THR Woodstockhip’s Recovery Thread

[Jamie]

I think your approach to your medications is a good one.

Having had Afib and a cardiologist who also wanted me on stronger meds at one time, I can relate to how you're feeling. What is the medication you're on and the one he is suggesting? I'm obviously not an expert, just curious as to how it relates to my experience.

Even though the cardiologist who was making this recommendation for me back in 2011 was an excellent and talented doctor, his idea was not the direction I wanted to go. He was a bit more "old school" and I had been reading up on some new treatments that sounded hopeful and non-drug related. I ended up firing him and going with a much younger doctor in the practice who was very comfortable with cryoablation (which was fairly new back then). He performed the procedure on me and completely cured my Afib. I still take Diltiazam and Eliquis to ensure I don't have any problems that might lead to pooled blood and a stroke. But I can say that my heart has performed well for over a decade now. And, when they did the ultrasound prior to my hip replacement, my cardiologist beamed when he gave me the results and said my heart was functioning perfectly. Sometimes you have to go with your gut feeling.

You know your body better than anyone. You've had 2 recent surgeries which can really do a number on your system. As long as you're not in any medical danger, waiting for things to normalize again (and that can take 6 months or more) is probably a good thing to do. Relax and heal. Sounds like you've got your head on straight!

 

[Woodstockhip]

@Bikeknit — great to hear from you. Sure I remember you from last time around. I expect you are right that knees and hips both work better in pairs. I hope you have a wonderful holiday season and a smooth recovery from your latest surgery.

 

[DK63]

Bonsoir und Guten Evening @Woodstockhip how went your follow up today? We all hope it went well for you.

 

[Woodstockhip]

Thanks for asking, cuz @DK63. An hour in the car, a 15 minute appointment telling me I"m doing great and another hour back. The PA strongly believes that ultimately, I’ll be able to stand on my own two feet and my legs will be the same length. But it will take more time. I still get an ache deep down under the incision, which she said is normal, as is the hard external lumpiness. All in all, good news. Look forward to hearing your report after your follow up. Happy Merry etc.

 

[Layla]

Good news, Woodstockhip!
Lots of car time today. I found that difficult for the first several months post op. With any luck you fared well.
I hope the ache eases soon and you have a joy filled holiday.
@Woodstockhip

 

[DK63]

Good report @Woodstockhip but shame you have to spend so much time getting there and back for 15 mins. Like you I have the ache under the incision and hard lumpiness and hoping that soft tissue massage will help. As for my follow up report, actually there will not be one as no follow up. Last Hip, I saw surgeon after 6 weeks, 12 weeks, 6 months and 1 year. I believe this time that when I saw the surgeon 5/6 weeks after op, that was it. Strange, but perhaps that's how he works. Anywho, soft tissue massage Friday, fingers crossed for that. And happy etc to you as well new cousin

 

[HollyNY]

Same things w my incision @Woodstockhip .

Externally it was healed over but still felt very firm to the touch.

Now it has started to soften up.

I still have not put anything on it.

 

[Merrimay]

My OS nurse mentioned softly massaging my incision with BioOil. As I haven't had an issue with the incision, I haven't done it, but thought I'd pass that tip along.

 

[DK63]

Hi cousin Woody and hope you had a lovely not so freezing Christmas and stayed safe and warm. My visit to the fizzio was interesting. First thing was making me walk backwards which I found difficult but she explained it would use muscles I had not put into use for quite a while. Then massage on and around incision, she thought I had Iliotibial (possibly) band thingy and for exercises has me doing clams, walking backwards and mini squats, if it hurts stop she said. Upshot is my foot on op side no longer points to 2 o'clock, more 12. Much less stiff on outside of hip and around incision. Hopefully all these will last and have done a fair bit of walking without problems, including 26th December walk to restaurant without sticks. That's my report. Let me know how you are doing in the ridiculously cold snap you are having. If you get the chance have a listen to a very old English song I'm walking backwards for Christmas....works for me.

 

[Woodstockhip]

Three months today! I’m doing just fine — had a wonderful Christmas in a rather deserted, but freezing cold New York City and was able to walk for stretches of about a half hour at a time with absolutely no after effects. I’m still stiff and a little achy at times but nothing like that horrible bone crunching pain of before. PT continues, twice a week, with the usual exercises. Since it’s still so cold and icy around here, I’m grateful to be able to use the recumbent bike at the PT's office. I’m anxious for my muscles to get stronger but understand that it takes time and (grrr) patience. Happy New Year (and new hip) to all of you!

 

[Jaycey]

@Woodstockhip ! Sounds like you are doing great! Yes, it's time for patience. Plenty of time for strength building once that hip is ready.

 

[Layla]

Happy Three Month Anniversary!
Stay safe on the icy pavement. I hope you're having a good week and I am wishing you a wonderful New Year!
@Woodstockhip

 

[DK63]

Well done @Woodstockhip cousin on your 3 month anniversary and enjoying a lovely Xmas. If the roads are still icy please take care going home on your recumbent bike.

 

[DK63]

Hiya cousin @Woodstockhip Just to wish you a Happy 4 monther and hope that everything is progressing as you wish it to and that life is treating you in a good fashion.

 

[beachgal]

@Woodstockhip, Is it really time to start month #5??? Let’s GO! Still some swelling in my ankles but it’s one or all of three things….not enough H2O, too much salty foods, or too many Scotch cocktails! So, I’m adjusting. But no more issues with fever, tax season is blowing and going, I got Botox injections in forehead and eyes ( just time for annual perk-up), and I’m working on our new house when I have free time. Weigh in and let me know how you’re doing!

Laissez Les bon temps rouler!

 

[Rebelguy]

Woodstock, hoping the best for you. I remember your post after my first replacement when I was down a bit. Been following your recovery since. Hope you know that little message you sent helped me out and continued to through hip #2. Hope you are doing well.

 

[Woodstockhip]

Hey, @DK63, @Rebelguy, @beachgal and other fellow hippies (or are we hipsters these days?) — thanks for the notes. Yep, about to start month #5. I was walking yesterday (about a mile and a half, which is a good distance for me at this point) and realized I had no idea where my heating pad is. Now, I had been sitting on that heating pad, or one of its predecessors, for something like 6 years, due to one hip or the other being achy. It was just always there and ready for me when I sat down after work for the evening. It came to me that I hadn’t used it since before Righty was done and had absolutely no need for it. I am so grateful for my new titanium body parts and the virtual absence of pain. Yeah, I get “start-up” issues and it’s still kind of cranky and stiff in the morning, but right now, as I sit here writing — nothing. It’s sort of like being in a loud, raucous, smoky place and suddenly going outside into nature. The absence of something you’d gotten so used to. What a feeling! Now it’s time to make some other changes, health-wise, and get myself to a better place physically and mentally. PT is done, I’m just, as my surgeon advised, “living my life.” Hope everybody’s well and healing.

 

[Jaycey]

Great update @Woodstockhip ! So happy you are back to living life again!

 

[beachgal]

@Woodstockhip, your observations are spot on! Isn’t it wonderful to reacquaint with how life used to be?? I can identify 100%! Time to say goodbye to that heating pad, at least on a daily basis. Let’s get on with living our best life!

 

[DK63]

Well @Woodstockhip just like your famous George Washington, I cannot tell a lie and it was Me who stole your heating pad while you were out for your mile and a half walk. But I ain't taking no blame for no cherry tree!