Just realised I am not as recovered than l though

this my 3rd hip surgery and it took me months to recover fully the last two times - I think about a year later I realised I was ' normal' again and I,m expecting it to take the same this time. Sitting at a desk all day is a killer and you should only go back to work when you feel ready . I took painkillers for months after each op as I couldnt function without them - i,m 6 weeks post the 3rd op , and although the new hip isnt hurting I.m getting a lot of back pain and pain on the other side just because I,m having to learn to walk again - properly. I,m back to work next week , partly because I feel ready but also for financial reasons but I can pretty much dictate my activity throughout the day which makes a big difference . A desk job is I think the most tiring - you need to get your work to refer you to occupationsl health for a risk assessment re your work station as you may need height of desk changing , a modified chair and or key board . You did an awful lot the other day so I,m not surprised you were so sore - we did a day trip to France last thursday and although that was fine - lovely lunch in the sun - when we went to the big euromall I couldnt walk round or look at anything but just sat on a bench with everyones coats etc while they went shopping. Your hair loss shows you are still suffering a stress reaction and if your sleep is disturbed then I,m not surprised you tire easily . When you do go back you need a graduated return just to support you easing back in slowly. It will all get better - I promise- but it takes a long while. Family and work colleagues often dont see this and just think ' you,ve had the op , you should be fine now ' but its really not like that - its a post op battle all the way to slowly recover , look after ourselves , regain mobility and gradually gain strength. Sounds like you are exactly where you should be - nothing wrong in taking painkillers so you dont have pain ( thats their purpose!) but you are right  in being aware that you need to  limit activity even so . Am sorry you got such a fright - its really unpleasant and makes us feel very vulnerable when that happens . I,m also still using a stick outdoors and expect to do so for quite a while - it prevents being jostled in crowds etc apart from the support it gives. 

Take care if yourself and go back to work when you are ready 

big hugs 

bini xx

I had my first THR the same week you had your SECOND one and I cannot even begin to imagine making it through the day you described! Let alone all the sinking realisations you came to.

It is such a rollercoaster: the fear of suspecting that there is a problem, the shock of learning we need a THR - let alone two, the agonizing wait for the actual operation (s), and then the euphoria that the bone on bone pain is gone quickly replaced with the reality of the trauma of the operation and the long road of recovery. Thank goodness for the fellowship of this forum ., and all of the people who 'get' it as we struggle to process everything we are going through.

It is good that you have come to realize that this pace cannot be sustained and that the continued meds at this level have only been masking your true progress and are likely at the root of some other symptoms. What a tough day on so many levels but what a good day too. Because it means you can move forward now on a more realistic basis and wrestle back your recovery - maybe slower but surely more real and hopefully lasting.

What are your next steps ...? Maybe a consult to check if anything has gone awry or if the continued pain is from pushing to be 'normal again.? ( Boy or boy do I ever relate to that)! Either way, it sounds as if pain management right now is NOT ideal - at actually managing your pain AND for side effects. And there is also the risk that in 'helping' you do more, you might actually do harm. I hope your surgeon and/or GP will be able to offer you alternatives.

You have pushed through so much in a very short time - it really is astounding. I really admire your determination to slow down and get the next steps right. You have already invested too much sweat and too many tears and you deserve to heal fully, sleep properly and feel good about your today and tomorrow again.

In friendship and admiration.

How many times haveyou heard it eh?  Loads of times, I know, but still we all (me included) don't realise just how much this operation takes out of us.

Before the operation, I could not believe that it was going to take me 12 weeks to 'recover', I thought it was an exageration, and those saying 12 months or more for 'proper recovery', well I wasn't going to take that long ...... was I?

At 14 weeks now since my revision operation, i realise just how right those people were.  Starting back to work is exhausting, the commute in, the sitting upright for hours, the concentration on the task in hand, the long day.  I am sleeping on the commute home, and in the chair when I get home too, and of course my body is still busy repairing itself. I take a stick to warm people I am not as active as they might otherwise think I am, but on the way home from the station I am so tired I am actually using it properly as a walking aid.

Yesterday I was trying to move a piece of furniture with my son, and suddenly felt pains in my lower back .... I stopped, and waited for my other son to come and together they shifted it for me.   Spent the night flat on my back (post operation sleeping is good training for this), and today I am fine again, but taking it easy on a lovely sunny day.

Take it easy Laura.  Remember there are some who 'bounce right back' after the operation and do amazing things immediately, but they are not the majority.  We all have to take care of ourselves now, but we can at least be thankful we now live a life free of OA pain.

Graham - 🚀💃