Been lurking on this site for weeks previous to surgery. I'm male, 59 yrs old and an old motorcycle accident finally caught up with me the last 12 months (actually 10 yrs. I just didn't know what the pain was).
Had surgery on the 9th July and am doing OK. Had a great team and the op was an "old school" posterior procedure with ceramic and polyethylene prothesis. Couldn't handle the endone so am using paracetamol/codeine as required for pain. First decent sleep last night. My point in posting though is to thank the participants in this forum. I have an issue and sure enough there is the answer on this site. Very supportive! Oh one question today. Since just after surgery I have had small irritations on my back which formed small scabs and are now itchy. I have robust health and am not taking any other meds except those mentioned.
Any other (minor) sufferers?
Hi Andy,
Welcome to the forum, I have found it invaluable in so many ways. Great news that you got a good sleep, as you would have read many of us battle with night times. I stopped my slow release targin last night as it causes insomnia and I was fed up with lying staring at the ceiling listening to my husbands snoring at 12 MN!!
I am also a nurse (sounds Like a confession!!). Just wondering if your back irritations are from the plastic hospital mattress. I've seen the back rash lots of times and it's usually from sweating. Some calamine lotion might ease the itch.
All the best in your rehabilitation 👍
good morning Andy ... good to have you on this forum ... it is so great to be able to ask questions or concerns and get responses from fellow hippies who know exactly what you are going through that are not mentioned anywhere - even professionals don;t know - and oh, all the emotions and frustration, but also all the accomplishments and victories, small and big ones ..
what an annoying place to itch !!! do you us one of those back scratchers or have someone dear who scratches your back ????
As Georgie mentions, it might be an allergic reaction - did you have this rash in the hospital too ?
are you on blood thinners -
sounds like you are doing great otherwise ... nothing to sniff at a good decent sleep ...
have a wonderful day -
warm hug
renee
Hey Georgie.
Reckon you are right about the plastic bedding as I had the sweats bad in hospital. It's supposed to be a reaction to Propofol. I too was on Targin in hospitalbut asked to stop as it was doing my head in (plus the Endone).
Actually my daughter is a Nurse Practitioner so she has been helpful with a lot of my questions but really this site has been invaluable. I like many others pushed it once out of hospital and went to the shops using just a walking stick... Been a few days of remorse.
Ha shame about hubbies snoring. Lucky for me my girlfriend has me in her spare bedroom which has an ensuite!
G'Day Renee
My grand son gave me a back scratcher when I was I hospital! Yes I am on blood thinners but have no idea how long as there is numerous opinions via nurses, GPs, chemists. Seeing my surgeon on Thrursday so he should stop the debate (apparently its a new drug so little understanding).
You are so right about the ups and downs, the emotions that only those who have been through it understand.
My girlfriend has been very patient and understanding but next week I am off to stay with friends to give her a break.
Thanks for your warm welcome
I was given antihistamine in hosptial as I got itchy from the morphine. Always had a spot free back and it too got covered. They went when I stopped taking the morphine however I pedis covered that this antihistamine made me drowsy and helped me sleep....so I have used them to do that. It's an over the counter drug and I have done this before e.g. Wild camping with bears around to help get me to sleep.
Haviing a bed to yourself is the best for recovery. too.
Many folk find their body will play snakes and ladders with recovery. If you hit a snake don't despair it's just nature telling you to slow down for a bit.
I added that last bit as yesterday I di my biggest walk and was full of false pride. I had so much groin pain last night I thought I had done real damage - today I feel recovered and will learn my lesson.
Good luck to you and don't worry if some days you feel a bit weepy as this is normal too. I have found ice cream applied internally helps with this
take care and don't pick the scabs 😊
Aha Christine seems like this was the issue and yes the staff gave me an antihistimine for those early days itch. I am amazed at the roller coaster physical and mental states. The first week felt like it was somebody elses body which sweats and chills etc and yes the emotions which indeed needed ice cream and currently a nice glass of Merlot! I too used to go wild camping, recently in hammocks but the last year that all went by the wayside. Can't wait to lay out in one of my hammocks listening to the sounds of the bush. No bears in my country but plenty of snakes to watch out for at night!
now curious ... where do you live? On antoher note and not hip related, I rather have bears than snakes !!!!!
I lived in Los Angeles for over 34 years and guess what ? we have both !!!
Ha Renee I live in Australia at a place called Byron Bay on the east coast. Plenty of sharks here too. Actually three attacks in the last few weeks, one bad.
must be beautiful ??? I don't know Andy .... sharks in the water, snakes on the ground ... or in trees ...and you in a hammock ???
I am going to Google Byron Bay ..
be safe
HA Renee it is beautiful and yes nature is full of animals that need respect esp in this country. Time for bed here now. Goodnight.
is that where you had the spinal injections to numb the legs whilst you had the op? i am 10 weeks post op and i still need the cocodydramol as and when needed as i am not allowed anti inflammortories due to being diabetic, and i take enough tablets with that lol
Good night Andy ... just watched some videos about Byron Bay ... looks like paradise ... absolutely beautiful nature and people !!!!
warm hug
Andy, "Been a few days of remorse"
LOLZ!
Hello Marilyn
No it started on the upper back and then seem to be random. My girlfriend put cortisone cream on it just before bed last night and I even had half an antihistimine. Finally worked. Geez sorry to here of the complications of diabetes. It must have added another layer of fear pre op.
Yes been here 40 yrs and love the beaches and the bush. Certainly a town full of characters and I guess I'm one of them! LOL!
Gave me a few days to consider my actions
10 days post op, also old school posterior, full ceramic implant, had my best sleep last night, cant sleep on my back so sleep om my side with pillow between legs, had one tramadol and half a restavit and slept all night apart from one pitstop about 0230, went for 3km walk on crutches today, bit tired on return but no pain in hip, see surgeon tomorrow hpefully all good
G'Day Warwick
Interesting that you sleep on your side as so many have said that it is wrong to do but yes the nurses told me it was fine as well and I am tentitively doing so when my back can't stand the pain any more. Had a few shocks wake me up though...Sharp pain in the hip if I move forward. Also interesting that most on here use crutches. I wasn't given the option and to be honest am finding the walking stick very difficult if I walk anything over about 30 metres. See what time does I guess.
Reason they say to not sleep on side is becuse if leg crosses centrline line you can risk dislocation, I keep pillow firmly gripped between thighs and my legs together and no dramas, be interesting to see what sugeon says tomorrow, but I've never been a back sleeper and just couldn't handle lack of sleep, Good Luck