Now I’m getting worried!

Bones, joints and muscles
1

Ok I had my posterior approach RHR last Saturday with spinal block and very little sedation until the very end, then  bloods taken the following Monday. 

Since the op I have felt really unwell. I was on so much opiates before the op that were no longer working,  the docs had to give me top strength liquid morphine and top strength Oxycodyn because I had become so dependent on opiates at home. My pain has been that bad!

I vomited on the Sunday and profusely on the Monday. And apparently my haemoglobin was 80. (My blood pressure was brought down in theatre through it going up with nerves) but since I came back to the ward it has been around 100. Yesterday and today it’s 95/55. I also still feel nauseous although I am eating. Sister has just told me I’m to have another blood test in the morning and might need a transfusion if it’s still borderline. 

Also what the heck is happening to my BP? It’s normally around 118 68. When the physios stood me up I felt a bit faint and it shot up to 145/55. It’s only very low when I’m sitting or in bed. This is all new to me. 

I’m ashen white and so worried now. 

2

Sarah- your BP is low from post-op blood loss, but I worry about physical withdrawal from the narcotics as well. You HAVE to have a blood count as you mentioned repeated, and your blood count was 8? You can lose a lot of blood with the surgery, what is your heart rate? If it’s above 100, you have ‘volume loss’ causing your BP to go down when you change positions. Careful when you get up- slowly, don’t faint on that new hip!!

3

Hi Sarah, you have just had major surgery, can't stress that too much, its not like you had a tooth pulled so your going to feel rough, that's probably an understatement, be kind to yourself, your going through a transition and your body needs to adjust, give it time and let the meds do there thing, just remember there used to all this so they forget your not, tell them your worried and ask questions, don't worry I'm sure although not the best recovery it will get better, its perfectly normal to feel wretched and its a bit scary but a couple more days and you will feel much better, the drugs although they help with pain don't make you feel great, try and drink more fluids and to rest when there not telling you to not rest

4

Dear Sarah, I was horrendously sick just after the op, spinal block and no sedation, and did not want to eat anything. They kept offering me toast and marmalade! I had my op on a Saturday and was sick coming out of the operating theatre. I assumed it was because I had an aversion to the morphine. Like you I was sickest on the Monday and was off my food for a few days after that.  I had to have a blood transfusion after the hip op due to low iron, one nurse asked why are you anaemic? I did not have a clue. 

I should not worry too much about your BP, it can vary enormously. If there is a problem they will sort it out for you. They kept me in a couple of extra days due to my inflammation blood count being up in the stratosphere, I felt fine by then and was really annoyed. 

5

A blood transfusion will bring your Haemaglobin  back up which will get rid of your pallor and make you feel a lot better. Should also help your blood pressure. Keep drinking lots of fluid meanwhile. It’s not uncommon to need a transfusion after this operation. The medicines you are on will affect your blood pressure too. Hope you feel a lot better soon

Regards

Ann

6

Sarah stop worrying. I usually have high blood pressure after my THR I didn’t need my bp meds for 2 months. Anesectic as well as blood loss count towards lowering the blood pressure. I didn’t eat properly in hospital everything tasted horrible. It took a few weeks to get my appetite back. It is major surgery and we under estimate the effect that has on us and our bodies. I had an infection docs couldn’t find the cause for. I had three days of iv antibiotics to sort it and I felt grim. My pain was awful and Oxycodon didn’t touch it. However the end result is worth how we feel post op. Some people have no probs but that doesn’t mean we should feel bad if we feel rough. It will get better hunny. Hang in there. Xx

7

I had low blood pressure after my operation, suddenly when sitting up I felt nauseous and giddy, and managed to press the 'panic' button to get nursing help.  Very worrying as I had never had anything like this before.  My BP had taken a dive, and I was told to lie down, not sit up.

It was mainly due to blood loss in theatre, even though they had collected blood from the wound drain and re-infused that back into my system - as it was my own blood, there were no 'matching' problems.

When the same happened after my revision, I knew just what to do.

Best wishes

Graham

8

Thank you Graham. I’m just waiting for the result of my latest blood test and if normal I can go home. Fingers crossed 🤞 

9

Whew time for the hospital.I have had to stop my BP meds because the coumadin seems to lower BP.

Here is my chronoluge.

I am 80 years old and have had 3 stents installed-no heart attack.  My only other hospital problem has been getting a new shoulder-good health otherwise.

Posterior procedure.

Day 1 & 2: in hospital 

In the following days cited. I have not taken any pain meds yet 

Day 3: Getting home no problem-just followed instructions-now that the hip was done tryng to understand how to organize the house needed changes. Which chair? How many pillows? What to use to get up out of chair? Where to sleep? These would all change as the days went by. I found out what better or worse means. My wife, always my hero, was awesome.

I did the basic therapy for the day and I felt fine. I am walking fine.

That night we got me into our bed which we thought would work well because it is like a hospital bed. The head and foot can be adjusted. No good. (I simply could not use the leg wedge provided in the hospital. It did not work in the hospital as I wound up in the chair every night.) So we decided to use the couch which would keep me on my back. We put some barriers next to the couch.  I slept for three hours and had to get up. Yes, she was there to help.  Anyway it was somewhat of a fitful night.

Day 4:Thanksgiving-The therapist showed up and we went through some extra exercises. I again felt fine.

Sleeping was about the same. I was sleeping during the day sitting up. I used an airplane pillow. I am still feeling only discomfort-not pain. Eating normal. No problem walking.

Day 5: My leg is swelled-the hip and calf about 11/2 /  2 inches larger. We were concerned because no where were we told to expect swelling. So we called the VNA visiting nurse association.A nurse was dispatched. We began icing and raising the leg.. In the meantime I looked on line and found this site which affirmed that some people had swelling-it was a relief. The nurse affirmed it was onl swelling and not a blood clot. Sleeping improved but still somewhat fitful

Day 6: Therapist shows up and we do some exercises and he also affirms swelling is just trauma.

Sleeping still fitful.Walking good. Struggling with swelling.

Day 7: Sunday       Walking well. Icing leg a lot-keeping elevated as much as possible. Doing exercises.

Struggling with swelling.

Day 8: Therapist show and we do our workout-helpful with ideas and knowledgeable about other folks problems. Struggling with swelling. Sleeping a little better but still getting up a few times at night. Sleeping during the day a lot.

Nurse took blood.

Day 9: Therapist showed. Walking getting better-went outside for a walk. Still no real pain just limping along.

While I still got up two times I slept much better-a good 8 hours.  Still struggling with swelling.

I have decided to do this chronologue because It might help. I will be glad to answer specific questions. I will do a complete update every few days.

Doctor office called and doubled my coumadin dose.

Good luck>