TKR Clara welcomes her new knee!!!

[dianehelen]

@uva55 you are doing so great. I'd like to know where I can buy a big old bottle of "positive attitude" that's been a big stumbling block for me.

As for pain meds, ya hydrocodone does little for me for real pain, while oxycodone does the trick. I know I'll get flack about my next statement, but I stockpile the oxy whenever I can, so if I need it, and instead of making it an issue with a reluctant dr, I just use what I need. When my husband was discharged the other day, one if the rx was for 30 5/325 oxy.s , he said he didnt need it, I said good, fill it any way, so we did ;-) , again not suggesting anyone do this, but this is what works for me. I've never abused pain med, and don't have an addictive personality , but when I have pain, I know what works for me.

Have a less pain day

 

[uva55]

@dianehelen my pain management doctor for my back prescribes Oxy for me, and I only take as needed and sometimes it is only once or twice a week, I also feel that if your system gets used to a drug then it's not as effective and I don't want to have to take anything stronger. In the long run any drug that is taken for long periods of time can have serious side effects, I don't need that either.

 

[dianehelen]

Yes very true. That's why, what helps me most, my 800mg ibu + 100mg tramadol, I try to only take on my swim days when I need it most. Oh, btw I did get the Tylenol Arthritis, and eh, it's ok, but even with the tramadol added, it's about 70% Of the effectiveness of the ibu + tramodol. But it's a good alternate, like I use the tylenol pm as an alternate to the advil pm. It's such a fun matrix of drugs ha!

 

[Josephine]

Provided that has been 4-5 hours since the last dose of whatever, you can then take either.

Playing 'catch-up' with pain is no joke and at 2½ weeks, you are still in the middle of the 'angry tissue' stage and need to be very diligent with taking your meds. Read this again Pain management: importance of managing pain after a TKR and the pain chart

I only take as needed and sometimes it is only once or twice a week, I also feel that if your system gets used to a drug then it's not as effective

A very common fallacy. There is no evidence for this except when 'long term' is a matter of years.

 

[TML]

Clara, I finally have some energy and found your thread. Maybe 'cause I slept last night after my benedryl! Haha. Anyway, it looks like you're only one week ahead of me. You sound like you're doing well, really well.

 

[uva55]

@TML I'm doing pretty good but I must have been delusional, I never thought this surgery would carry such a punch, I had a total hysterectomy in 2000 and I had pain and energy drain, but wow nothing like this. Oh well, still a small price to pay for a pain free life

Tomorrow we're are going out to breakfast, I'm looking forward to getting out of my dungeon for a little while

 

[sistersinhim]

Enjoy your breakfast out tomorrow. It's wonderful to get out of the house after all this time!

 

[newlybionic]

Have fun!

 

[uva55]

I took 2 benadryls last and slept a little better.

Hubby took me to breakfast, I didn't eat much but it was so nice to get dressed, when I opened my makeup case it said "hi there, where have you been all this time?" LOL, it felt great to get out of the house.

Have a great Sunday everyone

 

[Floridagal]

Yes, just getting dress and putting on make-up can lift your spirits. It's wonderful to eat breakfast out. That is one of my favorite things. Enjoy your day.

 

[Suz]

Glad you're day got off to a wonderful start Clara!

 

[sistersinhim]

I had to sit down to put on my makeup this morning, but it felt so good to do it! And boy did I need it after a month of just my old, ugly face! It's amazing how just a little paint can make us feel so much better.

 

[dianehelen]

Hey Clara, @uva55 here is a lil poop fairy of your very own! Hope she does well for you

 

[uva55]

@dianehelen thank you, now I don't feel left out. I won't keep you posted, TMI

 

[dianehelen]

just fyi, someone here mentioned coconut water with pineapple, and it really works well.

 

[uva55]

In spite the lack of sleep last night, only 3 hours, I had a pretty good day, went grocery shopping with hubby, rode the electric cart at Publix, then visited a friend for a few minutes, came home, elevated and iced and so far so good, my knee doesn't feel any worse than usual. At night it always feels tired and achy. I didn't even take a nap today.

I hope I can get some rest tonight, starting out patient PT tomorrow morning :rolleyes:

Good night everyone

 

[dianehelen]

Wow! impressive and not even three weeks out. Fantastic.

Good luck with PT. Remember who is the boss, YOU!

 

[Celle]

I'm glad you enjoyed your outing, @uva55
Beware of overdoing things, though. Once in a while is OK, but you should still be spending most of your time resting, icing and elevating.

 

[sistersinhim]

It sounds like you had an almost normal day. Isn't that fun and uplifting! Looking back on that first week, I didn't think I'd ever be close to having a normal day. Now, it's in sight!

How are you today? How did you sleep last night?

 

[uva55]

@sistersinhim I only slept 5 hours, I wasn't feeling bad, just couldn't sleep. It does feel great to be able to do normal things, I iced and elevated yesterday so my knee behaved

Today I went to PT, I am familiar with her from when I had PT for my back, she was great, not pushy, didn't touch my knee at all, showed me how to massage my scar and other excercises I can do at home on the days I don't have PT.

I measured 95 flex and +4 extension. I'm tired but not in pain