Managing post op pain

Lisbeth

seven days post total left hip replacement

Lisbeth

hi everyone

I received my total left hip surgery on June 28th, I was discharged on the following day.

I’m struggling to get out of the chair, the mornings are not a problem but the afternoons are painful.
am I just on a pity party journey? The bruising is spreading down the back of my leg, past the calf towards the heel.
yesterday I had awful diarrhoea, I practically had to run up the stairs multiple times and sitting on the toilet seat, made me cramp up along the back of my bad leg. I feel really unwell but I’m scared to eat as I don’t want a repeat of yesterday.
living alone is not much fun, I don’t know what to do with myself!!

Am I just being a big cry baby? I had my right hip replacement two and a half years ago and all I remember was Ho everything went so well at that time.

HELP please.x

Trish9556

Hi @Lisbeth

The first few weeks post total hip replacement are hard - I had mine done 13 months ago.

What pain killers did the hospital give you?

Are you on blood thinners?

Were you given any antibiotics?

I had terrible diarrohea for about 10 days after my surgery and dosed up with immodium but I did also use pads for a bit more relief just in case. I also ate a very bland diet and drank plenty of water and sipped on lemonade. Lemonade is better flat but it does keep you hydrated. It was recommended to me many years ago when my toddler had really bad tummy at both ends and wouldn't have the sachets he was supposed to have. Works perfectly for hangovers as well lol. Don't drink it, just sip it.

I would also recommend you ring your hospital ward number (I presume you were given a number to ring?) and tell them about it just to reassure you. Sometimes the medication they give you in surgery can take a while to get out of your system and some stuff can cause reactions. I was taking PPI's at the time and when I looked them up they have a reputation for causing this side effect so I said no more. I now take Gaviscon liquid to help with reflux and to protect my tummy.

If you need painkillers then usually paracetamol helps but just take it regularly. If it's really not helping then ask your GP. I was already on prescription codiene so I continued with that with the paracetamol inbetween to keep myself topped up. After a while I weaned myself off the codeine then the paracetamol

A bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel will help with the swelling - I keep a bag of cheap and cheerful ones in mine just in case but those were a godsend in the early days.

I was lucky - I didn't have any bruising at all but witch hazel helps and feels very soothing. Keep it away from your scar though.

You're not a cry baby - we all feel the same in the early days - do you have a friend/relative that can pop in and give you a bit of tlc every day?

Please don't beat yourself up - it will get better, honestly and when you're down then just shout out

Trish xx

Jane18

Hi @Lisbeth, I am nearly 4 weeks post-op and agree with @Trish9556 that the first few weeks are the worst. I found in the first 2 weeks that I got really tired in the afternoons, but also found it hard to settle for long in one position because of the pain. It can get you down at times, but it does start to get better gradually.

I was on paracetamol and codeine for the first 2 weeks, but since then am just on occasional paracetamol. And while I still get uncomfortable sitting or lying for long it's nothing like the first 2 weeks.

Ice packs wrapped in a towel can help with the swelling and as Trish has said, keep hydrated and eat a light bland diet for a few days. And do the physio exercises you've been given, which can help with the pain, although don't overdo it for the first few weeks.

It can be nice to have a friend or neighbour popping in to give some support, although I found at first it was tiring as well, so really valued online communities such as this for support and advice. So do please shout out when you want to and don't feel bad about getting low at times - we have all been through it.

Jane x

Lisbeth

hi @trish & @Jane

Thank you so much for replying, I was given oramorph and aspirin to come home but I don’t recall antibiotics, unless they were given through the IV, there were a few different meds administered that way.

I don’t recall feeling this unhappy even depressed after my first hip replacement but I’m positive that bruising was a lot less.
I am thinking that I have been dehydrated, I was afraid to drink too much in case I would be back and forth to the loo (it’s upstairs) it sounds so daft but sitting on the toilet is painful, probably due to having the bruised bum cheek🙈

When I wrote my post yesterday, my fear is that I’m not doing enough to aid recovery, telling myself that “tomorrow will be better” thinking I am not doing enough to help myself.
I am going to take your advice, I’ve got frozen peas to use, thanks for that👍

Thank you for your support, I really appreciate you took time out of your day to offer help.
if I have missed any of your topics, I’m sorry, my head is all over the place, I’m experiencing a bit of a wobble🫨. I need to get up and start moving around.

Stay well and look after yourselves.xx

Trish9556

Hi @Lisbeth

If you have a big shoulderbag bag you could take some drinks/water/thermos upstairs? You really should keep hydrated, nothing wrong with spending time upstairs - my husband moved a dining chair to our bedroom so I could sit and watch TV upstairs in the early days. You can sit on your bed and use your laptop, drink, do your exercises, all while staying close to the bathroom. Make sure you remember to go downstairs to eat though.

Don't forget to replace your bag of peas and label the bag you're using for ice pack use only.

Shout if you need anything

Trish xx

Lisbeth

ahhhhh @trish

Thank you, I can definitely do that.
And it’s much appreciated to know you are here if I need some help💞xx

Jane18

Hi @Lisbeth, I know that feeling in the bum cheek too well. I've had similar since the op, but find the ice packs and moving do help to ease it. When I get stiff lying down I get up and do some of my physio exercises and light stretches and that seems to help - even if it's 4am! I had times when I felt really low, especially in the early stages, so had to find ways to distract myself, even if it was just standing up and walking a few paces.

Do you have a raised toilet seat? Some of those can be quite uncomfortable and I got one online with a memory foam filling, which is a bit easier to sit on.

I was given aspirin as a blood thinner to take every day after the initial injections, but it's compatible with paracetamol, which I now use occasionally for pain relief.

Hope things start to get better soon and just do what you can. Don't feel bad if some days you can't do as much as you want, as it's important to pace yourself and listen to your body.

Jane x