TKR Is this normal?

Here are some reasons we all have trouble sleeping for a while after this surgery:
 
hi im nearly 8 weeks post TKR.... consultant is happy with everything and doesn't need to see me again.

admittedly i was naive before op, consultant explained it was a big op and it would take time.....but the past 2 weeks at night with pain has been horrendous. i have insomnia anyway, but im barely having 2 hours sleep.
its really effecting my anxiety and depression.....im taking co codomol, maybe too many as i just get so down and not think what im doing. other meds like oral morph dont work.

my gp is a bit of a waste of time, so given up talking to him.

im planning on going back to work next week, maybe a little normality will help.

any advice re night pain.
I had my op on 8 sept this year, so just over 10 weeks ago.
Pain has been a real barrier in the healing process for me too.
Surgeon and physio happy with the actual op and progress but the pain has been unbearable at times!
In the early days I was accidentally taking more than the recommended doses of meds as I was in so much pain. I started writing down the time I was taking the meds in a little book so I could see what I was using and I’m still doing this now. It’s slowly gone from waiting for 4 hours to pass to sometimes it being 6 hours before I need my meds again. What I’m trying to say it can be good to write it down to make sure you take safe amounts of drugs and also It’s good to track progress to help see the small improvements.

I’m taking morphine and paracetamol and Ibuprofen as co-codamol was just not enough. The ibuprofen is really good as it reduces inflammation while the paracetamol and code be just block the pain.
Night pain is always worse and gosh I’ve suffered in the night with this!!
I started icing my knee when I woke up in the night, which just helped me get back to sleep on top of the meds.
I’m also using hot water bottles now to help ease the pain which I’m now using more than the ice. It’s sooo soothing and helps me feel sleepy.

Recovery is the slowest ever and it’s only noticeable on a weekly basis, definitely not daily but it’s coming.
Once you start getting more sleep at night I think you will start to feel brighter in yourself - I definitely do.
Hope this helps a little!
 
I'm glad to hear you're going to speak honestly with your GP. If you've been self medicating, it is possible that is impacting your ability to get rest at night and your GP should be able to help you get back on track. Please let us know how you get along. You have lots of people supporting you within your BoneSmart family.
 
...i will try and be 'brave' lol and open up to my gp. x
You can do it Alifpb. I have faith in you. Depression thrives in darkness, so bring it out into the light. Your knee needs you to be healthy and rested and strong so it can heal. Your gp can help you with that if you are honest about your struggles.
 
thank you for your reply.
i just didnt think that my depression would really kick in...im so good at hiding and dealing with it.....im just drained.
gp wont give me anything else, im on over counter cocodamol....other meds didnt really touch the pain as i was on them so long maybe. sleep is horrendous, again gp wont bother as im on high dose of amytriptiline.

everyday i just need to keep trying. thanks again x
 
sleep is horrendous, again gp wont bother as im on high dose of amytriptiline
Sounds like you need a medication review. Can you call your GP's office and get an appointment in the diary?
 
l was lucky with my TKR and the 2 stage revision done 3 years later for infection . l don't remember ever being unable to sleep . Maybe that's partly do to having a low hemoglobin ? Seems l could fall asleep anytime anyplace . l did get a blood transfusion in the hospital because of low hemoglobin . lts gotta be a nightmare to be awake all night . l am not sure what your future plans were , buttocks keep the insomnia in mind when traveling . Good luck to you !
 
afternoon..
im 56 and had TKR 11 weeks a go.

i know ive maybe been impatient, i went back to work 2 weeks a go, standing up for 7 hours really flared knee up. swelling and the pain wasnt good.

i decided to hand my notice in, as my depression has become bad, along side not sleeping, im struggling.

i was wondering how you all coped with the night pain...and was your knee still so stiff and unable to bend.

im having physio/hydrotherapy once a week, and doing usual physio exercises.
 
I think you are doing way too much and that is keeping your knee inflamed and unable to heal. The best thing for you to do is to stop your PT and exercises and just let your knee heal. Walking around the house and doing your daily activities is enough to rehab your knee.

In 33 years I had 12 knee surgeries and never took formal PT. But, I didn't sit around all the time, either. I was divorced and had to take care of my house, yard, cats, and myself. This is natural PT and allows you to be in control of what your knee is going through. Taking lots of breaks, icing, and elevating is a must! I elevated it for at least 6 months. Whenever I sat down my leg would go up! If I had swelling, the ice pack went on and around my knee. Getting and keeping the fluid out, (swelling), will naturally improve the ROM and lessen the pain.
 
Returning to work at nine weeks post op may have been a little ambitious and more than your new knee could handle, especially standing for seven hours.
The combination of quitting your job, not sleeping and a depressed mood is sadly not helping I'm sure.

I agree with sistersinhim that you are doing too much and would also advise you stop the physio / exercises for now and see if you notice a difference.
Please refrain from engaging in movement that causes discomfort or pain. While your range of motion is currently limited, it will naturally increase as the swelling subsides and the pain eases. Ice, Elevation and Rest along with Time should help.

Please notice that we have merged your newest thread with your original recovery thread. Having your recovery information contained in one place will make it easier for you to reflect back on. It is also helpful for those stopping by to be able to review your history before advising or commenting.
Please post any updates, questions or concerns about your recovery here.
Best wishes as you continue the journey and Happy Holidays!
@Alifpb
 
thank you so much for your replies...

sistersinhim

Layla


im just feeling so down at the minute, depression/anxitey and now unemployed, insomnia and pain is now really taking its toll.
i will speak to my physio next week. see if she supports me in not going back to work yet. my gp isnt very supportive, so me asking him for a sick note will be fun.

this pain is horrendous, such a long night. i just dont know who to go to for support with what to do next, so the likes of these forums help lots.....so thank you. xx
 
At 9-weeks I could not stand and work for 7-hours. I don't know how you did it! I hope your GP will give you something to help you with the pain especially at night. It seems when we lay down at night everything hurts! I know I have said early on why did I do this too. At 4-months I am doing way better. Now you have to let your knee heal and you have to give yourself a break.
 
thank you

Flashlight


im trying to be positive today, i think i just had everything thrown at me lately.

ive very grateful for these forums

merry xmas
xx
 
Please give it more time, it will get better. It's still pretty early in the healing process in the entire scheme of things. I hope your mood improves, your sleep increases and your pain eases. Good luck with your physio next week and in getting an extension for time off work. Let us know how it goes. Until then, I hope you're able to have a peaceful holiday with those you love.

baby-jesus:merry-xmas-smiley-emoticon:
@Alifpb
 
How are you doing on this four month anniversary of your TKR?
We haven't heard from you in awhile. I hope you had a pleasant holiday season and the New Year is off to a good start for you. Please let us know how things are going next time you're on the forum. Hope to hear from you soon.
Happy Four Month Anniversary!
@Alifpb
 
aww good morning

Layla

im coping:loll:.....been a tough few weeks with my mental health. ive finally, last friday spoke to a GP who was very understanding.

im still having basic physio, finished my 6 sessions of hydrotherapy now.

im seeing a slightly more specialised physio in february as i still suffer pain, mainly at night, and the knee is still stiff when i try to bend.... certain steps can be tricky.

thank you so much for the message
xx
 
I'm sorry you're struggling somewhat. You're never alone here, we're here if you need us, we do care. It is nice to hear from you! Please let us know how the new physio in February is working for you after a time. Until then, I wish you peace.:friends:
@Alifpb
 
im seeing a slightly more specialised physio in february as i still suffer pain, mainly at night, and the knee is still stiff when i try to bend.... certain steps can be tricky.
Usually, increased pain at night is an indication that you are doing too much during the day. Try cutting back on those activities and ice and elevate much more than you are doing now. You can ice non-stop as long as you have a cloth between you and the ice source.

You are only 1/3 of the way through this year-long healing. I was still icing and elevating at 6 months and listened to my knee. When I did something that increased its pain and/or swelling I knew to cut back those activities for a few weeks.

The best exercise you can do for your knee right now is patience. You can not force your knee to heal any quicker than it's going to heal. But, you can slow it down by doing too much too soon.
 

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