Hi guys .. I had my op just over 3 weeks and I'm really struggling now with anxiety I'm so frustrated because I can't do things I'd normally do.
I'm 49yrs old I only stopped working a week before my op so know obviously I'm not at work but I feel like a failure at home.. I need my garden done... can't. . I need to decorate.. can't...
I do have 3 daughters but they are all out at work my friends have been popping around to see me.
Everyone thinks I'm doing fine but I'm not used to be just sitting around. .
I'm I on track?
I'm walking around the house on one stick take the odd paracetamol.
I'm not doing to bad up and downstairs. .
What really gets me I can't sleep on my side it really stresses me out π’
I am 5 weeks post op and I understand your frustration but please remember you have had major surgery.
I am 57years old and a keen sports person but have been sensible post op. I am walking everyday and do exercises that my consultant has prescribed and nothing more.
I understand your frustration as I still can't put my shoe in on my operated side but that will come.
Please take time to heal and to reiterate you are definitely on track x
Beverley - you are doing really well! The odd paracetamol!! I'm still on co-codamol (nearly 4 weeks post bilat THR). I understand your frustration - i too am normally v active - gardening, decorating, walking, cycling.
Be kind to yourself - you are putting yourself under too much pressure. I have told myself i will not attempt anything in the garden until at least 3 months and no digging for a good while after that. Same with decorating etc. Neighbour mows my lawn, my sis hoovers for me. I Am walking my dog, but changing how i do stuff - instead of walking her on lead (won't attempt this for good while) to our usual field, i drive to different one where i can let her straight out off her lead. I then walk with 2 crutches (for safety and quality of walking - i walk around house with 1 stick or unaided) and throw her ball with thrower - it feels great to be able to do some of my usual things, even if in different way, but am happy to leave others until am healed. It won't last for ever. Again, you are doing brilliantly - make most of having the luxury of taking things at slower pace for short while - you'll be chasing around again before you know it.
Oh thank you! that's what people around me are keep reminding me that I've had a major operation, I do find myself holding my self back from doing more because I don't want to mess up my recovery. . But it's nice to speak to people that are going through the same thing as me , thank you.
Aww thank you very much.. it's really helping people telling me just to take it easy I appreciate this so much.. I will take all your kind words into account..I have to get in my head it will all be for the best for me in the long run. I wish you also a speedy recovery .. thank you!
You are doing fantastic if you are using 1 stick and the odd paracetamol.
This recovery lark is frustrating. I stopped work the day before my op, then had 5 months off due to surgical and hospital errors . By the time I got back to work I felt like an idiot, a total beginner. I had to learn everything again.
Then there was the mowing, gardening, shopping (all my tasks usually), so we got a local gardener in to mow the grass and trim the worst. Got the shopping delivered for a change. In short, use everything you can to help you through this time.
Sleeping on your side .... don't get me started ... I had to have revision surgery 10 weeks after the operation, so had to go through 6 weeks more sleeping on my back, unable to get intimate, more blood thinners and painkillers, more exercise and physio .
If you want to see what my progress was like, it's in my blog on my website, along with tips from other hippies on this forum. The website address is in my personal info here ...
Take your recovery at your pace and if you have any tendency to limp which I'm sure at this stage you really should be using two crutches whilst your muscles are recovering strength. Oh yes and keep doing those boring exercises!
Oh Beverley, I know where you are coming from. You are doing brilliantly. I remember well as someone who was always busy having to rely on others. Having my hip replacement taught me patience. I had to rely on help from extended family for the first 5 weeks. Your daughters can help out more as you were working previously and also did else. Use a rolled up towel in middle of back when laying down. You will take some time to recover phyisically as is major surgery. Xx
I had a few crying spells when I would wake up and feel overwhelmed by all that I couldn't do! I think, as you are used to being so active, that you are now bored to tears. You sound as if you are doing very well. My operation was eight days ago.
I do feel sorry for you not being able to sleep on your side. How long do you have to wait?
Hi beverly36063 please be patient with yourself. I had my 1st ATHR on May 15th and ny 2nd on August 28th of 2017. I am two days post op and this feels totally different because I was mentally prepared for the pain to come. I have great support here at home and this time around I'm going to take my time and be extra patient with my recovery. I'm looking forward to playing with my grandson and Zumba classes! It will get better.
I'm 14 months post op (and going in for my second THR next month), at 3 weeks I was still taking oxycodone and using 2 crutches, so as other have already said, you are doing brilliantly - we all can't be wrong!
I suggest you stop concentrating on what you can't do, and instead do what you can. Why not take this (albeit, enforced) opportunity to do something that you've always wanted to do - read all those books, watch films, catch up on TV boxsets, start a new hobby, catch up with friends, write letters - you get the idea.
Instead of worrying that you can't garden, why not plan for next spring and design and plan a new flower bed/veg garden. Planning a new flower bed and working out where to plant what, what flowers when etc is half the fun - then when you're physically better you can carry out your plan.
Again with decorating - plan what you want to do, what colour scheme do you want to use, research on line for the items you want to buy - and then surf the net to find it cheaper.
Regarding side sleeping - unfortunately, that's one thing that I can't really be positive about. If you're a side-sleeper then I know that trying to sleep on your back is a form of torture. The only thing I can suggest is trying a V-shaped pillow and just catnapping for the next 3 weeks - it does pass, but that's not much help at the moment. Sorry about that!
Finally, remember you have had major surgery, be kind to yourself and try to be a patient patient (my husband has just read this sentence and said that he hopes I remember to practice what I preach)!
Anyway, good luck and don't be so hard on yourself.
You are flying it! I wasn't down to 1 crutch until week 5. Week 3 was my worst time in recovery but I found as each week went by I could do more and more. I went back to normal chores etc. in week 6 but still doing all the exercises and no bending or lifting things. Now I am nearly 9 weeks post op and have got the ok to go back to work. I found keeping my mind occupied on different things helped and keep doing the exercises!!! Good luck
Thank you Treetee4 ..my x-ray revealed I needed both hips done but my first week after my op I had a horrendous time, so I will refuse getting my second one done I don't think I can go through this again.. I'm just hoping getting this one done will give me a bit more quality of life to what I had. I have a grandaughter and love taking her to the park hope it's going to be easier. Good luck to you hope you a speedy recovery. Thank you.
Thank you about the advice on the 2 sticks.. I feel I've been kicked out the hospital and left high and dry.. no advice what I can and can't do which I find very annoying.. glad I came on here yous have all been great .I had my op 4th August got told to do the 4 little excersises I don't start physio till 6th Sept ..hopefully up and running soon. Thank you.
It's really hard for a busy person to suddenly stop. I found it really hard. I finally managed to stop looking at the weeds and just enjoy having a valid excuse for relaxing reading and journaling my new experiences.
You are doing great. Others have said good things. You need moral support both on here and those at home around you. My views from my own experience are:
The week after op was awful/painful/frustrating/emotional etc etc. I remember saying to my other half 'why did you let me do this to myself' ππ’ Then things started to improve slowly. Had good days and bad days. Good days started to outnumber the bad. I would never hesitate to do this all over again to be rid of the pain and immobility I used to have.
Start to think positive and hey.....sit back and enjoy bring waited on by everyone who offers to help. This time will be over in a flash. Be grateful you have people around. Would you rather be like some who go through this with nobody and have to try to even do necessities for yourself. I'm sure you wouldn't.
As for having other hip done.....believe me this type of pain and immobility will only get get worse and speed up as time goes on. There are people for whom this op has gone wrong and are still in pain. I really feel for them. You are up to speed on recovery for an operation that was successful. You've been very brave like all of us. Be kinder and more positive for yourself.
This forum is brilliant for info and has really lovely people. Come here to moan, rejoice or help others.
Thank you, my daughters have been very helpful but you know what it's like if you are used to doing things yourself it makes you feel useless and frustrated I got some sort of back rest for my bed off an occupational therapist which helps .. hope you are doing well . Thank you .
Afternoon Beverly....what you are experiencing is very normal. Remember this was a very big operation and it's going to take time for all to heal. Plus you want to be careful with your new hip for awhile. I found out I dislocated my hip at 3 weeks!! 2 days later I'm having a total hip revision. 6 weeks non weight bearing and no hip exercises or hip flexion past 80 degrees. This was last August. Talk about down in the dumps!! I cried every day!! I still cry as I'm now dealing with nerve pain and sensitivity in this thigh. Worse feeling ever. I'm not sure I'll get over this. Like you I was frustrated not being able to do things. I was alone most of the day just looking out the door wishing I could go out side. I had to go to rehab after my revision surgery for 2 weeks. Was in pain after these six weeks from my shoulders and hands. So try to relax and take it easy. Do what exercises you're given and rest, ice and heat as needed. You really are doing well. Just take care of yourself. Wishing you all the best for a speedy recovery and healing. Hugs π€Linda.
Hi ..yes me to I've shed a few tears.its nice to hear people telling me to just chill and understand I'm in recovery, not sure about the lying on my side yet I've had mixed reviews so I think I'll wait a bit longer. Wishing you a speedy recovery . Thank you.