6 weeks post op

[caz]

Hi I am now 6 weeks post op. I still have trouble sleeping as when I try and straighten my leg after I have been in 1 position for a while it hurts.Only on 1pain killer a day and walk evey day of the week, which is some times hard with the british weather! Have to have the other knee done this year so dont think I will get the full benefit until then, mind you will not be as frightened.

 

[referee54]

Ah, yes---the quest for sleep. I had both of mine done on November 8th, and it wasn't until this week that I am sleeping well. My sleep schedule was mess up and I took Ambien for only 10 days---but prior to that, I was up a great deal of the night and slept and napped during the day. Sleep will come, but you might wish to see your MD about sleep aids---herbal or prescribed. Everyone told me that I would have trouble sleeping, but I didn't beleive that it would be that bad---and it was. My wife still is sleeping in a diferent bed as I tend to toss and turn a little bit. Things, however, are returning to normal.

Tim C.

 

[Sue]

It helped me when I would get stiff at night to get up and work out the kinks a bit before trying to go back to sleep.

 

[lee28]

Oh yes, the good ole sleep. How I wish. I also can not get a good night sleep. It's been 6 weeks for me. I am not on any pain pills or sleeping aids, but I just find getting up and doing a short walk, maybe to the front door or to the bathroom makes all the difference. Just one night would be great, but hopefully it will come. Hang in there, we're all in this together!

 

[referee54]

Everybody told methat I would have trouble sleeping, butI didn't buyit. Boy, was I wrong. It wasn't so bad when I was home from school---I would lie down, sleep awhile, and get up for part of the night---and go back to bed dead-tired when my wife went off to work. But , when it came time for me to go back to teaching, my sleep patterns were way off. I was going to scholl with 2-3 hours sleep!

I took Ambien for ten days, and just this week---Tuesday night---I go my first good night's sleep w/o the aid of chemicals. Keep in mind that my surgery was November 8th---2 1/2 months! I do not have nearly the pain nw that I had earlier, and sleep is much, much better!

It is frustrating, but it will come.

Tim C.

 

[caz]

Hi there it is so nice to get feedback on my postimg and it has made me realise that I am not on my own out there. Family are good but dont think that they really understand problems and its so nice to talk to other people who understand.

Thanks all

 

[Josephine]

Oh we understand, all right, caz. We really do! And we're here 24/7.

 

[JuneBug88]

. Family are good but dont think that they really understand problems and its so nice to talk to other people who understand.

Thanks all

OH I understand that statement! My husband and I are partners with his brother and wife, They knew I was discharged 6 days post op from the rehab. The next day they were calling me and asking why I was not back to work. My husband tried to explain to them that was not ready yet. They replied if she is not in the hospitial or rehab anymore that I was recovered and should be back to work. Well I am 9 weeks post and I am still not back to work and I am kinda milking it because of them
Debbi

 

[Skeet]

I sleep pretty well once I get to sleep, but I'm up until 2 am most nights. Any advice on getting my sleep schedule back on track? I go back to work part time 2-19 and I'd like to be back on a better schedule by then. Since I go to bed so late, I end up sleeping in, which doesn't help any. Thoughts? Advice?

 

[Doug]

Skeet,
I'm right there with you. I go to bed at 11p, and wake up wide awake at 2-3am.
I watch tv until 5-5:30 and fall back to sleep.
My Dr. told me to make the best of the sleep problems until the need for the pain meds subsides a little. We can't mix pain meds with sleep meds which makes good sense. I'm 18 days post tkr.
Then we will go for the ambien. I've used it before and it is good for getting through tough times.
Good luck with it.

 

[Skeet]

Thanks, Doug. I will keep the Ambien thought in mind. Right now I'm sleeping well, just the wrong hours. I get tired at 2 and want to sleep until like 10 or 11 am. I nap during the day sometimes. I just don't know how to back up the sleeping so I can get up earlier. Maybe I just need to start getting up earlier and suffer through the morning. But, since I'm home alone during the day, it is hard to stay awake even if I get up!

I'm sure this too shall pass!!

 

[caz]

Hi folks its Caz again. Went for 6week check amd DR was pleased and does not want to see me for a year!!!! Still not back at work and still not sleeping but getting on with it. All these replies are just FANTASTIC and is helping me understand things better.

THANKS again folks

 

[JuneBug88]

Hi folks its Caz again. Went for 6week check amd DR was pleased and does not want to see me for a year!!!! Still not back at work and still not sleeping but getting on with it. All these replies are just FANTASTIC and is helping me understand things better.

THANKS again folks

WOW Caz discharged already! My Dr. sees you 1 month post, 2 months post, 3 months post, 6 months post then 1 year. You must be doing well! I am 10 weeks post and just starting to sleep, hang in there sleep will get back to normal.

Debbi

 

[kath]

I too am up most of the night, but I have found that it is getting better. Last night I slept in my bed with my husband until around so around midnight until 3, wow 3 whole hours, then I moved to the sofa. I find that laying my leg against the back of the sofa supports it and keeps me from turning around too much I guess, I actually slept until 7am so that was the best since I got home. I am 4.5 weeks after surgery.
I feel better since I have found this forum because I am no longer worried about the sleep, I just sleep when I can and am dealing with it much better than when I was concerned with it. Today I worked in my office for 12 hours at work, not at home. Great accomplishment for me, let's see how I feel when I get out of here. I did get up and walk around alot, and my leg is really stiff as well, but not near as painful as it was.
Kath