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So TIRED!!

Posted , 10 users are following.

gail2910-US-MI
gail2910-US-MI

I am 10 days post-op, 63 years old and was reasonably fit (although less so as crumpled femoral head reduced all exercise exept swimming the past six months.) I thought I was prepared for this but I am starting to think there should be some more motivation and energy dribbling in by now. I have good support. I can shower and dress myself except for long socks but then I don't really want to do much. Read, watch TV, write a few thank you notes. 

I have a two story home and only go downstairs 1 or 2x/day.  Most walking done with walker upstairs from room to room. I am doing my sets of exercises 3x daily. Pain is not totally gone but I have another muscle disorder too (polymyalgia rheumatica) so it could be that. When anyone comes to bring a meal or good cheer I feel it is hard to hold up my end of the conversation. I am taking Iron although my hemoglobin wasn't too bad.

MY QUESTION is: does my experience seem normal range to you or is there something I should be considering. Sleeping about 6 hrs total with a trip or two to the commode. 6 hrs is about my limit with sleep so almost normal there. 

I think I believed I was going to speedball through this a bit and now my body is saying. No, I don't think so. Discouraged a bit.

4 likes, 16 replies

16 Replies

  • ginger54698
    ginger54698 gail2910-US-MI

    Posted

    I was fit and only 50 when I had my left hip replaced back in September... I still get exhausted after a long day or too much commotion. It's a BIG surgery... Give yourself some time and mercy. It will all come around soon enough smile
  • shirley17649
    shirley17649 gail2910-US-MI

    Posted

    Hi gail,

    Sounds normal to me. I am 12 weeks post op and still have the odd day when I nod off after lunch.

    Keep up the good work

    Shirley

  • deborah26839
    deborah26839 gail2910-US-MI

    Posted

    You are normal My friend and welcome. I too am 63 14 weeks out this week. I was so exhausted and had the blues at first. I never slept 6 hours maybe a couple at a time, I never thought I would see normal again, not to mention the twinges here and there that I wondered was normal. You are only 10 days and it sounds that you are doing well. I am just getting my shoes and socks on and its a struggle sometimes. Be patient, take it slow don't try to do too much and listen to your body, if it hurts slow down. Some days you will feel good others tired, there's a saying on a site called Bonesmart from the nurse Josephine, hips heal themselves if given the chance problem is people try to do more than they should and set themselves back. Ice if you hurt, ice can take a lot of pain away, good luck, it will get better.
  • ScubaRob
    ScubaRob gail2910-US-MI

    Posted

    Being tired is perfectly normal from what I've experienced as well.   I am 3 weeks post-op and for the first 10-12 days, I just went on short walks, did my exercises, and then slept a lot. Even if I wasn't sleeping, I'd still feel tired while awake.

    It's just your body diverting some of the ole power supply to putting itself back together. 

    Taken from that bonesmart forums as a mantra:    Don't stand if you can sit. Don't sit if you can lie down.  Don't stay awake if you can sleep. 

    Perfect advice for the first 2 weeks I found. Even into week 3 now I have days where I just can't be bothered to do much but nap.  Let your body tell you what it needs =)

    • lyn1951
      lyn1951 ScubaRob

      Posted

      ScubaRob - agree with you completly, you have been seriously knocked around, the big cut, pushing & pulling muscles around, cutting through your femur (thats the largest bone in your body), reaming out the marrow (produces your red blood cells) in that bone, and your wonder why you are so tired. Your body is using all of its energy, re-building muscles, bone, and also your body is probably operating on slightly less red blood cells than usual until you other marrow revs up production. Just listen to your body, it is telling you what it wants and needs, if it hurts slow down, if its tired sleep. Don't worry we have all been there done that, ask questions if you need to, thats what we are here for. You will be surprised looking back just how fast you do heal, and I know that is no consolation at the moment.
  • linnet2015
    linnet2015 gail2910-US-MI

    Posted

    Hi Gail

    As everyone else has said - totally normal and it sounds like you are doing really well. So dont be discouraged you will start to feel stronger little by little over the next few weeks.

    Keep up the good work with your exercises and get lots and lots of rest, its a great healer. 😀👍

    Linnet x

  • maggie93798
    maggie93798 gail2910-US-MI

    Posted

    Sounds normal to me. Keeping up with the exercises takes a lot of energy as well. Hang on in there. Some people keep a diary, of what they do and then can see how much more they do each week
  • annie0412
    annie0412 gail2910-US-MI

    Posted

    Hi Gail I'm 52 and reasonably fit.. Like you though swimming was my only exercise pre op..  I'm 9 days post op and so far everything has gone well. Pain easing every day. Mobility too good,  I keep leaving my crutches behind!  Have to slow myself down and tell myself not to do too much!! That a side I too feel tired. Could easily nap every afternoon for couple of hours!  I've told myself this is normal. I'm sure it's because it's the body repairing it self behind the scenes. I don't think we have anything to worry about.  If after 2 weeks post op we are still tired perhaps we then should seek advice bestsishes Annie 
  • mic71403
    mic71403 gail2910-US-MI

    Posted

    Dear Gail,

    greetings from Devon UK.

    sounds like you are exercising, resting and generally hanging in after a very big operation. Stay with it!

    no one 'should' be at a certain stage: we all heal differently.

    so, be gentle with yourself, and heal, heal heal.

    all will be well

    Mic

    x

  • gail2910-US-MI
    gail2910-US-MI

    Posted

    Thank you so much everyone. I had my first walk outside today (day 11) and that gave me a glimpse of hope. Also slept better. I recognize (intellectually) that the internal healing process is demanding lots of energy, but still I felt that the exhaustion was extreme.  After one reasonably upbeat day in which I walked outside and had visitors, and haven't wept yet, I have a little light on the horizon. So appreciate all your perspectives. 
  • renee01952
    renee01952 gail2910-US-MI

    Posted

    Hi Gail, 

    I hope you are sleeping right now ... like everyone here already said : it is normal ... 

    I don;t want to boast here (rolleyes) but I had 2 THR within 6 months ... and still, annoyed and discouraged with the fact that I feel so tired at times - and aches too - 

    and I feel cold most of the time .... what is that about ? 

    No, no speedballing through this, sweetheart - one step at a time, one day at a time - you are doing good - take care of gail , tlc for her only!

    big warm hug

    renee

     

    • mic71403
      mic71403 renee01952

      Posted

      Dear Renee

      Sounds like you are doing really well

      Now for the next step...I've just made a parcel up of your Christmas present: a hover board

      Enjoy!

      Mic

      Xx

    • renee01952
      renee01952 mic71403

      Posted

      what IS a hover board - sounds bad for post-op hippies ... 
    • Rocketman_SG6UK
      Rocketman_SG6UK renee01952

      Posted

      Origonal hoverboard- from the film "Backto the future" - like a skateboard, but from the future, so it hovers.

      They are around now, and have a small wheel at each end, and controlled like a Segway. I expect they would be on shopping websites

      Actually illegal to use in public places in the UK, but that does not seem to stop people using them - and falling in front of moving traffic with horrendous consequences.

      Graham

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