THR Two New Hips in Six Weeks

[1stSurgery]

Do you have any nails left @EL11?!? What is it with all these games and the 9th inning bases loaded tying run at the plate tension? Wow. That was an amazing catch to end the game. I was working, prepping stuff, and carrying my iPad around room to room with the game on it --and hubby was watching upstairs on big tv ...in which everything happens 5 minutes before my feed. So I'd be holding my breath waiting for the batter and then hear this scream upstairs.... Five mins before the hit on my iPad! So annoying!! And I'd shout, "--don't tell me! Don't tell me! I don't want to know. It hasn't happened down here yet!!"

And this ties into hips because ....when Benintendi slid in to snatch that game ending catch ...he clearly used tremendous torque and thrust of his very healthy hip joints!

These games are too exciting. I missed the first two innings though and the fan drama.

 

[lovesstars]

Everyone is talking about the games!!! You guys @1stSurgery and @EL11 must be so excited about the red socks...and the guys wearing those red socks.

Do you have special game-watching food planned for the next game?

 

[1stSurgery]

Not me @lovesstars. The games are so nerve wracking it isn't conducive to digestion! But I am eating all day long lately. I blame it on the bone bulding construction crew - requiring fuel and protein. I think everyone should schedule their surgery during the post Season. A perfect distraction!

 

[EL11]

Me either, @lovesstars. By game time tonight, It'll be hours after I ate. I too am eating all day long, @1stSurgery, but that's my tendency anyway. The reason I'm usually 6-7 lbs from my goal rather than 60-70 is because I rarely have sweets beyond a Rice Krispies treat or sugar-free pudding (yuck, I know) when at home, and bread is my morning English muffin or a serving of whole-grain crackers with a modest amount of cheese. Eat out once a week, and then all bets are off.

 

[lovesstars]

Good luck to @EL11 ’s Red Sox!!

 

[EL11]

️️️️!!!!

 

[EL11]

Since I often get up at 5:15 to see my boyfriend off to work, I turn in early, but I stayed up a bit late last night because: Red Sox ️️️️!!!!

So anyway, I was on six 5 mg oxycodone a day at my post-op appointment two weeks after surgery, more than with the first hip (more pain this time). I had been down to two before bedtime. Even that little, I came to feel, was having a detrimental effect on my mood, despite the reassurances from the physical therapist and nurse about my dose being minimal. There's a fine line because you need rest to heal and to be able to walk, but I have been more achy than in actual pain the past few days. It hit me yesterday that I've been taking an opioid almost continuously since the end of July. Major surgery leaves you feeling vulnerable anyway, but there have been days recently when I was quite a mess, and suddenly I had the strong desire to be done with prescription meds.

I had ordered a sleep aid that got a lot of great reviews on Amazon. I have a pretty good nose for fake ones, and these seemed legit. Melatonin, valerian, chamomile, magnesium. Last night I took two of these capsules an hour before I wanted to sleep, and no oxy at all, and drifted off easily. Got up at 5:15, went back to sleep following some Tylenol and icing, and I feel better this morning than I have in some time. That's my news of the day.

 

[1stSurgery]

Congrats @EL11. On both accounts. Good move on the meds!

 

[lovesstars]

Oooooo! That is super good news that the amazon stuff worked so well! Share the link??

 

[EL11]

Here you go, @lovesstars:

https://amzn.to/2CsFumt

I always thought I reacted badly to melatonin, but that was a melatonin-only supplement I took in the '80s! Lemon balm is another ingredient in this product (Luna). I had lemon balm growing out of control next to our guest house on Orcas, very invasive but had a lovely smell; who knew it would turn up in a sleep aid. Anyway, the effect was subtle; I started yawning maybe 45 minutes after I took it and was able to relax and go to sleep shortly after I went to bed.

 

[lovesstars]

that's lovely, thank you @EL11. I am going to pick that up.
are you getting around right now without crutch since you were basically "just taking it for a walk"?

and without a ton of achiness?

 

[EL11]

Let me know what you think, @lovesstars.

Thanks for asking and for remembering the physical therapist's quote. I've been finding myself forgetting the crutch here and there around the house, so the answer is sometimes ... I'm not sure I need it. Maybe I'm kind of using it as a crutch, bwahaha. Not a ton of achiness. I still don't feel I'm ready to climb the stairs normally, but I'm pretty sure I'll be fine with keeping the out-patient PT appointment next week. I was wondering before if it might be premature.

 

[Alitm]

@EL11. Really helpful to see your progress, and your comments about the opioids vs. sleep aids. I am so not looking forward to taking the opioids again, but know there has to be a time for them to begin with. I am on the full compliment of Tylenol right now, more for the second hip than the first! It seems to do the trick for the op side. I've also noticed my knee problems really improve with heal toe walking. The old walking gait likes to kick in, and my op leg knee doesn't like it at all. I take magnesium for restless leg and leg cramps. I just upped the dose last night, as sleep has alluded me for two nights. It helped. I take melatonin 3 mg sometimes. I have chamomile tea in the pantry, so wondering if I should have that before bed. The valerian would be the missing ingredient. Perhaps I'll trying the three that I have this evening! Great to see how the combo worked for you, and no meds necessary. I will keep that in mind moving forward. It is very helpful to read your journey! Thank you for sharing

How are you finding sleeping back in your bed?

Good luck with your outpatient PT next week!

 

[EL11]

@EL11. Really helpful to see your progress, and your comments about the opioids vs. sleep aids. I am so not looking forward to taking the opioids again, but know there has to be a time for them to begin with. I am on the full compliment of Tylenol right now, more for the second hip than the first! It seems to do the trick for the op side. I've also noticed my knee problems really improve with heal toe walking. The old walking gait likes to kick in, and my op leg knee doesn't like it at all. I take magnesium for restless leg and leg cramps. I just upped the dose last night, as sleep has alluded me for two nights. It helped. I take melatonin 3 mg sometimes. I have chamomile tea in the pantry, so wondering if I should have that before bed. The valerian would be the missing ingredient. Perhaps I'll trying the three that I have this evening! Great to see how the combo worked for you, and no meds necessary. I will keep that in mind moving forward. It is very helpful to read your journey! Thank you for sharing

How are you finding sleeping back in your bed?

Good luck with your outpatient PT next week!

That's right, @Alitm, they're a lifesaver at the beginning. There was a period there when they chilled me out so nicely, I said that I felt as if maybe I'd been suffering from an oxycodone deficiency my whole life ;-)

I try to concentrate on walking heel-toe around the house. It's easy to fall into habits that aren't helpful, like leaning on one side or shuffling.

I love being back in the bed. If I had it to do over again, I'd have bought one of those ice machines to have up there, but I'm hoping I won't have it to do over again ...

Thanks for the good wishes on the hospital outpatient rehab. It will be a few days short of the 6-week mark, which was when I was able to do without the crutch on the right hip; I'll make sure not to overdo in any case. St. V. is a rather pleasant place—atrium, waterfall, a Dunkin' Donuts.

 

[lovesstars]

Is it still called Dunkin Donuts there at St. Vincent? I thought they dropped the “donuts”.
I guess you will go and report back and tell us!

“I guess I am using the crutch as a crutch”

It seems there isn’t a ball game until Tuesday? What will you do with all your free evenings now??


I emailed my PT to ask when I could use the stairs ‘normally’. Although I am getting so much stronger from the ‘storks’ — I think I am not ready yet but I am a master at step-together-step stair-walking.

 

[EL11]

Is it still called Dunkin Donuts there at St. Vincent? I thought they dropped the “donuts”.
I guess you will go and report back and tell us!

I heard about that but I haven't seen the change. IMO a dumb idea ... I'll make sure to confirm or deny Wednesday.

It seems there isn’t a ball game until Tuesday? What will you do with all your free evenings now??

Oh but there's Dodgers/Brewers tonight! On the late side, 8:40 EST I'm afraid.

I emailed my PT to ask when I could use the stairs ‘normally’. Although I am getting so much stronger from the ‘storks’ — I think I am not ready yet but I am a master at step-together-step stair-walking.

REALLY, that is good news!!! So this person was right, you had one little piece missing. Yes, sometimes I do the bridal procession walk going down. When do you go back? It was in 10 days from the first time, I remember.

 

[lovesstars]

I heard about that but I haven't seen the change. IMO a dumb idea ... I'll make sure to confirm or deny Wednesday.

Oh but there's Dodgers/Brewers tonight! On the late side, 8:40 EST I'm afraid.

REALLY, that is good news!!! So this person was right, you had one little piece missing. Yes, sometimes I do the bridal procession walk going down. When do you go back? It was in 10 days from the first time, I remember.

Look at you remembering stuff about me too. I am so touched!

Monday I see actual surgeon again and I am scared ‘cause he’s a bit of a jerk. Tues I see PT.

Tomorrow dinner at restaurant followed by play which my daughter sound-designed and composed for.
This time I will be equipped with extra tramadol now that I am allowed to take more plus portable disposable ice packs.

Fingers crossed!

 

[EL11]

That all sounds lovely except the jerk surgeon, @lovesstars. At one point I was almost going to ask, Couldn't you see another doctor, then I realized it can't really work that way when this is the person that opened you up. I did not think my guy was very friendly at first, but he was not patronizing or in any way offensive, and the PT I thought so highly of, told me he was The Guy in this area and he got great ratings and has done hundreds of THRs. Anyway, don't let him intimidate you, and it will be good to see the PT again.

 

[Layla]

Don't be intimidated by OS, just carry on. @lovesstars
He has to change his underwear everyday, just like the rest of us.
I hope you have a great visit and feel comfortable with your progress after your meet with him.
Have fun at dinner and the play tomorrow. Best wishes your weekend is a good one!

 

[EL11]

On 10/30 it will have been 3 months since my RTHR—tomorrow, 5 weeks since my LTHR. As I've posted previously, I am now off oxycodone, a decision I feel was right for me personally because of its effect on my mental state.

I got an herbal supplement, Luna, from Amazon. It helps me fall asleep. However, my hips ache during the night and sometimes I lie awake for hours trying to get comfortable with the wedge or side-sleeping with a pillow. I bring a blue ice cushion upstairs with me and another in a cooler. It's a little tricky positioning them right.

Anyway, I was not going to bother getting an ice machine now—something I didn't know existed till I read about it here—because I'm doing well during the day with only OTC meds and the blue ice, but now I realize that with the soft tissue issue (if I may rhyme), I could still have aching hips at night for months.

So, Smarties, I would appreciate any feedback about ice machines. What kind do you use? What pad? Thanks