Post hip replacement problems

I know it will take time and I know I have to be patient but it helps so much to hear from those who have walked the walk (pun intended) and are still on the path. Us newbies.... At least myself need all the hope and encouragement we can get. I appreciate all of you giving me your highlights of your journey and the downsides of your journey because you've already been there and you know that what I'm experiencing now is going to be a memory someday. And I appreciate the wealth of knowledge that's gone before me!

Everyone’s pain is different. A neighbor asked me this morning how was I doing. I replied “upright and functioning”. Every day when I wake up is a good day. I have been through a lot in my life and I am grateful. I had no real expectations after surgery. Perhaps that’s the reason I am doing ok even after 5 months. I have two middle aged daughters who when they got a text from me after the surgery they both texted back “you’re alive”. Yup. I felt exactly the same way.

Good morning (at least I hope your mornings are improving). Many surgeons have either a PA or care coordinator who can answer questions for you that do not require a visit to the surgeon. He is primarily only concerned about infection or other complications, but they are there to do the "hands on" advising you hope for. Have you called their office to ask for this help?
Sue

Yes, in fact I went for an x-ray Monday because of the horrible pain down the Tibia and burning and pressure in my knee. No fractures, so he thought it's a grumpy nerve as he called it and put me on gabapentin. I asked if it could be my body just adjusting to a little discrepancy and the length of the hip replacement leg and he said it's possible. I was just a little frustrated because I'm new to this and I guess I wanted a more definitive answer. I couldn't tolerate the gabapentin I felt too unstable therefore not feeling like I should get up and try to walk so I didn't take it anymore then the two days. Since then the shin pain has almost all gone and I'm getting up more and exercising more. Now the second week I'm just getting used to the deep ache in my PSY and around my knee that I'm reading and and being advised it that's normal and it's going to take a long time to be completely pain-free. I also have gotten calls from my advocate at the hospital and she's been very helpful with questions I have. Yhank you for your reply.

Like you, my body doesn't like gabapentin - puts me in a stupor, so I tolerated the nerve pain. My friend taught me a "brushing" technique (now that I no longer need it.) Her PT explained that the stimulation helps "wake up" the nerves and get them mending [better, faster, less painfully?]
My daughter is using it on her poor hand and arm where she has endured 5 surgeries in 25 months for fractures and failed healing. She said it seems to help. She uses a very soft piece of fleece fabric to brush the area for a couple minutes a few times a day. My friend used a baby hairbrush on her leg and thigh - she had a traumatic femur fracture that led to a hip replacement, then had other medical complications that slowed her recovery, so every discomfort was magnified.
Sue

Oh my, your poor daughter! And your friend too! I had a friend I worked with at an elementary school few years back who was just discovering dry brushing and the school let out for the summer and our lives kind of took us in other directions and I kind of forgot about that. I may look into that I think anything that helps to keep the blood flow circulating and keeps your body awake in every area . I grew up with a paraplegic stepfather who was injured at the age of 27 when us four kids were little. I don't know how my mother didn't lose her mind. All that to say over the course of growing up we watched him struggle and learn and compensate and manage and even grow and flourish in the condition that he was in. He's been gone many years but this past week I have thought of him so many times throughout the day trying to manage my little tasks with the pain I have and thinking of all the inventive ways he had of overcoming obstacles in his way. Some of them were comical to us -watching him in a wheelchair. We learned as children what empathy and compassion were, but mostly resilience and tenacity. He had such a strong will to live! Thank you!

Thank you for the advice! That's why I'm on here. I appreciate you all!

Pain is scary. My knee hurt for weeks after the hip surgery and I insisted on an x-ray when I went to see my surgeon in mid May. They did the x-ray and saw a little bit of Arthritis but nothing to worry about. I am now pretty much pain free in my knee that has once been so painful before surgery that I would almost cry. Not knowing what to expect is scary. Since we don’t know what pain is considered normal we are afraid. When I am on the treadmill I envision the cable and screw that’s holding my hip together coming apart. I know that’s not rational but the miracle of this surgery is mind blowing, if it’s done right. It’s normal to have fear.

Thank you! As you were describing your knee pain I'm in my little lady size recliner with my legs kicked out and pillows underneath waiting for my husband to bring me some ice because my knee is killing me! I love this sight!! Feels like I have friends who won't judge or think I'm a baby...:( I'm going on 20 years with fibromyalgia that's gotten worse in the last several years as I've gotten older . I've also had many many operations in other parts of my body with residual pain obviously none has come close to this. Except for maybe when I broke my right wrist multiple places and had to have a plate put in. That was pretty ouchie! This past weekend when I was 3 or 4 days out from the surgery and was having all that horrible leg and knee pain and burning couldn't stand up I cried out to God for answers for that as well as some support not to feel so alone. Then the idea came to me to search for support groups - I know that came from God. And since Monday I can't tell you how much this is already meant to me and how much it's already encouraged and helped me! As I said before all this is new to me and just like everything we go through in life someone's already been there. I pray that God will use me sometime down the road to help someone else as You all are helping me! Thank you and keep talkin to me!

Hi there. Gosh this must be scary for you. I’ve had a total hip replacement 1 yr ago and still get a strange feeling if I rest my arm or for examples book on my hip. What the surgeons don’t tell you is there is s lot of mental issues with this operation as well as physical issues. Some people say “ oh I was almost running after 6 weeks”! Once I listened to my own body and not stories from some people I relaxed more into the recovery. About week 12 I hit a wall and had excrutiating pain right under my butt cheek, but it settled after I stopped panicking.
Thank goodness nothing is broken for you, and hope the medication helps you.
Just go slowly at your own pace, you know your body.
Wishing you well and all the best for your recovery. ❤️