auden

[auden]

This is my first attempt to post a message...I am into my 26th day from knee replacement and I am not progressing as well as I would like...Afraid of pain meds don't want to take too much...Always been over 6 hours and I try to stretch it further...My knee seems like it wants to get stuck at certain time's, I work on it till it jumps in place...I am a 80 Yr old male and have had 2 hip replacements and was successful....Going to rehab this last week....I hope I am sending this message correctly....

 

[Jamie]

Hi, Auden. You did everything correctly to start your own thread and post here on the forum! Good job!!

As for your knee, it sounds like you are undermedicating yourself. Knee replacement surgery can be VERY painful for quite some time after the actual procedure itself. Don't be afraid of the pain meds. You NEED them to be able to heal properly.

What medication are you taking? If you are having pain, you need to continue the pain medication on a set schedule. Don't take them just when you hurt because it will take you longer (and more medicine) to recover. You need to time your pain medication so that you take it about an hour before your therapy session. The medication helps with inflammation and swelling as well as the pain itself. And with knee surgery, you can have a LOT of inflammation and swelling....even if your knee doesn't look swollen. It's a tight compartment in there where you knee joint is, and a little swelling can hurt a lot.

Don't try to equate recovery from knee replacement with what you went through with your hips. It's a whole different surgery and your knee joint is much more complex. The pain and length of recovery can be quite different.

I'm not understanding exactly what you mean when you say your knee "wants to get stuck at certain times" and that you "work on it till it jumps in place." Can you please explain that in a little more detail? (What are you doing when this happens? Is there pain? What kind and where? What is it exactly that you do to make it better?)

We are glad you found the forum and look forward to supporting you in recovery.

 

[Texas]

Hi Auden welcome. I hope you get to feeling better. Do what Jamie advised and you will be ok.. Post here anytime with questions........I hope you start to feel good soon.........Kim

 

[JudyS]

Hi Auden
Welcome you found a great place. Congrats on making it through 2 hips and now a knee.
Talke those pain meds to keep you comfortable.
judy

 

[aussie]

HI Auden and welcome,

I have had both done and only a year apart so I still had very strong memories of recovery from my hip replacement. Listen to Jamie when she says not to compare hips and knee recovery, it it TOTALLY different. I needed pain medication both more of it and for a lot longer for my knee in comparison to my recovery with my hip, in fact there was no comparison. The knee was a lot more painful, took a lot more exercise to get it working, and a much slower recovery. So take what you need to take to recover successfully. Don't rush, it will all be worth it very soon!

 

[Josephine]

Why are you afraid of pain meds? and why do you think you might take too much? I'll first copy a post I just put in someone else's thread which I think would be helpful to you
__________________________________________________
If you're worried about the side effects, can I point out the standard recommendations and warnings ...

Do not use more Tylenol than is recommended. An overdose of Tylenol can cause serious harm. The maximum amount of acetaminophen for adults is 1 gram (1000 mg) per dose and 4 grams (4000 mg) per day. Taking more acetaminophen could cause damage to your liver.

So, as with any other drug, taken according to recommendations shouldn't be a worry[/quote]
_____________________________________________

I can only echo what Jamie has said, that trying to do without pain relief is extremely counterproductive in knee replacement surgery. It's ESSENTIAL to your recovery and you will get little or nowhere without it.

Let me also show you something else ..

See how you can actually end up taking more painkillers if you don't take them correctly than if you do. Please do take them properly and give yourself a break. You need to have your pain under control in order to get proper function back in your knee.

 

[Linda2]

I don't know why so many are fearful of pain medication. I can understand it if a person has been a substance abuser in the past, but for most of us they are not a problem. You will feel much better if you take them.

 

[JudyS]

I have had a kind of surgery marathon. The last time not even beginning to recover before diving in again.
Botttom line a long continuous time of taking pain meds. I am going to a pain management doc and have no worries about it all. Life is much better with less pain.
judy

 

[auden]

Thanks, Jamie for your advice...The Meds I am on is Percocet 10-325 M tab...Take half to one Tab every four hours as needed for pain..

The problem with knee Joint is that I can be sitting for a while and when I start to stand up, the Knee seems to lock up.. I flex it back and forth and the knee clicks into place and then it is okay...

 

[Josephine]

auden, don't you want to answer my question - why you're afraid of pain meds?

 

[Jamie]

Auden, I don't like to see anyone taking pain meds "as needed" at your early stage of recovery. I still don't quite understand what you are experiencing with your knee "locking up" and feel like you are having a pain-related problem with stiffness and swelling that causes pain. Why don't you try taking 1 pill every four hours for a couple of days and see if your problem is helped. That means take them through the night too at the 4-hour intervals. Look at Josephine's pain chart. Staying on a schedule helps you avoid playing catch-up with pain. It gives the anti-inflammant part of the medicine an opportunity to build up in your system and work. (The 10 in your prescription is the amount of actual pain medication and the 325 is an anti-inflammant - BOTH are important in keeping you pain free and mobile during recovery). I think by scrimping on the pain meds you are making your recovery much more difficult than it needs to be.

Are you worried about addiction to the pain meds???? If so, DON'T!!! You have pain. You need the meds. My doctors told me you do not become addicted to pain medication when it is actually used to combat real pain.

 

[auden]

I just was thinking that I would feel better with less Meds in my system !! I , see now that I was wrong...Also , was afraid of getting constipated...I want to thank everyone for helping me ...This messaging is new to me.....

 

[Jamie]

Constipation is a BIG problem when taking pain medication, Auden. Can't believe we forgot to mention that you need to be taking stool softeners. They can be purchased at any drug store in capsule form. You take a dose morning and evening until you achieve the desired result. They REALLY work!!! And they keep you from having to eat lots of prunes....not everyone loves that magic fruit.

We enjoy hearing from you, so post whenever you feel like it. You're doing just great on the forum!!

 

[auden]

Thanks, Josephine for your post's to me...I now can see where I was so wrong on my Pain Managing..I am really having a hard time with this Operation ! Stay Depressed alot but each day is better than it was !
I go to Rehab this Morning at 11:00 and then to Dr's office at 1:45 PM for my 4 th week Visit !

I am taking Stool Softener's every Morning...

Thanks to everyone for taking time to talk to this old Fellow !! haha

I'll let y'all Know how my day went, today !

 

[Jamie]

Auden....we LOVE talking to "old fellas"!!! Look forward to hearing about your day.

You know, depression can sometimes come about when you are in pain and taking a lot of pain medications. If you feel like it is a problem every day, have a chat with your primary care doctor. Some on the forum have needed anti-depressant medication temporarily while they complete recovery.

We want you to feel the best you can at all stages of recovery!!!

 

[Josephine]

At 4 weeks I was a really misery! I felt depressed, horrible and thoroughly discontent! Plus I had no appetite which made constipation and depression even worse. But look at it this way, Auden - next week it'll be week 5 and you won't have to live through week 4 again! And so on!

Bless you, you're just doing fine!

 

[Texas]

i think you are doing great as well. You say old fella I say wise man...........Take care of yourself..........Kim

 

[auden]

Hello My good Friends...Yesterday I went to Rehab and as I was there my knee kept popping and like wanting to lock up up...The Therapist got concerned and he had me go into examing room and got 2 other guys to see what the knee was doing....They faxed my Dr what they saw and I went to Dr and he had knee xrayed...Found out knee was doing good and was strong..Bending 102 Degree's But said the swelling in knee was what was causing all that ruckus !

Wants me to continue Rehab but to take it kinda easy....Today , the operation was 4 weeks ago...Pain meds are doing good...
Auden

 

[Judles]

Oh Auden! You are a real inspiration! Glad the folks over at PT are taking good care of you! Just take it EASY.....you are doing great! We LOVE seasoned gents!

 

[Texas]

Hi Auden yeah , you are doing great. Keep it up. I am glad they checked that for you....Post and let us know how you are doing anytime........Kim