Post hip replacement problems

I’m two weeks out of hip replacement and I’m walking with and without my walker. I’m only on strong Tylenol. I can get in out of my bed and car with some pain, but it’s doable. The only problem I’m having is insomnia which I’m trying to deal with. I’m 81 and I’m happy with my progress.

Pain and anxiety do go hand in hand. First thing in the morning, (now) I come down the stairs saying “ouch” “oh” “ugh” the whole way. My husband says that I am less vocal today - one month out from surgery.
I get coffee and then I go straight to this site. The pain is worse first thing in the morning because I haven’t had any pain medicine. I immediately think that I’m going to be in terrible pain all day. Then, I think I will be in terrible pain for the rest of my life. Some Jedi mind control is definitely called for here!

Good morning and welcome to Mayo Connect. I see that you have already connected with one of our most determined and encouraging members @hipgranny1956.

Most of us who come around looking for help after hip replacement are not the (to me) mythical patient described by my surgeon - one who is "back to normal" in 6 weeks. By the way, I winter in South Texas among over 100,000other seniors and retirees - I have yet to meet anyone who was at full strength & power at 6 or even 8 weeks - all of us had issues with pain, or fatigue, or like my friend Bob "not being ready to swing a golf club yet...but I can practice putting, walk and I hurt less..."

Like you I am a veteran of way too many ortho surgeries, and trying to avoid even more. So PT and daily exercise are my life now, just to keep on going.

I have a suggestion about what you describe as feeling"...consistently frightened and anxious about ever healing properly." Please take a look at this powerful little book, "The Way Out" by Allen Gordon and Alon Ziv.

I had to take myself off to a pain rehab clinic because I was truly in that place of fear, and found it made the pain ever worse. Following the model, I have worked with my doc, PT & a counselor to learn which pain is meaningful - like when my granddog strained my arm last week. And which pain is exacerbated by my brain. Then I know when to adjust my activity and when to adjust my attitude. I will never be pain-free - too many ailments and too many miles on my body. But I now know which pains mean danger, and which I can work my way through or ignore. For the first time in 20+ years, I am not suffering daily, severe neck and upper back pain - and when it comes at me, I have coping strategies.

Hang in there, with your background and determination, you can get your life back!
Sue

I hope you get this "book review" because I;m not sure I'm operating this site correctly...The Way Out. I'm only on page 70, but here's what Ive gotten. The author begins by describing his revelations and data about our pain fear cycles and how it functions. Briefly pain sets off an interaction between different receptors in the brain. those in chronic pain or fearful experiences cause this construct to remain in place rather than return to a healthy construct. prolonged pain causes a multitude of fears, i.e. will I ever heal or return to normailty, isolating so that you don;t have to tirelessly explain your obviously symptoms, having to give up social activities..to me fear of never being the person I was has been overwhelming. However, this is a self help book, and the author is so enthusiast about his discoveries that you rolle youe eyea feeling that there is no other way.

HANG IN THERE. Eventually there are ifs and in that case so that you begin to realize that he does recognize the realty of true physical pain.

This is a short story about me. I was living in Worcester Mass and the home of what was then called the Stress Reduction Clinic. It is now called the Center for Mindfulness. I had insomnia and occasional panic attacks. My doc at Umass Med referred me there for a 2 week program where you get to meet all sorts of people and the practice of movement..

Jon Kabat Zin had developed the program, and it grew. He's an exceptional person and so kind. Naturally I became blase about my schedule. Years later throughout my back surgeries, I pulled out the tapes. I woke in he morning, listened and practiced my tapes, took a salt water bath, worked out and was ready to start my teaching Pilates. btw, a surgeon had fused an area not accepted by today's standards. It caused a collapse of my entire lumbar spine. Not looking for sympathy. but trying to explain how much this helped.

The author has just started teaching a simple technique. He talks about Jon Kabat Zin andhis influence on pain. It all started to sound familiar. I was thrilled,

this program has extended throught the states and Europe, etc, You can all find a place near you. It's only 2 weeks and affordable..insurance might cover it. After you can access these sessions on utube, I wouldsuggest taking the course as you have support and direction.

So there;s the good news. I found something that does work (still don't toss away your p.t. etc, but add mindfulness to your cocktail)

So everyone, there's your update. Be patient as you start but know that this program is available to everyone.

I'll be checking in as my reading progresses.

Jon has gone on. but the program has expanded

Thanks Ruby, I just recently recommended this book in another discussion on Connect.
I just finished my 3rd read of the book, and working with mindfulness and pain management for 3 years now, I am beginning to appreciate the journey.
My counselor has been encouraging me to journal my experience to refer back to when I inevitably hit the rough patches.
My breakthrough has been to realize that my energy, both physical and emotional, are finite, and I need to use them judiciously.

It's an important thing to remember when trying to recover from joint replacement or any other surgery. Impossible to keep all the other "balls in the air" and rehab. Things will need to slide, or help must be recruited.
Sue