Shock to the system
Posted , 14 users are following.
Now 6 days post op and look like I've been thrown off a fast moving train! Pain relief has been rubbish as I was twice given tramodol whichbi am allergic to.Then codeine which made me nauseous and sleepy. However now on track and csn hobble about kitchen and bathroom unaided. The nurse told me yesterday that swollen ankles was normal and sometimes a bag of frozen peas placed on genitals (bikini line) can reduce the swelling in the groin and allow better blood flow. I also didn't understand that you need to lie flat in afternoon to let blood flow as easily as possible in groin area to help reduce swelling. Everyone on these forums seems so positive. Hopefully I will feel a bit better later.
The physio said the younger you are the longer it takes. Because you take bigger faster strides and are more active. In jher words, if you are 85 and potter around then you get back to this more quickly thamb someone younger wanting to go back to work
6 likes, 23 replies
Georgie11 kate030815
Posted
interesting advice!! I found the ice packs great for pain relief. Used them on my knee and hip. Lying down will aid reduction in swelling. I hope you have an alternative to tramadol, they don't agree with me either. I came home on endone and targin. I sort of see what the physio is saying,we're more likely to over do things !! All in the name of getting back to normal.
Glad to hear you're on your feet, it only gets better 🌈
kate030815 Georgie11
Posted
Take care
renee01952 kate030815
Posted
First a warm welcome to this group of fellow hippies, pre and post op .. I am not sure how long you have been following us ... it is the best place to come to for questions and concerns, or just rant - you find the most loving and supportive people, helping each other along on this road to recovery ..
We all share our personal experience and stories ...
It seems that you are in pain and I am sorry to hear that - however, it is pretty normal being so early in your recovery .
good that you are already hobble about unaided ... I could not do that until later (2 weeks) - not because of the pain but more about the way I walked - very unbalanced and insecure ...
I, personally, have not heard that it takes longer for younger people to heal or feel better - more the other way around ...
Of course it is a shock to the system .. it is major surgery ... just in case you have not watched the video on you tube, please have a look at it when you are ready - I had a so much better understanding of what is involved and the trauma done to the body ...
It is important to lie flat, with legs extended to stretch the muscles and blood flow - also to elevate the operated leg to reduce swelling - let the nurse show you the best position ..
It takes time, dear Kate .. so please take it easy and be gentle with your self -
I hope that you will get medication that will reduce your pain ...
and so come back here ....
warm hug
renee
kate030815 renee01952
Posted
Don't think I will watch the video though. Having had an epidural I have heard all the noises and experienced the hammering. I hope it will turn out to be like child birth and once the pain has gone I will be able to forget the horrible experience
Take care and thanks for your support
Xx
ian97093 kate030815
Posted
Ian.
neil5421 kate030815
Posted
Welcome, and glad to hear that things are a bit better than they were to start with!
Just take it easy - it's very easy to fall into thinking that you've got to get up and get around in order to be getting better, but don't push things and using a crutch stick is no stigma!
Leg swelling is v normal and will probably in fact peak next week for you... the second week is usually the high point for this. Are you wearing those lovely TED stockings?! If you are, they tend to push the swelling up the leg. As Renee says, elevation is the key to helping to deal with this.
Icing swellings and groin is good but I've been told - keep this to 10-15 mins a go in order to prevent distressing your skin/nerves.
Not sure re the thing about it taking longer if you're younger - most docs I've heard talk about this say the opposite .... but I kind of get the implication that this is about getting back to where you were, based on a level of fitness. however it's also about what sort of state our muscles were in beforehand, which cuts across ages......
You're doing well ! Take it easy!
Best wishes
Neil
kate030815 neil5421
Posted
I have decided today not to push myself and to have 2 hours lying flat. I find sleeping difficult on my back and so only grab a
few hours at night. How did you get on with this?
Thanks for your help
neil5421 kate030815
Posted
The afternoon kip is a wonderful thing! Try and catch up with as much sleep as you can at other times. Many people post-op struggle with sleep, as far as I can see, and maybe that's also because your body doesn't want to stay in one position for too long....
Good luck
Neil
kate030815 neil5421
Posted
I will try more pillows and wore some fluffy socks last night which seems to help
X
Jodi-France kate030815
Posted
it is a shame the codeine made you nauseous the good part about the codeine is that it does make you sleepy, which is really what you need, sleep. What you could do with the codeine is cut the pill in half and then add an extra paracetamol. Keep in mind that codeine is VERY constipating so you need to take a stool softener every day and I also drank a big glass of prune juice every day.
there is no way around it, sleep is a b*tch and it usually doesn't get any better/easier until about 2 weeks.
kate030815 Jodi-France
Posted
Thanks for the tip about codeine. Have just got over constipation with lactulose so very happy :-)
I love prunes but had forgotten about their properties. Will send hubby for some today. Had a small glass of wine last night. Heaven.
Take care
Kate x
lynne09047 kate030815
Posted
sorry to hear you are in pain, but as all the other hippies have said it does take time no matter what age you are, you alone know your own body, so listen to it, if you feel tired sit or lay down, take it one day at a time, you will get there, I'm 13 post my 2nd THR and I can tell you that this one has been totally different to the first one last nov.
I was on tramamdol then codiene, then oxydone, all of them only serve to take the edge of it, in my opinion, the side affects far outwaiegh the beinfits, contipation, nausea, tirdeness, etc. so I stopped all of them at day 6, noe just the ocasional nurofen when I need it, Ice packs are the best, and a giant U shaped sleeping pillow, so good luck with your recovery, we are always here for help and advice.
Love
Lynne xx
kate030815 lynne09047
Posted
Take care x
lynne09047 kate030815
Posted
well in answer to your question, if you go on ebay and type in the U shaped pregnancy pillow, you will see how they use it, firstly when you sleeping on your back you need to lay the pillow on your bed, then ease yourself into the middle of it, and sleep like a giant cocoon lol, when you first try sleeping on your side, use the u bend in the pillow as a head rest and lay your operated leg on the long side on the U with your good leg underneath, it keeps your pelvis inline, good luck,
Lynne xx
Kate53CornUK kate030815
Posted
My ankles swell to cankles when I have been a bad girl even after 6 weeks (tomorrow) but everything else is coming along really well.
I was super fit up to a year ago and my body is itching to get into shape but I have hip number 2 to go yet so really have to take my own advice and take it easy!!!
Love and light
Kate