Is anyone else feeling chilled to the bone?

[Newknee]

I'm happy to report I had my TKR on my right knee and all went well, thank God.

I am going on 7 weeks and have been doing well with physical therapy. Still fighting some stiffness and a hot knee, and have to watch how much walking I do, but overall things look good. I'm set to go back to work in 2 weeks.

I have one curious side effect, these spells of feeling really cold. I'm someone who was always warm before, and it's really strange to sit in our living room wrapped in a blanket. I'm not running a temperature, have no infection or flu, but these cold spells come and go. It's not just when I'm putting ice on my knee, either. Did anyone else experience these cold spells? Is is just part of the healing process?

Newknee

 

[Texas]

Hi New knee I did get cold but once I really started moving around it went away. And the hot knee...ugh, I just got rid of mine...Mine lasted forever lol I hope yours goes away soon......Sounds like you are doing great...Keep up the good work. Please take it easy at work maybe ease back into it......Thanks for posting....

 

[FrogFeathers]

I've been told that having major surgery can mess around with our internal thermostats for a while. My mom just had her toes removed (she's diabetic and had some other complications) and she's got the whole chills thing going on.

I had it too, but it was sort of in relation to hot flashes and the clammy chill that follows.

 

[Pat29627]

I was chilled for 8 weeks until I started Tramadol (Ultram). I only took 1/2 pill twice a night, but within three days, I was pretty much back to normal temperature-wise. When I mentioned being chilled to the bone to my surgeon, he acted like he'd never heard of that before.

Pat

 

[Sticker Lady]

Hi Newknee!
Glad that things have gone so well for you. I had the same experience that you have--feeling sooo cold. I also had the same thing with other surgery. I seems to go away in it's own time as your body gets over the assault of surgery. Just use a blanket when you need it and you'll be fine. I also used one of those beanbag things that you heat in the microwave on my lap when I felt especially cold. This is the time to pamper yourself, so cuddle up and feel well!

Blessings,
Irene

 

[Max Wallace]

I think the residue from the anesthesia that has not cleared your body does it. i froze for about 2 week after surgery then it cleared up.

 

[Texas]

That is really good to hear because at first I thought I was crazy....Everyone told me menopause ??????? I know ...lol

 

[Josephine]

Some meds can do that to you as well, Newknee.

 

[Newknee]

Thanks for the feedback everyone. At least I know I have some company on ice with me! I will take it easy when I go back to work and make sure to bring a sweater!

Newkee
Right TKR June 8, 2009

 

[Clunker]

Hi New,
Glad you posted this. I kind of forgot how frozen I got after surgery.I would be so so hot,then just freeze. The times I froze most were right after I ate, even if i had hot soup. I would freeze for about 10 mn.s. And I am very hot blooded,and have never been that cold in my life. And the weird thing was,,when I got real cold like that,and would lower my operated leg downward ,,it would feel like slush trying to push through my veins. It hurt like hell,,if I can say that here,, other wise,,,it really really hurt,,lol.

 

[mwolf]

newknee,

I am 9 months out now and I FROZE for the first 3 months. Mind you I live with a husband and 2 teenage boys who are always hot. But my OS said for me it was because I was so anemic and lost so much blood. When my blood levels came back up, I warmed up some. Still seem to be colder than most. I can not WAIT for hot flashes and I am seriously not kidding. I am always the one in a sweater or sweatshirt in the summer!!!

 

[Texas]

Hey New knee Just wondering how you were doing...I know my friends would think I was crazy when They would come in and I was wearing my husbands thick hunting socks with my socks underneath....lol...Hope it gets better for you soon.....

 

[Clunker]

newknee,

I am 9 months out now and I FROZE for the first 3 months. Mind you I live with a husband and 2 teenage boys who are always hot. But my OS said for me it was because I was so anemic and lost so much blood. When my blood levels came back up, I warmed up some. Still seem to be colder than most. I can not WAIT for hot flashes and I am seriously not kidding. I am always the one in a sweater or sweatshirt in the summer!!!

Your a cold cold woman.:cool:

 

[Clunker]

Your a cold cold woman.:cool:

But I meant that in a very warm warm way.lol

 

[Judles]

Hunting sox, Kim?

 

[Texas]

Yes, they are big ole' thermal socks with my socks underneath....lol

 

[kangaroo]

Interesting isn't it. I had the exact opposite problem....whilst I didn't have a fever, i kept having hot flushes, like i had a really high fever, I'd sleep in the hospital with the overhead fan on and only a sheet to give me a bit of modesty...and then I'd get up to ask the nurse to check if I had a fever and I'd be back to normal again. I was absolutely sure i had an infection (thats paranoia) ....I'm sure the plastic mattresses did not help me....the nurse found me a sheep skin underblanket which helped a lot with getting me off the plastic....I thought it would have to be coincidence that I'd hit menopause on the day after surgery.....each of the doctors I had reacted in the same way....."your metabolism is out of its usual way of functioning....don't worry...."
Rachel

 

[mwolf]

That is why I love, love this web site. We all have such different experiences, but all went through the same procedure. I always learn something new when I am on here. Mark, no offense taken on the comment. I live by the saying "cold hands warm heart". I am also a RN and all my patients comment on my cold hands. I am loving this 90 degree weather coming our way!!

Mary

 

[Dawnie]

I felt chilled to the bone last night, I accidentally turned the heater pad off on our water bed, I assumed it was broken.

I now know how it would feel to sleep on a mortuary slab.

 

[bknauf]

I had a similar situation about 3 weeks after surgery. Then I started having some other symptoms that made me feel like I was having an adverse reaction to the Coumadin. Doctors felt that being so cold for days on end must have meant that I had the flu, but now I'm certain that it must have been the Coumadin. It acted like all other adverse drug reactions. Glad I found this site so I can see others have gone through this, too!