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Feeling discouraged.

Posted , 14 users are following.

jennifer531
jennifer531

I'm so over this hip replacement process. I feel guilty even saying that. I'm thankful to not have the bone on bone pain anymore, but I just want feel more "normal" again. Although I'm not sure what that even looks like now, since I haven't felt it for so long. An infection has started which scares the crap out me. And the lack of regular sleep is driving me nutty. Grrrr....

I've called my doctor to go in to see about the infection. The pink area, tightness, warmth, discomfort started today. Its one of two areas that still have small scabs. Infections after this type of surgery scares me quite a bit, especially after reading some of the posts on here.

I realize a lot of people experience setbacks and or rough patches, but I didn't expect to feel so emotional at this point. Not sleeping doesn't seem to help. What do you all do to help with that?

6 likes, 47 replies

47 Replies

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  • sarah1996
    sarah1996 jennifer531

    Posted

    I havent had my op yet but iv been put on sleepi g tablets because of insomnia but i know theres a lot of days i just want to scream, cry and throw a tantrum over everything because of frustration.

    Uts natural to feel overwhelmed but you will see progree soon, im sure of it.

    But when i feel down i like to lie in bed with my blankie, scent burner on with a good book, colouring book or cartoon and relax.

    Hope you feel better soon xx

    • jennifer531
      jennifer531 sarah1996

      Posted

      That will be here before you know it. Best wishes for your surgery, it really is worth it. I sure appreciate this forum, everyone is so supportive and helpful. Keep us updated with your progress 😉
  • vanessa88276
    vanessa88276 jennifer531

    Posted

    Oh bless you Jennifer how many weeks post op are you x are was very emotional for the first two weeks and couldnt sleep very well but strong painkillers knocked me out x I am 8 weeks post op now and can honestly say I'm feeling loads better nearly back to normal whatever that is lol xx
    • jennifer531
      jennifer531 vanessa88276

      Posted

      I'm just over 6 weeks and yes those pain killers really helped early on. Some days are better than others, the infection scares me though. I'm sure it will all work out. I suppose we all get anxious at times. 😉
  • AnnieK
    AnnieK jennifer531

    Posted

    So sorry you are feeling so low and discouraged! How long has it been since surgery? When you say you are not sleeping, what do you mean? About how many hours do you get in a day? Perhaps some of us can give you tips on how to get better sleep, as this is an issue that many of us struggle with. I was a mess for the first 6 weeks, at least, until I was allowed to sleep on my side again, due to horrible, interrupted sleep and the heaviness/pain/stiffness of my surgical leg. It was still difficult after that, but gradually got better.
    • jennifer531
      jennifer531 AnnieK

      Posted

      I'm just over 6 weeks now and I get about 5 hours of broken sleep at night. I can lay on my unoperated side now, but after about 10 minutes it becomes painful to my operated leg. The pain is on the outer thigh and I have a feeling it has to do with the femoral cutaneous nerve being disrupted (or at least that's what I understand from my dr). I have faith it will get better with time as I heal, but I'm think I may need a sleep aid. I'm more scared right now about this darn infection. No fever so that is good. Just waiting to hear back from dr. Id love any tips about sleeping. I still prop my leg up for comfort, use heat on sore knee, glass of wine or two 😉
    • AnnieK
      AnnieK jennifer531

      Posted

      That was how much sleep I was getting at night at that time, Jennifer. I took a couple of naps each day that boosted my usual total to about 7 hours. The naps happened when I just couldn't stay awake anymore! It has taken time, but eventually my sleep patterns got back to normal.

      Sorry to hear that your doctor suspects nerve damage. Has he done tests/scans to verify that? Will you be seeing a nerve specialist? Maybe it will turn out to be something simpler with a muscle or tendon. One can hope!

      Something for you to try to help you sleep, if you aren't doing it already, is to use a largish pillow between your legs when you sleep on your side, so that your surgical leg isn't drooping down, but remains as parallel to the bed as possible. Perhaps that will lessen the pain. And prop yourself in the back and front so that you don't turn either of those directions very far.

      Also, do your best to sleep on your back, if possible. I couldn't, and had to sleep sitting up for the first 6 weeks. But perhaps just propping yourself up somewhat could help, if you can't sleep flat on your back.

      Hope that infection gets taken care of. I assume the doctor is aware of it and treating it? It's so hard getting over these complications. I am still unable to walk without a limp/pain after 7 months, due probably to some injured muscles/tendons in my buttock and thigh. I'm having scans done and am seeing a new doctor about it.

      Best of luck, Jennifer.

    • jennifer531
      jennifer531 AnnieK

      Posted

      From time to time I get a short nap in while my son is at school, it's funny how it's easier to sleep during the day than at night sometimes.

      My doctor didn't say that the nerve is damaged, he just said that the discomfort/sensitivity I am feeling on that side is from the n

    • jennifer531
      jennifer531

      Posted

      Oops, sorry, I wasn't done.

      ...from the invasive surgery and disruption the nerve endured. I certainly hope it isn't damaged and the irritation subsides over time.

      I've tried the different pillow placements for sleeping and still always end up on my back. It sounds I've been pretty lucky with that. I can't imagine having to sleep sitting up or in a recliner.

      My doctor should be returning my call tomorrow. I only noticed the irritation, warmth, redness yesterday, so I haven't be able to go in yet.

      I'm sorry to hear you still have a limp and pain, that would be disheartening. I hope the scan goes well and they don't see any serious damage. I know it can take up to a year or so for recovery, but I'm sure all of us always hope it won't be that long. I wish you the best as well. Thank you so much for your reply and advice. Let us know how your scan goes.

      Take care 😊

      Jen

    • janie33718
      janie33718 jennifer531

      Posted

      Hi Jennifer.. I am also just barely 6 weeks post op.  I know exactly how you feel!  The interrupted sleep is awful.  I get up really early and haven't been taking naps for weeks now, hoping this will help me sleep at night.  It doesn't.  I sleep for about an hour, wake up, back to sleep for maybe two, wake up...etc.  I, too, wonder how long it's going to take, or if I will ever get back to ''normal." 
    • AnnieK
      AnnieK jennifer531

      Posted

      I also hope your nerve isn't too badly damaged. Hope you can get in to see the doctor, if necessary, about the infection. Regarding the lack of sleep, just try to sleep as much during the day as you can, to add to your total. Having a son to care for, even if he is at school part of the day, must make things harder. I had no one to deal with except for myself and those who were helping me, and it was difficult. 

       

    • jennifer531
      jennifer531 janie33718

      Posted

      Hi Janie,

      Yikes, that's not enough sleep for sure! Maybe it's time to try some naps. It sounds from the other responses, that this is pretty "normal" for our stage. I have faith it will get better (if I don't, I'll go crazy), it's just hard to see that at times when feeling discouraged for various reasons. Hang in there and keep us updated on your progress. Posting on here really helps. The support works wonders. 😊

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