Kaye04758

Posted , 14 users are following.

hi all

new to this, but having a bilalateral hip replacement on 21st may, am quite nervous but excited at the same time, just want to get my life back.  It's very hard to walk as in pain and bone on bone.

have been to joint school which was very useful and helpful, one thing I am really dreading is having to sleep in my back for 6,weeks. Don't know how I'm going to do it.

kaye.

0 likes, 32 replies

32 Replies

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  • Posted

    Hi Kaye , glad you found us .

    the worst things I found were the tiredness and sleeping on my back , however got so used it I find it more comfortable than my side now . 

    I had one hip done 12 weeks yesterday , don't know where the time has gone,

    I will be going on a cruise on  May 22nd so will think about you recovering in hospital and hopefully being spoilt by family and friends . 

    Good luck and keep in touch 

    Mary 8610

    south wales

    • Posted

      Hi Mary,

      thank you for reply , I'm hoping I will get used to it no option really hush only 12 weeks post opp and going on a cruise, have fun.

      i have lots of family and friend support .

      kaye

  • Posted

    Hello Kaye

    Gosh does that mean 2 hips at once.  I was offered joint school are you UK?  Yes sleeping or (not as is the case) on the back is problematic.  My first week was difficult as the sweling meant fluid retention which naturally subsudes when at rest but does mean frequent loo trips, best to go before you need to as getting there takes a little longer.  We were offered pads in hospital to prevent the puddles.  I am 4 weeks into my 8 week recvery programme and still not had a decent nights sleep.  The most I have managed on a stretch is 3-4 hours.  But hey you can cat nap in the daytime.  I have to stay on my back for the whole 8 weeks or I can lay on the operated side - not possible at present as still slightly swollen and tender.  Of course your medical team may have other suggestions for you as each person is different and although this site is helpful it does not replace personal advice given by your surgical team.  there can be many reasons why advice given is different - state of bones, how the hip was accessed.  I had the traditional posterior approach as being of a mature age no revision should be necessary in my lifetime. Gosh only 4 days to go so getting nervous.  Time to get the toenails cut, hair cut, sort out the cupboards so everything is at the right height.  Electrical sockets - make sure you have things like hairdryer and phone chargers at waist height, I have mine on kitchen worktop.  Invested in suction travel bottles for shower - when you get to do that for me it was day 14.  

    Keep in touch and I will give any non medical advice gleaned for my 4 week experience

    Ann x

    • Posted

      Hi Ann, 

      yes im  in the UK,  gosh 8 weeks without a decent night sleep but as you say can having yhe day. The join school were very helpful have equipment being delivered next week.

      i wish I only had 4 days to wait surgery is on 21st may, have already began to move things around am very lucky to have lots of support from family and friends.

      im having both done at the same time which was my choice as it will mean 1surgery just hope it all works and I can notice a difference from now.

      kaye

    • Posted

      Kaye I think you are so brave and I wish you well. Where are you in the UK
  • Posted

    Hi Kaye

    Sleeping on my back was one of my concerns. However it was nowhere near as bigger problem as I thought it would be. I did have a pillow sort of between legs and a little bit under knee. Because the wound was tender I didn't want to sleep on my side. 6 weeks on I am just starting to sleep on my side again, but happy to be on back as well.

    Good luck with the op. Lots of support here if you need it

    Barbara x

    • Posted

      Hi Barbara,

      thanks for for reply im hoping I will get used to it, I have bought extra pillows.

      i just cant wait to be able to get back to normal and reclaim my life.

      kaye

  • Posted

    Hi Kaye! Welcome to this wonderful hippie forum! I am just over 6weeks post op! I have only just started sleeping on the non op side ! But I end up on my back! Still bruised! But it will take time! Regards Amanda
    • Posted

      Hi Amanda 

      found this his site online just thought it would be so lovely to chat to other people in the same position as me. Very nervous of opp but excited at the same time just hope it makes a difference.

      kaye

  • Posted

    Dear Kaye, we are excited for you, too, to have a new life. I have a friend here who had bilateral hip replacements and did great, at 4 weeks or so, was walking 3 miles several days a week, even flew recently. I had my RHR done in the latter part of Jan. I did not mind sleeping on my back, just because I was not in the same pain anymore and slept really well, so hopefully, you can reckon with having to do for a while until you can turn on your side. Best of luck with your surgery, recovery and return to an active life!! blessings to you and yours, Susan
    • Posted

      Hi Susan

      that sound wonderful to be able to walk 3 miles a day , at the moment I find it hard to walk to the kitchen and back as in so much pain and stiff. I can't wait to get back to an active life and do things for myself.

      thank you 

      kaye

    • Posted

      Dear Kaye, I can totally relate, I could not do much at all, severe pain for months and prior to that back issues where I had foot drop, my foot I had to pick up to get in the car. Never in a million years did I think it was possible to have a life, especially an active one and be part of the human race again, but thanks to GOD, it has happened and happened for my friend and it can happen for you, too. Have hope and know you will perservere this, too. Go Jolly and keep preparing for the D Day and envision that you will be whole and healthy again SOON, Susan
  • Posted

    Hi Kaye, welcome to the forum, yes sleeping on your back is not good, its very dificult to have a good nights sleep, but there are lots of good things, no pain, more mobility, able to stand upright.etc. The op is over before you know it, and you will soon be on the mend, keep in touch let us know how your gettinf on.

    Brian

    • Posted

      Hi Brian, thank you I can't wait to get my bilateral hips done life is quite difficult not used to not being able to do as I please, walking is hard, standing is hard, 

      my opp date is 21st may

      kaye

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