hello- i am post op 4 weeks ago on dec 2. i did fine all along until today, when i woke up this morning i stretched and pulled a muscle in the surgery leg,,, ouch. Was just about to quit taking medicine. also started feeling tiredin the afternoons. read that post-op hip people often become anemic- anyone else have there issues/?
Hiya, sorry to hear you pulled a muscle, what a pain. I had my THR back in October and am quite disappointed that I am still not back to 'normal' - and one thing I've noticed is that I am really tired a lot of the time and keep falling asleep - like sudden waves of jet lag, very weird, I never had this before, and it seems to be getting worse. In fact I went to my GP last week to ask about blood tests, and am now waiting for these results - maybe it is anemia? Someone said we should be eating 2200 calories a day, which I don't think I probably do, and wonder whether this could be contributing to the tiredness. Itls true that I don;t have a lot of appetitie. Any other opinions? I had the op done under epidural not GA, so that can't be an issue? Any other ideas? suggestions? crumbs of comfort??
Hi Helen - I also had a spinal instead of general anesthesia . what is the difference in recovery? are you weaker? I would be interested in your blood results. I bought some iron pills today . only problem with them is they make you constipated, so I also bought Mira lax. Tired of taking all these pills!
I opted for a spinal because I understood that recovery time with a GA was longer - that the GA chemicals stay in your body for 3 months....so I'm imagining it isn't the anaesthetic's fault. But why on earth would we suddenly get anaemic?? I think I'll hold on for the blood results before getting iron tablets, but let me know if they make any difference for you...
o.k. good luck. ill let you know- i might call my g p monday and have blood testing too- thanks
Hi Jane, I am post op from 8th December, I unfortunately developed a large blister on my ankle from wearing the DVT stockings. This has delayed my recovery but it is now back on track & today I was almost pain free. I do get tired in the afternoons & evenings but I am assured that this is normal after a major procedure which THR is considered to be. I have started taking an iron pill daily & things seem to be better. As I no longer wear the stockings I take a blood thinning tablet daily which also has many side effects, so roll on six weeks when I can stop all medication.
Hello Jane. When I had my left hip replaced I lost all my energy and became anemic. My doctor put me on Iron, Magnesium and on B-12. It took about 3 months to get my energy level back. Also I rarely get sick and within a couple weeks of my surgery I was sick three times over a four month period. I might have had one cold in the past five years so I think hip replacement surgery take a toll on our bodies. On a positive note, once I started getting my energy back physical therapy was a breeze. I'm about to reach five months and doing great! I still take the extra vitamins and I'm starting to exercise at the gym. So what you feel isn't uncommon. The bad part is once you become anemic it takes time to elevate your energy level. I hope this helps and four weeks isn't very long in my opinion. Take your time and you should be fine. Good luck.
Nice to hear from you- you sound like all is going well, I never did wear the stockings. It's funny how different doctors handle recovery, I do take a water pill so I don't have a swelling problem,I took the blood thinners for 3 weeks- off them now, I'm resting today , so, I hope tomorrow will be better. Are you able to sleep on your side yet? I can sleep on the non surgical side now- that's an improvement.
I can sleep on either side now with no problem but I use a small cushion between my legs. Surgeon said if it is not painful you can sleep on the surgical side. I am toying with stopping blood thinners but I was told to take them for 34 days. I think it is a matter of playing each day has it comes, listen to what your body is saying exercise when you can, rest when you're tired. Every day is nearer full recovery. All the best for 2015.
Thanks- good advice!
I understand that Joint replacements are notorious for throwing clots & emboli. That's why we have to take blood thinners for awhile . I always take mine until doc says stop--- I guess just scared to death of serious consequences. Of course you have to make that decision on your own!
also joint replacements are major surgery and quite an insult to your body so recovery can take awhile. I really do not look forward to my THR- my 5th joint replacement, because of that awful fatigue.
I hope you continue doing so well.
Wow-5th replacement- how many years? I guess I expect too much from myself. I'm going to take it a bit easier now that the holidays are over,. Hope to start walking soon , at least 1 mile or so. Good luck with your next operation.
thanks- spoke to my p t and she was positive too-tomorrow is another day!
hi helen how brave you are not being put out i have had my hip done had no problems als both my knees but having proble,ms there as they damage my nerve s and my fet are so painful and swollen and i had my left knee done 8 yrs ago and the right one last year
I have degenerative joint disease which affects the large joints first.
I had my first knee replacement 11 yrs ago, had the other knee done 9years ago. Then I had extensive back surgery 7 yrs ago. Then in 2013 I had minor back sugery , also had total shoulder replacement and three months later my first knee replacement broke so had to replace the replacement. It's been a little more than a year Since the last knee replacement and now am facing the THR on the 23rd. It has been very trying at times. I have a great husband who has seen me thru it all.
Over all I'd say to pay attention to how you feel, let it dictate when you reach the limit of any activity. Pushing too hard too soon has not worked well for me-- it is frustrating but I'd pay the price.
good luck with your walking and recovery- sounds like you are doing great!
Hi Jane
My op was 1sy Dec. No such problems but slightly tight muscles and joints but to be expected given restrictions of movement/sleeping etc. Waiting for sign off from the consultant and then excercise and massage
Good luck
You know jane50877, in the aftermath of my two THR's, I found times when my body would initiate stretches as if on its own, deep long stretches that overall felt good after staying in only certain positions positions that the surgery dictated. And I would feel as though I pulled something and was scared that the stretch hurt something, but invariably it hurt for that day, but went away the next. I always imagined that I was tearing through scar tissue that needed to be torn in order to begin to move more naturally.
The fatigue, I tested anemic and that weak feeling is a drag!
Sincerely,
Dawn
I had hip surgery on Oct 31st. I had the muscle sparing surgery. I was doing great.
No pain, no swelling, no limping. Walk was normal and I felt great. On Nov. 13th I felt a sharp pain mid thigh and leg got very weak.
Went to the Dr. On Move 15th my 2week post op appt. Thought It was a pulled muscle. The xray showed everything ok.
He ordered a cat scan and it showed a spiral fracture starting at the greater trocanter and down to upper third of femur. I had another hip surgery on Dec. 7th. Now, I am down longer and with way more restrictions. Lost more blood so dealing with low hemoglobin. Any idea how all that happened? With my first surgery I had very little blood loss and my hemoglobin stayed stable. With this surgery hgb dropped from 11 to 8.7.
I am 58-Male. I am 3 weeks post-op Bilateral Hip Replacement. Have had various orthopedic corrective surgeries due to athletics and arthritis. This one has caused me to experience a much longer period of daily fatigue. My hips are great; walking well; rehab good. Visited my Primary, and blood test showed I was anemic. Doctor prescribed one a day Iron supplement. Unfortunately, still feeling not 100% back to normal, and fatigued at times during day requiring a nap. Prior to surgery, I was in very good shape, and hit the gym 3-4 times/week. Would love to understand how long the fatigue will continue. Always a good nutrition eater. Any thoughts?