Feeling Fed Up

Sarah01
Sarah01 Member Posts: 192
edited 29. Mar 2014, 07:25 in Living with Arthritis archive
Morning everyone,

It's now 10.5 weeks since my THR, I am down to one crutch which is great but I cannot walk unaided. Start my physio rehabilitation on Thursday with hour long sessions in the gym at the hospital. I even popped up yesterday to the rugby club near me which has a gym. 2 of the gym instructors are trained in managing fitness with those that have had a hip or a knee replacement. I felt great yesterday, thinking brilliant, I can get on and start moving forward with my recovery.

Went to see my GP this morning to get another sick note and to discuss my blood test results. The surgeon wanted further blood tests to rule out any infection. My white count was normal which was great. One of the inflammation markers was normal and one was very high. My GP couldn't explain it so had me do another blood test. My results will be back on Thursday when I see the nurse for the pressure sores on my heel (yes I even have them too). I've been signed off another 4 weeks, he wanted to do 8 but I asked for 4 to see how I progress. I told him I had sat in the car and I was able to use the accelerator pedal and the brake without any pain at all and I asked if I could go back to driving as I have an automatic and I am getting more mobile. He said no as the knee is still swollen and it could be weeks before I get back behind the wheel :(

I felt so deflated when I left the surgery, I really was hoping that he would let me start driving, then I could go to the gym and start to get some normality back into my life. I just do not seem to be getting anywhere with my recovery. My physio even told me she was concerned about the knee and it needs to be xrayed or scanned.

I see the surgeon on Friday, he will no doubt be pleased that I am down to one crutch now, but I think all he will do is inject steroids into the knee. He didn't seem at all interested in looking at the knee last time I saw him, he just wanted to get the bloods done then inject the steroids.

I just wish I could get on instead of being stuck at home and having to rely on family and friends to take me to my appointments. I just feel so down and fed up at the moment.

Sarah x

Comments

  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I empathise completely. Having been stuck at home for near enough eight weeks thanks to the broken arm it is frustrating and life-limiting, not too mention downright ANNOYING. :x You have, however, had major surgery and that can take some time to get over - thinking back to my three major ops (all done within eighteen months of each other) I would have the better days then feel as though I was getting nowhere - it's the wood-trees thing in a nutshell. I did find recuperation after my summer op far better than the other too (both in the depths of winter) so get outside, sit and soak up some sun for the Vit D to help the bones; all I can say is this time will pass but obviously some things have to be sorted first.

    It's not easy. We know that. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • Sarah01
    Sarah01 Member Posts: 192
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi DD,

    Sorry to hear you are still stuck at home after breaking your arm. I hope you feel better soon :)

    You had 3 major ops in 18 months and here I am feeling fed up after just having 1 major op :oops: Wow how did you cope?

    I have been out in the garden enjoying the sun and I have managed a couple of short walks. After about 5 to 10 minutes of walking I get severe pain in the knee so I have to come home :(

    I have just had a lovely chat with a lady on the arthritis care helpline. It's the first time I have used the helpline and I must admit I have come away feeling a little better :)

    As you say time will pass and I will be back to normal, it is just the frustration at the moment.

    Sarah x
  • elsa56
    elsa56 Member Posts: 98
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I understand how you are feeling and we have to be focused on how we felt after the op and how we have progressed.
    Im 15 weeks out of a THR and still not able to drive, and still off sick. My problem is numbness from my knee down to my toes. Its not there all the time but after sitting for 10 minutes I have to get up as it starts to get painful. I dont come on here that often or my name would change to moaning Minnie :oops: . I did try to drive but I didnt even get half a mile before Hubby took over. Like you I am stuck at home alone all day and the weather doesn't help either. Soon be warmer weather so that instead of looking at 4 walls we can get out in the garden.
    Keep your chin up!!!!!
    Love
    Elsa
  • Sarah01
    Sarah01 Member Posts: 192
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Elsa,

    I'm sorry to hear of the problems you are experiencing after your THR. I do feel I have progressed well since the op, I just wish the swelling in the knee would go down.

    I think my other concern is my employers. I work for Local Government and being off since the middle of December I assume is not going down well with my colleagues or HR, even though HR have so far been supportive. That's why I only asked the GP to sign me off for 4 weeks and not 8 weeks.

    I have also considered maybe going back part-time after the 4 weeks have ended until I am well enough to resume full-time. Depending on how the knee is doing.

    I had a nice surprise this afternoon with the arrival of one of my friends from work. She popped round for coffee so we sat out in the garden, that cheered me up. Hubby is home from the Middle East in just over 3 weeks so I am also looking forward to that :)

    I hope you are feeling a lot better soon and if you ever fancy a good moan, you are more than welcome to PM me :)

    Take care
    Sarah x
  • elsa56
    elsa56 Member Posts: 98
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I do hope you soon get back to work and going part time shows willing.
    BUT make sure you are able to do at home what you will be expected to do at work. By this I mean sitting, standing ect for long periods if this what you have to do.
    I work from home but my GP still said no work yet because those things I've just mentioned I struggle with and still on Tramadol which slows me down (brainwise) although I've been told I havn't got one :lol: .
    Hopefully you can do things without pain.. we are all different on the way we heal and addapt and like you I hate being like this but we WILL laugh about it one day xxx
  • Fionabee
    Fionabee Member Posts: 146
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sarah
    Does your employer not require you to be assessed by Occupational Health? I work for the city council, I knew I would have to go and see OH at some point, but they rang me at home and asked me to come in a couple of days later. I did feel ready for (some) work so was happy to comply, but the adviser was quite harsh in her recommendations, she was quite young and at times I had trouble understanding her English & had to ask her to repeat things several times, it didn't inspire confidence, I went along with her recommendations, I thought I'll do my best but if I can't do it I can't! My boss has actually been very good and gave me a gentler phased return than Oc Health recommended.
    Don't get pushed into anything that doesn't feel right to you.
    The irony was, the following day I had my 6 wk checkup at the hospital, the Clinical Nurse Specialist I saw was surprised I was going back to work so soon and told me most patients did not go back to work until after 12 weeks?!
    Fiona
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    I was very fortunate in my work - I was self-employed so could tailor matters to suit me and not someone else's requirements. The downside was anything up to three months without an income but my husband continued to bring in the bacon - another non-pressure for yours truly.

    The three ops had to be done (two were arthritis-related) so I just got on with it. You have to. I have never seen the point in getting grumpy over things which cannot be changed, that won't help me or those around me. I do occasionally slide into the PoSP (pool of self-pity) for a wallow - there is a fair bit wrong with me and sometimes it is pleasant to give in to the demands of the disease. There is, however, far more that is right than wrong in my life: the right things include a fantastic husband, sunny days, good friends, laughter and wine.

    Convalescence is a long process - people used to go into convalescent hospitals or homes but now? You spend a short time in hospital and then you're sent home to get on with things, seemingly without too much in the way of advice about what might lie ahead. The human body needs time to recover, it's more than just the scar that has to heal. If this is your first operation you won't know what to expect; I've had seven during my life time (and maybe more to come if I decide to go for new knees etc) so I'm an old hand at it. I wish I wasn't! :lol: DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • Sarah01
    Sarah01 Member Posts: 192
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Fiona,

    Hope you are well? I spoke to HR a few weeks ago to give them an update on my progress. Nothing was mentioned about OH. They just told me that I would need to meet with them and health & safety to discuss my return and look at what needs to be done to my desk etc to ensure that I am as comfortable as possible.

    With all the cut backs in Local Government and talk of redundancies at the council I work at I do feel pressure to return as soon as possible. When I was signed off 2 weeks before the op due to crippling pain, the HR manager did say that she would not expect me back for a minimum of 12 weeks after the operation. I'm 11 weeks post op today but I have been signed off another 4 weeks.

    I'm going to see HR on Monday to have a chat with them. That's my decision not theirs. I was going to ring them but I find it better to discuss anything face to face. Sorry to hear that you didn't have a good experience with OH when you saw them. HR did tell me that I would have to be phased back to work, I do intend to ask them to reduce my hours for a couple of months, that's due to seeing the surgeon last night but I'll put a new post up about that.

    Sarah x
  • Sarah01
    Sarah01 Member Posts: 192
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi DD,

    I like your outlook on life and I could not agree more. Like you I have a fantastic husband, 2 great boys and loving family and friends. Wine is great but I haven't touched a drop since New Years Eve due to the meds. But I am positive I will be able to partake in a couple of glasses soon :)

    I know that I will have to have another THR and at some point both knees will need to be done, every op is different and I am learning that very quickly. When I went to physio rehab on Thursday I was the youngest one there :lol:

    There were 4 others who were in their 70s and 80s at different stages. Two of them were 4 weeks post op and the other 2 were 5 weeks post op. 3 of them could walk unaided and the other was on a crutch like me. I felt embarrassed being 11 weeks and still on a crutch until I spoke to a guy after the class. He told me that he had his 1st THR last summer and he struggled big time. It took him weeks to recover and his latest THR he is doing so well with it. He even said he would not have had it done unless it was necessary but he was surprised how different both ops were.

    How are you getting on with your arm?

    Sarah x
  • nearlybionic
    nearlybionic Member Posts: 1,899
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sarah
    sorry to hear you are feeling fed up, but can totally understand why you feel like this.
    I have had both of my hip replaced, and my recovery has not always been a smooth road. I am beginning to realise that it is not helpful to me to compare my recovery to that of others. I also find it really annoying when people say to me that they know an old person who is doing really well after THR and why I am struggling so much! Grr!!
    My story is not typical of THR recovery and I would not want anyone to be worried about what happens to me , happening to them. But would just say this, do things at your own pace, you will get there. Try not to worry about work, as rushing back before you are ready will only set you back.
    Be kind to yourself xx
    NB
  • dreamdaisy
    dreamdaisy Member Posts: 31,520
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello again, thank you for asking about the arm. I am pleased to report that all is better, I have the full-range of movement and only the occasional twinge when I move it too far or too fast. Now to sort out the rest of me. :lol:

    It is a steep learning curve but the main thing to remember is NOT to compare yourself with others. That is not an easy thing to do but it is necessary. I reckon that those with just one or two OA-affected joints will make faster progress than those who have it in more, that is just common sense, yes? Things that are putting me off new knees include rubbish toes and ankles - how would they impinge on my recovery? Only one way to find out I guess but I really don't know what to do for the best. DD
    Have you got the despatches? No, I always walk like this. Eddie Braben
  • Sarah01
    Sarah01 Member Posts: 192
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi NB,

    I'm feeling a little more positive today after seeing the surgeon last night. The THR is coming along nicely and I just need to concentrate on the knee and await the results of the MRI scan.

    I felt the same as you when I had my op done. My best friend's parents both in their 70s had a THR and they were up and about within a matter of weeks. Other people also told me that they had family members who had a THR and were back to normal within a matter of weeks too. As it was my 1st THR I was naive in thinking I would be the same and boy was I in for a surprise when I realised that my recovery would take a lot longer because of the knee.

    As my friends will tell you I am a stickler for rules. I did everything I was told to do after my op and I intend to carry on with what the surgeon told me I can and can't do at the present time.

    I was so sorry to hear about your dislocation. How are you feeling now?

    Take care
    Sarah x
  • nearlybionic
    nearlybionic Member Posts: 1,899
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Sarah
    I am doing ok thanks. Still sore but got good pain dullers. It`s more the emotional recovery from dislocations that is hard. That will take longer to improve and for my confidence to recover. I would like someone to tell me it will never happen again if I do or don`t do something, but as this is not possible and I too do as I am told re restrictions after THR , this is now something I will have to learn to live with.
    I am pleased that your appointment with your surgeon went well and hope they sort your knee out soon .
    NB
  • barbara12
    barbara12 Member Posts: 21,280
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hello Sarah
    Soryy you are still suffering, when I had my THR the nurse said you would have a shock if you saw how they gripped the leg to manipulte it.
    I wounder if this is why the knee is causing you probs...10 and half weeks isnt that long..I found and ztii do chnges going on, and I am 8 months post op...you will get there,sorry about the driving hope you can get behind the wheel very soon.xx
    Love
    Barbara
  • Sarah01
    Sarah01 Member Posts: 192
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi NB,

    Glad to hear you are doing well :)

    Sorry to hear how you are feeling emotionally, I can't imagine what you are going through. I hope that you will regain your confidence soon but I understand that it will take some time.

    Take care of yourself and let me know how you are getting on.

    Sarah x
  • Sarah01
    Sarah01 Member Posts: 192
    edited 30. Nov -1, 00:00
    Hi Barbara,

    How are you today?

    I had no idea at the time how much force it would take to manipulate the hip. I only saw it when I watched a THR operation on youtube after I had the op. Might sound gross I know, but I was interested in seeing one performed. Surprisingly watching the operation has not put me off having the other one done.

    Sarah x