Bilateral TKR 1 year check-in

[amab]

Icing is critical! How about considering using a heating pad on your back or chest while you ice; perhaps that'd help with the chills due to the icing. Perhaps you've tried this already.

Bilateral TKR is a challenge; hang in there it will get better......

Best to you

 

[jul]

@Shmi47 Hi thought I would say hi. Wow you are so young and brave to have had both done together. I wish I could have had at least one done at that age but here in Aussie it's normally a big no no they won't touch you until your about 60 or so.

One day I walked into the docs and said I can't take this anymore I cannot walk long or far and they are killing me and that was it he said which one you want done first I nearly fell of the table finally someone was going to do it.

I have had a lot of what you have had the cold I don't like it either but I also have hot flushes all the time and when it's hot here I don't like it much I can't sleep real good at night my knees ache or hurt when I lay in one spot to long I was also comparing myself with everyone else and the nurse told me to stop beetling myself up I am me and not them and we all heel differently.

I haven't been very fit for a long time due to the arthritis and am finding it hard to be now but just keep hoping it will come just as it went while having bad knees. A lot of those people who do make a quick recovery in the first few weeks seem to hit a bit of a wall also so I think this is why we need to listen to what we are told on here by the experts.

I could never get the meds thing right I still don't really I take panadine which is panadole and codine I still have some endone but trying to get more is to hard. I have oxy 5ml slow release but forget to take it at night until I wake up in a little pain.

I still get swollen if I've done to much like walked up and down about 40 steps last weeks by Friday I was so tired and swollen then hubby wanted to go to the races as it's our racing season. I just did not feel like it as there was lots of walking.

I still get stiff and sore at night. But try to find ways to deal with it as my right knee keeps letting me no what it was like before.

Just remember you have gone through a very Hugh op not only one but both and it doesn't matter how you are with pain tolerance and don't feel guilty about that just make sure that is all under control as the experts have said. We all deal with pain differently just like people who could never do 2 knees at one like me I don't think I could.

I hope you keep feeling better and remember 2 steps forward one step back.

Julie

 

[Shmi47]

@Josephine, @ahab and Julie. Thank you so much for the responses. I am taking all of your advice. It is true I am in pain and thought I wasn't. I keep thinking this should be better my knees look better and the. I see la the lumpy swelling around them. I spent today taking my meds, icing and elevating. No house work and even had someone come over and give me Reiki which was so relaxing. I will do anything to help my body heal. Now if only I could snap my fingers and have a jacuzzi appear. .

I am thankful for this site. I don't know who I would talk to about this stuff. Thanks again. Hoping for a better day tomorrow.




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[TerryB1956]

Hi. You are doing well --- best of luck! I hope my story will be helpful.

I had my left TKR on 15 September and am recovering well. Mostly a lurker here, but a big fan of Bonesmart and very grateful for the posts and support - I learn so much from others. Today, though, I feel I have something to contribute - as I inadvertently went through opiate withdrawal this weekend (miserable!). Early on I had read all the info about tapering and it just went out the window. Big mistake for me.

I had heck of a bout, and t scared me. Nut once I figured out that my cavalier cessation/transition to Tylenol had backfired, I went back to 5/325 Norco every six hours. I'm okay again and very grateful to be past that.

As I understand it now, even three weeks on these very helpful pain meds will become dependence, requiring a tapered exit strategy. Dependent is NOT addicted, just something to be aware of.

On the boards (perhaps someone can share a link) is a tapering schedule. I've adopted it, and know that within a few weeks I will be safely tapered. Thank you, Bonesmart.

My symptoms included flu like achey all over feeling, a jump-out-of-my skin desire to keep moving, stomach pain, nausea which eventually resulted in violent vomiting, an overall anxiety, some interesting cravings (I wanted dark chocolate) and an overwhelming desire for a hot tub or hot bath (wasn't sure my incision was ready for the soak, so didn't give in to that one).

I felt calmer half an hour after taking a norco, and was completely past the situation by the second day.

Now, back to PT and recovery a smarter, happier gal.

Good luck. Take it slow and steady.


15 Sept 2014 LTKR

 

[Jamie]

@Shmi47 Good for you! I'm betting tomorrow will be a better day for you.

Not everyone becomes dependent on the meds, but it is a reality for some. I chose to do the cold turkey thing with my first TKR and it was everything you and Terry described. It lasted about 3 days and I was a real bear. I don't think I'd recommend it for anyone else. The tapering route is better. I tapered using Tramadol and Tylenol on my second TKR and the transition was much easier.

Here is a link to an article in the BoneSmart Library about weaning off pain medication.

 

[kneeper]

Yes, that stiff feeling is a kind of pain. I didn't really get sharp pain, but I had that stiff achy-ness. The pain meds help. I'm sorry your doc is so stingy with them. :(

 

[referee54]

I had a BTKR and was very worried about getting addicted to Oxycontin.

My OS said that, since I was taking them for a reason---the pain---that I should not worry about it.

He told me that I would know when I did not need the Oxycontin anymore---he was correct.

For some---tapering is the best way to go---I just quit.

 

[Shmi47]

1 year check in!!
I'm not sure how to change my topic line.

I am shocked when I think a year has gone by. The surgery, pain, PT, all of the people who helped me! I still get asked about my knees and I think wow- I have come a long way. Those first few days were tough, but now i can do a lot of things without the terrible pain such as walking up and down my stairs. I still have some stiffness. I notice that if I am standing for a long time I need to sit. I spend most of my days chasing my kids and I now can keep up. I would like get back to pT. I have fallen behind on my exercise and know that I should start stretching. I use a pedometer and aim for 10k steps a day.
I am so thankful and hope that those of you who are contemplating know that it is worth it. I am not sure I would ever recommended bilateral as it was really hard for me. But, I am glad it's over. Good luck and keep up with PT.

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[Pumpkin]

Shmi47,
Thanks for a great report, wonderful to hear how well you are doing.
Just post what new thread title you would like and one of the moderators will change it for you.