1. Community
  2. Operations and surgical procedures
  3. Hip Replacement

Lovely Hippies I need your advice about christmas please.... :0

Posted , 16 users are following.

rose0000
rose0000

I have a dilemma....please advise if you have a moment...

My consultant has said I can have my hip replacement at the beginning of Dec (as my three month wait is up after the steroid injections) but will it completely ruin any chances of me enjoying my christmas with my baby girls? I will be approx 3 weeks into it all, so not sure how I will be. Every christmas is precious when they are young... but I will have plenty of support over christmas from my husband will be home and friends and family who will all be on holiday and around (thus making it easier)

Or

Do I keep taking the morphine, even though it isn't working so well this week and I am back to being up alot in the night and now need to increase my dosage. I am worried the pain relief after the operation won't work as well if I need to keep taking more and more morphine now. I will have the op in Jan, but won't have the same level of support....

What would you do?

 

1 like, 100 replies

100 Replies

Prev Next
  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK rose0000

    Posted

    From my experience, getting it done earlier is much better for a quicker and better outcome.

    I will be off my last blood thinner pills before christmas, so can enjoy a glass of wine with the meal(s) cheesygrin

    As for family - depends on how active they are, as long as you feel secure and they do not accidentally trip you up etc. 

    You should be pain-free with just a minimum of painkillers, so that will make it much more pleasurable.

    Only you can make the call, but in your situation (which i am not) then I'd go for it.

    Best wishes for a pain-free Christmas and a good Hip-op.

    Graham

    • colinTN17
      colinTN17 Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      Hi Graham

      What's this about alcohol and blood thinners. I've been taking rivaroxaban since having my op 4 weeks ago and have been partaking my usual tipple since coming out of hospital.

      There's nothing on the info leaflet to say one can't have alcohol. Have u been told different

    • sarah1996
      sarah1996 colinTN17

      Posted

      Alcohol makes your blood thinner so the tablets will be making it thinner again.
    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK colinTN17

      Posted

      Colin,

      Apart from Sarah's comment about the extra thinning effect of alcohol, I think it affects the blood vessel diameter, and I am sure on my leaflet (rivaroxaban) it says not to have alcohol with it.

      Graham

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK colinTN17

      Posted

      Colin,

      I re-read the leaflet, and you are right - there is nothing about not having alcohol on there at all.

      Also looked at the meds section on Patient.Info - again no warning about alcohol.

    • rose0000
      rose0000 Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      Well that is a result!!!!!! I can't drink with morphine, I tried half a glass of wine and the headaches and sickness was enough to ensure I would never try it again. So this is great news!! 
    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK rose0000

      Posted

      It would benice to have a drink, but after 3 weeks without one, I think I can wait for another 3 weeks just to be on the safe side.  As someone said, alcohol does alter blood flow, and I would hate to upset things just for the sake of a drink or two.  I manage OK with a variety of fruit juices now.

      I must admit that my wife has a bottle of bubbly all ready to celebrate my THR when I am off the medication .... roll on 5th December 

  • Paganalley
    Paganalley rose0000

    Posted

    Personally would go for Dec / Christmas - with the extra support to get you through those early weeks. Three weeks in at Christmas itself - you will be mending well by then. You'll also be in less pain than before. Just be careful with the cuddles have pillows & cushions around you for a bit of extra protection. I can't comment on the meds effect as we are all so different.

    Whatever you decide - have a good Christmas with your baby girls xxx

    • rose0000
      rose0000 Paganalley

      Posted

      Thank you! Have you had your replacement or waiting for one? 
    • Paganalley
      Paganalley rose0000

      Posted

      Hi, had a replacement and rebuild of hip socket end of Jan 2014. Was back in work on a stick by end of March. Work in warehouse admin  so could sit, walk about, have cushions etc which made everything a lot easier. Saved up my annual leave to get reasonable time off without losing too much pay.  

      Am lucky to live in North Wales where prescriptions are free but had to have my operation in England. xx

  • maggie93798
    maggie93798 rose0000

    Posted

    For what it is worth and because I know you have been waiting in pain for a long time, I say go for it.you will be able to enjoy the family's company, watch them open presents and be looked after by everyone.it would be a slightly different Christmas to the usual one
    • rose0000
      rose0000 maggie93798

      Posted

      Yes possibly more relaxing!!!!! It will feel strange to actually sit down smile
  • Hailea
    Hailea rose0000

    Posted

    Hi Rose

    I am in the same position as you. My 2nd op ( right leg )will taske place on December 15th that is only 10 days till christmas day. Even closer than you. I am scared to death. But I would sooner be off these nasty meds and just be on the meds the hospital give me and be out of the pain I am in now rather than to wait till after christmas. I know for a fact I will enjoy christmas more knowing that the only pain I might feel is a little sorness and feeling tired. But I know this will be the first christmas in 5 years I can enjoy without the grinding pain I have now.

    I would say go for it.

    • rose0000
      rose0000 Hailea

      Posted

      Good luck with your replacement, I know you have been in so much pain, so I wish you the very best in your recovery. Have you got someone to care for you over christmas?
    • Hailea
      Hailea rose0000

      Posted

      Thankyou rose yeah other 1/2 and son are here and already got all the gear here from when I had the left one done in. April. Already got most of the Christmas presents done and most of the food shopping so almost all set so not much for me to do when I come home. I really can't wait to be out of pain but I am still very very scared. 
Back to top
Prev Next

Report or request deletion

Thanks for your help!

We want the community to be a useful resource for our users but it is important to remember that the community are not moderated or reviewed by doctors and so you should not rely on opinions or advice given by other users in respect of any healthcare matters. Always speak to your doctor before acting and in cases of emergency seek appropriate medical assistance immediately. Use of the community is subject to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy and steps will be taken to remove posts identified as being in breach of those terms.