Husband climbing wall - help!

[mrsbeekeeper]

TKR 29 November 2007 - 14 weeks. Still waking each night in pain and has to get out of bed and ice it. Still on Tramadol (6 tabs a day). Released from physio at 6 weeks - he was relieved at the time because he always seemed to be getting better before a visit. Seems to take one step forward and two back. He had a shoulder replacement in July 2007 and is slowly regaining use of that but I can see that his knee is really getting him down.

Wendy

 

[gatiger]

I don't know jack about Tramadol, but that's 4 weeks ahead of me and I'm not having those problems. Josephine is the expert, but I would say something isn't right. When you say, "one step forward and two steps back" what is he doing? He may be taking too big of steps. My wife says spouses need a support group for this too. God knows she has had a hard road putting up with me. I'll pray for both of you, that's about all I can do. May the Lord bless you and keep you and give you Peace.

 

[Skeet]

I don't have any sage advice, but I, too, will be in prayer for you both. Sounds like he needs to see his doctor possibly.

God be with you both!
Skeet

 

[Pattipoo]

Mrs., did you make an appointment to see your husban's surgeon, today? EVERYONE progresses at a different rate, but it seems that maybe having to heal from two VERY invasive surgeries has taken it's toll. I hope you get him to the Dr. soon and that he can get some relief...I hope, too, that YOU can get some peace of mind.....caregiving is a physically and mentally tough job. My hat is off to you. PLEASE keep us informed. We LOVE to play Doctor!! (shut up Gat!)

I'll be sending up my BIGGEST and BEST prayers for you!

 

[Nursepair]

Hi Wendy, I am also originally from UK. Our moderator Josephine still lives there, (retired nurse of about 50 years). Hopefully she will give you some advice soon, keep checking in. Check out some of the other threads for other words of wisdom and encouragement. We have all been helped a lot, especially mentally on this site. Lots of laughs as well as advice (lauughter is the best medicine they say), so is chocolate in my opinion.

Try and get you hubby onto this site too, there are often people online at all hours, it will really lift his spirits. I just came on as I was having a pity melt down, I already feel better now and will be off to bed as soon as my Percocets cut in. Unfortunately inability to sleep is very common. I find a lot of comfort from a heat pad under my knee (ice on the top and sides though). I checked this with my physio, she OK'd use underneath and I also use it on my ankle. I use a gel pack that I heat in the microwave for 3 minutes. I sometimes also get relief from doing exercises if I wake up.

If he is no longer going to physio, is he still doing lots at home? Please try to persuade him to get on this site, he won't regret it. You might though as it can become a bit addictive and he may keep disappearing to the computer ha..ha..

Keep being supportive, it will be a long haul for you too. Will he sign in as mrbeekeeper?

Anyway, hope to see you both here again soon Night...night...

 

[beachcomber]

mrsbee---
Glad to have you join us--- but so sorry for the reason! God bless you for your support of your husband during this process. We have talked often of how we couldn't have managed without the support of our loved ones.

Josephine gave me some great advice when I joined this group. I had a PKR on Dec 21st, then back surgery on January 17th. She said to throw away the book when it comes to "normal" when you have major surgical procedures close together. And it doesn't get much more major than knee and shoulder replacements. The shock to the body and the ability to heal are really affected. I went for weeks feeling like I had come to a dead standstill and the constant pain from both procedures almost broke me. Pain and depression were my constant companions and were it not for this group I don't know how I would have made it through.

I am doing very well now--- and am ever so grateful but it was a hard journey. I really hope he gets on board here... let the good hearts and souls in this group reach out to him... and to you.

 

[kath]

mrsbee,
I agree, a simple visit to the surgeon may be a good idea for a checkup. I am at 8 weeks though and I still get up from time to time and walk around at night. Is it pain or stiffness that bothers him? Sometimes the stiffness wakes me up. The other night I was dreaming and kicked my leg all of a sudden, let me tell you that woke me up in a hurry, that hamstring thing was screaming. But after a short walk around the house, one pain pill, all was good. Has he tried a night sleeping in a different bed, on the sofa?
Sometimes my bed just didn't feel right and I preferred my sofa, better support on my knee. Does he still ice it down? See we all do like to play doctor, best deal though is to see the real one. And Josephine here will help out I am sure.
Welcome and keep us posted on his progress.

 

[Glenda]

TKR 29 November 2007 - 14 weeks. Still waking each night in pain and has to get out of bed and ice it. Still on Tramadol (6 tabs a day). Released from physio at 6 weeks - he was relieved at the time because he always seemed to be getting better before a visit. Seems to take one step forward and two back. He had a shoulder replacement in July 2007 and is slowly regaining use of that but I can see that his knee is really getting him down.

Wendy

Hi Wendy

i am only 6 weeks post op but things are really getting me down I know they say it takes up to 12 months but I honestly did not believe it. i am 58 and feel 78 I to feel things are on the up and then i go half a dozen steps back when will it end hey. My GP as only prescribed tramadol for two weeks post op I am seeing the surgeon on Monday hoping he can give me something stronger. Know how you must feel we have had to sleep in separate bedrooms some sex life hey. Hope things soon take a turn for the better, take care
Glenda

 

[Josephine]

TKR 29 November 2007 - 14 weeks. Still waking each night in pain and has to get out of bed and ice it. Still on Tramadol (6 tabs a day). Released from physio at 6 weeks - he was relieved at the time because he always seemed to be getting better before a visit. Seems to take one step forward and two back. He had a shoulder replacement in July 2007 and is slowly regaining use of that but I can see that his knee is really getting him down.

Wendy

Sorry to hear about this, MrsBee. Sounds like your husband is having a hard time. I could use a bit more information before I can offer any advice.

1. I take it he had a big incision and not two mini incisions?
2. which hospital/surgeon did the op?
3. did he get a good range of movements after his physio?
4. did the physios tell him to carry on with the exercises when he was discharged? And if so, did he do so?
5. Has he a follow up appointment to see the surgeon again? If so, when is it?
6. How helpful is your GP? Or does he/she leave you to your own devices?
7. How much exercise does he do during the day - walking and such?
8. Is he still at work? If so, what is his job and how many hours is he working? If not, how old is he?

Sorry for the inquisition, but I can't help without a good all round picture.

 

[mrsbeekeeper]

Thanks to everyone for your kind words and comments. We have been away for a few days so this is the first opportunity to reply to you. We stayed in a hotel with a really nice bath (we usually have showers) and both nights he managed to sleep really well. Someone mentioned heat pads and I wonder whether this may have relaxed him!

Josephine:
1. I take it he had a big incision and not two mini incisions?
Yes, the incision was straight down
2. which hospital/surgeon did the op?
We were really pleased because our local NHS hospital (RBH in Reading) was using a private hospital (Capio)to get down waiting times and he qualifed. Surgeon was from Sweden, Mr Ronny Lovdahl.
3. did he get a good range of movements after his physio?
Yes, they were pleased with his progress.
4. did the physios tell him to carry on with the exercises when he was discharged? And if so, did he do so?
Yes. He has been very good with his exercises.
5. Has he a follow up appointment to see the surgeon again? If so, when is it?
No. His follow up appt with Mr Lovdahl at 6 weekstook about 3 minutes. He looked at the knee and told him to go home and do whatever he liked! He continued with the physio for a couple of weeks more
6. How helpful is your GP? Or does he/she leave you to your own devices?
No GP contact since operation - only to get repeat prescriptions for Tramadol, diclofenac and Ibuprofen Gel (max strength)
7. How much exercise does he do during the day - walking and such?
Gradually more and more. Able to walk about a mile.
8. Is he still at work? If so, what is his job and how many hours is he working? If not, how old is he?
Retired but he is a beekeeper and the busy season is upon us!

When he went for a shoulder check up at RBH he asked for an opinion on his knee and as a result he has been referred to an NHS Physio, the appt is next week.

Thanks again everyone. So pleased to have found this site.

 

[Josephine]

Well, that all sounds good. Though I was never terribly impressed with this notion of bringing visiting surgeons over to do these ops. Typical administrators tactic and absolutely no idea how crucial the after care is. But it's not uncommon to still be having pain after 6 months, never mind 3, so I wouldn't get in too much of a frazzle about that. So long as he is still mobile, has a good range of movements especially flexion, he should still be taking his pain killers when necessary.

One question, though. I wonder why he has not been to see his GP? In the absence of follow up from the surgeon I would have been getting the GP to check up on things at least. If only to reassure him.

I would say that, at this late stage, use of heat pads on the sore spots would be okay if it gives relief. Go with what works, I always say.

 

[Nursepair]

BrsB...aren't bee stings supposed to be goo for pain, or I am thinking for something else?Wouldn't want that myself though, their stings have given me considerable pain!!!

 

[mrsbeekeeper]

Danny treated himself with bee stings for arthritis for many years - and very successfully. Eventually though he became resistent to them and they had no effect. He made the discovery by accident when one day he failed to put his leg protectors on when opening a hive and was stung several times on the lower part of his legs. He was in a fair bit of pain from the stings but as he hobbled up the stairs he mumbled that at least he couln't feel the pain in his knee! For several months he had complete pain relief, the same for his shoulder. He found the best area to place the sting was on the meridian line leading to the affected joint (as in acupuncture).

Obviously this treatment wouldn't suit everyone - could even kill some!

Thank you Josephine. The physio at RBH will refer him back to original NHS surgeon if necessary, but hopefully you are right and all is as it should be. I think the fact that two of our elderly women friends recovered so quickly after their ops, and without the use of so many pain killers, made Danny feel that things were not going as well as they should. Thanks again. Great help.

 

[Josephine]

My pleasure ...

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