newbie

hi I am waiting for a hip replacement op in the next 2/3 months. I am limping around, using a stick and still able to drive. I take cocodamol 8 mg x 2 usually 6 to 8 a day. any suggestions for managing the pain.

[PMRPete]

I know just how you feel! When I was in that situation I tried everything available, some like TEN's worked for a short while. BUT it makes the operation all that more worth while when you suddenly realise after; that all that old pain has gone.

Look forward to the operation and prepare yourself for it by doing ALL the exercises required.

Best wishes for the op.

[Hidden in reply to PMRPete]

Thanks so much for the positive reply. At the moment I feel that all I think about is when I can take some more pain relief and how far I can walk. I'm trying to focus on the positives but it's tricky sometimes!!!!

[JoPilates17 in reply to PMRPete]

Hi, I was interested in your comment about TENS, as I have osteoarthritis of the spine, and my physio suggested I tried TENS. I have read online that you can borrow TENS from your GP before buying, as it doesn't work for everyone. Were you able to do this, and if so, did you go on to buy it? Would you advise the best one to buy, as I have read that a really expensive one is not necessarily any better than a cheaper one? Thanks, and wishing you good health 😊

[PMRPete in reply to JoPilates17]

I was not able to borrow one so I started with a very basic one and later realised that I needed a dual channel one. You can buy a simple dual channel one (TPN 200 Plus) for about £15 here:-

pattersonmedical.co.uk/Supp...

You will find placing the electrodes on your back quite a task but I am sure you will manage getting the right position.

Here is some useful info.

How a TENS Unit can help with Arthritis Pain:-

omronhealthcare.com/2014/03...

Best wishes, Pete

[JoPilates17 in reply to PMRPete]

Thanks for your helpful reply 😊

[kanowidow]

Yes the pain is awful. I take combination of tramadol and zapain. Also its best not to over do things. My repacement letter came yesterday its for 20 the Oct. Been waiting 2yrs. Still I am petrified and hope after all this the pain goes.

[Hidden in reply to kanowidow]

Hi not long to go until your op and then the start of a new you !!!! Good luck hope it goes well.

[Judipat]

Hi

I've just come out of hospital today having had a left THR 4 days ago. I honestly can't remember much about the first two days, I must have been heavily sedated. I do remember they got me out of bed with a frame and walked me to the bathroom. Then on the third day I saw the physios who gave me crutches and showed me how to use them properly, then, this morning saw physios again and did stairs up and down. They said ready for home so equipment was ordered and delivered by 11.00 and I was discharged at 3.00.

Pairwise..... I'm not going to lie, it is pretty painful, but when you think what they have done, it's no wonder really is It? However, if you ask for pain relief, there is no need to suffer too much. You can have liquid morphine every two hours alongside your normal meds.

I wish you all the best

Judi

[Judipat]

Sorry, re the above, just put it down to post operative doolallyness!!!

Prior to my surgery, I was on max dose of gabapentin, 30/500 paracetamol and codeine and 6 months ago I started on butrans patches...... I got up to 15mcg, I think you can go up to 25.

[Hidden]

Hi Katy67,

I had a partial knee replacement in Nov 2015 and the pain was a bit OTT ! BUT, it was worth it because the pain I had prior to surgery just about had me crippled and I was walking in 30 minutes distances I can now do in 10 minutes. However, prior to surgery I managed without a stick and was still able to drive.

I pretty much agree with PMRPete, TENS worked for a while but in the end I had prescription strength Co-Codomol 30/500, also known as Zapain. I have a heart arrythmia so this is the only pain relief I can take because I am on warfarin. It did the job pretty well, both before and after surgery - BUT - it is pretty powerful stuff.

When I was in hospital they gave me liquid morphine and Tramadol - neither of which for me were any good at pain control.

John

[victoriablue]

All the best for your op unlike you I had no problems before the op as I had a accident combination of the way it happened and bad luck fractured my hip. Hopspital for 14 days of this is any help to you never took pain killers when I came home. Hope it all goes well feel for you good luck. 😀

[Hidden]

Glad to hear your op went well. Thanks for kind wishes .

[Ratty55]

Hi had a bad hip for about 10 years now getting replaced through BUPA this month as couldn't get done any other way take tramadol at night pain wakes me up a lot at night miss going for long walks with the dog sit mostly on floor to relieve pain as sitting on a chair makes it worse