Hi my friend's mother had a THR some weeks ago, and advised me of this forum. I had a bi lateral THR on 9th March, I came home on 14th March. So far I have not been able to sleep on my back in my own bed, thankfully we have another electronic bed I can use, as I was awake for over 24 hours. The pain is well, painful, I'm actually describing the pain as the feeling of being attacked by a great white shark! Anyway, embarrassed to admit I am rather tearful, and keep bursting into tears. Dare I ask if this is 'normal'?!
Everyone keeps telling me to take a step at a time, day by day, but I really am struggling to see how I am going to walk without pain again!
Sorry that sounds a bit doom n gloom!
.what pain killers have you been given and are you taking them, it very early days, as each day goes by you will find it does get easier, just rest and do take any pain killers you have been given, I know this from experience I have had two the within 6 months of each other, yes it takes a while to get used to sleeping on your back the electric bed will help xx
I have codeine & parcetomol, I guess it's an impact form the general anaesthetic, was in surgery for 3+ hours, and then the morphine after. The bursting into tears is odd, not expected where as the pain totally is. I think I'm expecting too much, too soon, but as a 44 year old mum, who usually works full time, it's strange being incapable of so many things!
Thanks for for your reply, this forum is very useful, just reading other people's stories is food for thought 😊
Hi Justine, I had bilateral hip replacement on Feb 5, about a month before you. Though I didn't get so teary I can certainly understand it. It is so overwheming and everything is new and unknown. However, you will get thru it and the first two weeks are the very hardest part. I found it best to just give in to the not sleeping well part. Sleep when you can (day or night) and when you are awake watch tv or read until you sleep again. I think you may need to talk with your doc about pain meds because there are many types and hopefully you can can find ones that work for you. That is very important!! The pain I found will slow your healing process. I wish you the best and just hang in there and you will make it.
Hi Justine
Welcome to the forum . The lovely people on here have kept me sane and helped through the lows and celebrated the highs . Bursting into tears is very normal so have a good cry . It's your body's way of dealing with a major trauma , so let it all out . The key to recovery is managing your pain so if what you are taking isn't doing the trick then have word with your doc .
Sleeping on your back is a tricky one , took me awhile experimenting with various pillow combinations ( back propped up with one pillow under the knee on operated leg worked the best for me ) . It's going to be a bit of rollercoaster but we are all here for you and remember that things will get better . The pain we had before the operation was only going to get worse , the pain we have after the operation is only going to get better !
Keep strong and give yourself a hug
Hilary
Hi :-) I am 41 and had total hip replacement on. 3/3 , home on. 5th . Took me a couple ofnights to find a comfy way to sleep - I now have 4 pillows criss crossed behind me plus a v shaped pillow n one under my calves / feet . I am a mum to a 7.yr old and 20 yr old - I get very tearful and. Think I have cried nearly every day since op - such a rollercoaster of emotions , you really cant help it so just let it out hun . Im now day 15 n things are slightly better but I know I still have a long way to go . Its tiring , emotional and frustrating but surely wirth it in the end . Make sure you get plenty of rest and as otgers have said controlling pain is important .
Healing hugs
Xx
Well done Justine you have got over the hardest part. I must say haiving just had one hip done I can scarcely imagine how it would be to have 2 done. I salute you! Simple things like getting out of bed must be very difficult.
I can echo what others are saying and just emphasise that it will get better and easier every day. The pain will decrease as your strength increases. Rest up as much as you can and keep up the gentle excercises you were given in hospital. Focus on the small triumphs each day and try to keep positive, but it is OK to cry. I cried buckets and actually crying is a good stress reliever.
This forum is good so use it as much as you like. There is always someone online to give good advice and support.
Hugs Alison xx
Hi Justine,
Glad you found us! Your reactions to this very very major surgery is normal. Some days will feel like you will never reach the light at the end of the tunnel and others will be a breeze. With time, pain medications, rest, and exercise, you will find yourself with your life back. Keep your eye on the goal of healing. Fear not about taking pain medications because it is part of your recovery. If you hurt too much, you will not move about enough, thus delaying your healing.
You have only one chance to heal right. Make it a good one. And cry as often as you want to. It is good for the soul.
Take care and doom and gloom is allowed here!
Dawn, USA
Yes! Lots and lots of pillows can make a world of difference in finding your path towards more comfortable sleep. Good point khippie!
Hi Justine
I just gave this advice to someone else you need a diffrent kind of painkiller than paracetamol aas co -codamol is half paraccetamol to you are taking 2 of the dame type. Call your gp and ask for tramadol as its sounds like yourvpain level is above what it should be. I was discharged with co-codamol tramadol and oxycodone 3 diffrent types of painkillers. Lose the paracetamol and keep takimh your co-codamol along with any diffrent type of painkiller. Even ibuptofen but l would recomend tramadol it will help take some of the pain that you don"t need right now. I have had 2 hips replaced in the space of 3 months l have just tirned 43.
And what you are experiencing is normal its a rollercoaster of emotion and pain and tirdness. We have all been where you are l had a full week of crying and being angry and moody at other times. But it does get better l promise you.
This forum was a lifesaver for me it became my support from the week before my 1st thr and l don't know what l would do without it. Everyone is so nice and supportive and will help when they can as we have all been through the same.
My 1st tip to you justine is to sort pain meds out and get rid of some ofvtge pain you don't have you be suffering. The sleeping thing comes part and parcel with the operation. I still am not sleeping right and neither is half the fotum.
Keep your chin up you will get throgh this. Its hard l know but it will get better. Plus you have this forum as your support blanket. We are all here for you.
Lsura xxx
Maybe get your meds checked out as others have said, you may need something different.
As for the crying, it is totally natural, a big operation, pain and what I found, a lot of frustration, it will get better, even if it does not feel like it at the moment. I'm 4 weeks now, I don't think I've cried this week, sorry my heads in the clouds, don't even remember what day I'm on lol Just about stopped my tablets now. I was on 60mg codeine, 2 paracetemols 4 times a day and an ibruprofen 3 times a day.
Promise you will turn that corner.
Lynn xx
Hi Justine,
Welcome to the forum. I really can't imagine having both hips done together and trying to walk. As the recipient of just one hip on March 3rd it has been difficult enough with one good hip to take the weight.
I am just on cocodamol because I am unable to take anti-inflammatories or other pain medication due to having Kidney disease, but unlesss you have similar reasons I would certainky be asking for something stronger to manage the pain. How are you expected to walk on two painful new hips? You are in the most difficult stage of recovery at the moment, when the pain is at it's worst but I promise you it does get better. Tears are a perfectly reaction. This operation messes with our heads as well as our bodies so just let it all out.
Sleeping is a universal problem amongst us hippies so grab it when you can. Maybe along with stronger pain meds you could ask the doctor for something to help you sleep ? Just for this difficult stage. You will feel so much better with some sleep under your belt.
There is light at the end of the tunnel, honestly. I know it doesn't feel like it right now.
Glad you found us here and ask anything, it doesn't matter how small or silly it seems. We all understand.
Sending hugs, Cels xxx
Dear Justine,
Warm welcome to this wonderful Hippies family - That took some courage to start a discussion !!!!
As said before, you are very early in recovering from major surgery - Bilateral THR is double the assault on the body - Two body parts were replaced and your body is working very hard at healing these parts -
So be very gentle with your self - Heed the advice of others here regarding getting other /stronger pain medication -
There are others here who had bilateral THR and hopefully they read this and response.
Come back here anytime you feel down, have a question or concern.
Sending you light and healing
big warm hug
renee
This THR recovery is a real roller coaster, physically and emotionally.
You are only a few days out of hospital, and as others will say, the first two weeks are by far the worst. After that it's a slow road to recovery, but it does get better, unlike the old OA pain before the operation.
I'm at ten weeks following revision surgery which was carried out ten weeks after my hip replacement operation. In that ten weeks, I have learned towalk again, and mostly without pain now, but it makes me very tired to walk without a limp as it requires huge concentration and effort.
Keep taking your pain killers, I know that sleeping on your back isn't nice, I've done it twice now, and hated it, but it will pass. You can prop yourself up with pillows. I used to put my good leg out to the side and flex myknee, or put a cushion under my knees for relief.
Best wishes
Graham - 🚀💃
Thank you Jamie, I hope you are as well as can be expected. Your message was very positive and upbeat, which has made me feel better. I think your right about the sleeping, I've got to stop being so up tight about it! I don't have to go to work, so your right, sleep when I can. In fact I need to take advantage of my time off 😊
Wise words there Jamie.
Give in to not sleeping well.
Sleep when you can (day or night), when you are awake watch tv, read or listen to music until you sleep again.
Pain will slow your healing process, so keep taking the painkillers.
Graham - 🚀💃
Hi Hilary
Many thanks for your incredibly kind words, I think I am expecting too much of myself! My parents keep looking at me and saying the same, but it's nice to hear from others who have experienced the same operation, pIn etc..
I can see I will be a daily visitor to this site, it is so helpful, just hearing others stories is interesting, and keeps giving me moments of, yes I feel like that.
I hope you are well, and laughed when I read your pillow bit, as I have about 5 on the go.
Take care
Justine,
Beware, this site is addictive 
I have been on here daily now for nearly 5 months, and the information you get from here is priceless. You cannot get this sort of information elsewhere. It's a most wonderful self-help group.
It's a brutal surgery you have been through, and it takes some time for your body to recover and readjust to walking normally again. Take your time, and listen to your body.
Best wishes
Graham - 🚀💃
Hi Khippie
Your message made me laugh and cry, I really appreciate your words, and for letting me know how you have been doing.
I am seeing my consultant on Monday so will ask about pain medication then, in the mean time I need to listen to everyone's advice, sleep when I can, and not get too obsessed if I don't sleep all night!
Glad ad to hear others have experienced crying and that I am not going mad!
Take care are of yourself 😊
Hi Justine, welcome. I am a new be here and am waiting to have bilateral hips in June.
Well done for going for the op, it takes real courage, I find everyone says 'you are brave'! you must have had a lot of pain to cope with for a long time.
Sounds very tough for you at the moment, this forum is great for the support it can give, helps to feel you are not alone through all this.
All the best Liz