Post Op Exhaustion

Sheelee
Sheelee Member Posts: 153
in Living with arthritis

Hi Everyone and Happy Easter.

It's now nearly 4 weeks post op, and thought my energy level was starting to recover. Over the last 2 days I'm back to sleeping all hours God sends- night time and during the day.

How long did other people feel this overwhelming exhaustion? I had a total hip replacement.

Sheelee xx

Comments

  • Trish9556
    Trish9556 Member Posts: 740
    edited 10. Apr 2023, 08:46

    Hi @Sheelee

    From my experience from previous surgeries it can take a long time to recover from the effects of anaesthesia and surgeries. 6 to 8 weeks is usual for me. Still exhausted here from my foraminotomy on 8th March. All I have to do is sit down and I'm gone.

    It tends to get worse the older I get. I'm now almost 67 and feels worse than in 2016. No magic cure I'm afraid.

    Love n hugs

    Trish xx

  • Sheelee
    Sheelee Member Posts: 153

    Thanks Trish. I now know its "normal". I'm 68 so your theory about age seems to be right.

    Sheelee xx

  • Trish9556
    Trish9556 Member Posts: 740

    Hi Sheelee

    I think it's our body's way of making sure we don't try to overdo it and to slow down whilst our body repairs itself.

    Trish xx

  • frogmorton
    frogmorton Member Posts: 30,027

    My Mum always used to say sleeping is when you do your healing so it makes sense @Sheelee .

    I hate to say it but it was 12 months before I fully got over my back surgery😣

    Look after yourself you are doing well.

    Toni x

  • Lilymary
    Lilymary Member Posts: 1,750

    I agree, your body uses a lot of energy rebuilding itself. Take it gently, you’ll get there.

  • SoniaR
    SoniaR Member Posts: 68

    After my total hip replacement in 2016 I was exhausted and even when people visited me I would fall asleep mid sentence!. It’s not just because you’ve had major surgery, but all the anaesthetic drugs and painkillers you have had. I had a spinal anaesthetic but I still threw up afterwards and was exhausted! It’s still early days for you but make sure you have catnaps throughout the day, eat properly and keep hydrated. Don’t forget your physio exercises. Your body is telling you to rest. I found when I got to week 7 I felt more human and started to drive my car - it’s amazing what you can do by then. You will get there and it all sounds a normal recovery. I recently had a small procedure in the day hospital under anaesthetic and it took me 5 days to get over that! Give it time. Sending you love x

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