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Post-Op Left Hip Conversion to THR

Posted , 13 users are following.

pammyw
pammyw

Evening everyone

Thanks so much for all your messages of support.  This is the first time I've been on this site since my op on Friday 15 April 2016.

Anyway, all went well.  I had a spinal (they put me out first because I was scared of having a needle in my back).  I think I must have only been in theatre for just under 3 hours, because I went down at 1:45 pm and was being woken up in recovery at 4.45 pm.  I did think revision was going to be a lot longer, but it wasn't the case for me.  I was told that the hip resurfacing implant had to come out because the smaller part was wobbly and just moving about, hence all the pain I was in!  Plus there was some fluid that had to be sent to the labs for testing, hence I was put on antibiotics until the results came back (lucky clear).

I had to have a catheter on the Friday night because I had trouble trying to 'wee'!  They said they didn't want me to go more than eight hours and I was having so much difficulty (also having to use bedpans)!.

The staff were so lovely all the time I was in hospital.  A much better experience than my two previous hip operations, where the staff pretty much made me feel like I was a nuisance.  I do understand how short-staffed they were, but there was no need to be made to feel like rubbish when you feel rough after an operation.

I came out on Tuesday evening.  I really had trouble getting into the car at hospital then getting home, could hardly get out of the car, plus because I was having bladder problems, well, you can imagine!

All is progressing well and I am trying to exercise as much as possible, rest as much as possible, etc, and not to over-do things.  I feel quite well in myself.

One question I would like to ask is that the hospital gave me my discharge medication which will be running out in two days time, but on my paperwork, it says that the GP does not need to continue with a repeat prescripton for most of the meds.  I am on paracetamol, codeine phosphate and ibuprofen.  I phoned my doctor's today about a repeat prescription for these, but they say they won't be doing one because the hospital have not requested one.  Surely, you cannot just stop taking all the painkillers in one go once all the boxes are empty.  The doctor's receptionist said that I should see how I go after they run out and if that if I am in pain, to phone them for a prescription review. 

Obviously, I don't want to keep taking the meds but worry what the pain wihen they run out in two days time.  What do other people think and what is their experience on this?

Very best wishes to everyone and your continued recoveries. 

Lots of love and hugs from Pammyw.  xxx

 

4 likes, 26 replies

26 Replies

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  • annie.conway
    annie.conway pammyw

    Posted

    I felt no need for further pain meds after 2 weeks. Came off cold turkey with no ill effects. I don't think 2 weeks is really long enough for the body to become dependent
  • Rocketman_SG6UK
    Rocketman_SG6UK pammyw

    Posted

    Pammy

    Some need pain meds, some don't, but you don't want to run out if you do need them.  I'd try going without the strongest one before you do run out to see how you fare, you'll soon know if you need more, and can then take some before screaming at the receptionist. eek

    As others have said, it should not be up to a receptionist to deny you the pills.

    Graham - 🚀💃

  • pammyw
    pammyw

    Posted

    Hi Everyone

    I want to thank each and everyone of you for your marvellous advice and support..  After reading all your comments, I took the 'bull by the horns' and telephoned the doctor's surgery yesterday (Wed) and spoke to a different receptionist and explained my situation.  I had also telephoned the district nurses for advice.  Anyway, once the reception knew I had had major hip surgery, there was no question of not having medication.  She arranged for a doctor to give me a call back and then a prescription was sorted out - hooray!  So all is sorted thankfully.

    I had my staples out today (32 in all) - big ouch - some were double staples, but the wound is very clean and dry, so that's a relief.  I'm glad that's over.  It's like another step forward, next one will be the six week check I think.

    I'm doing pretty ok, but feeling swollen and stiff and the bruising is coming out now.  Each day has it's differences but it's all positive eh!

    When the district nurse came earlier, we spoke about the medication and she said to perhaps cut out the codeine first (Graham - I think you said to go without the strongest first) - so this is what I'm doing from today.

    I don't know what I would do without you all.  It's like having best friends by your side 24 hours a day and it so appreciated.  Everyone keeps everyone upbeat during the dark times coming through our pre- and post-op recoveries.  I AM SO GRATEFUL TO EVERYONE AND I LOVE YOU ALL!

    Best wishes from Pammyw.  xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

    • lynn66084
      lynn66084 pammyw

      Posted

      That's great Pammy, and staples out too.

      I had codeine, while I was in the hospital, the nurse said, when you start cutting down, take one of your middle ones out first, then when your ready, the next middle, then later the morning, always keep the night time until last, but don't rush it.

    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK pammyw

      Posted

      Pammy,

      So glad your receptionist saw the light .... That's how I came off the painkillers, tried stopping the strong ones first, when that was OK, gradually dropped the others.  It makes sense to do it whilst you have some spare pills to take in case you find you do still need them.

      Someone else said it feels like we are all there, side-by-side going through all this, and that's how |I feel too.  It's great to have these special friends who know what you are going through and can advise.

      Graham - 🚀💃

    • AnnieK
      AnnieK Rocketman_SG6UK

      Posted

      I am curious about why you, and other people here, have had multiple painkillers at the same time? I had one, which was a combination of oxycodone and acetaminophen. That's it. I tapered off during my 5th week, and didn't have any other pain meds, either prescription or over-the-counter, that were suggested. I am in the U.S., and maybe that's the difference?
    • bini31328
      bini31328 AnnieK

      Posted

      Hi Annie , I think because different meds have different affects on different parts of whats called the pain gateway - the path up the nervous system from the site of pain to the brain . Strong manufactured opiods like oxycodone are classsed as controlled drugs in UK so in order to minimise their use they are prescribed seperately. Acetaminpohen ( paracetamol) is available over the counter so most people buy their own as cheaper than the prescription charge . Some centres / surgical practices have standardised pain control and give everyone the same as research has shown its most effective for most people , also helps plan and balance the budget. I,m not great on opiods ( make me go clammy and glassy eyed) so cant take drugs such as tramadol so had a combination of paracetamol, a nsaid, and a lower dose opiod ( codeine 15mg) , as thongs have progressed ive dropped on drug at a time although i still take paracetamol in the mornngs . Its been an approach that has worked for me as an individual. Pain is such a subjective thing and everyone e periences if differently , as this is my 3rd hip op i am more relaxed about the post op discomforts ( and less worried as I know what to expect) . As a nurse i do strongly believe that noone should be in pain as this just hinders recovery , at the same time important not to be over medicated so it masks everything and stops you doing exercise etc xxxx
    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK AnnieK

      Posted

      I think Bini has covered it there - I had Tramadol first time, but they didn't agree with me as I seemed to get drug withwrawl symptoms with them each time I was due the next dose, so I had codeine the second time around.  I had paracetamol both times, and Diclofenac the first time, which did not agree with my gastric system cry

      Graham

  • Lorna020247
    Lorna020247 pammyw

    Posted

    Excellent news Pammy, thought they would help once someone heard it was hip operation so pleased for you.  Onwards and upwards take it easy plenty of rest and follow advice.

    Love Lorna x

  • AnnieK
    AnnieK pammyw

    Posted

    Breathing a sigh of relief for you, Pammy! Don't be too quick about cutting down on the meds. Pain relief is very important in the early days and helps you to be more mobile. The only pain med that I was on was the opioid/acetaminophen combination, and I was on it for 4 full weeks, and then took a week to taper off completely. It helped me enormously, as I had a difficult time and having more pain would have done me in.
  • nattie85
    nattie85 pammyw

    Posted

    Hi i have just had my surgery 3 weeks ago and 6 days out of rehab hospital.

    ​Here in Australia, things might be a bit different. I am on a strong pain killer which i take once in the morning and one about 8pm. I also take Panadol Osteo in the morning along with some blood clotting stuff. Then through out the day i have the option to take one lot of panadol, then more panadol before bed. Looking at what i have these will last me at least another 3-4 wks and i think i have a repeat perscription, this will be revised when i see my specialist in 2wks time.

    ​I currently dont have any pain, in the morning i am a bit stiff from laying for so long but thats about it.

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