depression after knee replacement

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justjuls

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Hello,

It's me Juls that worries about everything :) I just have a question. The last few days, I have been very down, crying a lot and I just feel kind of out of control. I think it is because, I am so used to doing what I want when I want and without even thinking, jumping up and running out to the car to run the kids here or there. But since my surgery on 08/28 I just can't do all that. I had manipulation last week and things are coming a long very well. I just can't get past the emotional standpoint of "what if" it doesn't get better, "what if" I walk with a cane forever. Is it just me, is it because I am only 39 or is this normal for someone who was so active and all of a sudden that has come to a standstill since the surgery?

I know I need to contact my family phsyician and maybe she can help medically with the emotional bouts and the constant crying, but I need to know if I am just a freak or did anyone else go through this similiar situation?

Thanks,

Juls
 
I would contact your physician for both a consult to a counselor and possibly from there an appropriate med if deemed necessary. I believe that you hit the nail on the head with your guess as to why you are depressed.

At 39 you should be fairly strong and in good health. How long have you been on a cane? Aug 28th is not that long ago in the scheme of things.

Not everyone heals at the same rate, but youth and activity prior to surgery can make a difference.

I think that getting something out of the dark and into the light does wonders for internal angst. Feel free to use the forum, we want to know how you are doing and to support you. But go to your physician.

Jessie
 
NO you are not a freak.... My wife has suffered depression for over ten years and has been all the way to suicide attempts and hospitalized several times. Depression is not to be taken lightly and you should contact your doctor as soon as possible. Do it for yourself and all your loved ones believe me I have seen it thru the hubby's eyes and I still see it from time to time. Get help and do not feel bad at all about it.
PS do not pay attention to anything TOM CRUISE SAYS!!!!!
You can PM me if you feel like it also..
Good Luck & Take Care of you first!!
Gloucesterman
 
I think I'd be more surprised if people DIDN'T suffer from depression after and op like that. Just think of all you've been coping with

months of pain pre-op
highs and lows of expectations
pre-op anxiety
several hours of surgery and anaesthetic
weeks of pain
weeks of painful PT
high pre-op expectations apparently not being realised
being deprived of your independence
being deprived of your normal social interactions
being deprived of your normal daily activities
sleepless deprivation
loss of appetite

Need any more?


See your GP, get a short course of antidepressants then come home and chill out. You're not even 6 weeks out yet. You're bound to get the 'post-op blues' - everybody does. Things will pick up and each little triumph will help to dispel this feeling of hopelessness you have at the present. And we'll be delighted to be able to cheer along with you as you achieve them!


 
Juls,

I haven't seen Skeet on-line for a day or so--- but I remember her having the same problem with her TKR last December. She ended up talking to her primary care physician and went on a course of antidepressants and was helped a lot! Anyway that is how I remember it.

I recently started taking Cymbalta, an anti-depressent and anti-anxiety medication that is also approved for fibromyalgia and neuropathic pain. It has helped me a LOT. It seems to help with the pain, but I know it is also helping with the depression that comes from chronic pain. I have a lot of other chronic arthritis issues in addition to my almost year-old knee replacement, but my spirits are better than they have been for the past several years. I feel like myself again, just with some pain issues that are easier to deal with now.

In your case, I just know you are going to recover well from your TKR and in a few weeks or months will be back at full steam in your life. It's okay to need some help. Take care of yourself!

Beach
 
Juls -

you are so not a freak! I think you are more like many of us than you realize. I actually did things a little backward. I had a great year last year till I wiped out 2 in the winter up here. I got to a point where everything hurt and I was constantly falling to pieces over the littlest thing. I had planned to see my OS about the pain that wouldn't quit in April, but my daughter broker her arm so she took precedent. After 8 weeks of taking her back and forth to the OS (same office, different doc), on her last visit I made my self an appointment. Prior to that I saw a gp and realized I have a bit of anxiety issue right now. I started on Lexapro - small dosage - and that really helped - I think it has made a big difference in how I am dealing with all the knee. hip and back issues I seem to now have. I had my RTKR on 7/14 and have been battling rom issues. Heading in for a MUA Monday am. If you have read my other posts we have now found out that I have some sort of genetic hip thing and arthritis in my lower back - yippeee - I have to admit - I have had a few moments of tears this week - trying to process all this - but - I have found getting on this forum really helps. I love all the sweet and silly things we all talk about. They brighten my day - and it really helps to know that we are not alone in this battle we are part of. Nobody at work or in my family has had to deal with this stuff. My family expects me to be 100% NOW. At work people have either written me off or have done the opposite - like my family and just figure - well - she must be fine if she is here full time. I just smile and do my thing the best I can. If you eve need someone to talk to feel free to send a message. Sounds like you and I are similar in many ways. I am 42 and facing a winter without skiing - I know it sounds selfish - but that is really what keeps me going up here in the snow with my family back east! Oh- well - I guess I will just have to face reality - and sit at the lodge and enjoy a glass of wine or 2 while my kid does all the skiing!

Anyway -

Hang in there- And if you get blue send a shout out to Doug (Yes Doug - I am volunteering you!!) He can always make me smile if I can find one of his posts!!!

Marianne
 
I recently started taking Cymbalta, an anti-depressent and anti-anxiety medication that is also approved for fibromyalgia and neuropathic pain. It has helped me a LOT. It seems to help with the pain, but I know it is also helping with the depression that comes from chronic pain.

You raise an interesting point here, Beach. The one thing we tend to forget is the age old axiom "everything is connected to everything else". I made this flow chart to demonstrate what I mean. Hope it helps some ...

[Bonesmart.org] depression after knee replacement


 
Hey, cool graphic Jo! And a really accurate representation from my point of view!

If I take enough narcotic pain meds to have adequate pain control I can't function in my job or life in a "normal" way. It just makes me too fuzzy. But if I take only OTC pain meds like tylenol the pain is an 8,000 lb. elephant on my back that keeps me from functioning. I think the Cymbalta is breaking that cycle for me and I am feeling better than I have in a very long time. It doesn't take away the arthritis symptoms, but I can deal with them better.
 
The first week that I was home after my second TKR, I was awfully depressed and would burst into tears for no apparent reason at all. I was also queasy, discombobulated, unable to focus...you name it. I talked to the OS, and he put me on a different narcotic painkiller which did not improve my overall physical and emotional wellbeing. My inhome PT noticed that my blood pressure was unusally high and told me to got see my primary care doctor which I did a few days later. Not only did she put me on a new BP med, but also gave me a prescription for Tramadol, a non-narcotic painkiller. It was if someone had toggled a switch, I felt like a totally new, positive person. It is true that major surgery can spur bouts of depression but don't overlook the possibiity of side effects of whatever meds you might be taking.
 
Very good point, marennorge.


 
I am sitting here with tears streaming down my face. Not so much in pain, I just got out of bed. I am so very stiff and my leg feels like it weighs 100 lbs more than the other. I am tired. I want to sleep in the same ole position I used to sleep in and not wake up constantly when I move my new knee hopign it doesnt bang into the other leg.

Thanks to all of you who dropped in and let me know that what is happening is normal. I appreciate that. I had some sample Lexapro that the doc wanted em to start before the surgery but for one reason or another I didn't. So I guess I need to give her a call and get my *** moving on that. But, I am so sick of pills burning up my stomach I am to the point that I don't want to take the pills. Then I am sick from not taking them and the pain is bad. I swear, I just wish there was an easier way, but then again don't we all.

This forum has helped me tremendously and I can not thank you all enough!

Doug, if you read this, humor me man, because today is one of those days where I am not even sure why I had this crazy surgery in the first place.


Juls
 
Juls,

A lot of us have been where you are, believe it or not some day you will read your old posts and think ....Oh ya, I was feeling that bad....

As my replaced hip is doing pretty good I am now concentrating on my knees and spine and feel it is never ending for me. Some days I am OK with it all and others I am really down. Then I think of people with no legs and how they would be so happy to be dealing with this pain. Then I also give in and take a pain pill!!!

Things will get better. I also think of the beginning days when I could not move my leg one millimeter and needed the nurse to help me get out of bed!!!

I hope Doug somehow cheers you up!!!
Judy
 
I do understand, I am only 48 years old and 5 weeks after surgery, I cried all of the time and was very depressed. I am getting better, now that the pain is subsiding and that I am able to walk with only one crutch. If my knee does not bend to 120 by next week I will need a Manipulation, I only can bend my knee right now to 108. But don't give up, I know it has to get better. Be at peace and just smile even when things get rough and you will find the peace. Please understand it is rough and will continue to be rough, but after reading in here how others are doing, I have realized that it will all work out and just to smile and let God handle the rest.
 
Hi
Depression is a serious illness and is also very treatable. Research has shown that one in five people will suffer from it at some stage of their life. Please speak to your doc about your feelings. As others have said the surgery itself is very hard on you physically and coping is hard - very hard at times especially with the pain and expectations I had. I also have depression and have been using intermittantly mental health services for 40 years having had my first episode at 15 years old! I have learned to seek help and treatment early and would urge anyone else to do the same - so hop to it!
Now... I had my six week check up today. Surgeon very happy with me and couldnt believe me straightening my leg out in front from a chair sitting position. He has told me what physio did that I am doing really well. We often have our own internal harsh critics that tell us differently. I have learned to ask for feedback when I feel like this too...
I will be returning to work next week on wednesday 6 weeks from the surgery. I will be at the office part time and at home working part time with my leg up on my bed and computer on my lap. I am an advisor to a mental health forensic service so my
personal experience with illness has not been wasted.
I thought I would share what my friend the psychiatrist said when I mailed him and said I was worried because I was very teary after surgery.
He said
' you have has surgery the equivilent of being run over by a truck, your leg smashed up, opened up, hacked about and rejoined back together with foriegn objects. That would make anyone teary.'
Go figure
Cheers
Budafli
 
Hi - I thought I would share what my friend the psychiatrist said when I mailed him and said I was worried because I was very teary after surgery.
He said
' you have has surgery the equivilent of being run over by a truck, your leg smashed up, opened up, hacked about and rejoined back together with foriegn objects. That would make anyone teary.'
Go figure
Cheers
Budafli

Couldn't have put it better myself!
 
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