Post THR depression

Bones, joints and muscles
1

I could really use hearing a few success stories and then also hearing that I, alone, aren’t experiencing something like this.

I am almost 6 weeks post op and I feel so mentally weak. I’m starting to regret having done this surgery. I feel so uncomfortable in everything I do, be it standing, sitting and worst of all…sleeping. I feel as though an intruder is in my body and I let him in. Nothing feels comfortable anymore. I especially can’t get comfortable in bed, is this common? I put pillows under my to “help” but I’ve still lost ridiculous amounts of sleep. Yes, i take my pain killers to help with pain and sleep, unfortunately, its helping none. Does it get more comfortable?? Will I feel normal later?? Or is this something I’ll always feel isn’t part of me. My scar was also healing beautifully and is now infected, so that’s fun. My leg lengths are different and I was promised, if it happened, it’d be " unnoticeable"… I definitely notice. It’s making me limp as I try to walk, I’m now getting pain in my NON operated leg and hip. Does that sort itself out too, or will that always stay?? I feel so down in the dumps and I keep reading stories that people are still limited and having dislocations even past 10 months! I guess I’m hitting a low and I’m hoping that someone, anyone, can lift my spirits a little by sharing.
I’m glad this forum exists and I wish you all good health!

2

Sleep is the hardest for practically everyone if you can't sleep on your back and few can. My hip went well (though I have a 11.7 mm leg length difference for which I successfully wear a cork raise). I had a monumental migraine when home with lack of sleep and the doctor kindly gave me 12 sleeping pills to get me over the hump - I did not use them all. I found there are different stages of recovery, 6 weeks, 6 months and one year! I was 69 and fit. I wish you the very best of luck.

3

First of all Margaret, I'm extremely happy for you. For the leg difference, do you think it'll stay that way? I have migraines too! i suppose I'll have to ask for those pills when I next see my doctor. I hit the 6 week mark tomorrow, I hope it gets better from there. Thank you so much for sharing!

4

Hi Darya. Much of what you describe has happened to many others to some degree (as based on my reading of contributors to this forum). Having to sleep on your back for a while really does cause discomfort though at 6 weeks (sooner for others perhaps) you should be able to sleep on your side. It should get more and more comfortable as based on my experience. I didn't get infection but did get depression and from about week 2 onwards and I regretted having the operation.. I wondered if the constipation was normal, similarly the more frequent needs to urinate, sleeplessness. what did the little clicks and clunks mean? Why was one leg bigger than the other? I began to wonder if I would get better. I did succumb to the need for some mild sleeping tablets and these were a great help, just being able to bank in a sound sleep was really restorative. I weaned myself off them with relative ease in the third month of prescription. I had walked regularly and was soon able to walk unaided. Gradually I felt how lucky I was to walk without pain and with relative nimbleness (!). So I can say that for me, the depression did lift and once I had my review even more so. Overall and from my perspective, the dark times/thoughts do disappear, the benefits of the op become more and more apparent. One thing that I did find helpful was (based on the advice of a member of this forum) write an e mail to myself every day and identifying each little / big piece of progress and the list kept growing and helped me a lot in seeing more and more lightness. It certainly showed me one of the many values of this forum. Other members will have good more meaningful advice to give you but as someone who shared the depression... it really does get better. I assume you are having the infection treated and I wish you well in your recovery. Dave

5

It is very common to have a "blues time" after such intrusive surgery, it can hit at any time and has been compared to the post natal blues many get. I got it after about a month. That is if all goes well and you have got some setbacks and additional worries. Your GP may well be able to help with the sleep problem and hopefully the treatment for the infected scar will soon clear it up. If you continue to feel so down your GP should be able to help

Do as many of the physio excercises as you can

Long term, I no longer think about my intruder on a daily basis, just once in a while when I realise the improvement on the preop time

6

I am 55. Very arthritic hip. Pain and limitation was significant. I am 10 mos out and my thigh is still painful if touched. I got an infection of the joint at 5 weeks out, JUST when I was starting to feel normal and about to go back to work. that was a HUGE blow. i had to start over almost. then once i could stand straight and cook and such my back hurt SO much that it prevented me from standing for more then 10 minutes! That has straightened out now as I learned that my body had to learn and strengthen the muscles I wasnt using before due to incorrect posture. when I went back to work, after a month I tore my LCL in my left knee (opposite my THR) trying to push myself up from a non-handicapped toilet. back off of work and totally unable to walk for a week. That was 4 months ago and it still limits me and hurts.

I know what disappointment you are dealing with I think. As I have started to normalize and life returns to kinda normal my mental health has returned also and I can look back and realize how much I was really struggling.

Post surgery depression is a real thing. it will take time. I did small things like meditation, my exercises and watched comedies on TV just to try to change my mindset. But, really...i think time is the best healer.

You are early on in the process. it sounds so cliche but, it WILL get better. Try to remember the pain you had that led to a THR. You still have pain, just a different t kind, and its only temporary. yay!!

I think we are told that all will be perfect after this surgery.and so many share their huge success stories but it's just as usual to have to struggle a bit.

Now, I must be on penicillin my whole life (3x a day) or risk infection coming back. If it comes back that's 2 more surgeries. Spacer and permanent. I am scared to death. I am getting therapy starting next month just to help be prepared if that's the case and trying still to build my strength.

Pain meds can make depression worse, as well as loss of physical activity and social life. Hang in there. Give yourself time and try not to focus on the "what ifs" and the bad things. That's my advice. good luck. This is a journey. Try to focus on what you're learning about yourself and those around you. Make this an opportunity to grow compassion for others or read a good book.

Wait this out. You got this!

7

hi darya dont panic everything you have described is normal! im now 2 years on from my op and can tell you there is light at the end of the tunnel....i am usually a really happy person, yet post op i brcame depressed and teary. i too wished id never had it done and was convinced my legs were different lengths, they felt odd. but i believe they take time to readjust and its crucial you use your stick or crutch to STOP you limping. there is no need to rush to discard them. i also had a clot on my lung so you need to keep moving. Sleep was a nightmare and i slept in a recliner for a while. i also listened to talking books which really helped me to drop off, however you never finish the story!!! i nearly threw out all my heels as i was convinced i would never wear them again. i felt old, frumpy miserable abd in pain. but it does tske time some folks are walking miles in weeks some of us take longer. i started to feel better after around 8 months, felt more like the old me! now im fine back in my heels dancing all night. sometimes a bit stiff in the mornings but nothing compared to poor quality of life before. each week WILL improve i promise take care JULIE

8

Dear Dary - I am only 12 days post-op and I have been where you are even without surgery. After my 12/26 TRHR I had a complete meltdown and did a lot of crying. Partially to blame is that when they took me out of surgery the pain was excruciating and there was no one at my side - a story for another day. It took what felt like a very long time to get the pain under control.

I live in New Jersey and my younger son lives in Philadelphia. The day after surgery I reached out to him, sobbing that I needed him to come and see me. I had the surgery performed at HSS Stamford, Connecticut - don't ask - another foolish decision of mine. Should have gone to HSS in NYC. I felt incredibly alone and even when my son Eric arrived, all I could do was sob.

When I had both knees replaced in 2011 it was a breeze compared to this. I woke with no pain because I was numb from the waste down. As that wore off I was on a morphine drip. My husband died in 2010 at 59 yrs old. For the knee surgery I had family support, my sister is 10 yrs older than I and I couldn't have done it without her. During my 1 week stay in the hospital, I was never in pain. I was transported via ambulance to a rehab in NJ not far from where I live and that's when I got off the morphine drip. During my 2 weeks in rehab I always took pain meds before PT and OC. My friends came to visit me, my sister visited me and my younger son brought my German Shepherd to visit me. When I went to out patient PT I always took a pain med so I could work on getting an excellent range of motion. I am now retired, but after having both knees replaced, I was back to work within 3 months.

Getting back to my 12/26 RTHR, my son said "Mom, you can't go home like this, you'll get worse". I reluctantly agreed and he convinced the staff that I needed to be in rehab because I live alone - with my 2 dogs, whom he has been watching. The staff agreed and my son drove me from CT to the rehab in NJ. After I was admitted I sat and stared at the wall. Did not sleep for 2 nights and was embarassed that I had to ask for help to go to the bathroom. I was unable to weight bear and my right leg felt like a wooden stump. I kept wondering where the real me was.

The following day an aid came in and helped me get dressed for PT. A friend had gone to my house the night before and got clothes and brought them to me. The PT therapist arrived and wheeled me into one of the PT rooms. As I looked around I saw amputees working very hard, neuro patients who would probably never walk and what really impacted me was a recent 17 yr old parapelegic (sp?) numb from the waste down. He had been fooling around with his friends and had a bad fall. That is when I found the real me. I saw so much in that 1 day that I felt gratitude and peace and embraced my surroundings. I was no longer lonely, nor crying and I smiled and asked everyone I saw how they were doing. ❤I stopped the pain meds after 4 days but not xanax which I take as needed and I have also been on an anti-depressant since 2009.

I came home 2 days ago - my friend and her her husband picked me up. She took all my clothes home to wash and he made me the most wonderful lasagna. I realized that there is no shame in asking for and receiving help. A neighbor came over last night to gather my garbage, recycables, etc and put them out for me. I have a 3 story townhouse and it takes 8 steps from the outside and 6 steps inside to get to the main floor. His wife is going to come over today to get a package for me and bring it to the UPS store. My son is going to bring my younger dog, Randall , to me today or tomorrow and he'll keep soon to be S3 yr old Stella until I grow strong enough to have both dogs.

Over the years I have emotionally been where you are. I began seeing a wonderful therapist in 2008 and there is nothing he does not know about me. He continually reminds me that depression distorts reality. Even though I take an antidepressant, I still have my meltdowns feeling as though I am entirely alone in the world. As an aside I've had to take 1/2 of a pain med twice since I've been home. I urge you to find someone professional that you can speak to. Also know that even though you need them, pain meds can make you feel depressed and isolated. You are going through a really rough patch and everything you feel is understandable. The infection must be terribly worrisome. I have found that eventually making connections with others is a huge help, difficult as it may be.

Sorry for the very long response. I have a lot bottled up and my cup runneth over. I will keep you in my prayers and urge you to speak to someone. This too shall pass . . .

Georgette

9

dear oh dear, an here i,m am thinking i had something wrong with me, i,m 8 weeks this friday post op an hating it more an more. I toss an turn all night long an have had bugger all sleep over the last 8 weeks. Please don,t feel alone i,m right there with you. I keep scrolling back to your letter, an yep, i can tick all your boxes, nearly in the same order. My incision is far from healing, my leg length is now confirmed 2cm shorter, i now get pain in my other friggin foot for some reason. i,ve accepted the new pain in my foot on my operated leg. A third party has told me at least minimum 12 to 18 months recovery. For the bastard who told me in a previous conversation before my op on the 16th of nov 2018, your advice, i,m running up ladders, what do you want to be in pain an be like that, well thanks dickhead , i took your advice an now so much worse off, richard i think your name was, get stuffed an keep your own opinion to yourself dickhead. There are alot more bad outcomes than successful one,s believe me. all credit to the surgeons who try, i still think it's way to early for these hip replacements to be considered a success. maybe in another 20, 30 years you maybe right having a thr. these forums actually shit me sometimes, read an understand what this lady is saying don,t just flick through it, i,m also fighting the depression side of things, i,m sick to death of the way i am. In the short last 8 weeks i,ve lost so much that has taken so long to get. When i get down though, i think of all the people in this world that are so much worse off than my pathetic leg problems. para an quadriplegic, the blind, cancer suffers i take my hat off to you. i have no complaints to compare with what you must be going through, You must be strong, where i am weak. I can,t even be bothered taking all the pain killers, anti inflams, the slow release patches on my shoulders anymore. .I,ve got enough problems now without adding kidneys an livers into the equation. You did ask if you were alone, nope, your not the only one. .As much as i don,t believe in god almighty, i must admit i,ve been saying a few preys. The way you start your story is the way i will finish mine, i am regretting having the surgery done,

10

Hi,

I am 9 months post op next week, I dreaded 12 weeks on my back but, I did it with pillows down each side and between the legs now, when I look back it went so quickly. I did not have any pain after op as I exercised up to op. I would suggest going to a pilates class, as exercise especially stretching is good for all over body conditioning and I believe will help your leg length.

As you seem depressed how is your diet? are you eating good fresh home cooked food, spinach is a must, a good diet and exercise will lift your mood. I did get depressed 2nd week after op, but realized I was down, after sending an email to a friend and their reply woke me up as to where I was heading.

You are only six weeks, early days but, from week 8 things should start to look up but, you must play your part as well. Good luck.

11

Hi Darya

You poor thing!

Yes it does get better - honest!

Here's my success story:

Unexpectedly diagnosed with severe OA in both hips in 2016. Very quickly had op on right hip. Very difficult recovery due to the severity of the damage, but after 6 months was very pleased that I had the op. Second hip op followed in 2017 - and this one was a complete breeze. Walking with just a stick within a week, driving at 3 weeks and back to work (sedentary job) at 4 weeks.

Sleeping on your back is a form of torture. I was told that I could only sleep on the operating side (to prevent me from waving the new hip about in my sleep). Took me a while with the first hip, a bit painful initially but I persevered and finally managed to get a good nights sleep.

So, now I'm coming up nearly 3 years on one and 2 on the other. Would I have the operations done again (well, preferably I would not have had the need)? You bet!

I go to the gym 3 times a week and have a session with a Personal Trainer once a week. When the weather gets a bit better, I have grand plans for my garden too!

Depression is very common after major surgery. I had it too and though it was the longest 10 days of my life, it did pass. I bent the ear of a very sympathetic friend and she helped enormously.

It is better to get out and about and socialise than to stay in, though with depression that's what you want to do.

The pain in the non-operated leg is possibly down to the change in your gait. You have been walking in such a way as to protect your damaged side that your body has become used to it and now you're asking it to do something different. It's bound to ache. To overcome the change in my gait I was advised by a physiotherapist to do this:

  1. Stand up slowly and before moving, suck your tummy in and ensure that you are standing straight.
  2. Lead with your bad leg
  3. Walk slowly and smoothly
  4. If you find yourself lurching, stop and go back to No. 1

It does take a bit of practice but it worked for me (though I felt stupid for a while).

I hope this has helped a bit.

Good luck.

12

As I read through the replies to your post, I once again realize how thankful I am for this forum! I'm just about 4 weeks after my second THR. I haven't had a good night's sleep since before the surgery. I've been mostly sleeping in a recliner, and just moved to a bed two nights ago. I usually make it about 3 hours before I'm back to the recliner to salvage some sort of sleep. My first THR was two years ago, so I KNOW it DOES GET BETTER! It's hard to remember that, though, as I'm going through it now.
I also feel my recent THR leg is longer. This is normal. They've replaced the cartilage that was worn down before with a plastic spacer. It seems longer because it likely is. But, it's supposed to be that way. I like chloeparrot's advice. You've got to practice normalizing your gait again. I'm totally going through this now. It's not easy! You'll get there eventually, though. Finally, the depression....I'm there too! I feel my recovery is going fairly well, but I found out yesterday I have to wait another 4 months until I can get clearance to return to my job. It's just what the regulations say. I feel it's a little but of a setback. But, I know there's nothing I can do about it. I've just got to press on. All this to say, you've got people here who know what you're going through! We've been there, or are there. Express yourself, get it out, and listen to the great advice everyone gives. As many have said, it WILL get better! Hang in there!

13

Ian,

Is there really any need to be rude or use offensive words because you are depressed and not tackling it. self pity is not attractive, most of us have some depression after the op but we have to eat well and exercise to bring ourselves out and not wallow in it. If you can only be rude and offensive to people who try to give advice maybe not being on the site would be more beneficial to you.

14

Huh - Point 1 has had it's end chopped off - it should say:

Stand up slowly and before moving, suck your tummy in and ensure that you are standing straight.