeEm Poppet Songlady LeeApril26 zauberflöte Elosarabrab Maeve Littlejem sandybeach bottomshollow Nannyannie nmscienceteacher
Peaches, you are doing great! I did some catch-up reading and loved some of the comments about stairs and lugging stuff and cats in the way, lol! I'll add my vote; you could tag Jo to ask about the Tylenol. I know I've taken 6 -8 a day for long periods, but I can't tell you whether that's a good thing! And I agree with Elosarabrab, the backpack might really help. My husband, who commuted to NYC daily for a few decades, started having all kinds of back/shoulder/hip aches and decided his briefcase was to blame. He switched to a backpack and thought it helped a great deal. It didn't make him 20 years younger, alas but it DID help!

Church steps and rails. And ramps. What a topic. As someone who has worked in churches for about 40 years, it seems to me that any kind of "accessibility" thinking only started 25-30 years ago. So, the older the church, the ore likely it was built for beauty rather than ease of use. I currently work in a building from the early 70's, and the building is on 2 levels, with only one small back entrance into each section that has no steps... and no interior ramps/elevators etc. It's certainly an issue! But these days churches are desperately lacking in funds, so to redo things and put in even railings is almost mind-boggling.

If I go back a page I'll lose what I'm writing, but... someone mentioned my stairs at home. They are DAUNTING. They are a whole flight, straight up, no landings. Railing on one side. I'll try to get a photo. So, whoever wonderful, smart, insightful person suggested this, but they are absolutely right - I'm sure the visual effect adds to my caution!

 

[ByGosh]

Peaches Songlady I think it's very wise to be cautious with stairs until you're feeling 100% fine about them. No need to tempt fate in any way. I bet the Tylenol that you use in that dose is safe for a while, Peaches. I believe it is the first med recommended for arthritic pain, and then patients work up from there. Google it and see if there's anything as to length of usage. As long as you stay within the upper limit of 3000mg/day and no more than 1000mg at a time, and be aware of any other over the counter med that may contain acetaminophen in it, you should be safe, I would think. Maybe try going without it on the weekend once and see, or cutting the dose 1/2 if you're worried. But if you still have discomfort, you do need something...

Songlady How did Mr. Songman do with the cortisone shot? Did it help him at all? Tell me all about it, from start to finish if you don't mind, I'm very curious about it. I hope it helped!

If you do use a backpack Peaches, your hands and arms will be all freed up for better grabbing onto handrails, better holding your cane, better warding off eager admirers, etc. It sounds like a good idea to me. I use one to tote my belongings up and down the stairs twice a day so my hands are freed up.

Peaches Your 8 week update sounds wonderful! My goodness, you're back at work, you can walk a mile, you can do stairs, you can shop, you've got a life. I'm still in the throes of recovering here, afraid it I actually do something, I'll be back on the pain train again. But I did start taking the Prednisone the OS recommended, so we'll see if it can knock this inflammation down a few notches. I hope!

Have a good night, friends, and a good week at work, especially Peaches, who is back in the rat race every day, full-time, like the strong and hardy soul that she is...Keep making beautiful music, Songlady.

 

[LeeApril26]

Oh Peaches. I am sorry you are also having a twitchy hip. I am hope it is due to stress on the "good" side and that we will both have calm hips soon.
Great news about the church steps. That's terrific. Much nicer than the fire stairs. I think that Songlady is right about the correlation between lack of disability access and the age of the church. When we went to Sicily in 2011 I was horrified by the staircases in the Norman churches. My hip wasn't hurting yet, but they were steep and few railings. Felt like I would fall to my death on my first trip to the home of my ancestors (I was being a drama queen.)
If you decide to use a backpack let me know how it works. I've never used one. I do have a crossover bag so my hands are free.
ByGosh My husband took Prednisone for a severe foot inflammation, and it worked very well. It cleared up the problem quite quickly. Hope you have success as well.

 

[zauberflöte]

Peaches I like your report-- you really are doing very well. And the stairs!! Well done, "normal life" yes! I also think you want to take the tylenol tll you no longer need it. I'll bet Josephine will tell you you should be taking at least that. I'm sorry about your twinges in the "good" hip.... I'm having that too, and people have mentioned that ti's taking up the slack for the op hip, but I don't think so. I think it's the fact that I'm not taking mega doses of ibuprofen. I think it's hurt like this all along, and I'm just now finding out how bad it is.

If I go back a page I'll lose what I'm writing, but.

You can fix that-- as soon as you go back, run down to the text field and click the second tiny icon from the left , the green down-arrow. I t will restore what you lost going back a page. Then do it again when you come back. Cumbersome but it works (I didn't think of that myself, had to learn it here)

Good night all, bed time here, haven't gotten to everybody yet but will have to save it. Sleep as well as possible, and Peaches have a great day tomorrow!

 

[TeeEm]

Still have not started outpatient PT. The copayments, and going to/from there overwhelm me. Scared of overzealous PT leading me down a path that will end up with a setback.

Do you have to go to PT, even if you dont really fancy it? I found this the other day, which is very useful. I didnt get anything from my hospital, but maybe you could do the stuff on here rather than go to PT
broken link removed: https://www.nlg.nhs.uk/IfP/single/IFP-0497.pdf

Elosarabrab cabbageandbacon Kim22 and anyone else from the UK. Did you get any info like this ?

 

[Poppet]

Hi Peaches, you mentioned..

I confess I take the Tylenol as a preemtive strike, so to speak, to get ahead of any pain. No idea how I'd feel if I didn't take any at all, but am afraid to stop.

Sounds like you are still experiencing pain hon, hence you still need the Tylenol. Your body will let u know when it doesn't require pain meds

 

[Elosarabrab]

Did you get any info like this ?

I didn't get anything like that. I had a book with the basic stuff like ankle pumps, pushing knee down and rotation of foot. The info you posted was much more comprehensive.

 

[Nannyannie]

Hi Peaches I did get similar info as TeeEm from Medway Maritime Hospital (NHS also). They are the exercises we did in the 4 out-patient physiotherapy sessions as well - apart from getting up from the floor.
I did like the phrase in the booklet "not all surgeons agree...." ! Really!
On another topic, our village church is 700 years old and is a grade 1 historic listed building. They are not allowed to make any alterations (although it does have heating and electricity!) but it has portable wooden ramps for wheelchair users on the 2 steps. Our musical bonesmarties will like that the Victorian organ is on the same level as the congregation and the air pump is electric, elderly parishioners remember having to operate the bellows during services. Pre bad hips and knees I did go up the spiral staircase to the top of the tower, over 100 steps!
Keep on with BM mantra regarding icing, meds and rest!
Regards Anne

 

[TeeEm]

Nannyannie I was like Elosarabrab All I got was the initial booklet with ankle pumps etc. And this was a 'centre of excellence' Its quite annoying really. I havent had any outpatient PT either ! You'd think that every hospital would give you this sort of information instead of casting you adfrift to get on with it yourself

 

[zauberflöte]

I found this the other day, which is very useful.

@TeeEm that's a wonderful resource, thanks for finding it! I've bookmarked it too. So, I'm going to be able to walk on my toes in two weeks??? I can stand on them fine, but walking seems a little extreme atm
Nannyannie your church sounds like I would like to visit. Never mind the grand cathedrals, I like the small ones I worked in a Victorian period mansion several years as a 20-something, and there was a little pump organ that still worked-- do the bellows with your feet while playing-- I never could get the hang of it LOL.

 

[Kim22]

Nannyannie I was like Elosarabrab All I got was the initial booklet with ankle pumps etc. And this was a 'centre of excellence' Its quite annoying really. I havent had any outpatient PT either ! You'd think that every hospital would give you this sort of information instead of casting you adfrift to get on with it yourself

I agree with you the cost of our surgery must be phenomenal but they really skimp on the after care which is so important to the outcome .

 

[Songlady]

Peaches, how was Monday of your new week? Do you have a backpack and did you try it? We bouht the very lightest one we could find for Songman when he started using one. (Well.... actually, he used an old one of SongBoy's for along time, and THEN we bought him one. And, no, he didn't use the Sesame Street one! )
LeeApril26 - I have never had the pleasure of visiting old cathedrals in Europe (would love to, for the architecture and the organs!) but both Songboys went to Honduras on a workcamp trip and at the end visited Mayan ruins... I guess the stairs there were incredibly steep! The photos themselves were enough to give me clammy hands...

 

[TeeEm]

I agree with you the cost of our surgery must be phenomenal but they really skimp on the after care which is so important to the outcome .

Thats so true. The cost of producing that leaflet must be tiny in comparision. Im going to print it out and send it to the PT dept at my hospital and ask why they dont do them !

So, I'm going to be able to walk on my toes in two weeks???

I've tried the heel and toe walking. I didnt think I would be able to do it, but it's easier than you think it will be. Standing on my op leg though - managed 15 seconds I was wobbling all over the place and I was dreadful on the 'walking in a line' Ive got no balance at all - not that I had much pre-op really.

 

[LeeApril26]

Songlady I had the very great pleasure of being able to visit the town my grandparents came from, and the Temples their family helped to excavate. It was a dream of a lifetime, and I had promised my grandmother to go one day. Very fortunate to have been able to do it.
I've seen photos of the staircases on those Mayan ruins. No way! Did they climb them? The Songboys have very strong legs and courage.

 

[ByGosh]

Your historic church sounds very beautiful Nannyannie. I love the architecture of old buildings, and spiral staircases. Pipe organs are also fascinating, and the sound they produce is something else, so beautiful.
I'm glad to hear that your husband was helped by Prednisone LeeApril26. I'm desperate here, and will post more on my own thread, so as not to hijack Peaches.
Yes, ladies, TeeEm Elosarabrab Kim22 zauberflöte and everyone - The after care for THR is ridiculously spotty. Nothing is the same, anyplace for anyone. If you listen to all of it, you can get crazy over the differences. Everyone has their hip replaced to eliminate pain and disability, then we get all kinds of mixed messages from PTs, nurses, OS's, other patients, other people, mean people, ignorant people, nice people - it's mind-boggling, really.
We have to trust our own judgement and our bodies about a lot of this, I think.

 

[Songlady]

@LeeApril - how cool to have visited those Temples! My mom used to sing in a synagogue, before I was born, and that was a high point of her musical and spiritual experience.
Yes, both Sboys climbed those steps!
Peaches, I'm going out on a limb here, but I agree with whoever it was that asked if you really need to do the outpatient PT, especially since it's costly and difficult to get to, time consuming, etc. My OS had told me that if I kept walking I'd have done all the PT I needed, and being in NYC, it seems to me that you are going to do more walking than the average bear! Walking, and the occasional, um, ballet move?! - to dodge folks or squeeze onto a bus or through the aisle of a store.....? Just sayin....

 

[zauberflöte]

Peaches helloooooooo I hope you're well!!

I've tried the heel and toe walking. I didnt think I would be able to do it, but it's easier than you think it will be.

TeeEm I am glad to hear that-- I've already tried it and it just plain hurts. I have the strength, but not the courage LOL. I can do the balancing on one leg ok, so long as I'm not dizzy. But probably not for 2 1/2 minutes yet... What is this being dizzy even though my only narcotic is 1/2 pill at night!!????!

LeeApril26 what a wonderful visit to your grandparents that must have been

Songlady YIKES those Mayan ruins-- I think older ZK climbed one once, too. Puff puff huff pant! Your mom was a cantor? I would love to have heard her sing I was very surprised to meet a woman my age who is a retired cantor-- I had thought they'd only be men.