Hey, all! I had the revision of my right knee replacement (done November 3) on May 15th. The surgery was shorter than expected and so far, so good. It is extremely gratifying to put in the work at PT and see some results--FINALLY! As a quick reminder, my knee basically froze in a bent position the day after Christmas, after pain at PT from week 3, and I was basically hopping on one foot with a walker from Christmas to my revision.
What I want to address here I saw on another post, but comments were closed, and that is "post op depression." The night before my revision, my husband's cousins, who are both lifelong nurses, had dinner with us. I explained my fear of the post op time, as all I did was cry for months on end, and felt hopeless and helpless and just, less. One of them mentioned opioid dysphoria--that opioids make some people euphoric, hence the illegal use, but also can make some people dysphoric, the opposite of euphoric. That resounded with me.
After surgery on Monday, I was given an opioid pain reliever. I was also still recovering from general anesthetic, but was a bit teary and timid, definitely NOT the usual me. I took the evening pain med on time, then took the Tuesday morning pain med on time. A couple hours later I was trying to use the torture device as advised by my surgeon, the Elite Seat, and was again frustrated into tears. A light bulb went on. I was back on opioids and back to crying and helpless! I did not take another pain med and at about 5 pm, I was back to my normal self.
I bring this up just as an eye opener for others that may have this "condition" and have no idea they have it. I certainly did not expect the pain meds, which are meant to be helpful, could be so hurtful. In addition, I had pain from week 3 until the revision, so I took opioid pain relievers from basically November through the end of January. I quit on February 5, as I felt my mind spiralling in a way that was not healthy. I then went through 10 days of flu-like symptoms, likely withdrawal from the pain med. That was a long, rough road. As I read texts and emails from that time, I can so clearly see something was wrong.
So, patients, family and friends of patients, PT therapists, be aware that what appears to be post op blues or depression may actually be a reaction to the opioids in the pain medications prescribed. It's sure worth giving another type of pain reliever a try.
I am in a good mind space now, PT is progressing well, I am on track with a 60 degree bend right now, and hope that when I go to the doc on Wednesday that I get out of this darn brace! Sitting is a real chore with the leg braced straight at this time, and car trips are not fun! I am also out of the walker and to a cane, which I don't use much at home, but always when somewhere unfamiliar. That has been liberating.
Thanks for "listening." I feel it's sort of a personal mission, now, to let people know that the pain meds can mess with your mind and emotions, so it might not be just isolation or disruption of routine or physical limitations that get you down.
United States
