United States
I'm so glad you have an understanding doctor. Unfortunately, most OSs lack the bedside manor!
TKR Cece’s new knee
- Thread starter Cecelia
- Start date
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Cecelia
junior member
First night sleeping in three weeks! Realized even one Percoset per night was giving me drug induced itching and feeling crazy. Last night there was a new plan. Tylenol 650 every four hours, ice, Claritin to combat itchiness, and cannabis lotion. Amazing. I know this is an odd plan but nothing else has worked. Between forced eating and some sleep the dark, scary thoughts have disappeared. I am so grateful.
Who cares what the combo sounds like as long as it's not harmful and it works for you!
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Cecelia
junior member
Thank you.
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Cecelia
junior member
Now 25 days out from TKA. I went to PT today. It’s been a week. Even though pneumonia is still acting up, each day I managed two PT sessions. The Therapist said I was now 10/90. Backward progress. I wanted to just cry. Fortunately after telling him I had quit all hardcore pain meds he was reassuring and said this happens a lot as you are now uncomfortable with more pain during exercises. The quad muscle is slowly coming back with time. The new plan is to take Tylenol an hour before going to PT and use cannabis cream to warm up, on the back of the knee, upper and lower leg.
I am so confused. Living in the USA PT is used early and hard. The UK and BoneSmart have a more relaxed attitude. Don’t know what to do. The pneumonia has thrown a big unknown in recovery.
The good part is I can walk a bit more and feel like doing it. The shortness of breath is gone. I am feeling better with more food, more sleep, and with less meds. Still weak as a kitten but I am learning patience from this site.
Walking is the best exercise you can do for a new knee, and that's what you're doing! Keep it up and give up on the PT and you'll do much better!
I just had a p.t. session too, Cecelia. I was definitely pushed. Range of motion is good but it was observed that I need to work on my strength in my hips. Not exactly what I wanted to hear...I left rather weepy. I had my left hip replaced 14 mo. ago, menisectomy in my left knee 6 mo. ago and then the TKR in that same knee 16 days ago. I just want to be steady and not push. We will get there, its part of the rollercoaster ride. I can't imagine having pneumonia on top of this, you are doing GREAT! Take it easy this weekend!
There is no need to push in PT, and doing so can set you back. I had PT sessions that took 2 and/or 3 days to recover from. Literally. 
That is counterproductive.
Anybody just weeks out of surgery does not need to strengthen anything this early. Your body will strengthen naturally as you heal. You are not weak/lazy, you have been surgically wounded and you need to rest, NOT push.
Some of these therapists are young whippersnsppers with a lot of book knowledge and little common sense.
That is counterproductive.
Anybody just weeks out of surgery does not need to strengthen anything this early. Your body will strengthen naturally as you heal. You are not weak/lazy, you have been surgically wounded and you need to rest, NOT push.
Some of these therapists are young whippersnsppers with a lot of book knowledge and little common sense.
P. S. And if you hadn’t had a knee replacement and just had pneumonia, the doctors would probably tell you to rest. 
Ok, I’m taking a deep breath and getting down off my soap box.
Ok, I’m taking a deep breath and getting down off my soap box.
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Cecelia
junior member
Thank you so much.
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Cecelia
junior member
Four weeks out today. I am feeling so much better. It seems like a miracle. A week ago we were in the doctor’s office with me complaining of pain, weight loss, shortness of breath, and feeling hopeless. A week later with food, sleep, and antibiotics for pneumonia I am on the mend. PT went well. The knee swelling is down and the mild exercises and stretches were easier. My mental health has improved too. My PA delivered a prescription for Tramadol. After taking one half a tab I slept for an hour and awakened with no pain for the first time in a month. Hopefully this will not have any side effects like the heavy narcotics. It would be amazing to be relatively pain free.
Thanks for everyone’s advice and encouragement.
Thanks for everyone’s advice and encouragement.
What an uplifting and wonderful post! One week has made a huge difference for you. I'm so glad you're feeling so much better!
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Cecelia
junior member
Day 30 post op. Gave Tramadol a try. Unfortunately that night all the narcotic twitching and jerky and wired feeling returned. My husband called our Primary who said some people can not tolerate opioids in any form no matter how small. This far out I can handle the discomfort with ice and Tylenol. What is concerning is the second knee. Is it possible to do the recovery with Tylenol and grit? Has anyone heard of any new pain control coming down the pike?
Hood1980
senior
@Cecelia I too can not tolerate opioids and have been relying on ibuprofen. My OS says I can take up to 800 mg four times a day. 600 mg/3 times a day seems to be working for me and sometimes I take 2 Tylenol during the night to get me through, because I make sure to take my Ibuprofen with food that includes protein. Hope this helps you. It is mistakable when you can not control the pain. I also use all natural pure essential oils to help with pain and mood.
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SusieShoes
Former BoneSmart staff member
Can people get by on Tylenol and grit? Yes, if they have to. I mean, our ancestors got through quite a lot without modern pain-killers, granted they had their own herbal medicines, some of which were opioids, but... yes, humans can tolerate pain if they must. But you shouldn't have to if you can find a way to have LESS pain. Less pain is better for healing. Pain is terribly stressful, after all, so not good for much of anything other than to let you know something's wrong, and you know that already. 
Have a talk with your doctor and/or anesthetist about nerve blocks. Some members have talked about those and they sound promising for someone like yourself. I don't know much about these, so will tag @Josephine for you. As our nurse director, she knows what's current in orthopedic pain control.
Have a talk with your doctor and/or anesthetist about nerve blocks. Some members have talked about those and they sound promising for someone like yourself. I don't know much about these, so will tag @Josephine for you. As our nurse director, she knows what's current in orthopedic pain control.
SuperSnapper
post-grad
Yes , you can ! I ditched Tramadol at day 17 as I have kidney disease and worried about the meds. So I took Paracetamol(Tylenol) only after that. Ice was my best friend and helped such a lot and I never did any exercise that hurt me either.
I’m glad to hear you are feeling better. Pneumonia is horrible and so weakening . You’ve been unlucky but I hope the worst is over now.
I’m glad to hear you are feeling better. Pneumonia is horrible and so weakening . You’ve been unlucky but I hope the worst is over now.
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Cecelia
junior member
Thank you for your advice. I wish I could take NSAIDs. Unfortunately I have a clotting disorder and take blood thinners for life. With those you cannot take NSAIDs. In a few weeks there is an appointment with the surgeon, maybe he will have a suggestion.
Cece...I don't do well with meds either. hydrocodone is OK and I am tapering that..only take 2.5 mgs because I wake up in pain..hope to be off soon Tramadol was awful for me. I do put up with pain, when it gets more intense I take 600 mgs Ibuprofen and 1000 mgs of Tylenol together! its very effective for me. I do have to make sure its done with a meal though. you could give that a try.
