Revision THR Trkkoa is on the other side

[Jaycey]

Nancy, the strategy to do a bit more everyday is a good one. But be sure and allow rest time. Building up the stamina is sometimes the hardest part of this recovery. You are doing great!

 

[trkkoa]

I had a great outing but was quite tired the rest of the afternoon. Took a good long nap.Today's adventure will be venturing out to the radiology place to have X-rays taken.

 

[TracyW]

Great to hear you're out and about Nancy. I like your spirit and getting out of the house to do things. Building stamina is a process, your body knows when it's have enough, and orders a nap!

 

[trkkoa]

Actually did some work today. My husband helped me roast two batches of coffee. I sat and directed and he did the physical part. I think if we could come up with a comfortable way for me to sit near the roaster, I could do it myself. Amazing how something like that made me feel useful. I've been feeling a bit sorry for myself that I can do so little and am so dependent. Today I can see better that this is temporary and I am getting better every day.

 

[trkkoa]

Good report from the OS today. I can start PT next week. I can get in the pool any time and walk or float, no kicking yet. I can begin to transition to a cane from the walker. I can drive once I get off all narcotic pain meds and if I feel safe about it. I still have to wear the brace for two more weeks then two weeks to wean off it. So no more brace by week six. Next appointment will be in two months.

I see the hematologist tomorrow. Once he gives the ok to stop blood thinners I can switch to ibuprofen.

Woke this morning to notice I have a subconjunctival hemorrhage (broken blood vessel) in my eye. Now isn't that attractive.

Round trip to OS 110 miles each way plus a stop for lunch took just shy of 8 hours. I fell asleep in the car on the way back. A bit stiff and quite tired so hoping for a good night sleep tonight.

Nancy

 

[Poppet]

Good news from the OS Nancy... I love the pool work.. Rest up for a few days if you can, you need to let your whole body and mind recover from the long trip.

Great that you were able to do a little work, good for the soul to feel some semblance of normality returning - take care!

 

[Anniepops]

Hi Nancy, isn't it lovely when we can get back to feeling useful again, every little achievement after surgery certainly lifts our spirits. It's great to hear you are getting there. Your trip to the OS sounds exausting, it's good that you don't have to make the trip again for another two months. By then you should be feeling much stronger and the journey hopefully won't feel as trashing. Enjoy roasting your coffee, hope you manage to get something sorted for being more comfy whilst working.

Take care

Ann

 

[trkkoa]

Friday's trip to the hematologist was a bit of a bust. Didn't find out until we got there that he is vacationing. Luckily the office is just down the road so we didn't have to spend the whole day getting there. The fill in doctor was a woman who seemed unhappy to be there and had the energy level of a sloth. She had barely read my chart before seeing me. Ugh.

So unfortunately I wouldn't put any trust in her opinion. I had already decided by talking it through with my husband that I want to complete the full month of blood thinners. Risking a repeat DVT (and the anxiety that would go along with stopping the meds) is far more intolerable than the pain management issue. I am mostly comfortable when at rest and not too uncomfortable most of the time when I get up and moving.

So for now I am sticking with Xarelto, OxyContin and Tylenol, but without the codeine. I'm not experiencing any difference in pain control by dropping the codeine. It just makes me nauseous and light headed / sleepy. Being clearheaded makes it possible to read and even go back to beating my sisters at words with friends

Two days of excursions to doctors wore me out a bit. I spent Saturday resting/napping and reading with my usual hourly reminder to get up and move around the house. I even took the dog outside a couple times for some fresh air.

 

[Jaycey]

Sorry your trip was a bust! At least you did not have to travel for hours. I think you are wise to stay on the blood thinners for a bit longer. Since there is a history it's best to go the safer route.

Sounds like you are doing well! Long may it continue!

 

[trkkoa]

Cleaning service in today so we went out for lunch to give them some space. Just bought a cane. Looking forward to starting PT tomorrow. Nap time.

 

[Poppet]

Hi Nancy

Sorry you had what seemed like a waster trip.

I love your positive attitude. Out for lunch - fantastic!

Good news about getting a cleaner in.. Tried in, but she cost me a fortune.

Good luck with the PT

 

[trkkoa]

Good day today. My husband helped me down the steps into the 83F pool this morning and I slowly walked around a bit. Cried a few happy tears just for the joy of the freedom of movement. Did a few of my PT exercises in the pool as well as some upper body movement. After my shower I did the rest of my PT exercises.

I was a bit sore, mostly achy, the rest of the day, but it wasn't too uncomfortable. Just took my evening meds. Hoping for a good night sleep as I have PT appointment again in the morning.

 

[trkkoa]

BTW, my PT advised it was too soon for the cane. He'd rather we work on strengthening a bit more first. No point in risking a fall or compromising my gait by jumping too fast.

Aloha, Nancy

 

[trkkoa]

But it's a good tired....

PT today was great. I did side steps and walking backwards and walking forward using walking sticks. Some exercises for balance and strength. PT complimented my attitude.

Measured and my operated leg appears to be a little more than a quarter inch longer than the other.

Surgery was three weeks ago yesterday.

Nancy

 

[trkkoa]

Struggling with additional pain since yesterday. I was in the pool walking around for three days in a row, but Monday I just didn't have any energy. Didn't get a good nights sleep and this morning was quite achy before PT.

PT was difficult due to already being sore. We did some balance exercises that had me standing on one foot with full weight. I was holding on to a bar but it still hurt.

My pain med regime just isn't cutting it. I am taking 10 mg OxyContin twice a day and 1000 mg Tylenol three times a day. I don't think the tylenol does much for me. I really would prefer to get off the narcotics due to constipation. I take two colace twice a day but it is still an issue.

So, my big decision is whether to stop the Xarelto 10 days early so I can take NSAIDs. My hematologist is supposed to be back from vacation this week, but the first available appointment isn't until the 26th. The question would be moot by then. I will try to talk to his nurse by phone tomorrow.

Almost four weeks out, so I guess today is my "one step back".

 

[Jaycey]

Hi Nancy, you are suffering from the 4 weeks slump. Several other members have mentioned this here and I experienced it as well. You are starting to get more mobile and the mind wants to get going. The body isn't quite ready yet. Slow down a bit. Get into the habit of having an active day (or PT day) followed by a rest day. Otherwise you do have backwards days. You need to give your new hip a rest and then try again. You're doing well!

 

[trkkoa]

Thanks, Jaycey. I know it's true but it's still frustrating. I did get a decent night sleep so I hope that will help. Do you think the PT is pushing me too hard?

 

[Jaycey]

PT is not pushing you too hard if there is no pain and you are able to do the exercises easily. However I remember at my 4 week mark PT asking me to do side leg lifts while lying down. They really caused me discomfort and I was very worried. Alexthecat eased my mind on this one. Just be sure you are allowing enough time to rest following a PT day. And please don't get frustrated. You'll be dancing again soon!

 

[debkakes]

Hey Nancy, I'm about where you are feeling, too. After all the progress, I've felt the last few days (in my week 5) that I'm inching along now. I started using the cane part of the day, but sometimes I just feel I'm leaning on it too much. I've been reading posts by folks who are walking without aids at week 3 or 4 and frankly, I can't imagine it (except for small spaces where I have plentty of surfaces to steady me). Feeling like I'm not doing something right here, and anxious for my 6-week follow up next week. Everyone will tell us that we all have our own personal healing time, and I know that. Still, it's a little frustrating. We must be patient (again, that word!)!

 

[sharonslp]

Trkkoa, I was supposed to take Xeralto too, but my drug plan wouldn't cover it. So I went back to the Lovenex injections. I had no idea you couldn't take nsaids with Xeralto. The study I read gave Xeralto the edge over Lovonox, but I'm always suspicious of new drugs anyway. What about alternating the oxy with tramadol? It's not an nsaid, and it's strong enough to make a difference. Or maybe tramadol during the day, and using the oxy for a good night's sleep?

Of course, by the time you experiment with something different, you'll be past this phase of pain anyway.