TKR ICEMAN BACK to work

[RickSt]

Six days before you had a sponge bath ? P U I'll bet you were ripe . That wasn't a Halloween costume your GF was wearing . That was hazmat gear . I had a spongey the next morning after surgery in the hospital and every day once I got home . My wife only helped with my back my lower legs . I've iced a couple of times against the wishes of my OS just to see if it made a difference . It didn't .

Rick

 

[RickSt]

I don't see how you're not climbing the walls not being more active . I don't have a problem at first but when I start feeling better I start getting bored and start looking for things to do within my abilities at the time . In my case I started out with going outside when the weather started getting nicer or setting out in the garage . We have a screen that covers our garage opening when the door is up . Now I'm able to take rides in my cart . It all helps keep my attitude up and for a little bit, I don't feel as gimpy as I am .

Rick

 

[icep707]

I'll be honest, a total pro med guy going into surgery, I was begging and stressing the importance of meds by the clock to my OS and mentioned twice to make sure I had enough. (Didn't want to run out!)

After surgery: so when I got my script I was surprised. Weeks and weeks of ample medication. Oxycodone, oxycontin, tramadol and celebrex. And Zarelto for a blood thinner. I took as prescribed after 48 hours relatively pain free, now when I say pain free I mean pain free,!!!! Discomfort? YES, but nothing what I had anticipated. So like a good Bonesmart student I've been elevating and icing for more than 20 hours a day and my app med coach was going off every 4 hours at least, to my music .

Well my nurse/GF argued about my taking meds by the clock. I was getting too loaded!!! constipation, nauseas, cold sweats, total appetite lose and had to force water. All the while totally conscience and alert and relatively pain free. I've basically took 1 tramadal today and 2 doses off extra strength tylenol. Used CPM and light exercises. Maybe tonight a 12 hour 10 mg oxycodone with tylenol. Before bedtime Celebrex scheduled for 9 pm.

Now before a uproar starts I like to know if there is a replacement for anything OXY??? @Josephine. After all I can get in and out of bed alone, go to bathroom alone and fetch food/ water. Do leg raises unassisted and put a towel under thigh for lifts unassisted. My girlfriend resumes work so I'lI be home alone. Sister coming over tonight for dinner, anticipating a appetite. I'll mention to OS on Thursday regarding a substitute for OXY. Thanks

 

[suzzee2000]

You are fast becoming a hero!! Awesome recovery plan and doing everything you have been instructed to do!! you are a good bonesmart student You need an A+. I am impressed!!

 

[DogLoverx3]

I used Tramadol as my 'replacement' for oxy and have been working my way down to Tylenol. Kinda think it's early for you to be stepping down even before you start PT (just my 2 cents). Careful with stepping down your meds though ICE as you may not realize you're doing it too quickly until the next day and then you're stuck with a day of catch up. I would cut out the extended release Oxy 1st if you're able and stick with the Tramadol and the 5mg Oxys. Just my suggestion. I've fiddled with my meds a million times and of those million, most were too soon.

When I 1st left the hospital I was on the extended release oxy twice a day and then 2x5mg oxy every 4 hours. I didn't start taking Tramadol or Tylenol at that time and only when I was replacing my oxy. I cut out the extended oxy 1st and very gradually worked my way down from 2 oxy to 1 and from every 4 hours to every 5-6, then to Tramadol + Tylenol instead of oxy. When I say slowly, I mean over weeks. I'm at 2 months now and while some are totally off pain meds, I still take Tramadol once or twice a day along with Tylenol.

Honestly though, I never took everything together so your GF may have a point.

I'll tag @Josephine for you as your tag didn't work. Best of luck!

 

[icep707]

Yeah I was given all to take as prescribed. Now im backed up . Even though ive been taking miralax, prune juice coffee and stool softeners from day 1. . I hear my stomach rumble and pass gas but thats it. Oxy made me not even thirsty. Pt did come over on friday. She gave me a heck of a list. 20 - 30 reps. Shes nuts, but not gonna be my PT. She did orientation , mostly. maybe tramadol will be my solution with a 5mg oxy when needed. im in a pickle !!

 

[DogLoverx3]

It's tough to get the balance of meds right and to know when/what to take and/or try to step down. It's an annoying process of trial and error and probably much different for everyone. Just take baby steps when trying to step down and hopefully you won't notice the difference. Sorry about the plumbing issues. All part of the grab bag of 'goodies' involved in this process

 

[Josephine]

Well my nurse/GF argued about my taking meds by the clock. I was getting too loaded!!! Constipation, nauseas, cold sweats, total appetite loss and had to force water.

All of the things you mention are totally normal side effects from narcotics. So treat the constipation Constipation and stool softeners and snack as you feel inclined.

When you say 'force water' is that drinking or peeing?

I like to know if there is a replacement for anything OXY???

You already have a replacement for the oxy which is the tramadol. Just slowly knock off the oxy and substitute Tramadol but only as prescribed. Up to 4 times a day, take 1,000mg of Tylenol with the Tramadol. But don't go mad with it again like that! You'll get BoneSmart a bad name!!

 

[RickSt]

Yeah I was given all to take as prescribed. Now im backed up . Even though ive been taking miralax, prune juice coffee and stool softeners from day 1. . I hear my stomach rumble and pass gas but thats it. im in a pickle !!

I tried to tell you that would happen . Hard core pain meds will do that and now you're a brick maker . I still worry about it and I don't take but about 4 pain pills a day . I try to eat relatively healthy but I ain't doing prune juice . I'll find other ways to break it up before I drink that . If I can't budge it , I'll work it out with a pencil . LMAO !

Thanks, I'll be appearing here all week .

Rick

 

[referee54]

my script I was surprised. Weeks and weeks of ample medication. Oxycodone, oxycontin, tramadol and celebrex. And Zarelto for a blood thinner. I took as prescribed after 48 hours relatively pain free, now when I say pain free I mean pain free,!!!! Discomfort? YES, but nothing what I had anticipated.

And that is exactly the way it should be!

She gave me a heck of a list. 20 - 30 reps.

I had seen on the internet the a crazy person claiming to be a PT escaped from an asylum!

 

[icep707]

Thanks guys for the response. You guys are great ! Josephine , it got to the point I didnt even want to drink water. I felt like my GF was waterboarding me. Just to drink. Water no longer tasted like water. my urine is super dark but thats due to all the meds. anesthetia and saphenous block removed 5- 6 days ago. plus all those meds suppressed my appetite. Anyways im sure to figure it out. Initially concerned about lack of meds due to reading horror stories, prior. As you mention to me months ago that bonesmart is not a true representation of all tkrs as a general rule, as thousands have no issues hardly at all much less seek out a forum.


Referee. !! Did that therapist escape from NAPA state hospital ??? It is the next county over. . It wont matter , a new one comes tomorrow at noon. RICK, as you know , you are one sick MAN ! Im actually speechless ,Rick !! C ya

 

[daughter stalker]

Hey @icep707! Congratulations on your TKR and welcome to the other side. I am enjoying reading through your thread. You guys are cracking me up.

I drank water quite a bit. Almost too much. I had dry mouth so badly that I had to drink which caused another issue. It didn't help the brick syndrome much, but I did pee a lot. I see that you won't try prune juice. Will you eat dried fruits? Apricots? The apricots helped me. Lots of fiber and Colace. DON'T TAKE A LAXATIVE IF YOU CAN HELP IT. That was one of the mistakes I made.

Take care and I will keep checking back to see how you are doing.

 

[RickSt]

Hey @icep707! Congratulations on your TKR and welcome to the other side. I am enjoying reading through your thread. You guys are cracking me up.

I drank water quite a bit. Almost too much. I had dry mouth so badly that I had to drink which caused another issue. It didn't help the brick syndrome much, but I did pee a lot. I see that you won't try prune juice. Will you eat dried fruits? Apricots? The apricots helped me. Lots of fiber and Colace. DON'T TAKE A LAXATIVE IF YOU CAN HELP IT. That was one of the mistakes I made.

Take care and I will keep checking back to see how you are doing.

No, he's doing prune juice . That was me that won't do prune juice .

Rick

 

[RunA42K]

@icep707, you are very lucky that they loaded you up with plenty of pain medication when you left the hospital. As much as I love my doctor and the good work he did on my revision, he is stingy with pain medication. My first RX was for 50 Hydocodone 10mg 325. When that was gone they refilled 40, then 40 again. Eventually I got Tramadol 50mg that I took with 2 ex strength Tylenol. As it turned out, I didn't need anymore meds, I still have 1/2 of the Hydocodone RX and 1/2 of the Tramadol. I worried so much about not having enough because of my first TKR recovery was so horrid. As far as being stopped up, after several days I took a dose of Phillps Milk of Magnesia. I also ate fresh fruit every day. Once things started moving again I had no problem even though I was still talking the drugs. I think that it is initially the problem but lets up. Sounds like you are doing great though, and I am really happy that you are!!

 

[mcirish]

@icep707... Iceman... It's Maverick. It's time to buzz the tower. Rise and shine. How are you feeling bud? So this is what page 3 looks like. Heh heh.... I recommend copious amounts of flax seed with you favorite fruit juice.... ice cream and of course Lucky Charms. Should do the trick

 

[jeano]

Ooog, Lucky Charms. I would think they would lock up the works permanently. You (mcirish and icep) are in CA-- surely you could find a roach coach serving some kind of bean based treat. Or for pity's sake try a bowl of Progresso lentil soup!

Me, I swear by metamucil or the generic equivalent from wally world--sugar free, one tsp in a glass of water 3Xday until the dam breaks. Or @icep707 you could sweetly ask the GF if she'd like to give you a Fleets. Honestly, it may come to that if you dont get that log jam movin. Three days of no-go got me off Lortabs. The knee pain was relieved by Tylenol and ice--i couldnt have tolerated another day of being backed up. I am not recommending you try this if you are having a lot of pain but I wasnt and I only took Lortab maybe a half dozen more times, and that in half pill increments, and I was fine and more importantly from my perspective I only had to deliver one brick.

Fellas, you cant gross out a nurse. BTW do not recommend a pencil. Far better to try a Fleets.

 

[icep707]

Thanks for the suggestions regarding the poo poo. GF/ Ratchet got the fleets 2 days ago and worked once . I have cut back on the oxy and now on tramadol and tylenol every 4-5 hours. I believe this will help a bit but discomfort will rise slighty. All the meds added to the energy drain. Now I can walk with walker , doing laps around my tiny kitchen with very little drain. No more cold sweat either or nausea. Thanks daughterstalker, doglovers, Bonnie for the suggestions. Its working so far. Jeano !! burritos in california is like rice in china. My sister bought one over last night for dinner, as a matter of fact , I chronicled on my very first post op post that the first thing I ate was a super chicken burrito with a large Starbucks coffee. I got to my recovery room around noonish and by 2pm was finishing lunch. I dont think that was normal??. Afterall my surgery got moved up from 1:15 to 9am. Tricky Ricky. This has been my first surgery ever so it a learning curve. As for boredom I raised 2 boys alone for 10 years. Been clean and sober for over 15 years so I lost alot of my "fun friends" Ironically 15 years ago. Boredom never gets to me. My head wont let me. "The lunatic is my head ". Well got to get up and make breakfast. Pt coming over at noon .

 

[Foxmyster1967]

That's fantastic my friend 15 years C&S I'm on and off the wagon lasted 2 years last go but now I'm 3 weeks clean Wednesday...xx god bless. Foxy.

 

[RickSt]

Ooog, Lucky Charms. I would think they would lock up the works permanently. You (mcirish and icep) are in CA-- surely you could find a roach coach serving some kind of bean based treat. Or for pity's sake try a bowl of Progresso lentil soup!

Me, I swear by metamucil or the generic equivalent from wally world--sugar free, one tsp in a glass of water 3Xday until the dam breaks. Or @icep707 you could sweetly ask the GF if she'd like to give you a Fleets. Honestly, it may come to that if you dont get that log jam movin. Three days of no-go got me off Lortabs. The knee pain was relieved by Tylenol and ice--i couldnt have tolerated another day of being backed up. I am not recommending you try this if you are having a lot of pain but I wasnt and I only took Lortab maybe a half dozen more times, and that in half pill increments, and I was fine and more importantly from my perspective I only had to deliver one brick.

Fellas, you cant gross out a nurse. BTW do not recommend a pencil. Far better to try a Fleets.

Pencils don't really work anyway . The tips break off too easy .

Rick

 

[icep707]

Hey guys !! so far both my PTs may very well be the laziest PT on planet earth. Im really in the wrong profession. I guess I was expecting differently. I should be happy but I feel like I threw30$ out the window , twice. Oh well. Another BM today , a healthy non painful BM. Thanks to weeks pre op stool softening. Still going with the tramadol and tylenol. Now im beginning to get restless. Im patiently waiting for the day to ditch the walker. I know I have a week to go atleast. Still iceing and elevating 20 hours a day!! This I feel is most crucial with meds, although I had to adjust my med intake. Im home alone more now and honestly yesterday when GF left for work , i hyperventilated, the thought of being alone freaked me out for like 20 seconds. You never miss it till its gone !! Rick!... look MA!! ....... no hands .