house work before thr

Don't do any but the bare minimum. Do your family know that the pain is so bad that you end up crying in a foetal position? I would be very surprised if they are happy about it. Become a director of operations and organise them so that everything gets done. Tell them it is practice for your post op recovery, you will not be doing housework then, or the cooking!

Oh Sarah -- I know that feeling - I agree with maggie - do the bare minimum if anything - no bending (too painful) - so I dusted stuff eye level only - did my windows but stopped doing that because it was too streaky (no strength) -

washing up maybe , one dish at a time ....  just to keep moving around a bit when sitting or laying becomes too painful - 

hey maybe just tell them and they understand -

Lesson: do not assume anything 

take care darling

big warm embrace

renee

HI Sarah

A tens machine helped a lot with the pain before THR.  With the housework I was lucky that my husband did a lot for me, when I did anything it was in stages and took all day. Clean sink then rest, clean bath then rest, clean loo ect.  It was time consuming but did help me to keep some semblance of nomality when I felt my life was falling apart.  I am 10 weeks post op and still having to do everyting in stages as I get tired and start to ache.  I am hoping things get a lot better  in the future, but the pain is certainly more manageable and I can stand without pain.  I hope you get your op soon and don't stress about housework, so what you can to keep active, but making beds and hoovering were impossible for me.

Sarah, I had an awful time on tramadol. It didn't work and just made me 'drugged', weepy and depressed. There are better combinations of pain relief than the opiates and your doctor can help you find some.

I know that there is not much that will totally take away the pain and many people will give you advice on whatever they tried (high strength co-codamol with ibuprofen inbetween worked better for me) but it may be worth investigating. 

I understand the need to keep things clean or tidy, it is a way of contolling your world when it feels very out of control. 

You have said before that your family are supportive and they wouldn't want you to go through this. I also understand your need to be useful. Instead of focussing on cleaning maybe you could think about trying something new that doesn't cause you pain. There are many hobbies that would benefit your health and well being without causing so much distress and also could earn you a little money.

Thinking about other distractions may seem like a mountain to climb but if you find something you like you could spend less time on cleaning and do something that makes you happier.

I run craft markets and fairs and they are full of people who have had life changing conditions. Most of them started by buying jewellery kits, soap making kits, knitting, sewing (me), candle making, felting, baking, decoupage oh there are loads that are sitting down activities.

This may not be for you but I bet if you start looking on Amazon you will find something that gives you pleasure 

My heart reaches out to you and hopes that you can find something else to focus on while you wait for this op.