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I am worrying because I still cant sleep in bed. If my torso is on the

Posted , 10 users are following.

helen09386
helen09386

same level as leg, it is agony.  I can only sleep in a chair, which is causing a painful rear end as in this chair most of the time. Pain level is high even with two tramadol and two paracetamol and oramorph.  Cannot put anywhere near full wieight on leg.  Had GP to see me and he said everything is normal, and i suppose i am only five days post op.  The other odd thing is that the op. leg now seems longer than the other leg.  I was told that they they had lengthened this leg because it was shorter, just hope they have not done it too much!  Anyone else similar please.

1 like, 89 replies

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  • Sredni393
    Sredni393 helen09386

    Posted

    5 days you sound exactly as I was. The operated leg will not remain like that. I had to take 400mg tramadol w paracetamol and needed pethadine and only after 8 months are legs level.  I heard a physio say "that will soon slot back in". There is swelling in the tissues which push everything out. I wore 2cm shoe raises for 6 months and was lying down 3 x per day for 6 wks with the compression massager on for 45mns or so. Different people recover at different rates. Clearly jodiefrance had far superior care in France than we do.  Shame you more comfortable seated. Can you raise your legs onto another chair to reduce swelling essential or you will make it worse. As for not lying  down, can you not lie on the non operated side? I got a memory foam wedge and put it under base of spine at night. You could put a soft pillow under lower back to take pressure off operated area.  Try and ascertain if the pain is in one particular area where it originates. There are many layers cut and re sewn and sometimes it can be the muscle rather than the implant, being sore. It ain't right that you are unable to lie prostrate .... You will aggravate something and healing will be delayed. You must try and locate the pain and support the surrounding areas you can lie down. I hate to say it but you may have to increase the dose. It sounds just like me in hospital when even morphine wasn't enough.. Agony but I know now it was coming from just under the skin where the abductor muscle was cut. Still very sore and scar very livid wit the tension (pull) of underlying musculature. You can take up to x400mg tramadol. I couldn't walk without pain. 8 months and still taking 37.5 mg tram twice a day to take edge off continual discomfort.  It will get better. I'm surprised they send us home so soon. You probably needed another day in hospital.  It does get better (a bit!)
  • juliette39133
    juliette39133 helen09386

    Posted

    I think some hospital staff really don't understand pain if they have never experienced it. When I came round in recovery I must have been making a fuss and an irritated voice said, what's the matter? I just waved a hand towards the pain and the voice said, you've had the full amount now. Then I drifted off again. It's like I was a big baby or something. One staff nurse told me that she didn't agree with us being given morphine because it makes us sick and constipated! She was desperate for me to try paracetamol intravenously. What a joke! Contrary to many people's experience, Tramadol does it for me. No pain . Yes I did see faces and lights with my eyes closed but it was a nice trip. Then you get the nurse ratchett who is two hours late with the drugs trolley. When you express distress at the pain  you get, well you're not the only patient on the ward. You have to fight your corner
    • Lynn195013
      Lynn195013 juliette39133

      Posted

      i cant remember a thing, the night before i was given sleeping tablet than woken up at to have a shower, given pre meds then didnt know a thing until in the afternoon, no pain or anything,  That was here in France
    • Jodi-France
      Jodi-France juliette39133

      Posted

      "Yes I did see faces and lights with my eyes closed but it was a nice trip."

      LOL!

       

    • maggiemac2362
      maggiemac2362 Lynn195013

      Posted

      Lynne honey, so sorry your having a miserable time and feeling so down. Just remember a lot of that can be the body's natural reaction.  If you go home will you have someone there who can give you a wee hand with meals and personal care ?? If so I think you should get home as soon as possible. In my experience that is when clients tend to improve in leaps and bounds !!( maybe not too much bounding ) ! Once you return home you start feeling a sense of normality again. The only thing I would say is make sure you can get physio follow ups and have access to a good GP. Wishing you a speedy recovery. Keep in touch. Lots of love and hugs Maggie xxxxx
    • davidintheUSA
      davidintheUSA juliette39133

      Posted

      I think some people don't understand how dangerous the side effects of morphine based drugs can be. I have had severe hallucigenic reactions to it, get easily addicted and terribly constipated. Their use in the U.S., rightly or wrongly, is highly rstricted and in hospital post op only administer it sparingly. Nurses have to get Dr. approval first. Post op I never got anything stronger than hydrocodone 10 mg. Did tha make me comfortable? Dedfinitely not but I got addicted to morphine once and I won't let that happen again. Is there some way of knowing whether a person is likely to get addicted? I haven't heard of any.
    • juliette39133
      juliette39133 davidintheUSA

      Posted

      Think you have to find out for yourself. I think the older one is the worse the effects of morphine. Here in the UK it is normally only given 24hr post op.
  • hope4cure
    hope4cure helen09386

    Posted

    Helen.

    i could not put all my weight on my op leg for a few weeks.. I remember many miserable nights trying to sleep .. 99 pillows in bed to prop this or that.. I tried the recliner could not sleep. I was instructed to sleep only on my back with a special "A" shape pillow between the legs so the bone could heel and nit to the implant. That was the longest six weeks of my life at the time... I never sleep on my back especially when every nerve in UR body is screaming at u...it's tough to sleep the first week or two.

    Once cleared I could sleep in other positions that was another issue. Finally I slept better on a huge sofa with my Back up against the back of the sofa to take the pressure off the hip and buttock area. Many pillows and the always pillow keeping my leg from crossing the mid pelvis area. After many weeks passed then eventually it is not a issue. I suppose in the scheme of things it's a very short time. 

    I hope u get some sleep soon.. A chocolate bar always makes me feel better.

    CHEERS

    HOPE

    • marey
      marey hope4cure

      Posted

      well make sure its 80% cacao and dark chocolate!
  • marey
    marey helen09386

    Posted

    can you get hold of a pressure area cushion?

    its like a rubber ring but made of foam ...you can sit on it ...placed on a raised bed...with loads of pillows behind to prop you up and cushions under both legs so your butt is relieved of pressure and you don't get sore.

    do hope you're finding some comfort.

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