Just realised I am not as recovered than l though
Posted , 15 users are following.
Hi
I had my 1st lthr on 9th Dec 2015 and my 2nd rthr on 15th Fed 2016 so l had both hips replaced in the space of 3 months.
I thought my recovery has been amazing and am driving and doing normal things l would had done before l developed OA in both hips over a year ago. I have been off my work for 6 months now and this month will be my first at half pay. I seen my surgeon last week for my 6 week check up and was signed off as he was happy with my progression. I don't walk with sticks infact l rarley have used them.
I still am a routine with pain meds l take my 1st lot in the morning as soon as l get up and some in middle of day and then my last lot at night.
Well l got up early done my usual routine of taking my morning lot abiout 9am. Then got ready fot a 40th lunch l was going to at 1pm. Its about an hours drive away sat and had lunch for maybe 3 hrs which included climbing 2 sets of stairs to get in and out. Then afrerwards me and my hubby decided to go to the shopping centre we walked round that got a few things then drove to a local retail park and was in 3 of the big stores. By this time l was late at taking my mid day painkillers we go home around 6pm and l ended up in tears with the pain in my back and hips. I straight away took my painkilllers and lat down but for half an hour l felt awful the pain was intense.
I just realised what l would be like without painkilllers. I am no were near as healed as l think l am in my head. In the outside l might look ok and taking my meds makes me live a pretty normal life. But l did say to my surgeon l did not feel ready to be back at work as l think sitting is my problem
He advised me not to go back until l feel ready myself. But yesterday just proved to me that without my painkillers l would be no were near as ready or healed as l think. My surgeon says it takes up to 9 months for a body to fully recovér. Well l am only 8 weeks on monday since my last op and l made the desition l am taking another few months off my work as my healths more important at the moment and l thinknģ for 7hrs a day at a computor just now kills me.
I just got a fright yesterday and reallised l am no where near fully recovered and a lot of how l am is too do with the painkillers masking what pain l reaĺly am in after 2 hip replacement in such a short time. Plus my sleep pattern is still upside down and my hair is still falling out a lot when l wash it same as a lot of other people on this forum which is a sign my body is still under a lot stress.
Just though l would share with you that how much stress having these ops puts on your body and your life.
Laura xx
3 likes, 45 replies
belleAUSSydney lors23
Posted
I was still using a stick at 8 weeks and even now at four and a half months I limp a bit and never do stairs if there's an elevator around. I found the 12 week mark to be a bit magical for me. Before then, I wondered if I was ever going to recover. In the past two or so weeks, I can walk more and with less limping. I can do stairs one foot at a time, but if I'm tired and/or sore, I will still do the toddler thing.
I was not an athlete, ballerina or gym junkie before my op, so I know that having a miracle recovery was never going to be on the cards for me. The past two or so weeks have been pretty amazing.
Hang in there.
I get the work thing. I don't wanna, either. I am trying to get a business going from home so I don't have to deal with someone else's schedule.
If you find yourself still dependent on painkillers in another month, start pushing your surgeon more to see if there is nerve/muscle damage that needs further treatment.
Keep your spirits up. We will heal in our own good time.
lors23 belleAUSSydney
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I try to be posative most of time but sometimes it just beats you and you have a bad day. Xxx
sarah1996 lors23
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lors23 sarah1996
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renee01952 lors23
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- I recognize this - was thinking the same thing recently -
Goodness, Laura, you did a lot in one day though - Even without THR surgeries , it sounds challenging - especially the 3 retail stores at the end - and it is not normal walking - it is walk, stop, look, touch and go and repeat ....
Now you know where your bounderies are and that is good -
I also am dealing with the pain medication - now with the trochanteric bursitis in both hips , what to do - Took myself off the Omezaprol (stomach protector) as the side effects make me feel soooooo bad -
You are doing really good - Look what you have already accomplished in 8 weeks after 2 THR surgeries ... Just bask in your own light ...
If you don't feel ready to go back to work and can stay home longer, do so -
Have a nice rest today ... you have done really good, so allow yourself to just enjoy ....
big warm hug
renee
lors23 renee01952
Posted
Laura x
CelsB lors23
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How quickly we forget what our bodies have been through! We do a little and feel okay so we believe we can push our bodies further then the truth hits home. Sorry you're in pain again hun. I hope you feel better soon.
I feel this infection has put my recovery back a couple of weeks. I was relatively pain free and my mobility was improving but I am back to pain meds, limping and wishing the physio had not taken away one of my crutches. I could cry, not with the pain but with the disappointment.
Thanks for sharing. It's a valuable lesson to learn.
Cels xxx
cindy48619 CelsB
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CelsB cindy48619
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Yes, I went to A & E on Thursday evening and got diagnosed. I knew something wasn't right. I'm on antibiotics now and due for my 6 week check-up tomorrow, so will be glad for my surgeon to have a look at it.
I am so disappointed, it was all going so well.
Cels xxx
cindy48619 CelsB
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I certainly understand the disappointmnent. There is so much emotion that goes into this whole thing pre-op and post op. I too am doing very well and I would be so upset if I went backwards. But these things happen and I really appreciate you posting yours so that we can continue to support each other Cels.
CelsB cindy48619
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I've got some swelling under my skin around my wound, the physio said it's fluid. Anyway, the swelling got worse, felt hot and looked red. All classic symptoms of infection so I knew I had to do something quickly.
Cels xxx
linda38528 CelsB
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Best wishes for a smoother recovery.
bini31328 CelsB
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how are you feeling today - does it feel like the antibiotics are working now?
Xx
CelsB bini31328
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Hmmmm, I think they might be. It's certainly less painful and not so red. Still swollen though but I suppose it's early days yet. Looking forward to what my consultant says tomorrow.
Xxx
cindy48619 CelsB
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bini31328 CelsB
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CelsB cindy48619
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CelsB bini31328
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lors23 CelsB
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Loral lors23
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linda38528 lors23
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I wish it wasn't so ... but I suspect we will all have a session like this even if we are careful. There have been a number of reminders of this over the weekend. And unless our partners have been through something similar, it will be hard for them to relate as the psychological impact is as bad if not worse than the physical ones - reminders that recovery can reverse itself and worry that it is more than an episode.
It sounds though as if it has stiffened your resolve to pace yourself more, take more time before going back to work and spend more time becoming as good as you can become. That HAS to be a great outcome!
Helping our partners understand the impact this operation and experience has had on us is a whole other matter. But luckily we have our group ....
xxx
lors23 Loral
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Loral lors23
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bini31328 lors23
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