TKR DodgyKnee no more<

[DodgyKnee]

Just got off phone to GP, same old same old........

Nothing stronger than tramadol etc other than readmission to hospital for morphine. She has put me back up to 8 per day "for a few days more" then wants me back down and then off. She has also swapped ibuprofen for Naxopren saying it was stronger.

 

[dianehelen]

Ughhh UGhhhh UGhhh I feel for you. Guess I wont be moving to the UK anytime soon. I cant imagine being denied or having to fight for proper pain management.

I hope with the extended rx, you get some relief. Are you icing as well? Many have said Ice is good pain management as well?

 

[DodgyKnee]

Icing like there is no tomorrow @dianehelen, and have been sicne day 1 of the op.

Anyway, just going to have to start using this damned bit of metal more through gritted teeth, otherwise it's all going to have been for nought. Have done nothing for 10days except lie in bed with it elevated and iced. It will barely bend at all and I mean at all. I ended up with a leg like that in 2004 - see signature.

 

[dianehelen]

Oh you poor dear.. really hope you get some relief soon

 

[LoveGiants]

Wow, your doctor is extremely stingy with the pain medications! I can't imagine. You're what, a week and a half out from surgery? I'm sorry you have to go through that pain with insufficient medicine.

I was absolutely miserable for the first week and a half to two weeks (PT appointment from heck on day 13 set me back), but it felt better after that. I also didn't do much as far as heel-slides because it wasn't possible due to pain and discomfort.

I hope you feel better soon!

 

[DodgyKnee]

I don't even really want to say this out loud, so keep it to yourself right........

I *think* the surgical pain (at day 12) has subsided sufficiently to allow tramadol and paracetamol to actually feel like they are doing something!

Noticed it yesterday, was much more calm and comfy laying around icing, elevating and being waited on hand and foot (yes, I know I'm lucky). So today, for the first time, I have come downstairs and am now icing and elevating on my recliner. Down here, I can change my own ice packs and get a drink etc.

Knee still poker straight and stiff as a board. Staple removal tomorrow.

 

[tracythfc]

I feel for you @DodgyKnee
I had to talk to my GP as tramadol makes me sick but first week or so after surgery my pain was bad and I wanted something stronger.

I'm taking dihydrocodeine at 30mg 4 x daily and my GP tells me this is similar to tramadol and they had nothing stronger to give me, don't know whether that's strictly correct. I'm also on arthrotec and paracetamol and pain is now manageable most of the time.

So I didn't get anything else but she did agree to give me a further two weeks of the same meds and we've agreed to review again after that.

Really frustrating that the GPs seem to have such a lack of understanding of the pain in recovery after this sort of op!


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[tracythfc]

Our posts just crossed! Glad to see you're feeling a bit better [emoji4]


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[DodgyKnee]

Ah, thanks @tracythfc, I see we are 3 days apart from our ops.

Seems to me that those on the other side of the pond have far more painkillers, of significant clout, to choose from than we do. Wonder why?

Really frustrating that the GPs seem to have such a lack of understanding of the pain in recovery after this sort of op!

I was gobsmacked by this too. On the one hand she confirmed recovery could be extremely painful, but on the other she said she wanted me off the tramadol as soon as possible and didn't seem interested in whether I thought I was ready to or not.

Very glad your pain is now manageable most of the time.

 

[Floridagal]

It does seem like the most of the docs here are willing to prescribe stronger stuff. I reacted badly to the strong stuff so was on Tramadol and Tylenol after I went home. I was able to stop Tramadol at two weeks which is unusual. It was making me nauseous and I felt that I needed food more than drugs. Most here in the US stay on the strong stuff for a longer time.

 

[tracythfc]

I haven't pushed too much because most of the opiates make me sick, and at least I know I can cope with the dihydrocodeine.

I really think the stronger stuff should be available if you need it though, they don't seem to be thinking about the longer term damage that could be done, just panicking that we'll all get addicted!!

Only 3 days apart @DodgyKnee, I will follow your progress with interest [emoji4][emoji4]x


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[Ellejay]

So glad that things seem to be improving @DodgyKnee, I hope it continues to do so. You will feel much better once the staples come out.

 

[DodgyKnee]

I spent a few hours doiwnstasirs yesterday in a newly bought electric recliner. BUT I could not get my leg comfortable at all whilst it was elevated -? Tried sitting up position, lying back s bit and then a lot positions, all with various elevation aids.

I bought one of those wavy elevators pictured in the library but that is now going in the bin as it causes pain both in bed and on the couch. I tried any combination of pillows and cushions I have downstairs, but all to no avail. Any ideas anyone?

@dianehelen I saw on someone's thread where you posted a pic of 3 pillows you had safety pinned together, but I can't find it now. Please can you post it in my thread? Ta.

I need an upstairs elevator and a downstairs one too as I currently cannot carry my 3 bed elevator pillows downstairs. So if OH is out (like now), I am stuck upstairs where I can elevate properly.

 

[uva55]

I also had a hard time finding a comfortable elevating position at times.

I'm sure Diane will send you the picture soon, you can also find it in the library.

I hope you feel better soon!!!

 

[dianehelen]

Please can you post it in my thread?

You bet, here ya go. Pillows and giant safety pins from amazon

 

[FlaGranny]

Diane, I finally got my pillows assembled a few days ago. I've been using them on the sofa. They are quite comfy now. We'll see what happens after surgery.

 

[dianehelen]

finally got my pillows assembled a fe

Yay. We made a great think tank team ya?

 

[zammie24]

@dianehelen I love your pillow idea- I have a wedge that may work but if it doesn't I'm taking your suggestion - thanks!


Mercedes Z - RTKR Aug 15th

 

[DodgyKnee]

Hello again everyone - thanks for your good wishes and sympathy.

Had staples removed yesterday - the were a few 'magic' moments there! They've put steristrips in strategic places as I have four patches where it hasn't properly sealed. I'm going back Tuesday to have it looked at again.

Pain on the 400 mg of tramadol plus 4000mg of paracetemol, is thankfully, now being held at ok levels at 2 weeks out - feels much more like my previous knee surgeries now. Any UK people out there with ieas of how I can persuade the GP to leave it at 400mg tramadol for a while longer?

My main worry bead now is the distinct lack of bend. I resumed attempting heel slides 2 days ago (only a few every 3 hours or so), but my foot doesn't get much past my other ankle .

@Celle I read earlier on another thread that you too had no bend whatsoever. Do you have recovery thread that charts your progress and activity? If so, can you please provide a link to it for me?

Anyone else with great advice, please feel free to chip in too.

 

[Ellejay]

Don't worry about the bend in your knee - it WILL improve! Slowly and gradually, but it will improve. Just don't force it, you will only cause inflamation which will make it take longer. I found that I was very comfortable lying on my back on the bed with my legs up the wall, this helped to reduce any swelling and I could bend my knee a little by sliding my foot down the wall. My bend still isn't anywhere near as good as some on here, but I can run up & down stairs, I can cycle, I can climb over stiles when out walking, I managed to climb Helvellyn in June and I can get in and out of a bath, so I really can't think why I'd need any more bend.
I must have been lucky with my GP - I was allowed as much Tramadol as I needed, I was trusted to stop asking for it once I no longer needed it.