👯‍♀️ Hips and Knees part 7

I find most supplements are in very large capsules, which I just can’t swallow. Even paracetamol caplets cause me problems. I start courses of things then give up, so I am not a good recommendation!

I don’t know anything about collagen mamaa, sorry, it was all glucosomide when my knee was painful.
Luckily it recovered without intervention.

Nannytopsy, glad to hear you are home, take things easy for now and keep in touch.

should say ‘as they seem
to be’

Glad you’re on the other side of your op NannyT and hope your recovery continues to go well.
While I’m here I thought I’d ask if any of you lovely lot take or have taken collagen supplements ( bovine, marine or both) to help strengthen bones etc and if so has it made any difference?
I’ve got a creaky knee and am now in the process of completing daily exercises to stop it seizing up ( I self referred to the physio dept at our local cottage hospital).
Whilst out with friends for a coffee I mentioned collagen and all of them said they take it and highly recommended it.
I’m not a great fan of supplements but on my friends recommendations ordered a bottle of each type from Holland and Barrett. 3 tablets of each type per day and they’re quite expensive, so a bottle won’t last long!
Haven’t started it yet so can’t say if they’re any good.
I’d appreciate your reviews if you have had any experience with collagen supplements- ads for them seem to be
all over social media at the present- being endorsed by just about every tv/ radio personality and the ubiquitous ‘influencers’ of course- which only serve to raise my hackles and suggest it’s just a money making scheme for those advertising it. Ironically since the supplements arrived my knee has improved that’s the exercises helping I’d say as obviously can’t be something not yet taken! However had I’d begun the course I’d have probably said it was linked. TIA x

I got home last night - just a one night stay. It’s easier here - the loo is about 5 yards away rather than 30 ish. And I like my bed!

nannytopsy I was in hospital for 3 nights after each of my hip replacements, my choice as I didn’t feel ready after 2 nights. You’ll be glad to get home, whenever you are discharged, it’s always difficult to sleep in hospital.

The lack of sleep is one of the worst things about hospitals. Hope you’re able to get home Nannytopsy and start catching up. Just remember to take it very easy.

I did feel very lightheaded when the physios got me walking, so they kept me in for the night. There’s one very noisy lady on the ward and I didn’t get to sleep all night.

I can't believe you have had surgery. Is there a dressing to confirm it?!!!

If you don't feel ready to go home, I would have a spell of faintness when on my feet!

I am so pleased it is over and done with, and you can only improve daily.

Nannytopsy

Well I haven’t got to sleep yet 😳
I am relaxed, warm, comfortable and pain free (as long as I stay still!) and absolutely wide awake. The ward is pretty quiet but no sleep despite the opioids! Should be out tomorrow!

Nannytopsy, I’m glad all has gone well. Lie back, relax and let people look after you for a bit.

Congratulations Nannytopsy - sending you good wishes for a good, steady recovery. Make the most of your stay - I was in for two nights, came out on the third day. Just bite the bullet, lie back and obey instructions, particularly the ones about exercise! All the very best, big hugs! x

Well I am back on the ward! The surgeon has popped in and all went well. He said it was very worn out so I’m reassured I wasn’t being a wuss 🤣.
Just had some nice opioids …
All the talk of home today seems like wishful thinking. A nurse has said hips usually stay 3 days.

Unless you are really lucky you will have another long wait after the initial appointment. Keep stressing you can be admitted very quickly (if that is possible).

I think being a polite nuisance works! (oh God, not that bloody woman again!)

Thank you I will do that.

I would ring the the hospital to say how much pain you are in and ask
if there is a cancellation list. Also speak to your gp and see if they can get it closer date, it is a long wait for an initial appointment. There coukd be other hospitals with less of a list. Ask the surgery.
Good luck. 🤞

I was originally given an appointment for 2nd April to be assessed for a hip replacement operation. Last week I received an email from the hospital informing me that my appointment has been put back until the 14the September! I was originally referred by my GP in August last year,so I think this is an excessively long wait just for the initial appointment. I am in a lot of pain,to the point where I am struggling to walk. Is there any way I can get it moved to nearer in the future?

silverlining to be honest I was hoping my present hip would "see me out". The minor problem is that I don't know how long that would be!

Also I would be very much on my own with no relatives.

When I had my last TNR I asked a friend and neighbour to sort out my wheelie bins, which he managed once!

Hello Charleygirl, good to hear from you. Hope you don’t have too long a wait, you know the routine…. Badger politely, it often works. Otherwise if you have the money pay because our time is somewhat limited and today is the rainy day.

Thanks, that has given me confidence. I may have to have mine done privately as I am 82, live in London and will probably be lucky to be operated on when I am 102.

I already had a stairlift so used it from the moment I got home. The physio was delighted that I had one and it made life so
Much easier for me.

How soon after surgery was your stairlift fitted? I have had mine since 2009, and it is the immediate use after surgery that bothers me.

I should have an answer, but they weren't invented when I was working!

My stairlift was a godsend after my hip replacement. I had no trouble at all using it.

Has anybody who has had a hip replaced used a stair lift? I could wriggle around after my second TKR because to begin with I couldn't bend to 90 degrees. I have little room to move on it and fear an early dislocation.

Silverlining I am in the same position as you were. There were days when I thought I don’t need a THR but since Christmas it has deteriorated considerably and my mind is firmly in the yes I do camp. Maybe things will not be cured and you would delay your surgery by a very long time if you dropped out now. I have 3 more weeks to wait (🤞) but it’s 21 months since I first had contact with the consultant and closer to 3 years since I first went to the GP.