👯‍♀️ 👯‍♀️ 👯‍♀️ 👯‍♀️ Hips and knees part 6 👯‍♀️ 👯‍♀️

I am now 3 weeks post left THR op.
Not doing too badly, but finding the blood thinners, which I have another 2 weeks of, are making me light-headed, tired and a bit nauseous.
Not sure how to deal with this and don’t remember it being this bad from last time with the right hip and knee.

I think when the surgery opens on Tuesday, you should ask if you can stop them. A lot depends on how much exercise you get, especially indoors.

I expect you to still feel tired because you have had major surgery, but not lightheaded and nauseous. Perhaps whatever you are taking disagrees with you.

Susytish you’re taking taking blood thinning tablets rather than anti coagulant injections? Is this another example of different hospitals, different approaches?

grammargran That is what Birdbrain forgot to mention. I think susytish made a mistake because if she was receiving blood thinners, she would be having regular blood tests, and from memory, one has to be weaned off the tablets.

The tablets are Apixaban, anti-coagulant tablets.
I wrongly thought they were the same thing as blood thinning tablets? I have another 10 days of them. The side-effects are less than at the start.
I wonder if the surgeon decided to prescribe them for longer as I had a breathing problem last year and a high heart rate, both of which seem ok at the minute! Oxygen level ok, blood pressure and heart rate ok. Hope stays like this after I stop taking these tablets.

* susytish* The time to me seems about right.. Again, depends on where you live, but the average is around four weeks. I am sure you will be fine after you stop, one less drug with potential side effects.

It sounds to me that you are fine. You need to get past the six week and then the three month mile stones.

This time next year, you will be asking surgery, what surgery?

We are here to help, even on BHs.

At least susytish with tablets you won’t finish up with a tasteful cluster of bruises around your middle from self injecting!

I totally agree grammargran. That is the first time I have heard of anybody being given tablets.

Charleygirl5

I totally agree grammargran. That is the first time I have heard of anybody being given tablets.

I’m sure I’ve have mentioned more than once that I was given tablets after my THR last August…I had to take them for 30 days.

MaizieD same here with the injections, 28 bruises of varying size ( the first two were given professionally at the hospital). It was like painting the Forth Bridge, as the earlier ones faded so the later ones appeared!

MaizieD more than likely, but with my failing memory, I know my name, just.

I coped with the injections but as time went on I started not to and towards the end I couldn’t wait to stop them, I had had enough!

Well I had hip replacement surgery on Friday and though I am sure others have/may have said this, here it is in case it is useful to others : I am finding a leg lifter really helpful and am so glad I bought one before going in to the hospital. I read about using a dressing gown cord tied into a loop but think it would be much harder to use - the flexible wire one I have is easier to manage and get it over my foot.
Also all those pain killers can make you constipated and its very uncomfortable and post surgery you do not want to be 'pushing'. So have something ready to eat or drink to help - I am trying kiwi fruit and the hospital - on being asked - provided something too. I wish good luck to anyone reading this who is having the surgery soon.

Well done Applegran you sound as though you're coping well. I didn't know you could buy leg lifters so used my dressing gown cord with no problem. I became proficient at lassoing my foot! Keep us up-to-date with your progress! (And welcome to the club ...)

Thank you grammargran. I am trying to manage one step at a time literally and metaphorically. This week I have someone helping who is great. Next week my husband will be without the support and might find it challenging but between us we have to make it work. Am really grateful that though I have pain it is getting better every day and it is not there all the time. I know I am fortunate in this.

I think you are doing well and the days will pass.

If you can afford it, it may be helpful to hire someone for a few weeks to clean the house, and it would be one thing less to worry about.

I hope your DH can produce some meals.

As for the meals we can get Sainsbury’s to deliver so my husband can manage ok .

That is good, you appear to be really sorted.

Sounds fine Apple. Have to say I got my first ever cleaner just before my operation and three years later she is still here. Two hours every fortnight, it works for us. I never did like housework!
Welcome to the club.

Snap silverlining! My lady has only been with us since the new year but it’s so go to have someone who can do the low down jobs.

Hello ALL,
MY post op appt was cancelled and then I cancelled due to S&V last week. Saw consultant today..he was pleased with scar healing but agreed that my knee needs further investigation as it’s still swollen and I’m still struggling with stinging pain about 3hrs into sleep and it’s driving me crazy…having to get out of bed to put gel on and take more pain relief…so I’m not discharged..
I was sent upstairs and only had to wait 15 mins for an X-ray so will wait for results …
Am feeling that I’ve already had an arthroscopic surgery and repair to meniscus…on this knee some 10 yrs ago, that my OA is the problem and will need new knee…I hope not as it’s too soon for me although the consultant did say he would do my left hip which also needs replacing in October…🥹
Thanks for caring, means a lot🙏

grammargran

Anyone heard from Bea on any other thread?

I’m back😀

Good to hear from you again Bea - I was wondering! Things don’t seem to have improved too much for you, do they? Could your meniscus not be playing up again with all the trauma with your hip? Let us know when you get the x-ray result. I expect you’re pretty tired, too, with the disturbed nights. Hope things can improve for you soon.

Bea are you sure your meniscus was repaired because I have only known it to be removed.

I am sure you do not want to go on the list for a knee replacement especially as you are having the other hip done in October.

There is nothing worse than grinding pain and sleepless nights. I am sorry to be such a Job's comforter.

Good to see you back Bea, but sorry you’re still having problems with your knee. I hope that a cause can be found. It will be good to get your other hip replaced, but better if your knee can be stabilised first!
Ever since I had my second hip replaced I’ve been plagued by aches and pains in practically every other joint in my body - knees, feet, ankles, elbows, fingers etc! I’m wondering if it’s all connected to the rebalancing of my body, but that sounds a bit fanciful. I’m doing exercises for all the joints and hope they eventually settle down!
I’m trying to carry on normally and grinning and bearing the aches, but it’s hard sometimes.I haven’t seen the doctor but have been to the physio. I know the doctor will only tell me to take painkillers and see the physio anyway!