TKR Incision opened when staples removed<

[Jockette]

I still have that foot problem, going on 5 years now. If that doctor’s foot felt like mine does, making it the first think I think of when I first wake up because of the discomfort, he would overthink it, too!

 

[Josephine]

That's just another way of saying it's all in our heads!

To which the pert reply would be "No it's not - it's all in my leg!"

@fours2many The chart you used as an old one and much too small anyway. So can you tell me again using this chart?

 

[fours2many]

@Josephine
My pain is d and e area of rf1
Right where the black line is between d and e...

Ugh!!
yesterday I took my last Percocet. I was cutting down to half then quarters. I thought I shouldn’t have any trouble getting off this and the withdrawal symptoms would be minimal.

WRONG!
I have sweats, was up all night, headache, diarrhea, stomach upset, couldn’t get comfortable in bed, rls, shaking... I feel down right awful!

So here goes nothing, or everything. I won’t ever take another Percocet again. Yes, it helps the pain, but the coming off is terrible! I read the first 72 hours is the worst. Then it should start getting better. 16 hours are done. Please God make these next few days barable.

 

[Jockette]

I’m so sorry. Sending hugs and prayers!!

 

[SusieShoes]

Oh, dear. Yes, the withdrawal can be rough. Been there, done that. You were taking them for a while, after all. And you will find that after another day or so you will be through it. But don't swear off poor Percocet forever. Should you need it again, you know it works for your pain. The coming off isn't quite so bad every time (after dental work, for example, when you just take it for a few days). Usually people don't take it as long as we do for TKR.

I tried to wean, too, and it didn't quite work for me, either. Maybe some of us are just all or nothing kind of gals!

Drink plenty of fluids, eat lightly, and baby yourself for the next couple of days. You've been through a lot.

 

[Josephine]

I was cutting down to half then quarters.

You were probably coming off them too quickly. Did you read this Weaning off pain medication

My pain is d and e area of rf1

That's probably distal (bottom of) ITB (ilio-tibial band)

 

[fours2many]

@Josephine
Yes, I’m sure I came off them too fast. I kept trying to lower the amount of pain meds, and would have a bad day and increase. I defeated the purpose of cutting back. I didnt know I was actually getting withdrawal symptoms as I was cutting back, then I’d take the next dose and feel a wee bit better. Like I got used to the lower amount. I really need off of them and was only cut back down for a couple days when I stopped altogether yesterday. I won’t give in and take one. I feel really, really bad right now. I know it will end in a few days. I just hope they go by fast. I’ve been through too much the past few months. This is just over the top.

I do believe you are correct and that is what is causing my pain. Actually for a while now a lot of my tendons have been giving me trouble. I’ll try the stretching once I feel up to it. For now, it’s RICE and running to the bathroom... ugh!

Well turns out it wasn’t the Percocet causing the withdrawal symptoms. I was given Ativan to calm me after my incision opened and to help me sleep. I took 2 a night, then when PT started, OS wanted me to take one before therapy to keep me calm. Well, that was 30 days. I didn’t think anything of it. I just stopped taking them the other day. I didn’t know they are the worst drug to withdrawal from. Way worse than the Percocet, worse than Valium, worse than any other benzo drug. This is why I would have symptoms of withdrawal on days I didn’t have PT. I didn’t take that 3rd afternoon pill. I would be weepy, nauseous, sore, pained, even had diarrhea. Then 3 nights ago, I just didn’t take it. I had trouble sleeping and felt worse and worse. I thought it as from going off the Percocet too soon. Boy was I wrong! Now I have to call my Gp and try and work out some schedule of slowly, very slowly, like 10% every week or two to get off them. It will take months. I so did not need this. I wish the drs would have told me about this. I would’ve braved out the pain. Yes, they initially helped me sleep, now I’ll be an insomniac for months. I really regret having this knee replacement done...More and more

 

[Jockette]

Same here, I have more issues now than I ever had before surgery with my arthritis.

I’m sorry you were not told how to stop the medication. I thought professionals were supposed to take care of us.

I am considering gabapentin. I know many people are fine with it but I just don’t have a peace about taking it. I don’t need anymore surprises with this recovery. And I hear you have to carefully wean off that, too.

 

[sistersinhim]

Your withdrawals sound awful. I hope you can get through it much quicker than you anticipate.

 

[fours2many]

Yes, I was on Neurontin years ago for a while to help with nerve pain. Slowly taper off. It worked for me but only for a short time.

I hate this. I never take drugs. Before the surgery I was lucky if I needed an Aleve once a month. I used the hot tub to relax sore muscles and my knees. Now I’m a limping, a drug addict, nervous wreck. I never had a panic attack or anxiety before this.

 

[SusieShoes]

Sorry you are having such a bad time because of the Ativan. Just work with your doctors and you will get through this and to the other side. You will get back to a life without all these medications.

 

[Celle]

I hate this. I never take drugs. Before the surgery I was lucky if I needed and aleve once a month. I used the hot tub to relax sore muscles and my knees. Now I’m a limping, a drug addict, nervous reck. I never had a panic attack or anxiety before this.

First, you are not a drug addict. Your body has become habituated to the medication, not addicted. They are very different things.
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds

You've needed the drugs for a valid reason. Give it time, and your body will adjust to not having them again.

It's only just over two months since you had major surgery, so you are still in the early days of this year-long recovery.
Hang in there, because things are going to get better.

At this early stage of recovery most people are still regretting having the surgery, but as their recovery progresses, they start to feel that it was all worthwhile.

 

[4quilts]

I am so sorry you are having such issues. Those of us who are taking longer than "six weeks" to recover wish we never had the surgery. But then I remind myself of how limiting my right knee was before my October 9, 2017 surgery. There were so many things I could not do. Almost 5 months after surgery and 3 months since my MUA, I still have pain, stiffness and zingers but they are not as bad as they were a month ago. Each day is a little better. Hang in there and keep posting. BoneSmart members are wonderful people who are very supportive.

 

[sistersinhim]

I promise you, it will get better. I remember being in the dark days that you are in and regretting ever having this surgery. I was like Jockette. I didn't hurt all the time, I just was living a restrictive life and couldn't do the things I loved to do anymore. It took about a good 4-5 months before I was glad I had it done. You are still very early in your recovery and time seems like an eternity. But, you will get there!

 

[Jamie]

So sorry to hear of the problems with your medications. Just so you know for some future need for pain management, a good thing to do when you must take opioid pain medications, is to go to a step-down drug for pain management after the first few weeks. Usually that drug is Tramadol which can be used with Extra Strength Tylenol. Many people also need to taper off Tramadol, but it's normally a bit easier than the stronger narcotics. Tramadol is not on the "hotseat" like all the opioid narcotics are right now, so most doctors will prescribe it after a major surgery like joint replacement.

Hang in there with this challenging time. It will get better and you'll start feeling like yourself again soon. I know it's hard to be patient when you just want it all to be over with!

 

[Beckadeez]

I’m so sorry this has happened to you. I had no idea about any of that. I’ve never taken that antibiotic but I’ll know to check for reactions, if I ever take it in the future. Your doctor should well know what could happen. How scary! I hope you can get some relief. Hugs...

 

[sistersinhim]

Sending many prayers up for you.

 

[Dzina]

So very sorry for your troubles it must be very frustrating and depressing to find your self in this situation. Thank you for posting the link to the FDA’s site regarding Levaquin - certainly knowledge I was unaware of as it seems your health professionals were also. and hugs

 

[fours2many]

Haven’t posted in a while.

I’ll be 4 months po soon. My knee still isn’t doing well.
Everyone who sees it says it looks awful.
My tendons are very tight. It is still red, swollen and warm to the touch. If I don’t have it raised with ice, it swells right away.
I walk in the pool daily, but not over doing it.

I’ve had people tell me it looks infected, my skin is also shiny on that knee.
I don’t know... I read here that some people have redness warmth and swelling for a while. I have no fever, but the tightness is irritating, but not painful.

 

[Celle]

Recommendation one: Stop showing your knee to people and getting uninformed opinions.

Recommendation two: Show your knee to your surgeon or you own doctor/PCP. They will tell you if it is infected, or not.

Recommendation three: While your knee is tight and swollen, cut right back on all your activities, especially any exercising, including walking in the pool.

I'm going to ask @Josephine to advise you. She will probably ask you a lot of questions. Do try to answer them as fully as possible, so she has all the information she needs, to advise you properly.