2 days post op and feeling vulnerable and in pain
Posted , 13 users are following.
hi all,
like many any before me I've read through lots of postings prior to the op. Now it's the real thing.
I had my op at 8am on Thursday. It's now sat night and I can't get to sleep. Have dozed lots during the day though. Each time I got out of bed to do an obligatory walk on crutches I was exhausted. Normal I guess?
was in quite a lot of pain immediately post op so had pretty high dose of morphine which knocked me sideways. Further doses on Friday had me hallucinating and with the shakes. Intravenous paracetemol eventually did the trick, (and I'm avoiding any opiates like the plague)but as I'm going home tomorrow I'm now just on the pills which don't have quite the same pain killing Effect.
the pain isn't a 10, more a 6, which has me dreading having to get out of bed and to the toilet, as I know it'll get worse.
it feels like my pleated leg is longer then good leg too. The surgeon said that the legs are exactly same length, and that post op X-rays showed that my pelvis is tilted. Apparently this is very common and rights itself after a few weeks of walking properly. But I guess I must have some special instruction from the physios to make this happen. Plus it's kinda scary to find myself walking like this.
i think I'm in a bit of shock too - just from the trauma that my body has gone through. I cried like a baby earlier before my husband went home.
im sure this is all normal, and in fact ion reading lots of posts prior to the op, I registered that in the majority of cases the first 2 weeks are pretty bad, then people seem to start to slowly turn a corner.
so, I guess I'm just sharing and looking for reassurance that this stage will pass and things will get better.
thanks for reading my ramblings.
6 likes, 45 replies
nikki52902 LDW
Posted
almost 3 weeks post op so can remember the first 2 weeks vividly . I was so tearful , and when I got home cried whenever my friends came to visit . Getting up and down to the loo in the night is such a bother , and painful getting on and off the bed .
But it does get better, honestly . I feel at nearly 3,weeks ive turned a corner . I'm more mobile, walking well on one crutch and not tearful ..hang on in there, it will get better . Your body has been through a trauma, be kind to yourself xxx
LDW nikki52902
Posted
were you in a lot of pain in hospital and when you first got home?
did you do the walking amd exercises anyway. Or did you take a day off if it felt too difficult?
nikki52902 LDW
Posted
LDW nikki52902
Posted
i think I will be glad to get home to my husband and two young children. Have a bit of normality around.
good luck with your continuing recovery.
lindsey
carol33300 LDW
Posted
You need to rest as much as you can in the early days and just do little as possible except for your physio exercises. I felt really low and emotional a lot of the time too.
I'm having my other hip done this Tuesday so am starting to feel anxious again,hoping the anaesthetic will work this time. It's daunting to have to go through it again so soon but not having the OA pain any more is amazing.
Best wishes.
LDW carol33300
Posted
Well done you - brave lady.
how soon after the op could you appreciate freedom from the OA pain?
the pain from the surgery is masking that for me a bit, I think.
sending huge amounts of good luck your way for 2nd op. The chances of same thing happening again with spinal must be virtually nil. Or could you have GA this time?
carol33300 LDW
Posted
I'll have to speak to the anaesthetist when I go in and see what's best for me.. GA is definitely a possibility I think.
Carol X
LDW carol33300
Posted
was your second hip already bad when you had first op? Or was it a really rapid deterioration?
lindsey x
carol33300 LDW
Posted
Hopefully by May I'll be totally pain free x
LDW carol33300
Posted
and Thankyou for replying to me.
lindsey
carol33300 LDW
Posted
My2boys LDW
Posted
I am 5 weeks post surgery now and i can tell you it does get better. I remember the 2nd night in the hospital was the worst for me and the first few nights home were pretty rough. I was sent home with vicodin to take every 4 hours( i am allergic to some of the stronger meds). I am not one to take medication but i did take it every 4 hours. The first few nights i woke up from pain almost every 4 hours so i took it. I found after the first few nights i would sleep a little longer and not need the medicine quite so often. I was told it was important to try to stay ahead of the pain to aid the healing process. I remember having some of the same questions as you. It is normal to get tired so quickly because of the trauma to your body and all of the energy it takes to walk even a short distance. My leg felt longer than the other too but for me that has gotten better, even though i am still trying to regain a normal gait. I used a walker for the first week and a half and then moved to one crutch which is where i am now. Try to be patient, although I know that is hard. All the emotion you are feeling is completely understandable as well. It will get better. Listen to your body. Wishing you the best.
LDW My2boys
Posted
All the crying in hospital seems to have helped a bit too.
Feel like now I'm home I can surrender to the long process of recovery.
My husband is being lovely and we've got someone in now to help look after my 8 year old and 4 year old.
I feel safe here.
Thanks for listening
My2boys LDW
Posted
LDW My2boys
Posted