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Is it worth getting an actipatch?

Posted , 7 users are following.

abby21470
abby21470

Not long now til my pre-op (Nov 23) / op (Dec 4), but pain has got much worse recently - could barely walk yesterday. I don't tolerate painkillers v well. Wondered about actipatch?

0 likes, 25 replies

25 Replies

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  • amanda1827h
    amanda1827h abby21470

    Posted

    Hi Abby,poor you.welcome aboard this wonderful forum! Everyone is very Friendly on here! We are all at different levels.I hope you've got a good team of helper's for when you come home? Don't rush around.let other people help you!! Regards Amanda
    • abby21470
      abby21470 amanda1827h

      Posted

      Hi Amanda. Well I've got s hubby and 3 daughters, but they're all quite busy. Got a friend who's a nurse who might come and stay for a few days once she's finished work for the holidays ( she works in a school). Have to say, I'm quite an independent person; not v good at being helped 😉, but I know I'll have to be. X
    • donnarhi303
      donnarhi303 abby21470

      Posted

      I was very independent before the op and used to doing everything for everyone. You must not rush your recovery and take plenty of rests and afternoon naps and be kind to yourself. I bought some lovely hand and shower gels because I knew that showers and baths were banned for a few weeks and that really helped! Stupid things like that helped me. Also my visitors did tire me out so make sure you plan for their visits (timed) and have days off in between where it's just your family. I also had a table either side of my chair which was named the "nest" where I kept all my activities (make up, suduko books, word searches, books, diary etc). I would sit and spend an hour doing my makeup and playing games! I'm nearly 14 weeks and back to life where I don't get time to do all that! Enjoy it whilst you can. Good luck x
    • abby21470
      abby21470 donnarhi303

      Posted

      Thanks donnarh  - I've thought along those lines - ordered lots of books to read etc. x

       

  • lyn1951
    lyn1951 abby21470

    Posted

    As I came near my time for my THR, my pain became intolerable. Panadol Osteo, no apparent effect. Morphine based tablet only makes me vomit. Was prescribed NORSPAN, its a stick on patch that you put in a non-hairy spot, for a week at a time, back of hip for me, not that I'm very hairy, but do have some very fine fluff, being female, Dr checked best spot for me.. Gave me a couple of weeks relief from acute bone on bone pain.
    • abby21470
      abby21470 lyn1951

      Posted

      Thanks lyn - I might look into that. Feel like I'm clawing my way through each day at the moment. Woke up earlier with a bad headache - I think I'm grinding my teeth with stress. So now my head hurts as well as my hip, back and shins 😢😢. Ho hum
  • rose0000
    rose0000 abby21470

    Posted

    I am in a similar position, and could not manage to do the most basic things, so my GP has given me morphine patches  (butran) I can not tolerate oral morphine as it makes me sick, but these are great. The pain has virtually gone, it goes through the skin so does not make me ill at all. The odd headache is about as bad as it gets (can definitely live with that) so would definitely recommend. Good luck, it is horrible being in such terrible pain, so I hope they can help you x
    • abby21470
      abby21470 rose0000

      Posted

      Thanks rose - going to try and get to see go this afternoon x
  • abby21470
    abby21470

    Posted

    Actipatch came in the post this morning - I used it straight away, but was disappointed by lunchtime as didn't seem to be having any effect. However, about an hour ago, it seemed to kick in - pain not gone, but lessened and I feel much less stiff. So I shall persevere with it - better than taking lots of painkillers with side effects.
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