Up one minute, down the next. Post operation

Bones, joints and muscles
1

I am approaching 4 weeks now, and am making

satisfactory progress. But I suddenly feel miserable,

short tempered and depressed.  I pull myself out

of it,because I have no reason for my dissatisaction,

meanwhile my nearest feel the pain I can inflict,and don't

feel their efforts to help are appreciated.

anyone else out there behaving badly like me?

Cathie

2

Dear Cathie - don't be down on yourself, you have just been through one of the most major surgeries, marvellous that we can have it done. Do you have some delayed shock, from the surgery, the fear of the surgery. and just the whole damn thing. I wouldn't be surprised. Also you may have read about others getting hot flushes, I think its our body partly reacting to the medication we were given for the surgery, and partly to a foreign object in our body that wasn't there before. 4 Weeks is still early days in your recovery, are to doing a little too much, and pushing yourself too hard.  I know I speak for other hippies on this forum, chin up dear lady, you will get through this.  Deer I say, been there and done that, I have had some really bad days, and good days, now the good days are starting to outweigh the bad.

3

Oh yes this is me as well, sitting about firing orders left right and centre today.

I almost feel menopausal again and added to that I only sleep a maximum of an hour at a time before waking up needing toilet/change position/re-arrange pillows etc etc.

Had a few days of crying at the drop of a hat over stupid trivial things - dropped my grabber/lost a pair of ted socks etc etc 

Then I'll be back to normal again and just go with the flow.

I agree it's weird but to be honest with you I'm 3 weeks post op today and I don't know what normal is anymore each day brings new challenges and torments.

Chin up it surely can't last for ever xx

4

Thank you for identifying with my mood.I want to

blame the anaesthetic (am well past the menopause),

which stays in the body for months. If I am honest I

want to be nurtured through, encouraged, indulged,

not having to think that once I've progressed that I have

to keep trying. I probably feel very childlike, or childish.

Cathie

if the truth is told.

Cathie

5

Hi Cathie,

I have been very down for a few weeks since my THR.

Partly because we had a bereavement when I was 3 weeks post op and that upset us all.

I am only just getting back to normal in so many ways. Bathing, moving around, walking, sleeping.

OK so I waddle like a penguin without my crutch but at least I can walk a bit. Outside I still use one crutch and also at home most of the time. The grabber is still useful but only to transfer washing to tumble drier.

Gradually it is all coming good and you will too. I stilll have down days and you will too. I feel I am a has-been and useless but I know I still have some useful years left in me.

Your new hip should give you a  new lease of life so now is a good time to sit and plan how to spend these bonus years.

Give yourself a pat on the back for getting this far. 

6

Thank you for identifying. I am too old for the menopause

symptoms.

I can complain about anything, rubbish books, tv, newspapers,

politics, give me a subject and I can turn it to gloom.

I think I have too much time to think, but am normally

quite a positive person. I might blame the anaesthetic.

this post is meant for Lyn 1951

Cathie

 

7

I posted to myself in error for you. See below

Cathie

8

A bereavement or anniversary can affect us

badly, I have a very significant and difficult date

coming  tomorrow. The smells and sounds of the

time of year, as well as the memories, throw me

back through years. Maybe I can attribute my moods

to this. How far post op are you?

I hope to get my act together soon.

Cathie

9

Going through the same things. Emotional, down trodden, disappointed, fatigued, hormones, fear I'll never be normal again. I want to unzip my skin and walk out of this body that is holding me back. My spirit is willing but my body and emotions are weak. Lack of sleep doesn't make matters any better.

I keep telling myself that winter is a good time to hybernate and heal and renew and become healthly and strong before next spring and summer!!!! This is just a season and we need to except it and do our best to get through it without to much damage to those who love us!! Hopefully!!

The other day I said to my husband ' you wouldn't survive 5 minutes in my body and what's happening!! Honestly, he probably wouldn't. Yes, I know men have this surgery also and survive, but they aren't my husband. 😀

Hang on and take one day at a time.

10

Isn't it good to write it down! I didn't have this

with first hip. Can't blame the weather, it's lovely

and sunny. My husband was told that the dye in

the anaesthetic stays in your body for a year. He

was so upset after his hip operation they sent him

for a brain scan.. That's private medicine for you!

he was ok.

Cathie

11

I had the epidural for my surgery does this also stay in your system for a long time?

12

Hi cathie,

I am six weeks post op and still get very irritable when I cannot get the house as tidy as I would like it.

Hope you get over tomorrow and then you will be better.

Hugs

13

Cathie,

Your posts realy put into words so many of the feelings and emotions that I have experienced over the last few weeks. When I was at 3 or 4 weeks post op, I started barking at my family too. Dissatisfaction is a good word to use for the frustration I was experiencing. I had no idea that the emotional and psychological side of healing would be this challenging. I am now 8 weeks post op and I'm praying these feelings pass soon.

14

hi cathie

dont feel guilty at all.  We are all there with you and relate to everything.  I have ups and downs  and have to get out.   today fortunately my husband took me for pub lunch but also go to cinema on other days.  i can cope most of the time but then Ineed to get out.  Not driving and being independant is a problem but you need to get out a couple of times a week to release the pressure.

after 6 weeks things do get better from memory. my husband will be grateful!!!

maggiexx

15

Oh gosh yes ... like a roller coaster cathie . Big hugs tomorrow another day

Denise

16

Ah, the roller coaster!  I know it well.  I'm at week 9 and starting to even out but still cranky at times.  When I've snapped at my long suffering husband, I remind myself to apologize and tell him, "This isn't about you.  I'm cranky because I'm having a hard time getting through this.  I'm sorry I took it out on you."  An apology goes a long way.  Give yourself time and don't be too hard on yourself. 

17

I had GA for 1st and spinal for 2nd, but I am

more up and down this time. The 1st was in Spring,

I am wondering if that made any diference. I can't

answer your question about dye in anaesthetics,

perhaps one of our medics or nurses will respond.

Cathie

18

Do you think it relates to when we try

to do a bit more each day?

Identifying it and discussing it can't do

any harm.

Cathie

19

Yes, I do need to get out - and somewhere more

interesting than the doctor's, the supermarket, and

'walking round the block' ! This time it's my right hip,

which means no driving for a bit longer than last time.

Maybe being independent again will be the answer.

before the op we give up so many things.

I am glad you have a memory of 6 weeks, I'll hold

onto that.. 

Cathie

20

I am glad many of us experience the same. 

Tomorrow I will be 1 day stronger  with more

stamina!

Cathie