Trying hard to look after him the best I can. He is really struggling with pain. He's also has a urinary infection and is hot one min and cold the next. Having nightmares about falling down the stairs. Drinking lots. Not sure if this is all to be expected!
Drinking lots of what, alcohol or water?
If alcohol, no not normal especially if he's on pain meds. The urinary infection is just an unfortunate condition that has nothing to do with his TKR.
3 days is really early days for him. Once he's treated for his urinary infection and as he progresses with his TKR, things will really start to improve. Hang in there as it does get better!
Betty
Hi Breeanna,
I looked back at some notes that I wrote the first 2 weeks after my surgery (a year ago) and boy was it miserable. Give the pain meds regularly around the clock for the first lttle while. If you haven't already, make things easy for him to get to bathroom...move furniture, change side of bed etc. I got a little bed rail, only about a foot long and put it on the side near the top of the bed and this helped a lot to reposition myself. I found that ice helped alot with pain, but you can't leave it on to long or there is a rebound effect, about 15 minutes tops. My girlfriend who had her knee done, told me that in Ottawa (I live in Canada) they do the ice thing all day long and it has caused the pain meds to be used much less (have not verified). I hope that other have suggestions as well.
wish you both the best,
Leah
Have you gotten in touch with the surgical practice about his condition? If not, I would suggest that you do so ASAP, as a UTI post-hip surgery can be more than just "an unfortunate condition": it can lead to an infection at the site of the prosthetic hip if it spreads, which would be a dangerous occurrence. The doctor may want to treat the UTI with antibiotics. The hot-cold sensation may signify a high temperature associated with the UTI, which is all the more reason to contact the physician.
Drinking water and cranberry juice.
I will defiantly give the ice a go. Thanks
Thanks for replying. At the hospital I had to suggest he had s UTI which they first dismissed. When they diagnosed it they gave him a we tablet. They discharged him with the UTI.
I just took his temp its 37.5
What is a we tablet? Temp isn't high. UTIs do not always need aggressive treatment; sometimes drinking lots of liquid might do the trick. But post-hip op is an exceptional circumstance due to the possibility that the bacteria might "seed" the hip implant, which per my earlier reply would be a major complication. If UTI symptoms don't start to improve, or if they worsen, surgical office should be contacted.
hi breeanna,
wow .. that can not be easy - how long was he in the hospital ?
does the UTI still bother him ? I had UTI the day after I was discharged - not fun to have to go to the toilet with new hip ... got anti-biotics -
the hot-cold sensation is, I think normal - the body just had major invasive surgery and is in some kind of shock -
Did he get physical therapy in the hospital ? Usually they discharge you when you can do stairs - is his room upstairs ?
Maybe you can have him join this forum so he can share what he is going through - Not that you are not doing a good job - unless you have been through it, it is hard to explain the emotional and physical mayhem taking place to someone -
please come back here anytime - if his temperature goes to 38 or higher you really need to take him to the doctor ...
big warm hug to both of you -
he is lucky to have you take care of him ..
renee
Hi thanks so much, really great advice. Richard doesn't do technology lol. He's very emotional at the moment bless him. He had a turn coming out of surgery and they had to sedate him. His blood pressure was dangerously low at 89/43 and they had to give him round the clock care. So he's been through the mill.
He came out on day two.
Trouble is if he starts feeling OK he starts moving around I feel too much,then he's unwell again
UTI came about because hes had a cathether even if he wasn;t aware it.
I too had a UTI post THR, they treated me by inserting a needle in the back of my hand and draining two different antibiotics into me, told me they need to be really agreesive with infections so close to surgery, so please get onto it straight away if his temp stays up.
Is he taking his painkillers every four or maybe every six hours, you need to keep up the painkiillers for about the first 10 days, no dodging doses just because you feel a little better, you need to build the level in your bloodstream.
At this stage he should be basic bed rest, trip to the toilet, short walks in the house, to a chair in the lounge where he can rest, and not a lot more for about 10 days, did you know about 10 years ago they used to keep you in hospital for 10 days.
Good that he's drinking lots, keep the food on the light side, lots of protien and milk products, protein and calcium are both needed at this stage..
Hot and cold flushes, many of us have had these, I have two theories, both laughed at by my Dr's, but many others have had the same, and some have them for months afterwards, but they do lessen.
Theory one - your body reacting to the whole shock that it has been dealt, remember they have dis-located the largest joint in your body, ever seen a footballer dis-locate his shoulder, thank god you are out to it.
Theory two, - your body reacting to the foriegn object now occupying where there was nice blood cell producing marrow, no longer exists I'm afraid, all reamed out to get that prothesis in.
Or some combination of the both, just go with the flow it does get better, he must just rest for now.
Hi there I had a UTI after my op and was treated
with anti bi medication for four days and paracetamol for tempreture and drunk water for England
while in hospital most important do see your
Doctor as another Hippie says infection at this
time you don't want. Sending big hugs xxx
aww... what kind of aneasthesia did he get? it is a physical and certainly an emotional roller coaster -
the good thing is that he does feel okay at times and sort of (too)eager to do things - then realises there are limitations and discomfort -
Not sure if this a good thing but have you watched the surgery (live) on youtube? not for the weak of stomach - there is also an animated version that shows what the surgery entails - eye-opener !
take care of yourself too, okay ... no need to helicopter around him 
(I mean this in a kind way)
angel blessings
I think you should call your GP- this isn't so normal and it would be prudent to get him checked
Hope he gets well soon
Hi there Breeana pain meds can give you nightmares.You might try just giving him Ibuprofin 800 before sleep and using an ice pack for localized pain relief and see if that helps.Make sure his UTI symptoms are improving they may need to change the antibiotic to better tx it so it actually heals up.Take care
I think it needs to be 10 mind on then 20 on ot it will cause problems. Sometimes a heating pad on low can help muscle and other connective tissue pain. But follow with cold pack to minimize pain. You can get magnesium oil spray fro herbal shops or online on you know what - it helped with pain as well. If you and he feel up to it, a light massage with oil ( even olive oil, I use coconut oil) helped me.
Make sure to keep pain meds regular - this is no time to be a hero.
I am 9 days post my 2nd thr, and I understand the pain and frustration. It helped to interject humour into the nurse- patient relationship (my husband became Nurse Ratched early on). Use smooth actions when working on his hip. It is amazing how the smallest abrupt movement jars. He needs test - 2-3 wee naps per day is mot out of line.
Short visits from friends also distract from the pain - and he needs these now more than later.
I hope some of this helps.
Shout out anytime when you need advice or just venting or support.
Big hugs for both of you.
L
..