I'm needing a virtual hug today. I started back to work this week and I am so uncomfortable! I work on a university campus and have to walk a substantial amount. I got a handicapped hanger for my car but that doesn't help all the walking while teaching and going from one building to the next. At 7 weeks I was hoping to be feeling better. One of my setbacks has been my SI joint in my back. My PT said it is out and my pelvis is rotating toward the front on the surgical side. So now I'm soing exercises for that as well. I just wish I could go home and crawl into bed with an ice pack but I still have 3 more classes. Since I'm venting....my other problem is I am allergic to anti-inflammatory medicines so I am stuck taking tylenol and oxycodone and my doctor just said he can only give me one more prescription of the oxy. He is referring me to a pain management clinic. UGGGG!!! Do any of you have any medicines that you take that work well and aren't anti-inflammatories? I am beyond sad and stressed. This is all too much with kids and work and relentless pain.
Thanks for reading my rant--I think my husband is tired of listening to me....
So sorry to hear you're in such difficulty. I too have arthritis in my back but gp is hapoy fir me do continue taking co-dydramol which us a paracetamol and codeine preparation. Do you walk with a stick? If not, you may find the support helps - it does me.
I'm afraid thats the only help I have to offer except the requested virtual hug (())
Hi Collette sorry to hear it's not going so well. I'm amazed you are back at full time work after 7 weeks. Surely it's far too much to undertake so early. As Rosie said, are you using a stick? My physio told me to continue to use a stick for as long as necessary and there was nothing to be gained by limping or being in pain. Even at 12 weeks I still find I need a stick from time to time as I took a long time healing as I couldn't walk for 10 months before my op. I'm sure you need to take it much easier than you are at the moment. I can't help much with pain relief as I only took paracetomol or somteimes codydromol . Best of luck and a virtual hug from me too!
Seems you may have returned to work too soon my goodness THR is a major operation. Are you able to take more time off? If not can you reduce your hours? I had si joint problems prior to hip op was given cortisone injection between joint and spine. 2 years ago. So far that particular pain has not returned.
You are probably having so much pain as your body is still early in the recovery stage and you are doing much more than you should. I sympathise completely with you and can't believe you have been given the ok to return to work. Maybe you still need crutches to support you between classes. It would take some of the stress off your new joint. I have been to pain management over the years. To be honest it's all about learning to relax and pacing yourself. I hardly think as you are still recovering and working, pacing yourself is virtually impossible. I am hoping your pain will ease soon but you may be experiencing more because you are expecting your body to do what a fit person can do. It does take up to a year to fully recover. Try not to be superwoman like most women do myself included and if possible get your husband to help you when you are at home. Tell him if you have to work you can only manage it if you are able to rest when you are at home. It will only be for a few months while you recover. Show him your post and replies. I feel like crying the amount of pressure people who are trying to get back on their feet are under. If someone has not gone through the THR they cannot understand the pain and discomfort we have to go through. As it is a common op generally people think it's a piece of cake. I only heard of these lucky people who bounced back as soon as they woke from the op and walking miles within weeks. This appears to be rarer than you think when you start to read some of this forum. Anyway virtual big hug on the way. X
Oh Collette, poor you. I am also 7 weeks and have been working at home for a couple of weeks designing and making bags and fabric products. I spend a lot of my day sitting and try to have a little walk every hour otherwise my feet swell up. I have spent one day out delivering and selling and had to come home and lie down! I am amazed that you are back to work full time.
I saw my consultant yesterday and said that I was suffering pain all over the place. I have arthritis in my lower back and also in my other hip. He reminded me that it was only 7 weeks ago that I had the op and that it takes at least 6 months to feel normal as everything is in flux and changing position.
As far as pain relief goes I have gradually taken myself off strong meds as I needed to drive. I have just started to use a Tens machine to block some of the back pain. It is reasonably effective but not as effective as resting when I need to.
Is there no way that you can drop some hours for a few weeks?
If your husband is tired of listening to you maybe you should draw him a picture as well (smiley face)
Same thing happened to me back to work two weeks and sacro iliac joint went, ended up being off work another month😁in that month I threw myself into swimming (not swimming but exercises in the water that the physio gave me, hurt like hell at first with physio thumbing my spine etc but the water did the trick, try to stretch regularly , it's so hard going back to work don't care what anyone says, if you've got a physical job it's hard. All I can say Colette is try to be a bit kinder to yourself and try to give yourself a bit more time be it reducing your hours of another phased return. I was lucky my employer was great I know that's not always the case, but you don't want to harm yourself at this early stage and it is early. I'm now 10 months down the line and am nearly back to normal but I have to watch how I do things, it's just being aware, good luck I'm feeling your pain, I still take codeine withparcetamol when it's giving me jip and like you not good with anti inflammatory s, but if pain bad take omeprazole to protect your stomach and take anti inflammatory s for limited time that's what my gp told me to do and it worked, good luck I hope it all works out for you
Collette, you are receiving virtual hugs from the goup. It should help to know you are in the right place and people understand what a diffult time you are having. Is it necessary to be at work so soon? I admire you rof rthat but all that wlaking and pain. As others said you must use your stick as walking with a limp and in pain is not to helpful. Lots of good healing vibes to you.
Oh dear Collette, this doesn't sound great. I think what I would do is I would get a scooter to use at work, the electric scooters like old people use. You might find a used one and after a month or two you also can resell it.
If you are walking all over a university most likely you are carrring stuff with you, thus I'm not thinking going back on crutches is the best solution. When you have short walks no need to take the scooter, but when you are going accross campus I think a scooter would be an ideal temporary solution for you.
I do know one thing for sure, pain is very very tiring. It is going to be hard for you to do your job if you are having pain. If you take a scooter that is going to reduce your pain.
Another thing, try Volterene Pain Cream, especially for your back and if you have any butt pain. It has a slightly different name in the UK, but it really works well, get the 2%, I'm sure you can even order it over the internet and it is not expensive. It is frustrating because you rub it in when you have pain so you want it to work immediately and it doesn't, it takes about 30 minutes to work, but it does work really well. It can knock out your pain for a couple of hours. I used it ecerywhere I get an ache or pain, ankles. shins feet, knee.
Best of luck to you and do write again and let us know how you are doing.
Wow ... that is terrrible Collette - 7 weeks post-op is still early in recovery from THR, regardless if any other problems - I am guessing that you are in the USA (Tylenol vs Paracetamol) so treatment is a little different than in Europe and the U.K.- Pain, however, is the same ..
I am not sure if I like your doctor - Is there any way you can see someone else? Pain Clinic management is almost like a last resort for people who have chronic pain ... you are recovering fro a major surgery ...
Do you have any options in regards to your work? The walking and then standing to teach seems to be too taxing for your body right now ...
I agree with everyone here on this forum and hopefullya solution will be found shortly -
You are number one Collette -
Always come here when you need to rant and rave and whatever ...
Hi COllette,so sorry to hear your still suffering.I have been told that it can take a good year or so to get back to normal!Like you I too am on my feet as I am a carer! So not easy!I had my hip op in march and even now still using a stick outside as I have stiffness and knee's that need an op! But it can wait,as I am too scared! So I am having jacuzzis and reflexology when ever I can.!regards Amanda
You should be having a phased return to work, part time,reduced hours, whatever you need.Your employers have a duty of care but if you don't ask you won't get I'm afraid! Ask and you should find things easier to cope with. XXX
Good advice. I am working less this semester and still trying to find my boundaries of what I can handle. I'm going to have a chat with my dept chair Monday and see what we can do.
On the up side--had a great day yesterday, much less pain! and woke up at 1 AM (as I always do ) but with unsomnia not pain.
Jacuzzis and relexology sound wonderful, I hope they are helping. I empathize with your having to be on your feet. It is really hard. Had a good day yesterday so I am feeling encouraged. I celebrate the good days. xoxo
Oh Bless you, you sound really down. It's very early to return to work after major surgery. Everyone on this forum gives great advice and it's wonderful sharing with so many nice people who understand.
Wherever you live, I,m sure our good wishes and hugs will find you