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At week 16: depressed

Posted , 7 users are following.

bertiewooster
bertiewooster

Hi guys,

I haven't been on here for a while, just been working away at getting better. However, getting a bit depressed as I'm 16 weeks in and fairly depressed. On the plus side I don't limp but I cannot sit for any length of time. Car journeys are a nightmare and I just lay down in the lounge instead of using a chair. My glute feels like it is on fire and that makes my groin really sore. Is this normal? I'm still struggling to reach my foot in the shower or put a sock on. One particular thing I wouldn't mind some thoughts on is that I have a swollen area just in from the scar - it is numb to touch but hurts like hell if I press it or sleep on that side. When I saw the surgeon at 7 weeks he said it was 'where he made a hole to go in'. Will this go away and how do I sort it? I'm doing physio, bike rides and swimming. Can manage about 3 to 5 miles on my road bike and about 20 lengths of crawl - is that too much at 4 months? Problem is i'm due to have my other hip done in Oct and I feel very apprehensive. Any thoughts greatly appreciated.

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • Redmuir
    Redmuir bertiewooster

    Posted

    I'm ten weeks same everything you said been this way for a while

    • Redmuir
      Redmuir

      Posted

      It will get better they say just a slow process
  • dorothy04749
    dorothy04749 bertiewooster

    Posted

    When u say you are having Physio - are they massaging/manipulating your backside and your scar for knots, etc.  If they are - then they should be telling u problem.  If they are not Bertie ? why not!  Either tell them to do it or find a proper physiotherapist who will.  It will hurt - God will it hurt but when they stop that's a lovely feeling till the next session......

    Just scream and shout 'I am a wuss' and don't forget to thank them afterwards......

    love dot

     

    • bertiewooster
      bertiewooster dorothy04749

      Posted

      The physio is just a general weekly gym session. I have got a foam roller and I tried that, sometimes it seems to work but others it just seems to make it worse. The swelling isn't on the scar but a few inches away. I'm at the physio again on weds so I 'll see if they can try something. Thanks for your reply.

  • leah35183
    leah35183 bertiewooster

    Posted

    Hi, You sound a bit like me.  At 4 months  I could walk without a limp, but not able to put on a sock.  I could not ride in a car because all the bumps were painful to that area, even a sheet on the bare hip would hurt a lot.  The best position was to lie down on my back, knees bent a bit with my head up.  Does the "swelling" ever disappear so that it is all gone, or is it permanent? I ask because I had a painful lump at the scar site as well-the PT told me it was swelling but it never went down.  The MD said it was a hematoma, and under ultrasound there was no hematoma only scar tissue mixed with fat cells.  It was really painful, walking made it worse, sitting made it worse. I am waiting for a second opinion from another orthopedic surgeon (in September).  I am trying to figure out if the pain is "mechanical" or not, since this is what the ortho md deals with.   If I am lying down and cross my ankle over at the knee I can reproduce the pain.  Meanwhile the first surgeon sent me to the pain specialist for a possible diagnosis of crps-complex regional pain syndrome.  They explained that the surgery caused the nerve endings to be damaged and fire off causing alot of pain.  I'm not sure I have this because they also say there is temperature changes in the skin and colour changes which I don't have.  I went back to work after 4 months to a modified work program, and they let me park outside my office so not alot of walking, but there was alot of sitting and it was tough.  Currently I am off work since I needed carpal tunnel surgery.  The right hand became very bad after extended use of the walker and got alot worse as time went on.  Well I got an infection with that sugery so I have been off for a month and will be off another 3 weeks.  Not sad though because I have been laying on my back alot instead of sitting which helps.  I don't want to add to your anxiety, however the "burning" sounds concerning.  You might explore if crps is an issue and perhaps your md can refer you to a pain specialist if it continues.

    hope this helps,

    Leah

    • bertiewooster
      bertiewooster leah35183

      Posted

      Hi Leah, yes this does sound similar and crossing my ankles does recreate the pain. I wouldn't say there is any colour change though. The swelling is fairly permanent and increases a bit after exercise. Think I'll leave it and see what happens. Thanks for yuor reply and it would be good to know what your 2nd opinion says.

    • CelsB
      CelsB leah35183

      Posted

      Hi Leah and Bertie,

      I have a swollen lump to the side of my scar, sort of in my bum cheek. I've been told it's a haematoma.  It feel like a bruise if I press it but there's no bruised colouring, just the lump.  I put it down to the blood thinning injections I did for 2 weeks post op.  I have naturally thin blood and bruise easily so I think I continued to bleed inside the wound whilst I was doing the injections.

      I'm almost 6 months post op and the lump is very, very gradually being reabsorbed.  Just wondered if yours could be something similar?

      Bertie, you seem to be doing both well and not so well.  Very good with the outdoor exercise I'd say, but it's not right that you should be suffering so much sitting or bending your leg.  Maybe you need a referral back to your consultant to talk about your discomfort.

      As for the general swelling, in my opinion mine has just about gone after nearly 6 months.  There was no 'visible' swelling as such, but my calves were tender to touch for ages and kneeling down flat was impossible, but I can do it now.

      Good luck,

      Cels Xx

  • renee01952
    renee01952 bertiewooster

    Posted

    hi bertiewooster, 

    I am so sorry to hear this - sounds like you are doing good though - I mean 3-5 miles on the bike, 20 lenghts of crawl - listen to your body and ease off if you feel it is too much ...

    it is a roller coaster ride, not only physically but also emotionally - we are getting impatient, want to move on etc. - 

    it took me a while to put my socks on without the funny aid - I stopped feeling frustrated about it ... 

    so much healing needs to take place - 

    You mention that your other hip will be done in October ... well, that is not helping the healing to its fullest at this time - I had 2 THR surgeries in 6 months time and can tell you that the in-between-months were sort of hellish - My new hip had to support in an early stage of recovery because the other hip was so painful ... 

    it is normal to feel down - so go with it, darling - it is okay ...

    big warm hug

    renee

     

    • bertiewooster
      bertiewooster renee01952

      Posted

      Thanks Renee. Do you think I should put the second op off for a bit? I'm concerned about the second op as it seems too soon and i've already put it back once. Like you say, I'm concerned about making my first new hip do too much. Problem is I feel a bit under pressure as i haven't worked for several years because of hip problems and as you can imagine things are financially very difficult and i need to be back in work. Don't really know what do to. Everyone keeps telling me to just go ahead but the prospect of having both hips replaced at 35 is utterly depressing, especially as certain aspects of pain are still quite bad.

    • renee01952
      renee01952 bertiewooster

      Posted

      I don't think you should postpone the surgery - Have you talked to your surgeon about it? Problem is that it will not get better (the old hip) - you are not an exception anymore darling - so sorry to say this but so many young people are here on the forum - seems that it is not a thing  for just old hippies (eek) anymore - the decision is ultimately yours -

      The pressure to get back to work sucks --- but if 2nd THR is inevitable, than you might think about having it and be done with it -- it is not that simple, I know - and I bet you have all these scenarios in your head ...

      wishing you strenght and clarity - 

      big warm hug

      renee

       

  • dorothy04749
    dorothy04749 bertiewooster

    Posted

    Hi Bertie

    Cannot emphasise enough how important regular physio with a person who deals with THR is in the process of healing And getting strength back.

    I know physios are expensive but I think to sort out your scar and muscles in the backside will be well worth a visit or two.

    Regards Dot

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