TKR Claudia's Recovery

[kneeper]

While I was on the narcotics I lost my appetite (very unusual for me) too. Just try to eat a bit at time and try for healthy stuff as much as you can.

 

[GrandyGirl]

Hi Claudia,

Sounds like you're doing just fine. I hope your appetite is settling in. I wouldnt worry about it too much. Until you feel like eating again, remember the liquid nutrition supplements like Boost and Ensure. They have about 250 calories a serving and lots of vitamins, etc. It might make you feel better knowing that your body is getting what it needs.

Dori

 

[Jazyb]

Hi Claudia

That tight band feeling across the knee is still with me but at different times of the day it will ease and then come back - very annoying!! My appetite is not back to normal and I don't have the interest in food at present - it has meant that I have lost weight, so not all bad Keep up the good work.

 

[CLaudia]

Some progress to report: last night I managed to get on my right side in bed with the left leg thrown over and resting on a pillow. It was actually comfortable for the first time. I fell soundly asleep and woke at my usual 3:00am on my back. I turned over in my sleep without waking up. To me that was unbelievable!!

This morning I almost got the pedal all the way around on the bike. I was right at the top but scared to give it that extra little push. Shouldn't be long now!

 

[Jazyb]

That's great news on both counts Claudia, it's so good to see progress - well done!

 

[kneeper]

Some progress to report: last night I managed to get on my right side in bed with the left leg thrown over and resting on a pillow. It was actually comfortable for the first time. I fell soundly asleep and woke at my usual 3:00am on my back. I turned over in my sleep without waking up. To me that was unbelievable!!

I hear ya, sister! I remember how wonderful that was.

This morning I almost got the pedal all the way around on the bike. I was right at the top but scared to give it that extra little push. Shouldn't be long now!

exactly so. You're almost there.

 

[Jamie]

Claudia.....you are doing really well. Keep watching your activity level and pay attention to your body. Those naps are so good for you!!! You're going to get there. But do remember that you're still very early in your recovery, so temper your urges to get out there and be "normal."

 

[CLaudia]

Need some medication advice. I have stopped the hydrocodone medication due to the side affects. I'm taking Alleve, 2 every 12 hours. Pain is not bad, 3 at the worst, the incision is more painful. Is there anything I can take along with the Alleve?

 

[referee54]

Here is what Josephine suggests:

Tylenol/ibuprofen cocktail

Take a look at the link---see what Josephine has to say about this.

 

[CLaudia]

Thank you Tim, I have seen Josephine's cocktail recipe!! Do you think Tylenol is better? I can certainly go buy some but I do have a huge bottle of Alleve at home. Whatever you think best, I will definitely take your advice!

 

[referee54]

I do not know if you should mix Alleve with Tylenol. I will tag this for Josephine and let her know---she can get you headed into the right direction.

 

[darlpf]

As for the appetite ...I think many of us go through this . But, sadly (at least for those many of us struggling to lose weight) it definitely comes back -or at least it has for me...suddenly I'm ravenous:biggrin: . Probably has lots to do with being able to exercise and walk after such a long time -so I'm not complaining. You're doing fine. Just keep it up !

I went through the loss of appetite, to date I've lost 32 pounds. I do believe there was a whole lot of swelling before the surgery which would account for some of it.
I have regained my appetite about a week ago, along with an incredible craving for Milky Ways - but I'm taking it slowly. Seems my stomach is still mad at me from all the meds. Anything heavy doesn't agree with me at all, but small healthy things does the trick.

I also saw the post about you riding the bike. When I first started trying, I couldn't get to the top so my PT suggested a recumbent bike for me. At the time though, I only had the regular cycle so she had me put a chair behind the bike, (like a kitchen chair) and ride it that way. After that, no problem at all - got all the way around and made great progress. Still don't like using the regular seat, much more comfortable with the recumbent (or chair in back). I would also suggest watching the tension, too much is very bad. Go easy, you'll get there!

 

[CLaudia]

Hi Darl, anyone who had BTKR has my utmost respect. I simply can't imagine it. I am SO close to getting around on the bike, but my non-mechanical husband can't get the seat raised so it's in the same position as pre-surgery.

Tim, I wouldn't mix Tylenol and Alleve, just looking for a little extra something to go with the alleve. Thanks everyone!!

 

[Jamie]

Claudia....it is perfectly okay to take Tylenol Extra Strength along with your Aleve. The Aleve is an NSAID; Tylenol is not. Just be sure that you take a full dose of the Extra Strength Tylenol (1000mg) when you do take it (less doesn't really do the job on pain). Don't take doses more frequently than every 4 hours and take no more than 4000mg in a 24 hour period. You should be fine if you follow this instruction. As a reminder, you should not take more than 2 Aleve in 24 hours....1 pill every 12 hours. If you can get by with one pill, that's even better. The Aleve is more of an anti-inflammant than pain relief.

 

[Jamie]

Claudia, I just noticed you indicated you are currently take TWO Aleve every 12 hours. That is not advised, according to the label. Have you received instructions to do that from your doctor?

NSAIDs can be rough on your stomach and it is not usually a good thing to exceed the recommended dose unless so advised by your doctor.

You might call your surgeon or your GP tomorrow and try a prescription for Tramadol. Even if you didn't like the Hydrocodone, there are plenty of other choices. Remember....you are just weeks out of surgery. You need more pain relief at this point than just Aleve.....maybe even more than Aleve and Tylenol. Please do not put yourself in a position where you are not properly managing your pain.

What exactly was it about the hydrocodone that was a problem for you?

 

[rntwins]

Claudia, i am not that far ahead of you from my LTKR, and my RTKR was 8 weeks before that. I too fell after the first TKR and it was the scarriest thing ever! I was actually 6 days out and going to the bathroom, using a crutch like a crazy person. I hit the bed footboard and away I went. I can still hear myself screaming, my husband rushing into the room and laying on the floor in a bed of tears and bruises. Luckly i didn't hurt the knee but I was certainly scared I had.
Now after my 2nd TKR I too am learning that I have to just say NO to some things since they are only making my recovery harder. It's hard to not think that we are superwomen and can get over this in record time. My oldest daughter, 26 years old, just told me the other day, "well I guess I thought at about 6 weeks you would be over it"! UGH ! so frustrating.
For those friends that have had TKR's and think you should be over it by now, they either aren't being honest about their recovery or they have selective memory.
TKR's are hard, slow, painful and yet a wonderful thing in the long run. We are at the mercy of our bodies to heal this trauma that has been done to us. But I still believe in the long run, we will all be happy we did it.
Keep with the site, even when I have "over done it" I get feedback that is helpful and yet supportive.
Hope this helps.
Jen

 

[kneeper]

I learned from Josephine that Tylenol is actually effective--if you take 2 extra strengths at a time. Just don't go over 4,000 mg a day. I had to go off NSAIDs due to stomach issues. Still, as Jamie says, you may wind up needing something stronger for a couple weeks more and could check with your doctor.

 

[CLaudia]

Oh Jamie, now I feel really stupid. Why did I think it was 2 Aleve every 12 hours. I've been overdosing! I cut it back to one pill but that's not enough pain relief so I need to just switch to the Tylenol and ibuprofen. My physical therapist also recommends that. The hydrocodone was causing such severe constipation and painful hemorrhoids. I couldn't stand it anymore. Nothing was helping.

Rntwins, I so sympathize with you after your daughters comment. We are dealing with enough emotions without the added burden of our families expectations. My husband has also been dropping little comments about my progress, so at PT this morning I mentioned it to my therapist. She shook her head and said "Oh no, don't pay any attention to him. You are doing well and are right where you should be at this point." So when he came to pick me up she had a little talk with him and set him straight.

PT is getting more intense (but not more painful). I walked on the treadmill for the first time, and they are adding more reps of everything else. I was tired by time I finished today. Had a little nap when I got home.

 

[Jazyb]

Don't you just love our husbands sometimes - I'm glad your therapist had a word :th_heehee: I had a similar experience with my husband recently. I have no time for people that ask when will you be back to normal or they are surprised you are not up and running at 8 weeks :DOH:

 

[referee54]

PT is getting more intense (but not more painful). I walked on the treadmill for the first time, and they are adding more reps of everything else. I was tired by time I finished today. Had a little nap when I got home.

I always liked being tired after PT--it meant, at least to me, that you accomplished something! Tired is great---but never in too much pain---no pain, more gain! Work and get tired, but do not feel that you have to endure the pain for progress!

I am glad that your PT had a talk with the folks---they do not quite understand how slowly these things can take...hang in there---you are moving forward!