TKR Milosnanna's Recovery Thread<

[sistersinhim]

Tramadol works well for me, too. Please see if you can get some more.

 

[Milosnanna]

Still can't navigate forum only lets me see my recovery - closed down browser a few times but can anyone advise on how to see other people's threads. It used to be easy up to knee replacement and a list of people from drop down menu then click and I could read threads now nothing - I rely on this site so much look forward to reading all day about people's recovery.

Bad night last night did not sleep at all maybe 5 minutes here and there took Tramadol before bed didn't have an afternoon nap so WHY was I so tired but just could not get rid of the pain whichever way I turned probably my worst sleeping night so far and I am over 4 weeks.

The only thing I did differently last night was empty dishwasher. Maybe that was too much because it involved a lot of stretching to put things away. Won't do that today just in case. Still walking a lot back and forth kitchen and lounge every hour or so.

I was told initially that I would be fine in 6 weeks, maybe a little pain maybe not, but I am only 2 weeks away from that magic 6 weeks and I can't see that happening. Have my appointment with my OS on 11th September, I just hope I can walk in there.

Also supposed to go to a wedding 1st week of September. Definitely won't be doing that, Sad as hubby is best man.

Still feel nauseous all the time, can't figure that one out either. I don't eat anything sweet at all am vegetarian so salads most nights with some form of protein. So don't know where this nausea is coming from. Advised that paracetamol will not make me nauseous so can't be meds and that is all I take in the day although I did miss my 1pm paracetamol yesterday.

I'm so glad it is summer here although the it's raining most of the time I can at least leave the back patio doors open and get some fresh air. Miss going out, miss being independent. I really hope this improves soon.

Hope you are all doing better today.

 

[Milosnanna]

There have been a few glitches since the upgrade. Try doing this:
Log out of BoneSmart, then close your browser. Re-open the browser and log in to BoneSmart again. Does that help?

No still can't see anyone's threads just mine sometimes says I don't have access used to be easy now can't see threads on people I have been following
Most of the time it says I don't have permission to view this page or thread ?

 

[Josephine]

took Tramadol before bed didn't have an afternoon nap so WHY was I so tired but just could not get rid of the pain

Do I take it you only took one Tramadol? And no paracetamol? Did you not see the chart I left for you a few posts back? Next time, take 1 Tramadol and 2 paracetamol. You will find that is works much better.

probably my worst sleeping night so far and I am over 4 weeks. I was told initially that I would be fine in 6 weeks

Well, it's well known that 4-6 weeks is slap bang in the middle of the 'angry tissue' phase! Mostly because the patient gets impatient and starts doing too much and is also not diligent in the pain meds department! So why you were told that I don't know but it's not true!

The only thing I did differently last night was empty dishwasher. Maybe that was too much

I would say so!

Still feel nauseous all the time.Advised that paracetamol will not make me nauseous so can't be meds

Pain can make you nauseous. So you need to manage your pain better.

Let me ask you - when you asked your GP for the Tramadol, did you say it was just for sleeping or because you needed better pain management?


As for the forum difficulties, they are ongoing I'm afraid. It might be another day or so before we get it all sorted.

 

[Milosnanna]

@Josephine asked doctor for tramadol because I was not sleeping because of pain, she gave me 10 to try, instead of codeine because I read on here that codeine is better for hips not do good for knees.

 

[Josephine]

Oh well that's okay then, you can get back to her when/if you want to and tell her they are helping and she'll give you some more.

 

[flyaway79]

Whoever told you that you would be fine in 6 weeks with "maybe a little pain or not" obviously has never had this surgery and unfortunately set you up for some unrealistic expectations.

It will get better with time but you still have months ahead of you with your recovery. Everyone is different and has different issues through their recovery period but over all the most important thing you can have is patience.

Your knee will recover at its own pace and nothing you can do will make it faster. In fact if you do try to push it too much it will just get angry and balk, much like a toddler who is having a temper tantrum

It will get better!!

 

[Josephine]

In fact if you do try to push it too much it will just get angry and balk, much like a toddler who is having a temper tantrum

I LOVE that! And I have the perfect image!

 

[flyaway79]

@Josephine That's too funny!

 

[liam2015]

Way back when I was talking to my surgeon about scheduling the knee replacement, he told me "6 weeks recovery" also. I don't remember what he said to qualify it and I didn't think to question him about it as I didn't know anyone that had it done. That is very misleading.

 

[sistersinhim]

Oh yes. I don't know why some many OSs say that. My told me I'd hate him for the first 6 months, so I knew it'd would be a while before I was happy with this. But, it certainly didn't take that long! It does take quite a while, though and so many are not prepared for this long recovery.

 

[Pheebs52]

(((@Milosnanna))) I'd like to give your OS a kick in the keister. Fine in 6 weeks? I'm afraid not. Not even close. My surgeon told me it can take 2 years, but he meant for complete recovery. He said *most* people begin to feel much more like themselves between 12-14 weeks, but it can take up to 6 months for others. The good news is, you may just feel quite a bit better in 6 weeks than you do right now. A lot of us seem to experience diminished pain at that point, a little less stiffness and have a bit better mobility. But, none of this is written in stone. We are all different and heal differently.

The difficult sleeping is a bear! Personally, I think it's one of the worst aspects of this recovery; ugh! That too seems to vary by individual, but I know I found great improvement with that as well at around 6 weeks. If memory serves me well (Hah!) I think I went from waking every 2 hours to getting in a solid 4-5 hours at around that point. So, sleep comes eventually, just not as soon as we'd like; pffft!

I've no idea why you are continuing to feel nauseous, but perhaps increasing your pain meds would help as Josephine suggested. If that doesn't help, why not see your primary care doc? Maybe something else is going on that is unrelated to your knee? Just a thought and worth a try. You don't need nausea on top of everything else right now.

Hang in there and be assured, better days are coming!

 

[Milosnanna]

You are all so wonderful! I don't HONESTLY DON'T know what I would have done without this site. I know I keep saying it but it's true. When the site was down the other day I didn't know what to do with myself just kept checking back all the time.

On the sleep front I had 5 hrs last night because I took a herbal Nutella and 1 Tramadol. So that is an improvement but I know from reading everyone's experiences that it may not happen tonight so thank you for the heads up.

I also went to the vet last night - 1st time out and asked hubby to go in my car. It's a Polo so lower than his car that we have been going in. To start with I got in fine. Walked down the road to my car with crutches. It was raining so a bit worried, I was just going stir crazy. One of my daughters has a cat, the other a dog. Mav (cat) (Milo) dog but cat has used up most of his 9 lives. He has diabetes, serious liver problems etc., etc., but he also has a lot of pain so he didn't have his pain meds. Daughter is an entertainer and was not here to go and get his meds so I actually made myself go with hubby.

It was okay, I took ice, it was about ½hr to vet and same back. A bit uncomfortable and glad to get back but glad I made the effort. It would be why I slept so well.

I am so glad this site it back up and running. Thank you bonesmart and all you beautiful caring people out there.

Oh the six week thing was told to me by my OS. There is a man at the end of our road that had his knee replacement in January and I was asking him all the time how it was going. He was taken back in after two weeks for 6 weeks IV antibiotics as he had an infection. Haven't see him for a while as he came back out of hospital March sometime.

Then I went in in July (went on holiday in between) my husband saw him recently and he said all fine and was driving after 2 weeks. Now I know that's not true because he went back and and had it redone and was on antibiotics in hospital for 6 weeks. It may be that he was driving after two weeks of getting home from that stay which would make it 8-10 weeks but sometimes these statements really get you down. People don't realise what they are saying and how they are making you feel. That's why I love the honesty of this site. I also like the straight talking of the mods which is what we all need.

 

[Pheebs52]

@Milosnanna, I'm glad to hear you got out and about, even if it was for a trip to the Vet; brava! It just does us all a lot of good to leave the house and get our feet wet in the *real world* doing some type of *normal* activity. Brava!

Five hours sleep at just 4 weeks is fabulous!

One of the most important facts we learn here at Bonesmart is that no two knees or recoveries are alike. As such, comparisons to others is useless. Though I've been on the *scenic route* to recovery (slow) I really enjoy hearing about all of our knee RockStars....they give us all hope that better days are in our future.

 

[Milosnanna]

Just wondering about walking. My hubby said it looked as though my knee was turned inwards when walking. Now worried in case I am doing wrong. Started doing heel to toe walking with walker. Does that help extension and how?

Also when sitting next my recliner I tend to sit with knees up. It's the only comfortable way or bent laying on side with pillow. Does anyone think this in wrong?

Had a non groaning night last night. Managed to toss and turn before pain set in, always around 4am - strange. At lease hubby didn't have to listen to moans so I guess that's progress.

Not sure if I am doing enough exercises. I do some heel slides but don't like them (does anyone) probably 10 a day. Do they count if I do them in recliner?

Can lift my leg on to bed no problem. The only thing is first thing in the morning. The stiffness is so bad take me doubled over the walker to get to bathroom. By the time I come out of bathroom less stiff.

Then I do my arms back and forth to the lounge kitchen for about 10 minutes then back to recliner. I feel lazy and guilty. I do ft up every hour and do lots more walks but not sure if it is enough.

Also because of not sleeping I tend to take a nap lunchtime, then I really do manage to sleep and it's the best sleep.

Can't wait to be more able bodied but I know it's going to take some time. Decided not to go to wedding in 3 weeks. Can't see me being in any fit state by then so may as well tell bride/groom now. I was supposed to cater for all the vegetarian. Can barely cater for myself at present. It would mean lots of shopping and cooking really can't see me improving that much in 3 weeks.

 

[Milosnanna]

@Pheebs52 our next holiday we were planning on Boston and New England. Don't know when that will be but on reading your recovery have lots of ideas of beautiful places you mentioned. I have always wanted to go to New England. Used to watch Payton Place as a child and loved it so perhaps nearer the time I can ask for some advice on where to go. I hear Boston is one of the worst airports to get out of too. Is that true? It would take a lot to beat JFK. Daughter going away for 4 weeks soon so will have one less helper. Just hope she is safe.

 

[SusieShoes]

You will start to feel a lot better soon, so hang in there. You're making wise decisions not to attend the wedding, and especially not to do the shopping, prepping, cooking, and delivery for any kind of catering. Something tells me you're an awesome vegetarian cook, but those guests will do just fine with someone else's cooking, while you would probably exhaust yourself and maybe set back your recovery. You don't want to do that. Better to continue on your current pace, because it sounds like you're doing well!

We all have trouble sleeping, it seems, and it does get back to normal eventually. I'm not quite there yet at more than three months, but am doing more sleeping through the night. Until you get there, enjoy your naps.

I also did heel slides (sorta, kinda) in my recliner. They weren't the best heel slides, but hey... they counted! I think any movement is good for the knees. It should be movement you are in control of and that doesn't hurt you too much. All moving of the knee hurts a bit at first. But do your heel slides wherever and whenever the mood strikes. Many Smarties do them in the bathroom while on the throne, and use the floor tiles to measure their progress.

 

[Milosnanna]

Thank you Sussieshoes. I appreciate your advice. Told hubby to telephone them and give them notice that I won't be doing the food but will wait until a day or two before to decide whether I will go to the actual ceremony but as thing are can't see it.

I did just try to go to local shop with hubby and managed getting in and out of car and walked to shop - terrified because it was raining and not sure of crutches in the rain but managed a small shop hanging on to cart - only thing was when we got to checkout hubby had forgotten wallet had to bring me home and go back. His excuse was he had to think about my ice my water my blank is etc .

Icing now feeling okay/proud. Let's see if I visit the Odic tonight , you have done so well been following your recoveryx

 

[Josephine]

@Milosnanna, you really are a naughty lady! Back in post #33, I spent quite a bit of time making a post about your activity and exercising yet you seem to be ignoring all the advice I gave you! Many of these comments I've quoted here, I addressed in that post.

Started doing heel to toe walking with walker. Does that help extension and how?

Yes it does help because it stretches the hamstrings which are the principle issue with extension.

Also when sitting next my recliner I tend to sit with knees up. It's the only comfortable way or bent laying on side with pillow. Does anyone think this in wrong?

Go back and read my answer about elevating.

Not sure if I am doing enough exercises. I feel lazy and guilty

Go back and read my comment at the end of my post starting "it's not the exercising that gets you your ROM"

I do some heel slides but don't like them (does anyone) probably 10 a day. Do they count if I do them in recliner?

Read my comment about heel slides

The only thing is first thing in the morning. The stiffness is so bad take me doubled over the walker to get to bathroom. By the time I come out of bathroom less stiff.

Despite the fact you said in your answers (post #32) that your pain score is only 1, this tells me differently because your problem here is undermedicated pain. Are you taking 2 Tramadol and 2 paracetamol before you go to bed? Are you making sure you wake up during the night to take the next scheduled dose? Because if you are going from 10pm (say) to when you get up without any pain meds, then you will be stiff - which is, you will remember, a form of pain. You're not even 5 weeks post-op yet so should be much more diligent with your pain medications.

Also because of not sleeping I tend to take a nap lunchtime, then I really do manage to sleep and it's the best sleep.

That is excellent! I always did my best sleeps in the recliner!

I did just try to go to local shop with hubby and managed getting in and out of car and walked to shop

You will remember that I said in summary,
a) you need to read the articles
b) you need to do a lot less so you can rest more
c) you need to stop thinking 'I must, I've got to' and such
c) stop all the exercising and physio appts.

That's all still applicable. If you read the articles, specially the one about activities, you would have read that at week week 5 the recommendation is "Increase walks to out in the garden or street; to 20mins or longer if you feel up to it" NOT going to the shops!

 

[Milosnanna]

Thank you Josephine x

Okay I agree I maybe did too much yesterday. I was just so jealous of people on here that were able to go out after 4 weeks to the shops thought I would try it. Wrong decision I guess. I need to be patient. I paid for it last night as had a really bad night of pain from 2.30 onwards so I have decided to take the Tramadol in with me to bed and if needed take one at night.

My problem is my doctor only gave me 10 at first then I asked for more and they gave me 15 on Friday. I have only been taking 1 at night to try and keep them in reserve in case they won't give me any.

I have very little knowledge of medication as I have always used herbal remedies and rarely took tablets before my TKR. I had prescriptions off doctor for zappain when my knee was bad but honestly only every took them a few times. I would work through the the pain or rest until pain eased. So not being used to tablets I was unsure about taking them. I started on codeine but I felt they were making me nauseous but still nauseous so it wouldn't have been them.

Changed to Tramadol and have had a couple of good sleeps for a few hours. Woke up at 2.30 last night and decided I that tonight I would do what a lot of people on here do and take another pain med in the middle of the night. Will let you know how it goes tomorrow.