Hip replacement booked for 19th Dec

not taken any pain killers other than ones already on.

they've given me morphine oral but I'm not in pain just uncomfy...

That's great news, glad you have come through it ok

Have a great Christmas and may 2020 be the new mobile beginning you deserve x

so uncomfortable...

the chair supplied is awful and uncomfortable

I just wanna stay in bed....

only comfortable when walking.

cushions make no difference, I right now want to hibernate for 6 weeks. think I'm having the blues...

Vickie

I am sorry, poor you .

i was still in hospital on day 3 and actually was glad for that. The hospital beds are adjustable and so comfortable and i didnt have to sit out so much. Sitting is the worst position to be in. The first day home is quite an anticlimax as you feel it will be nice to be home but then realise that it doesnt make you feel better!

Can you find any other more comfortable chair? I wasnt supplied with a chair but did manage to find one at home which was comfy, it isn't hard but is firm and it has arms ( which is important for getting up and down) . Walking will be good but be sure to ice afterwards and to drink plenty to flush out all the crap in your system . It will get better, it wont last 6 weeks!

Tomorrow will be better

i was excactly like you .. uncomfotable .. couldnt sit properly .. it will get better but keep moving keep getting up .. dont stay in bed .. try and stay positive ( its hard ) you will feel a bit down for about 2 weeks , 5 weeks on and now i can sit without too much discomfort .. sleep well, walk well with only 1 crutch , not much stiffness now in the morning just minimal feelings , keep positive vickie x

i agree, a firm upright chair with arms and maybe a cushion so its not too hard on your bruised bottom , im just starting to sit on my corner sofa now ( the arm end) with a firm cushion .. so mice to sit next to my partner for a cuddle now lol .. keep going yor doing great x

sending you positive vibes and a hug

I'm led to believe that having the blues is quite common

Ask online for a memory foam pillow or 2, their really great when your in pain or just struggling to get comfortable and keep your botty warm x

Just a thought get hubby to raise your favourite chair with wooden blocks

My Day3 diary

"Sore and stiff this morning -

Paracetamol at 5.30

Ibuprofen at 8

Home this morning by 11 painful!

After my nap getting up quickly to pee it was horribly painful (inside in groin). Made me shout out in pain - must be nerve pain

Only really comfy in bed apart from pain in the heels"

Looking at where I am now it hardly seems

possible that was only about 4 weeks ago!

You will be amazed - keep a journal - it really helps even if you delete bits later ( I deleted lots of bits about how irritated i felt by my husband who, poor chap, had proper flu and laid about looking awful when I had just had major surgery!) lol

M

I agree, really worth keeping a diary.

that's good to read. .

yeah think I will start tomorrow..

I've been up since 8am and struggled with the dam chair all day. kept swapping pillows but still to me felt like sitting on a brick. every hour walked into kitchen and back and went to toilet upstairs when needed too.

by 7pm, I went to bed and slept for 1hr. I woke up and have had a shower.

ive taken normal meds already on but cut out the afternoon one and will do this gradually. no groin pain now and up to now no stiffness. I just feel when walking very bruised and tight where operation performed.

what is the 1st step to recovery .. I.e how long before you try a tiny walk outside, what 2nd etc.. just want something to focus on ...

thanks you guys ..

glad Sally you had same problem as me.

hubby today was all for building up couch so I could sit on it, but said I need arms both sides. said well use me as your arm this side. said no. not at this time... in good few weeks in maybe but want to do it proper..

hi

What a pain not being able to find a comfortable chair - I am really lucky to have one that has been very comfortable the whole time. Someone above suggested memory foam cushions - that sounds like a really good idea as i understand that they give without pressing on the swelling

It will be different for everyone so please don't pin your hopes too much on others experience.

To answer your questions - I walked outside on my 4th day but only a 100 metres or so. I can't bear being stuck inside though. According to my watch, I was on about 1000 steps on day 6 and 2,500 by day 8. I am now for the last week or so up to 8/9000 steps a day including decent walks in the morning and afternoon. I do find that the more I walk the better it feels, it is just a shame that the weather has been so awful! I have only just dropped my midday bedrest of anything up to 2 hours - trying to sleep.

Something to look forward to? ... hm, well on day 20 this time I went out all afternoon, watched my grand-daughter in a show and then went out for a family meal. It was tiring and I ached a bit but wow it was great to get out and do ordinary stuff.

With my first hip it was very similar although I had far more swelling. I went on a boat to the US on week7/8, spent a week in NY and Texas, danced at a wedding and flew home. Sadly some people are not as fortunate as I have been but you seem to be doing so well so far, so no reason not to be optimistic.

Walk,ice, drink repeat seems to work for me.

M

I might if weather isn't too bad today try walking up and down street. it's just worried cause I have step into house and 3 steps down to pavement but just the thought of a little fresh air might do me good.

still in bed but good night sleep and feeling positive this morning. been to loo and back no issues.

you mentioned ice a few times? I've never been told about ice? my swelling definitely gone down and bruising too where I can see it but dont think bruising was as bad as thought .

yep ordered a memory foam cushion off amazon for orthopedic use so will try that in chair when comes. hubby and daughter kept sitting on chair yesterday saying really comfy but they haven't just had major operation to which were tender and all muscles which have been cut through so that's why I feel sitting on a brick.

glad for you above comments, I was feeling I could only walk round house. but you seemed to get out most days then after day 4 so think I will try this weather permitting as if sloppy or wet will not go near.

might even ask hubby just to take me for a run out in car just for change on sensory too.

hate feeling a hindrance, I knew it has to be like this to get better but for people who do everything round the house, this is a shock to the system on that level too and that gets you down.

Good idea to get out for a change of scenery! Could he maybe take you to a park where there are pavements? I love the fact that your daughter and husband are sure that a chair is comfy - maybe they should put a couple of golf balls under their bottoms and see if it still is.

My daughter in law is a physio. She swears by icing. I have a sort of gel pack that lives in the freezer and I use it after every long walk as some of the swelling is inside.

My consultant was adamant that "hips like walking." Certainly the more I walk the better it feels. We live in the countryside and I still go out in the rain but use 2 sticks just for safety whereas I can do quite a lot inside without any sticks.

I can't recall was yours anterior or posterior?

i hoovered with caution and was aware of my movements and cleaned the bathroom ... done some washing and made my bed etc ... all with the helo of my grabber .. only one crutch now sometimes without and im 5 weeks on ... im like you feircely independent !!

brilliant Sally....

love hearing how well you are doing...

lol that's great, yep hubby and daughter have no idea what it is like!

I dont know in anterior or posterior. how would I know now?

my bottom apparently is cover in bruises if that's a help and not much bruising on leg.

good day today.

hoping tomorrow is even better.

Anterior from the front, posterior from the bum/ side of the leg.

The recovery is different for each apparently. If its bruised on your bottom I imagine it must have been posterior.

Sally and I are finding our recovery to be remarkably similar, both now nearly back to normal, but trying not to overdo it.

its great to hear how well you are doing so early on. How are you sleeping Vickie?

yeah I would say then postiorior.

sleeping is fine since coming home. due to pain prior to having op, i was already sleeping on back so I am used to sleeping on my back.

I've told hubby I want a drive in car tomorrow, so that will be 2nd time only getting in and put of car so will see how get on.

I am in bed around 7-8 at nights but not actually going to sleep until like 11pm midnight but I am early riser and up like for 7am... so long days down stairs in chair.

that's good that you and sally very similar and can bounce off each other... I know I keep saying it, but you both are helpful for people like me and should think about doing vlogs...

Oh Wow, I couldnt get up that early. Its great that you are sleeping, it makes a huge difference if you are rested.

I hope your trip in the car goes well

I am glad you find it helpful, it is sometimes difficult to know if others are actually interested in the progress

M

your doing great it will be lovely for you to go for a drive .. enjoy

yes its so great to talk to people about their progress ..

i had no bruising what so ever for both hips ... funny how we are all so different

I didnt have bruising either - as you say amazing how different we all are, different surgeons , even different types of hip. Mine is a cemented exeter hip with a ceramic ball and polythene lined socket. Yours Sally and Vickie?

mine is uncemented .. my bone will grow around and over the top of the new hip and they both are 30 year hips .. i think mine are ceramic

unsure what mine is now, he did tell me at time be tbh was in that my h pain prior just wanted it done. was told it would last 25-30 years though.

car ride was nice, in my car as it is a small car I do have to bend my bad leg knee for second whilst get in car.

was tempted to get out and take trolley round b&m with the hubby whilst out...... only joking but wished I could lol .

have you both tried supermarket shopping yet using trolley like frame?

sandra I noticed you said in a post walking now without crutches round house. do you also use no crutches on stairs?

also when did you go down to 1 crutch, and again when using just 1 crutch on which side would you use it? operated or un operated?

hospital rang up today just checking to see how doing at home and the district nurse called to say she will come on 2nd jan to take clips out.

pelvic like pain this morning but presume that is body fixing its self.

going mums tomorrow for xmas so another car ride....

merry christmas all x

merry christmas

Glad you enjoyed the trip out.

i went to the supermarket at about a week but it wasn't christmas so it was quiet!

you will know when you are ready for one stick. you use it on the unoperated side.

I was tols to start using the stairs normally when i saw the physio on Friday but you shouldnt until either they tell you or you just know it is ok.

You will get random pains - as you say everything settling down.

Have a good day

well Christmas day was fine but 1st day that I needed an afternoon sleep.

yesterday so uncomfy again so ended up building up the settee but using my husband to get up out of the chair.

last night dreadful night, hot flushes horrid head but think it's coming off my meds like cold Turkey.with all good intentions wanted to walk round asda with trolley this morning, but as a little wet on ground and feeling rough I tried a few steps against the trolley but felt tired still and said didn't want too. now sat in car waiting for hubby and daughter and feeling upset and I dont know why...

I keep raising my operated leg trying to get comfy in bed by mistake and worries me...

day 8 and yep it's TRUE bumpy ride... I see things round house needing to be done and hubby and daughter not bothered and it winds me up so I get frustrated but cannot say anything so I think you start building stuff up inside too....

let's hope the day gets better...

hate feeling a fuzzy head too, but want off pills soonest .

Hi

You will have days like that but it really will get better. You should try to get a proper midday rest in bed even if you don't sleep. If nothing else it is a change of scenery.

The descending misery must be awful and the build up of resentment is very hard to shift. My husband had flu when i came home from hospital and he is usually really good but I got incredibly resentful and cross with him when he didnt do things I could see needed doing. I sent my daughter whatsapp messages expressing my frustration ( what a b***h!) and then deleted them as soon as she had read them!!! It worked .

Are you drinking plenty and using ice packs? Both help to get rid of the nasties rolling around your body from the inflammation.

Only drop the meds if you can. Try not to be heroic.

If you want to send me a private message telling me how cross you feel I will happily just read it and delete it

Head up... it will get better!

Hi Vickie, hang on in there, it will gradually get better. It's v early days, and if you're feeling sore and uncomfortable, carry on with your meds. It's important to stay ahead of the pain, then you can get on with your exercises ok.

I had a pretty easy recovery, but I hated the nights and slept badly. When you're feeling tired and fed up, remember that its not for long. Rest when you need to, and try not to notice all the things that need doing!

Good luck with your recovery.

hi vicki , i felt excactly the same as you for a while ! but it dosnt last ! .. once you start to feel less unconfortable things will get easier ! may seem like theres not light .. but there is . you need to offload how you feel and dint just sit there feeling the way you do just talk to your hubby and daughter as in sure they will understand . keep in with the meds if you have to and dont feel guilty about that , and dont be so hard on yourself youve had a major op ! oh and you woukd have to do something realy drastic to dislocate or move your hip so lifting it in bed isnt that drastic so dont worry ( i slept on my side with 2 pillows) since 2 weeks post op and im ok as i couldnt get comfy ! ... i burst into tears a few times too and dont know why but thats all gone now ... inbox me to if you need to ok and good luck x

apparently they tend to do uncemented on younger patients as it lasts longer

ok day 9...

slept better, however body wanting to go on it side and I do not know how to do this using pillows, so sally can you elaborate?

72hrs off pills and feeling alot better but bowels rank so think system getting rid of all the badness.

still feeling bad that I keep putting my leg up in line with hip when sitting till kicks in what I'm doing.. again bending when getting in car worries me too.

told hubby how I feel and he says should be enjoying it and very emotional inside.

however been to tesco today and walked round half with crutches and half using trolley and going aldi tomorrow. I just need to get out daily...

dreading hubby going back to work thursday....

on thursday district nurse coming to take out my clips too.

I'm just frustrated, I wasnt worried about operation as just wanted to be pain free but they never tell you is how emotional you will feel and frustrated and I wish I'd have been more prepared....

it seems you are having a bit of an emotional roller coaster. I am not sure how one can prepare for that.

I do feel that they put the fear of God into people regarding the 90degree thing. Certainly on my first hip I was incredibly anxious about that. The key is to do all the movements slowly and not to force it. Other than that dont worry too

much.

Walking is also key to recovery,the hip needs to bed in and walking pulls all the muscles back into the right position. Keep on doing what you are doing.

most people are advised not to sleep on their side as there is a danger, especially once you are asleep and relaxed, that your hip will cross the midline - this is the worst thing to do for dislocation.. Sally is happy doing it with two pillows between her legs but you should be very careful. Some use pillows in the same way as they did when pregnant ie pillows in front of them when on their side supporting the operated leg. This is what my physio told me to

do.

thanks daMaris...

yep sure is an emotional ride.....

I think I will steer clear of the side sleeping as still unsure how and dont want a dislocation. glad you put my ease at rest about the 90degree as that was causing me anxiety. all my movements are slow but I cannot help doing them, it's just automatic.

I dont see my consultant until 8th Feb and no physio appointments were required I was told. just the district nurse to remove clips.

thanks you guys 😄 just for being there!

Sleeping on your back is really difficult. i have a foam wedge with two pillows like an upside down v with one across the top so it is a bit upright. It feels like a nest and the pillows at the side help the feeling of not being on my side. I also let my operated leg fall to the side supported on a pillow. The biggest problem for me sleeping is my heels!

the 90degree thing becomes all encompassing like the inward twist - I remember last time, one day my husband was putting the compression stockings on and he twisted my leg slightly. I went ballistic - totally ott! It was the only row we had the whole time.

There is a lowest common denominator. You have to remember that there are 90 year olds with hip replacements who sit in a chair all day and 45 fit jocks... we are somewhere in between so they have to err on the side of caution (90 year olds!)

M

I posted the previous reply and the text went all weird andnlost some of what I typed.

the end went something like... there are 90 year old who sit all day, never move and need to take all the precautions and then there are 45 year old Jocks who can be far more cavalier. . the rest of come somewhere in between.!

well 2 weeks today.... and huge improvement.

staples now out......

what a difference a couple of days can make, I could not see me getting out of this depression and could not see how much improvement I would make...

As mentioned i came off my meds like within 5-6 days and went cold turkey but best thing i did looking at it now!

I am using 1 crutch round the house and can walk without any crutches short distances and bring in my own food and drinks from kitchen. dressing is fine except shoes and cannot cope with the sick help either so reply on family members to do this..

Spoke with district nurse today as even tidied up, washed up and felt like normality seeping in, and asked if ok to do so, was told yep as long as keep sleeping on back for 6 wks and not bending. she said if your body and mind let's you fine, but listen to your body.

scar lovely and neat and huge pressure now if my side with stitches out. Not sure how we go on with driving but I'd not have a problem driving and hope to try short distance next week. Also spoke with work and plan to go back at 3.5wks post op.

I appreciate everyone is different, and with help from damaris, sally and keith on this forum keeping me sane I would not have progressed this far and truly grateful.

I'm now looking forward to waking up and getting jobs done round the house and the coming weekend when I can go out shopping and for some walks with hubby...

yay well done ! so glad you feel better about yourself … i told you it would lift! , yes we are all different and recover at different stages but i think driving shouldnt be done untill the 6 weeks mark (if left leg been operated on) due to insurance reason . you are realy advanced for only 2 weeks ! well done you just dont over do things too much . im 6 weeks and 3 days post op now and had my first physio session but was told off for walking 3 miles yesturday without any sticks , the pyhsio said its only early days to be walking that distance without any aids at all , she said my muscles arnt strong enough yet at 6 weeks … oh well slap on the wrist for me lol . keep us posted vickie your doing great !!

i am so pleased that your low mood has lifted and that you are getting on so well, it is brilliant.

i would echo Sally's comment about driving, i dont think your insurance would cover you.

I dont want to bring gloom but be aware that it might not continue to progress at that statospheric rate! Don't overdo it. on my first hip I sustained a spontaneous stress fracture of my greater trochanter - probably as a result of overdoing exercise! it is good to push yourself but do listen to your body!

So, so pleased - i recall your very first post - you were so anxious and it has turned out so well!

That's great news, so pleased that you are recovering well!

it's my right hip that's been operated on.

I will listen to my body... but I'm very optimistic right now compared to last week.... 😄

noted and I am listening to my body....

👍

thanks just hoping it continues day to day 🙂

i agree with damaris .. 2 weeks is so so early on from this major op but your doing so so well ... i think i drove at 5 weeks when i had my right hip done ( manual car) and was told not too untill 6 weeks ooooops! this time different story! its harder on the left as its my clutch side so 6 weeks for me this time ! (good girl) lol .. im doing ok driving it feels ok to do so .. vickie , always listen to your body as damaris says dont over do it at only 2 weeks and set yourself back as your doing amazing now

thats a brill attitude !