Post hip replacement problems

Posted by hipgranny1956 @hipgranny1956, Jun 20, 2023

I had hip replacement 6 days ago and the first two days went according to everything I was told but on the third day I tried to walk around and I had excruciating pain in my lower leg down the tibia or shin bone and my knee and the side of my knee was horrible burning pressure tingling just a deep deep ache. I kept trying to walk but it would make me cry out. Went back to orthopedics they did an x-ray and there was no fracture. But they really don't know what's wrong he put me on gabapentin for possible nerve damage somewhere and this is my first day taking it I'm not feeling great on it in fact I feel like I couldn't even get up and try to walk for feeling a little unstable. I just wondered if anyone else had that problem and did it resolve on its own or did they find the right solution? I go back next week for my first visit and I'm praying for some progress as I take these pills and get through the next days of hopefully being a little active.

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@cmarsh

Hello....I have been taking Meloxicam 7.5mg twice daily for past 10 years or so for arthritis pain and it works well for me. I have Osteoarthritis in my knees, hip, hands and cervical spine. I used to take it just once daily, but bumped to twice daily about 5 years ago. I'm 72 years old. Meloxicam is an NSAID like Ibuprofen, etc, although it's a prescription only.

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Thank you, Cindy! I am glad to hear you have used for 10 years and have some relief. So does it relieve some of your arthritic pain. My doctor prescribed 15 mg once a day. I am 76 and am hoping I can make it the rest of my life without another hip surgery. I have returned to golf after 2 years not playing and really want to continue playing if I can.

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@mackad2024

Thank you, Cindy! I am glad to hear you have used for 10 years and have some relief. So does it relieve some of your arthritic pain. My doctor prescribed 15 mg once a day. I am 76 and am hoping I can make it the rest of my life without another hip surgery. I have returned to golf after 2 years not playing and really want to continue playing if I can.

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You're welcome....it most definitely helps with my pain. My husband started on the 15 mg once daily about a year ago, and it works for him too. We took in the AM and found by the evening it was wearing off and we suffered from arthritic pain at night. We find much better relief by taking the 7.5 in AM and before bed. instead of the 15mg once daily. I couldn't exist without some type of NSAID daily for my arthritis pain. I'm also a 'Girdlestone" patient so I have no left hip joint at all. I lost that 2 years ago due to infection. Naturally, there are side effects to any medications, but at my age, I am looking for quality of life versus quantity!!! That's wonderful that you are able to golf again. Keeping your body in motion is the best thing you can do for arthritic joints!! Congratulations to you! I hope you get relief with the Meloxicam so you can keep moving! ........Cindy

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@cmarsh

You're welcome....it most definitely helps with my pain. My husband started on the 15 mg once daily about a year ago, and it works for him too. We took in the AM and found by the evening it was wearing off and we suffered from arthritic pain at night. We find much better relief by taking the 7.5 in AM and before bed. instead of the 15mg once daily. I couldn't exist without some type of NSAID daily for my arthritis pain. I'm also a 'Girdlestone" patient so I have no left hip joint at all. I lost that 2 years ago due to infection. Naturally, there are side effects to any medications, but at my age, I am looking for quality of life versus quantity!!! That's wonderful that you are able to golf again. Keeping your body in motion is the best thing you can do for arthritic joints!! Congratulations to you! I hope you get relief with the Meloxicam so you can keep moving! ........Cindy

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Cindy, I really appreciate your reply! Perhaps, I will request the 7.5 mg for AM/PM. I do not know what Girdlestone means, so will look it up, but when you say no left hip joint at all--WOW!! I never heard of that, Cindy. When I recently began golf, I did experience more discomfort in the hip without the implant, but am hoping that will be temporary, like using muscles or doing movements I had not done in awhile.

Again, thank you, Cindy!
Kathryn

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@mackad2024

I had left THR in March 2023. My ortho prescribed gabapentin for numb/nerve pain in my lower thigh from bruising my femur nerve. I still have this numb/nerve but a a lesser level than before. I never took the gabapentin and am glad I didn't, especially because of what you report.

I was recently prescribe Meloxicam for some pain in the other hip, which I don't want to have surgery on unless absolutely necessary. What is the experience with Meloxicam? Thank you.

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After witnessing an older friend on gabapentin fall repeatedly, and asking a Doctor in PT what she thought about that medicine, I began reading on line scientific reviews of gabapentin. What kind of solution is a drug that is labeled as psychoactive with a mechanism that isn’t understood, originally approved for seizures, which causes suicidal ideation, falls, and dizziness in the older population? And it’s documented. Blew me away. So glad I am allergic to it. I might have been one of its victims. What was really scary were the anecdotal reports from users of this “safe nerve drug” about how hard it was for them to stop. Good Lord. Enough already. So maybe I’m a nerd for the research, but it sure explained so many things about older adults taking it. It’s not a solution for anything apparently other than seizures in kids under 16 (tested).

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@hyde3357

After witnessing an older friend on gabapentin fall repeatedly, and asking a Doctor in PT what she thought about that medicine, I began reading on line scientific reviews of gabapentin. What kind of solution is a drug that is labeled as psychoactive with a mechanism that isn’t understood, originally approved for seizures, which causes suicidal ideation, falls, and dizziness in the older population? And it’s documented. Blew me away. So glad I am allergic to it. I might have been one of its victims. What was really scary were the anecdotal reports from users of this “safe nerve drug” about how hard it was for them to stop. Good Lord. Enough already. So maybe I’m a nerd for the research, but it sure explained so many things about older adults taking it. It’s not a solution for anything apparently other than seizures in kids under 16 (tested).

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I really appreciate your sharing all your knowledge and hours of research about gabapentin. I always read the risks of any medication, and after reading the risks and history of gabapentin, I knew the risks did not outweigh any benefits for me, so I did not take it. Isn't it curious how the medical world dispenses these meds without thinking twice.

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@hipgranny1956
To respond to your gabapentin reactions…my PC prescribed gabapentin to me long before my bilateral hip replacement surgeries. I was informed by him that it can make you feel a little “drunk” at first (I’m like…”bring it on”) but we started in small dosage and ramped up to a tolerable level. Still on it this many years later and seriously couldn’t go without it.
Good Luck 🍀 to you on your journey.
I’m not going to go in to the issues (nightmare) I had experienced with THR (surgeon error) because I’m not one to share and/or instill doubts on anyone considering or needing the surgery. Just research & choose very wisely who you agree to complete your life changing procedures!✌️💙🎶😘☀️

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@lisagh17

@hipgranny1956
To respond to your gabapentin reactions…my PC prescribed gabapentin to me long before my bilateral hip replacement surgeries. I was informed by him that it can make you feel a little “drunk” at first (I’m like…”bring it on”) but we started in small dosage and ramped up to a tolerable level. Still on it this many years later and seriously couldn’t go without it.
Good Luck 🍀 to you on your journey.
I’m not going to go in to the issues (nightmare) I had experienced with THR (surgeon error) because I’m not one to share and/or instill doubts on anyone considering or needing the surgery. Just research & choose very wisely who you agree to complete your life changing procedures!✌️💙🎶😘☀️

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Picking your surgeon is very important, I wish on my first one I would have. The surgeon used the wrong sized implant into my leg and it never connected to the bone. I now need a revision as I have been in constant pain for going on three years. I needed my other hip replaced and searched for the best surgeon I could find, I am now four months post surgery and have very little pain and more strength every day. This surgeon will be doing the revision in October. The first surgeon should have his license taken away.

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Hi again,

Long time since my last post.

After 15 mos post op, no pain, full range of motion, and good stamina. In October my daughter and I visited Disneyland for 3 days. I averaged over 15,000 steps/day with no pain, swelling or limping. Back in the gym now (held off to walk to prepare for the park), and seeing steady progress. Weights are still light now, will let the group know when I reach my next milestones. I am blessed.

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