Depression/post-op blues

[PegGar16]

I am really glad this thread is working out! I have been struggling the the last week or so. After seeing my xray report that said my patella was tilted I totally stressed out thinking the worse, that the tendon was not holding ..again. I went on a rant via email to my OS...after 4 surgeries...infection...having to wait 3 weeks to go over this xray report with him....can't handle another surgery if the tendon didn't hold....blah blah blah. It kind of felt good letting loose And didn't I get a phone call from my PA a couple of hours later. It is nice to know that I have earned stress attacks and can call him any time--LOL. I also just found out I'm going to be a grammy!! My oldest son and wife are due in October.

 

[Jaycey]

ONLY 8 and 12 weeks out. And doing pretty well with nothing to complain about.... but I'm still depressed.

I think many people discount the emotional impact of joint replacement surgery. It is a major decision to go ahead and have the op. But then there is the sometimes frustrating climb back to mobility. You have had 2 major surgeries in a fairly short space of time. All credit to you! Pamper yourself. Find something you really like to do and make time in your day to do it. You will get back to all the activities you once enjoyed. Just a bit of time and patience prescribed.

 

[JLP]

I continue to feel like I made a huge mistake. I don't think time is going to change my perspective on that. The OS was so angry that I was not more appreciative of his work that he told me I needed an attitude adjustment. Basically I am apathetic about the entire recovery process. I do not care if the knee gets better or not. It is what it is and I have to deal with this horrible decision. I am generally not a snarky person though I have had an occasional moment or two. I am sure the people at the OS office think I am insane.

 

[newlybionic]

@JLP It is still so soon since your surgery to really see the outcome of your surgery once you have healed. It is very difficult to have patience with this surgery. Unlike other surgeries to illnesses there is not a steady upward progression. There's many stops and starts and twists and turns. On top of that we all heal at different rates and even each knee is different. You have to look at your recuperation in terms of weeks and months not just days. You'll get there. Everyone will but no one person is traveling down the same path.

 

[Steve4kids]

Yeah, I haven't walked in a year. I get a knee the18th, ah so, if it works it will be better, I've grown kind of blank, and well getting used to not moving. That's not good, I think?

 

[jarabas]

Oyy as my bubbie might sigh. Woke up at 1 am last night with a raging headache. My knee was really stiff and swollen too. Couldn't get back to sleep. All out of tramadol. Tylenol doing nothing for me. Been up for almost 12 hours now and cannot get to sleep. Head still really hurts. There's a snowstorm outside. Hubbie will go get my tramadol script and take it to the pharmacy meaning he has to shovel the drive, and head into the city in the 9 inches of snow and then back home. Every part of my body feels like a truck hit it today. Chronic bad mood. Yuck. Thanks for letting me rant.

 

[Rosieglasses]

I'm not a crier. I grew up with all brothers...there's no crying with brothers. But I have cried so many times since my LTKR I can't count them. I cry when I tell my husband how much I appreciate all that he's done. I cry when someone calls and says nice things. I cry when I just start out having a simple conversation. Ugh. I've decided it's just part of the whole journey and I don't stress it anymore. And now that I see I'm not alone...I feel so much better. And...it's not near as crazy and hard to explain as the Percocet Tourettes...where I blurt out words that didn't originate in my brain or even take a path through there No telling what I'll say next...very odd.

 

[Steve4kids]

I had my last of 4 surgeries a year ago, the depression would come and go ,then it just stayed. I don't
, want to open my eyes in the morning .It is nothing but another day of struggle and pain. So yes it's the post opp Blues , along with the pre-op Blues. What helps me is I had to let everything go in my own life. I try not to get angry at other people or interact with them, because sure enough I would think I'm
Hurting them and feel guilty ,or they me.
My love out to all of you who are going thru this. Your not alone, it's normal, and it goes away ,

 

[Steve4kids]

I think snow would make it worse. I count my blessings.

 

[kneeper]

Just dropping off a smile for you guys.

 

[KarriB]

@Rosieglasses you made me laugh with the Percoset Tourette's comment! But seriously, I was like you, crying during a normal conversation, thanking people, cried a lot while praying. Good news, as your knee progresses it gets better. This is a real learning experience in every way.

@Steve4kids soon I'm hoping things will get better for you!

 

[hawk2go]

percocet amnesia ==> I asked the same questions or repeated stories, everyone just nods.

 

[Rattles]

Thanks for this post I have never thought that I would suffer from depression it all like blokes don't get it we just man up and carry on tuff it out she will be all right . Well coming up to 3 years still trying to fix the same knee ,after 3 operations 3 attempt to get back to my job countless Drs OS specialist vist requested by either work or works insurance company get our finances almost back then get put off work again and watch us slip into almost debt again . Go thru the pain and sleepless nights after each operation and rehab physio ete so I can get back to work then it fails again it can be a lot to take for any one . Having to keep a pain diary to prove you are in pain and you need the surgery before they say hmm something is still not right here . Feeling your good knee starting to hurt because you are carrying a bad knee knowing you are heading for an op when it may of survived for years had your bad knee been fixed . Living off meds to try and help with pain more and more an worried about addiction to add to your list of worries . So now 3 weeks post PKR and its better and good knee is shot and knowing I have a huge fight coming up to prove its been caused by the time it's taken to get my knee fixed I just get quiet I don't talk much I just try not to let it upset me I'm pretty sad but what will be will be and I just have to move on .my heart gos out to those who suffer this Terrible problem and I hope you get the love and support you need

Rattles


PKR 13.1.15

 

[BB57]

OMG!!! This is so much what I'm feeling! I'm actually 4 weeks out on Tuesday from my left TKR. I cry & feel tired & useless most all the time & im on antidepressants!! OS told me on Wednesday that my flexion is barely 45 degrees & it HAS to be better. Gave me an order for "aggressive PT" which I cried thru the first time. Plus they won't refill my pain meds because every 4-6 hours is too much this far out & they want me to be getting off them. I hate the TED hose, I hate getting out in the snow. I hate how my family (I'm a recent widow) just thinks because others were walking normally & off pain meds at 6 weeks, I should be too! I keep praying but my knee is so stiff. Tears are running down your face as I type this. Should I still be icing & elevating?

 

[KarriB]

Yes you should be icing and elevating, @BB57 .

 

[BB57]

The doc or pt never say that. Just that I'm taking too much pain meds & not flexing!

 

[PegGar16]

Hi @BB57 at 4 weeks I was still icing and elevating most of the day. I would love to know who came up with the "6 weeks" back to normal?? That is not even close for most people.

Hi @Rattles I think it hits the strongest the hardest

 

[BB57]

So you guys don't think I'm way behind & gonna be stuck with a stiff leg that won't ever bend?

 

[KarriB]

@BB57 do you have your own recovery thread we can answer your questions on and an advisor can give you your own articles to read that will help with your recovery?

 

[jarabas]

@BB57 you are in the worst part of recovery, the dark days. So many of us got really worn down by the pain, the isolation, the sameness of every day that we cried as well. There are many things you can do to help--articles to read here and very knowledgable people to discuss your particulars with. To get more help, start a thread under your name in the post-op area. Hang in there!