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TKR Hopefaith's Ups and Downs of Recovery

Hi @hopefaith, Fortunately where I work, There is a lot of up and down, but I can sit on and off which is good and I can ask others going to the front to get the patients for me which says me steps when my legs are tired or stiff. Trip was very nice, but coming back I was exhausted. I cannot do all the running around that I used to do. So it was basically beach during the day, a little shopping, and out to dinner or after hours club maybe twice. All in all trip was good. :thumb:
 
@chestnc yeah, this stiff stuff is SO discouraging. Is this normal to get stiff with pretty much ANY walking at 1 month out.
 
Hi @hopefaith, yes stiffness can occur during anytime in the healing process. And with stiffness, I have gotten on my sons stationery bike and that has helped. Sometimes with stiffness which I still get in the am, but I also have RA so I expect the stiffness to be apparent. Sometimes moving around helps get that stiffness right out of the knee. Sometimes doing too much can cause stiffness, but very common for stiffness to occur in the early months, Must be patient. You will notice knee takes a long time to heal. I am still in the healing, taking pain med and icing part at 6 months now. It is just what it is. TKR is not to be taken lightly. The only day I had a partial melt down:ice: was the second day I was home because I could not get on top of the pain. Since then I have been okay and jus try to take one day at a time. :console2:
 
Yes, it does take time, I am finding out. I have Major Depression. I guess I want to "come out" with that on this site, because I want to be more real with it in my everyday life, so one of the reasons I cry a lot is that I have that on top of it all. It is a physical condition, just like diabetes or something else. It makes life harder in some ways, but also more full in others, (if that makes sense) I have a lot of faith, I really do. I also am a very authentic person, for better or worse. This recovery has only just begun for me, I realize. I am also going through a very big difficult life event. (probably not the time to have a TKR, but that's a different story.) Thanks for "listening".

MaryJean:SUNsmile:
 
@chestnc Thanks for your ideas. I don't think I am close to being on a bike. That seems like a huge milestone. Was it for you? You seem resilient. I admire that. I am glad you don't have to be on your feet all the time at work and you find time to ice. I even took my ice bag to church tonight.:yes:
 
Hi @hopefaith you are not alone with your depression. However, I have to say that if you read say, my early posts on my recovery thread before it morphed into a coffee stop, you'll see I went through an extremely low time and couldn't stop crying etc. I wrote very frankly on there. The trouble is with depression is that people don't always understand how real and debilitating this condition can be. Just because it can't be seen like a broken arm or leg, they think it's self pity or weakness. They could not be more wrong!

You may find it is your pain meds upsetting you a bit. They can make you feel low too. Even people who don't suffer depression seem to go through a period of post op blues after this type of surgery.

Anytime you feel low, go on to my thread if you want to and we will support you. Honestly, we have nearly all had the post op blues. You are very early in recovery still too. We all described it as an emotional roller coaster!

Like I say, if you want to go back to the very early pages of the thread you'll find the blues there and others suffering the same too! I hope that this might help you!

Love Nana moon 27 x x.
 
Hi @Nana moon 27, thanks for sending @hopefaith to my link. Hi hopefaith, I started in PT on the stationery bike the 3rd week I was post -op. At this point most of the time I am so tired that I don't do anything when I come home but bath and bed which is fine because I am back into the grind of my regular activities. In the beginning, I did the same thing when I went to church and would bring my trusty ice pack with me. We have to do what we have to do.
 
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Hi @hopefaith just dropping by to see how you are doing today. I think a lot of us have been through bad depression at some stage in our lives. I certainly have, and its not a pleasant time. I found that when I reached rock bottom, the only way out is up. It is hard but doable. You think that you will never get there. Its like recovery from a TKR, you need to go slowly and take small steps. Praise yourself when you acheive but don't get down when you don't. Slowly you will emerge on the other side. I know it is easier to say than do. We are here for you, we listen. Take care.
 
@busylizzie thank you SO much. I needed to hear that right now. My MDD is a lifelong illness. I have times when I am more up than down and vice versa. I will always be on meds for it. I have resistant depression. I have very strong faith and right now with my life circumstances, I don't know what I would do without it. I really appreciate you checking in with me and I am holding you in my heart as you face your surgery just down the road.
MaryJean
 
Hey @hopefaith, when I posted about my depression, I hadn't realised until I've just now read your thread that you "suffer" from it as well! Like you, mine is long term and although mostly controlled well, I've had to accept that I'll probably always be on medication for it. I've had a bit of a hiccup lately, as even though I find it hard to socialise sometimes, I also find being stuck in the house like Billy no mates.... there's an English expression for you;) ....makes me worse. So this forum has been a true God send in more than one way, as it makes me feel more connected to the outside world. People like @dogwheels & @Nana moon 27 & @Jozilla plus others of course, have been so welcoming, it's made me cry! Chat away hopefaith, people are here for you and want to support. Love & blessings Bernie xx


Bernie UK
RTKR 22nd January 2014
LTKR 2nd April 2014
 
Hopefully people are getting a better understanding of depression as a medical condition. You wouldn't tell people to "snap out of it" who had cancer--why would you for depression?
 
Hi glad that helped and I also had the bolster on the Chiros table! Sciatica caused by twisting the spine to get comfortable. Not tried acupuncture but it has been suggested.
Well I am almost at week eight and took two Tramadol at about 8am this morning. I did some physio work on my knee at home and then iced. I haven't had to take any more pain relief today and my knee feels quite comfortable. Still very aware it's there and I have done little walking. Maybe the exercises I have been doing have suddenly fired something up. I am hoping that maybe at last I can give the daily drug regime a kick and just take it if and when needed. ChubbsterPT


Sent from my iPad using BoneSmart®
 
Hopefaith did you read my post on Saturdays exercise regime in ChubbsterPT posts?


Sent from my iPad using BoneSmart®
 
I got very delayed (6 years+) post natal depression after a rough birth. I had to be very strong at the time of the birth to support others. One year after my son went to school I broke down. I had very deep depression. The therapist said that it was because I'd waited until it was OK to do it, delayed reaction. Talking to her helped, but for years on his birthday I have had mixed feelings. Happy for him because it was his birthday, but sad reliving the event. It has got better but it still affects me even now.
 
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