Feeling rubbish six weeks after thr

Posted , 30 users are following.

hi everybody, I had new hip six weeks ago walking very well but still feel awful very tired as not been able to sleep for more than three to four hours in the night and constant trips to the loo, even though I have not had a drink after 7pm, I don't remember feeling so lethargic when I had my other hip done 8 years ago.  I still need the odd painkiller solpadol usually or paracetamol, any tips out there to get my energy and sleep pattern back to normal, I have tried sleeping tabs they only last three to four hours, I find it too difficult to sleep on side as yet, what a pickle I have got myself into, oh by the way I am 73.

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  • Posted

    Hi Ann

    I had bilateral hip replacements 6 weeks yesterday. Sleep or lack of it is also my problem. This seems to be something affecting most of us hippies. At my 6 week assessment the surgeon discharged me and no longer wants to see me. Good news but I still need to take care of my new hips. Although I can now sit in a normal height chair he told me not to sit in a low sofa for at least another 3 months. Housework will be a problem as I live alone. My family helped me enormously through the 1st few weeks. I googled about housework and found a site that recommended no bed making hoovering or ironing for at least 12 weeks.NIGHTMARE! How will I cope?

    Good luck with your recovery and look after yourself.

    DeeAnne

    • Posted

      I empathise

      I had my hip replaced 8 weeks ago (i an 67)

      Likewise not sleeping more the three hours if I'm lucky( this is a great improvement on the hour sleeps for weeks afterwards. I can just sleep on my my unoperated side and that has made all the difference- I understand it slowly improves- so I'm trying to learn patience!!! It's been the hardest part of the whole experience for me too

    • Posted

      I have never been patient, so this has been a very trying experience for me.
    • Posted

      Hi DeeAnne...

      I had bilateral THR 6 weeks on Thursday... still on my crutches when going out, down to one indoors and occasionally I walk without but find i am looking for something to hold on to.   I see the Consultant on Friday...  

      Sleep is my one issue, my brain wants me to roll over but I can't...  I haven't tried yet. 

      What would I do without my grabber?? how much can one drop on the floor. 

      I have just having been left alone for 20mins managed to hoover the carpets, and wash the kitchen floor.... I took it easy and did not over stretch myself. but it feels so nice..  

      Good luck and keep in touch as not many Bilaterals... xx

       

    • Posted

      Hi, I too live alone, my new hip was cemented in so can do housework if I am careful, Hoover, etc. I even managed to mow my lawn last week.  Inknowcit can be frustrating you will get there in the end.
    • Posted

      i am bed making and hoovering at six weeks post hip op its a case of trial and error. X
    • Posted

      You are doing really well Elaine. Perhaps I should try doing the hoovering. Won't try washing the floor yet though. I have just taken delivery of a couple of booster cushions so that I can sit on my own sofa at last. Odd how little things make me so happy 😀

    • Posted

      Really. Then I will try the bed making too. I honestly thought that I wouldn't be able to do any of that yet.

      Thank you

      xx

  • Posted

    Aww Ann I know the feeling well I am 8 weeks post op and just started sleeping at night apart from the constant trips to the loo have a rest in the afternoon if you must and don't rush into thinking you should be doing more take it at your own pace I have just started to sleep on my un op side with pillow between my legs I can manage 10 mins on the op side then have to move dont worry about the jobs you can't do they will still be there when you get back to your self hugs and look after yourselfxxx

  • Posted

    Hi Ann

    I am just over 7 weeks post hip op and at my 6 weeks visit with my surgeon he gave me the all clear--so I can drive, sit on normal seats and even do up my shoelaces. I've been walking normally, without sticks, for over 3 weeks now so no problems there bu,t like you, I am still having difficulties sleeping.

    Initially I was only able to catch a few hours at night as i couldn't get used to sleeping on my back but now that I've been given clearance to sleep on both sides I find it difficult. It's still too sore sleeping on my operated side and i'm only able to last about 90 minutes sleeping on my good side using a special slumber pillow I bought on the internet.

    Also, like you, I find I'm still making lots of visits to the toilet in the night which obviously doesn't help with sleep.

    Having said all that I'm gradually getting more sleep as time goes on so I suppose the message is be patient as eventually all will return to normal.

    Don

    • Posted

      Hi Don

      I got the all clear from my surgeon on Monday but he said that I should avoid my low sofa for 3 months. How are you able to tie your own shoelaces...surely that is a little bit too much. Does that mean you can cut your own toe nails? I am very confused as to what I am now able to do safely.

      DeeAnne

    • Posted

      Hi DeeAnne how lovely to be able to cut your

      own toe nails I'm 11 weeks post and I also can't manage it yet .Hugs xxx

    • Posted

      I was told not to attempt to cut toe nails for three months so have been going to chirodopodist, the foot massage was lovely.
    • Posted

      Hi DeeAnne--after7 weeks I can tie my own shoelaces. Obviously I have to be more careful with my operated leg but I can get it done, no problem. I'm not sure about cutting my toe nails though!

      As I have said before I am now back to normal physically but I'm still having problems sleeping.

      By the way, I'm not a youngster, I'm 72!

      Don

    • Posted

      Don't you all have protocols that dictate no bending at the waist past 90°?! I sure do. Which makes shoes and socks, not to mention pedicures off limits. Maybe forever?!

      Do tell

    • Posted

      I do hope that I will never be able to put on my own socks and shoes..or even cut my own toenails. I am 69 and had bilateral op 6 weeks ago. Tried sleeping on either side as surgeon said I now could but both were painful ...

      Then spent next 6 hours dying to scratch where the scars were as the areas were itching like crazy. It took that long to subside

      I won't try moving from my back again for a while.

      Happy healing all hippies

      DeeAnne

    • Posted

      When I saw my surgeon after 6 weeks he said I could near enough do anything now--the only restriction was not playing golf for a further 6 weeks. Obviously, I'm aware of my new hip but as long as I take care I can live life normally which, of course, includes picking things up from the floor, putting my shoes on and sitting in the bus and train.

      I'm still struggling to sleep on my operated side, which is the way I prefer to sleep, but hopefully that will come in time.

      Don

    • Posted

      deeanne ---- 

      what do you mean by: I do hope that I will never be able to put on my own socks and shoes..or even cut my own toenails.

      sounds grim, darling ---

      Oh boy, the itching is so annoying - are the scars closed, healed and dry?  

      angel blessings

      renee

       

    • Posted

      Hi Renee

      I probably said that incorrectly. One of the hippies on here said that those things we will never be able to do again following hip replacements. It is a worrying to me if I will never be able to do those things..ever. My scars healed in the 1st week. I assume that by trying to sleep on both sides I must have irritated the internal wounds which must still be healing.

      DeeAnne

    • Posted

      I understand - there are some things I am trying to be at peace with that I might not be able to do that again -

      I read that crossing legs is a big no-no - used to love holding my knees to my chest while sitting on the couch etc ---

      I am so stiff and still rigid in body and I do know people who sit as a pretzel after THR - I saw it with my own eyes ... 

      sleeping on scars can be uncomfortable but you will be able to soon -

      another thing : I also was "discharged" at follow up appointment 6 weeks post-op - I did not like that and asked to be seen at 12 weeks and 12 months - I felt abandoned when I was told : Seeya in 5 years !!!

       

    • Posted

      It never ceases to amaze me just how the advice we get varies sso much.  I was told that I could 'do whatever I wanted', but then after the mess up my surgeon made of my hip, perhaps following his advice isn't so good.sad

      I started with shoelaces first, It takes some practice to get to cut your toenails ... but can do that now too.

      It is a lonely feeling when they discharge you isn't it - they did say I could always ring up or even come back if I needed to - but I have not needed to.

      I can cross my ankles, but don't cross my legs 'lady style'.  I can now sleep on whichever side I want to (or on my front), but eventually I seem to revert back to being on my back now for some reason.

      The only thing I don't do now is swim breast stroke properly, but it was always my preferred stroke, so now I do the hand movements, together with a crawl-like foot movements ....... not quite 'right' I know, but it works for me.

      Picking things up from the floor - I still use the golfer's reach - it just makes it easier I find.

    • Posted

      I AM 12 days past my hr now cant wait to tie my shoes i have to be patient HAS ANYONE GONE INTO WALK IN SHOWER WITHOUT SEAT AT 12 days post my hair is long using dry shampoo feels awful THANKS

    • Posted

      I have been able to stand in the shower since the day after my operation. The first time a nurse was in the room with me but then I was left to get on with it.

    • Posted

      I had my first shower yesterday, 5 days after surgery. But I wouldn't if I lived alone, and certainly not without a seat. It made me feel energised and refreshed, a much needed boost. If you can, have someone in the house on standby in case you need a hand. I was given a couple of shower proof sticky plasters to put over the dressing.

    • Posted

      I took a shower standing up about 4 days after, alone, but my husband was in the house. Fear of slipping, but all OK. Now, 2 weeks post HR i am very fatigued.

      I walk around, do minor housework, garden for short periods, do my exercises. But really feel like laying around and sleeping. I wonder what the balance is between rest and activity. Any body have any info or thoughts?

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