Welcome to the forum, newfiemama! We are certainly glad that you found us.
I took the liberty of moving your post to a thread of its own, so you could get the individual attention that you---and your knees---deserve! I am also an alumni of the BTKR Club, so I know what you are going through.
I spent 8 days in the hospital some partly due to the pain medication side effects namely sever constipation.
Yes---that is quite common! Many of us had some type of "stoppage" after our surgeries, as well.
I also had one good knee and one bad knee---my left knee was an angel for most of the time,while my right knee was the "problem child."
I am sorry to read of your issues with the chills and the sweats. Have you put in a call to your OS or your GP? I will tag
@Josephine and
@Jamie, who can also advise you about this, too.
Have you had a chance to take a look at our forum library? It is full of rather short, but very informative articles about all of the aspects of a TKR or a BTKR recovery. Here they are for you:
First are the BoneSmart mantras ....
-
rest,
elevate,
ice and
take your pain meds by the clock
- if it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physiotherapist - to do it to you
- if your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again
- if you won't die if it's not done, don't do it
- never stand when you can sit, never sit when you can lie down, never stay awake when you can go to sleep!
- be active as much as you need to be but not more than is necessary, meaning so much that you end up being in pain, exhausted or desperate to sit down or lay down!
Next is a
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) thread.
And here are some very crucial articles
The importance of managing pain after a TKR and the pain chart
Myth busting: no pain, no gain
Swollen and stiff knee: what causes it?
Activity progression for TKRs
Healing: how long does it take?
Chart representation of TKR recovery
Energy drain for TKRs
Elevation is the key
Ice to control pain and swelling
Home physio (PT) and activity progress: suggestions
Myth busting: the "window of opportunity" in TKR
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds
Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?
And then some wise words from members who have shared their experiences ...
Where are you in recovery?? (TKR)
Five “P’s” of knee recovery
TKR: work “smarter” and not “harder”
Recovering a knee - from one who knows!
It's never too late to get more ROM!
It's worth the wait for ROM
Please come back and tell us more about yourself---we will be here for you to help you throughout all of the aspects and issues of recovery. Ask any question or pose any concern---we will be here for you!