As some may be aware I had my hip replaced on the 26th May and everything seemed to be going fine for a day or so until my bowels stopped working and the nightmare began.
Bowels do frequently have a tendancy to be like this though usually in abdominal surgery.
Well I ended up being nil by mouth for 5 days plus a day where i couldn't eat anyway due to the bowel issue. This was the most unpleasant experience of my life- having a nasogastric tube is truely awful.
Of course being NBM means you are constantly connected to an IV drip for your fluids and the i had my bag attached for the nasogastric tube - kinda makes it hard to get mobile as we need to when we have had a THR.
on Wednesday afternoon they decided to remove the drain (nice) and introduce sips of water(the joy). This went fine so on Wednesday evening I was declared an FF(free fluids) - my first cup of tea was spectacular!
yesterday morning I was allowed some breakfast and managed a most wonderful small bowl of Rice Krispies and a bite of toast. Amazing.
I had a CT scan of the abdomen yesterday and it showed some restriction on the small intestine but nothing of concern so I was advised that as far as they are concerned the temporary issue has resolved due to giving them a rest and everything should be ok in a couple of weeks but to take it steady in the meantime.
I lost over a stone in weight am absolutely shattered as trying to get any sleep in hospital is just impossible but I am home. Home with my loving family and back in my own bed where i managed to get 6 hours sleep.
Thank you for your support on here and for the amazing work done by the doctors and nurses at the Hull Royal Infirmary. They deserve medals.
Oh Mark I am so pleased for you, you have really been through the mill. Lets hope and pray that it is all behind you now. Hope you feel better in a few days and can get a bit more mobile it's wonderful I can tell you. xx
Hi Mark, Wow, you certainly have been through a lot, hopefully now you are home things will start getting better. I had my thr in October and while that is fine I now need a knee replacement which I will have in July, so start all over again. Good Luck Valerie
Thats great news Mark. Hope its plain sailing fir you from now on.😊
I had the same experience, albeit, my Bowels opened after 5th day. No one explained result of anaesthetic. They gave me ration doses of food, over a weekend and a day no medical dr available, surgeon disappeared. Someone in catering dept gave me a bowl,of prunes through the back door, which made things worse. I lost a stone and a half and crucially affected my recovery. Nutrition is essential in first days of healing. After anaesthetic wore off, catheter came out and flood gates opened. Idiotic to think they could have explained. Instead, cover up and shut up. Common sense dies not prevail
if only they had explained beforehand I would not have been concerned that my tiros swelled up
Did they tell you the effects of yr anaesthetic and which did you have, epidural and GA?
That's excellent new Mark. glad you are home.
There certainly is something joyous about having a good cup of tea!
Oh happy days have arrived !!! good Lord, you have been through a lot - you have a great attitude - you are back home now, in your own bed and surrounded by loved ones ... take it easy and don't be too hard on your self ... some things are just beyond your control - big hug
Welcome home Mark!
Quite the bumpy ride. And looking at it, not even hip related. Sucks!
Aside from the bowels being stubborn, are you good 'hipwise' though? I'd rhink miving about is also goid for the bowels, it could help in getting all welk again.
The hip is great - sore but great. I am walking in stride pattern with two sticks at the moment and the physio's are very happy with progress given the circumstances. Taking it easy for a few days as I am tired and a little weak given the lack of food and then gradually start building up the walking.
Hi - I did have a GA for the operation and given the choice again I would make a different choice.
The doctors and nurses I had were all professional and hardworking without exception. An ileus is a well documented risk of surgery but usually, and more specifically, intestine related surgery. For some unknown reason the intestines just stop for a period of time before eventually resuming fuction gradually.
All the consultants seemed baffled that I should experience this as a result of a hip replacement although there is some evidence on the internet (I had plenty of time to do research on my iPad in hospital) that certain nerves essential to the smooth running of the intestines run close to the pelvic area and any damage due to the forces involved in hip replacement may have caused the intestines to stop.
The only way to resolve an ileus is too allow the intestines time to heal and reset - there is no medication.
Hence the drain in the nose from the stomach - if you don't take those contents out then you end up being violently sick after a few hours as you backfill. Lesser of two evils.
Sore is good, as long as it gets a bit less daily 😊
Do rest up. I'm 3 weeks postop today and even though I feel like taking on the world in my mind, my body still tells me to nap every day (sudden naps even where time seems to jump 20-30 minutes...)
Take your time, judging from what i read sobfar from you, once rested you should go fairly quick as well 😉
Good for you Mark, it must have been horrendous for you, keep on healing in the bosem of your loving family,
lots of luck to you,
Lynne.
Dear Mark...I am so happy that you are better now. I was thinking of you while in hospital. Now enjoy life and make the most of the summer...
All the very best to you and your family
Ella