Yesterday I was actually worried about myself. I was soooo tired. I was also helping plan a birthday party last night and that probably took lots of attention. But still I was just feeling bone-tired.
I was low on iron in the year before my surgery. I had gone to my yearly physical and mentioned that I seemed to be losing tons of hair, especially when shampooing. Doctor tested iron and I was quite low. I had been donating blood every two months too -- that showed my hemoglobin was fine....but I guess that doesn't test the iron stores. My doctor told me to stop donating blood until after surgery and recommended iron supplements from the health food store.
Over the year since I've been taking the iron, my #'s have increased slowly. Still not normal. I wonder if they decreased following surgery.
I have my physical scheduled for mid-August so I guess I'll wait til then to see the doctor. I was wondering about Vitamin B-12 too.
Or. -- is this exhaustion common with most people? I'm 6 weeks post op. It's not horrible I guess but I'm not used to feeling so tired -- and I don't like it! LOL
Thanks for any input! Leslie
Yes feeling tired is normal. I was falling asleep quite often in recliner during the day. Especially after meds. Not to mention nauseated most of the time the first week of being home. I'm 13 days out today. Feeling better but still have pain when I put weight on operated leg. Hope you get to feeling better! Like you I'm not use to this! I hate it! 😞 Hugs 🤗🤗
Hi Leslie,
The fatigue is pretty awful isn't it? And I find it is both physical and mental fatigue. I think this is fairly common with most serious operations but it sure couldn't have helped to have had low iron as well. I actually retain too much iron which also results in fatigue - go figure! So I have to watch my iron intake. I actually take my calcium when I am eating something with iron as it blocks its absorption (and that of most meds, vitamins and supplements - so keep this in mind when taking your iron)! My GP recommended B12 as well and I think it has been helping. But I am also being careful to keep my iron within limits ...
Chin up woman - you will get through this!
Big hugs,
Linda
Hi Leslie, yes I was very exhausted at 6 weeks. Am 10 weeks post op now and still get tired some (not the energy I use to have), but it is better than before. I also have low iron, and my gp said it was from the surgery. I am not quite sure about that though I had to have surgery last year and they had to give me iron in the IV prior to surgery. Being low on iron can definitely make you tired. Hope you feel better soon. Yes, it is no fun not being our normal selves.....Barb
It is hard, isn't it, Linda? I think lots of us are pretty strong people who aren't used to being taken care of......used to doing what we want. This is a learning experience for sure. When I feel too down I remember things could be way worse. About 5 years ago, my older sister died of pancreatic cancer. That is such a horrible cancer. So my hip surgery is a piece of cake compared to that and what lots of people go through.
But still............Hugs.
Hi Linda and thanks for the cheering up! I needed it. I actually have been much better today. Interesting about too much iron....and then the calcium which blocks it....didn't know that. I bought some liquid iron today that was recommended and also bought some B-12. I'll see if these help. The fatigue is awful. I don't like it. Sorry you've experienced it too but nice to know I'm not alone!
Thanks, Barb. I see my family doctor in about 2.5 weeks and will have my iron tested again. I have a feeling it is low. I think, too, I will do too much on one day and then I'm surprised the next day when I'm tired. Glad your energy level is getting better. I'm sure the stronger I get the less fatigued I will be. It's a balancing act for sure. Hugs,Leslie
I've been suffering from low iron as well. I'm taking two pills a day for three months and my iron levels are now just within range. I've read that orange juice helps with the absorption so I have a small glass of juice morning and evening.
Like you I was really tired, and terrible hair loss, but I'm feeling more lively lately ( even though I need a nap after lunch!). My hair loss has slowed down to nearly normal.
We think we are strong and can overcome all these things that life throws at us, but we sometimes need TLC from ourselves and shouldn't feel guilty about taking time out to recover.
Wishing you well.
That is so true Leslie....I felt good yesterday and cleared a bunch of weeds and did quite a bit of yard work. Today I am paying for it! Had pain in the new hip but not a lot with that. Most of my pain is in the other hip.....eleven more days until I get another new hip. I don't think this one is any to soon either....Hugs back to you....xx Barb
Hi Leslie. Sorry to hear about your feeling of exhaustion. I agree that this 'normal' in terms of experience from myself and other hippies. One day, I was on a walk and I felt soon tired, I just wanted to fall asleep right there. I think it is the body's message to us when we have overdone it. Good idea to get checked out with blood work to see if there are ant deficiencies like Iron. Sure others know more than me here. Seems like trial and error sometimes as of course my blood work was all normal.
Hope you feel better soon after some rest.
Cathy
Eleven more days! I bet you'll be so glad to get that over with. I have real admiration for you double hippies. No alternative really but you all do it with real grace. Yard work would just be so beyond me....but I'm just 6 weeks. And actually I live in a condo with zero gardening! Which is fine with me. But today I'm going to make sure I do all my exercises and I take 3 shortish walks. That's my goal anyway. Enjoy your day, Barb.
So true, Gwen. Probably many of us put to much pressure on our selves to recover more quickly. All in good time. Yes, I've read that iron needs Vitamin C to be absorbed well. I have a Vit C powder I put in my water so I hope that will do. I bought some new iron yesterday and it is a liquid. Supposed to be easier to absorb. I hope so. I felt fine yesterday...... I think I just had a couple of really tired days....great to get the support here. Thanks. Hugs.
Thanks, Cathy. I did feel better the next day. I seem to be one of those people who if I feel really tired one day I think I'm going to feel like that for the rest of my life! I do that over and over. Oh well......wonderful to have this forum and get so much great feedback. Don't know what I'd do without it! Hugs, Leslie
Hi Leslie, you've probably had lots of responses reiterating the same thing - yes exhaustion is very common. I was at a wedding all day on Friday & a retirement party on Saturday night - Sunday I went out for a walk with my hubby & dog for a couple of hours & then I was completely wiped out! I'm also not used to all the sleeping during the day & keep telling myself I need to get out of the habit as I'm hoping to go back to work in 3 weeks! X
Thanks Leslie, yes I am counting the days. I will be so happy to be out of this constant pain from my left hip. It hurts day and night, never stops. No matter what I do, lay down (no position) stand, sit and then their is walking that is about a joke...I still do but it is more like hobble. Even noticed my new hip was hurting some the other day when I was out shopping. I think the left is so bad it is throwing the right off. Anyways I just want it over....Enjoy your day too.....Hugs...Barb
Fatigue and hair loss - are normal as as a result of this wonderful operation - not that the medical profession will admit to it!