I had a bad night too so I can relate. I got 2 hours sleep and no mastter what I did I couldn't ease the pain in my collapsed hip or knee. Glad that you are doing ok even with the sleep problems. It was nice and sunny here about 5 mins ago. But big black clouds are overhead now so I guess it is a normal rainy wet day here in South Wales. Hope you get chance to have a nap.x
Night time pain for me seems the thing that is last to go but that could be because I'm just trying to relax so am more pain aware than in the day when you can concentrate on other things so forget about aches.
I found that 2 paracetamol with a 30 mg codeine tablet relaxes me enough and the codeine makes me a bit drowsy so I get some sleep.
I am on 2 x Co codamol with 60mg Codeine and it doesn't touch it.
Some nights better than others though - it seems to be the lying down that does it because if I get up and walk around it eases. Maybe it's because I am having to sleep on my back which I don't normally do
Hey ho, all things will pass, that's my contention!
like you rubbish night spent half of it in the chair when I know I should be lying flat. Like you I'm going to have an easier day and nap when I can. I think sleeping is one of the worst problems.
Spoil yourself somehow today and rest when you can
Yes, this sleeping thing is a bit of a nightmare isn't it, but at least we haven't got that awful pre op pain.
Actually managed to slap a load of body lotion on today - haven't done that for a while as I just could'nt bend and hadn't got the energy anyway, so all these little things make you realise that improvements are being made and we WIll get there
Wow that's a lot of codeine! Are you using lots of pillows? - I've got 4 behind my back so I'm on an upward slope, 2 under my knees and 1 under my feet. It sorts of puts me in a semi sitting position but on my back so it's much more comfortable.
You definitely get stiff from being in 1 position for a long time!
I sometimes feel like the princess in that fairy story, the Princess and the Pea as I am so raised up and pillowed up - hey you have to laugh don't you!
My husband is about 2 feet below me on his side of the bed!
I still get night pain so annoying and of course it goes during the day typical perhaps we should try sleeping more during day and awake at night lol, my ankles still swell up during the day but night time they do go down I have been given the all clear by surgeon but got to see him in 3 months for a review on getting the other hip done. At least I am now walking the dog every day now what pain killers are you on and are you sleeping on back I found if I sat up a bit in bed the pain wasn't too bad xx
So glad you enjoyed your shower - it makes a difference, doesn't it? I'm at 6 weeks post-op now, and have had the bending/sleeping restrictions lifted - but the advice was proceed with caution. Also have progressed onto gym work with the physio - shall start that next week. The sleeping thing is a biggy, though, isn't it? I've tried long afternoon sleeps (around 3 hours) and short naps (20mins) to see if anything helps with the nighttime. Unfortunately, just as I was getting into the swing of 5hours at a time, my mad rescue springer spaniel decided last week to engage in random early hours barking. So no rest for the wicked. Also, had a night away in London, as I won tickets to see The Who in Hyde Park. The Underground is not exactly hip-replacement friendly, so very glad I don't live there! Had my one crutch with me, and have found people so very kind and considerate, when I'm out and about with it. After standing/walking for best part of 9 hours last night, I was a little stiff (understatement) when it came to make the trip back on the tube to our hotel. Coped, just, with the low toilets and low bed, but had a very fitful sleep, with pillows all over the place - under heels, between knees covers on/off on again, because I couldn't get comfy - think I've forgotten how to sleep on my side now! Both my surgeon and physio (both lovely men) have admitted that they haven't tried sleeping on their backs all night, even for one night. Do think there is a gap in their education that needs to be remedied! It does seem from this forum that night sleeping is a big issue in the convalescence period, and we are all trying all sorts of things to crack it. I still take 30mg codeine and paracetomol before I go to bed, because it helps me drift off, but I'm wondering if maybe it might be better (pain permitting) to try without as maybe it is disturbing whatever sleep pattern I have.
Think I'll go for a lie down now, as only just got back from London and I feel like I've had a day's excitement already! I'm hoping the gym sessions will improve my stamina!
hope you have a better night tonight - we've got the heatwave to look forward to next!
Like you Cheryl I am now coming up 7 weeks post op I can now lay on my sides but have still got to observe the 90 degree rule for a further 4 weeks and stay off work for that time so when I finally get back to work I will of been off for nearly 10 weeks and if I want to Bend. further the surgeon said put leg out behind me and even now I find sleeping terrible but then before the op I used to have problems sleeping because I am also diabetic type 2 and constantly awake to go for a wee, I think you did really well travelling through London. On 20 th July I will try a phase return to work.
Hi Linda ... oh boy, what an accomplishment - especially the shaving of legs and slathering lotion on them too ... I still can't do it at 14 weeks post op ... do you bend down or put your leg up on a chair or something ?? maybe I am too careful or too rigid ...
the hippies on this forum gave me such good tips about how to dry off the nether parts of the body - and yes, using the grabber with towel works ... and in the beginning I also used the hairdryer to dry my feet/ toes ... so creative !!!!!
Weather in this part of Holland is partly sunny (had rain while sitting out side having coffee after grocery shopping) and kind of windy .. warmer weather in the forecast here too ...
You seem so more far advanced from me in those few short weeks
Hope I progress as well as you
Wow, fancy seeing the Who - awesome!
i think you are amazing going on the underground and standing for such a long time. What progress!
i don't know if you felt this, but I get the sensation that my new leg is longer than the other
Mr Sarantos said they are exactly the same now but that due to loss of cartilage my operated leg was shorter than the other before the op( hence my bad limp I suppose)
i have read on one of the American surgeon's Super path sites that this is a common sensation whilst the brain adjusts to you having both legs the same size
I have not tried no crutches yet and just a bit scared in case my gait is not how it used to be
Can walk with one crutch with a little discomfort I am 2 weeks and 3 days
I don't have any follow up with nhs physio once out of hospital at all
Is that something Rugby organised for you?
This night time thing is really an issue isn't it - I am sure I will feel better once I can lie on my side. It may be a combination of a number of factors though. Did you see Mr Cronin at your follow up or was it Mr Sarantos?
This seems such a common problem - you would think they would have a few answers by now wouldn't you?
All my physio has been arranged through Rugby - I think you should ring about it - I know they are more geared up for hips at Rugby and that you had to have yours done in Coventry, but you should still have the same follow-up. I was rung at home by the Physio Dept on about Day 5 - do you still have a ward number for Walsgrave to query it? I remember seeing my Physio at 2 weeks and saying that it felt like my operated leg was longer than my other one. He went to great lengths (awful pun) to prove they were the same, and I put it down to the brain thing you mention and limping badly for 7 months. By the time I went back at 4 weeks for the next session, my leg didn't feel longer anymore. These things just go, over time, like the wound tenderness.
I get about around the house and garden with no crutches now, since about 3 weeks, really, but still take a crutch out with me when I walk outside for any length of time. Mainly to fend off dogs and small children! I am not the fastest walker on two legs, though, so I am hoping to work on that in the coming weeks. I have to keep shouting "hang on an minute" to my husband/kids if they are out with me. My daughter (20) complains that it hurts her legs/glutes to walk as slowly as me!
Had a lovely catch-up sleep, thank you, once I got the annoying fly out of my room! And I have been painkiller free so far today. Next big thing, Linda, is when you finish those awful jabs and your tummy can return to a normal hue. However, you sound really chipper in your posts - keep it up! Do you think they put a positive implant in at the same time ? I'm usually a glass half empty sort of a person, but I just feel so much happier, it's amazing!
I saw Mr Sarantos for my post-op follow-up, but he said I would meet Mr Cronin for the next appt, as they alternate. My appt is beginning of October. Seems ages away.
Good morning Linda .... OMG ... why didn't I think of that - poor dry and hairy legs are in for a treat ....might even put some self tanning lotion on them - I might be a little bit more restricted due to the other bad hip though ...
I live in the East part of Holland, Drenthe ... very rural - came back one year ago from 34 years living in Los Angeles and grew up 25 km from Amsterdam ... long story ...weather is going to be nice here too ...