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TKR Hopefaith's Ups and Downs of Recovery

Hi hopefaith! I totally agree with your OS, we get grouchy about 6 weeks! If we are lucky our recovery is moving along but we realize that it isn't the quick fix we had hoped for...and I am sure adding other chronic health issues bring a whole new dimension to the recovery.

How did you fair with the storms that went through your area yesterday? My son from Boulder flew I yesterday but he got out of DIA before the weather turned stormy. his wife works at the hospital in aurora and saw a lot of bad weather.

I hear you out and clear of the energy drain....I feel pretty good through out the day and then I think I will do something extra and I get going and boom! Tired, frustrated and ready to lay down!

Glad to hear you are feeling better.



4/1/2014 TKR
 
hopefaith said:
Okay next rant is when does the "energy drain" improve? I cannot do anything without having to return home, sit on my piriformis and ice my knee. ​
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I know what you mean, but the phrasing sort of cracked me up. Instead of "get off your butt"-- "Get off your piriformis & do some housework":heehee:

You'll get there with the energy drain. Pacing yourself & being patient--not easy but necessary.
 
Hey @hopefaith, hi! I'm exactly the same re the energy thing. I really have to pace myself and can only do a couple of jobs/tasks a day. No way can I go shopping yet or even go out on an evening! Like you I had a very bad week last week and felt really lonely. Then this week a lot of my friends have wanted to visit at the same time! We have a saying, they are like buses, you wait for ages for one...and then they all come at once. Maybe that won't translate well as it refers to the British transport system...but I know you like your English sayings ;) ......We WILL get there MaryJean. Blessings Bernie xx


Bernie UK
RTKR 22nd January 2014
LTKR 2nd April 2014
 
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@kneeper I am glad you got my humor. Not many do. It's a little off....guilty! :rotfl: I think it needs to be coined! (Not what I said but getting up off your piriformis and ......whatever)
 
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@cafecortado thank you for your kind words. You are SO kind. It's hard to admit to loneliness. Is that just an American thing or everywhere. (The hard to admit part). ?
MaryJean
 
@Tamsmom Yeah, when I am ready to drop, I have no back up reserve in the tank. Weather.....yesterday it was awful in other parts of town( southwest and west of me). I live in Westminster, a north suburb of Denver . Today it's shaping up to be horrid again. Looks like more Denver. I am frantic this time of year with tornado warnings. Really just freaks me out. Yeah, aurora was real bad.
 
Love you piriformis comment. Instead of get off your duff, how about get off your piriformis. Sounds much more official:heehee:.
 
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Hello @hopefaith, I was reading your thread and noticed you live in Westminster, I have a brother who lives there. Rest assured you are not alone in thinking that this recovery is taking too long; I still have to remember that it takes time for the healing but I seemed to have forgotten it today as it was a not so good day. Hope you're doing well. Take care!
 
@zlady welcome here. Thanks for visiting. That is interesting about your brother.....small world. Yes, this recovery is unbelievable . Good days and not so good days. Your picture is very cute.
 
@Pumpkln. Yes I think get up off your piriformis should be a saying. I think I put it that way originally because I have to ice my knee and then that ole piriformis gets all upset.
 
Speaking of I cannot sleep on that part of my anatomy ONE more might. Any suggestions?
 
If you still have PT have them show you how to stretch your piriformis, you can google, or use youtube for some ideas also. Go slow and remember more is less.
 
Hi @hopefaith. I haven't had the chance to read your thread, but I see you posting and you always seem so sweet. I had RTKR on December 16, 2013 and am still having a challenging time with my recovery. When you're really bored (or need something to make you fall asleep) you can follow the link on my signature and read a bit of my 'story'. The energy drain is a definite pain in the piriformis and lasts quite a long time. I never even left the house aside from going to PT or the store for 6 weeks and even then, could only manage 1 short outing a day. Take your naps when you can, my dear as 'real' sleep is hard to come by.

I used to sleep on my surgical side. For some reason, I couldn't get comfortable on my non-surgical side, even with a pillow between my legs - just felt like my knee was out of balance. I used to wrap an ice pack around my knee and side sleep, always with my surgical leg touching the mattress. The tightness, tight band feeling and horrid stiffness in the morning lasted several months for me. I don't think the tight band feeling went away until well into my 4th month but one day, it was just gone! As tough as this recovery is (and believe me, I KNOW), it does get better. Keep up your wonderful attitude and follow the mantras. I didn't and it set my recovery back immeasurably.

Take care of yourself - you're doing great!
 
@DogLoverx3 Wow what a quick response. I have lurked on your thread. Sometimes I have trouble "jumping in" so thanks for leaping, kind of. Your story is amazing. I feel for you. It sounds like you are on the right track now though. I,also take gabapentin in lieu of lyrica. Since it's gone generic not expensive at all. You seem like a very fun person. I'd love to know you other than cyber, but isn't it wonderful we have this. Like right now I couldn't get to sleep and I am able to "talk" to you. I don't know about sweet, very authentic -to a fault at times. I have to admit I lol when I read you and @dogwheels exchange about cylinder body parts. Hysterical and for what it's worth, you are a lovely lady and deserve so much more!
 
Thanks for the input on the Gabapentin @hopefaith . When I read truly scary side effects, it's good to hear from people that are just fine taking the drug. Thanks for the nice compliment. I used to be a fun person. I fear I am now just a whiny annoying mess who is WAY too preoccupied with my knee.

Yes, @dogwheels and @Nana moon 27 and I have had some 'interesting' conversations. We tend to veer off into the inappropriate/absurd at times. There was a conversation a while back about being able to get in & out of the tub :bath:(which I still can't - boo) that went in a completely different direction. :heehee:

Authentic is good. I have no patience for fake or insincere people. Thanks for your thoughts on my pathetic dating life too. I fear I am truly a mess these days so can't really fault someone for not wanting to put up with that. I would like a reason other than 'different dating styles' though when being dumped. Especially since I was following his lead! The big butthead. :mute:

I hope you were able to get some comfortable sleep. I so miss being able to sleep for more than an hour or two at a time :bored:
 
Hi there ya all, I don't hear much about the CPM and wondered if everyone uses them to keep the knee moving? How long do Dr's suggest the use of them?
 
@Betsy-Knees-6-2014
I never had it. Instead I had pneumatic pumps that inflated bladders on both legs to keep circulation going and just indicated me to do heel slides.

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk
 
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Hi @Betsy-Knees-6-2014 - from what I have been told, CPM's are hardly used at all in UK now. Like @JustJeff said a gentle exercise regime is all that is required in the early days of recovery, slowly building up exercises as you become stronger and more mobile. My PT told me that they are occasionally used here for elderly patients who are not so active, to guarantee the knee is moving in the early stages - but that's it. However, it would seem from reading posts on BS that they are still widely used in USA.
As you will have already read, UK PT tends to differ greatly from US practice. On the whole things are far less aggressive here.
 
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