Mind games

[speedray]

Hi all,
I had never had any kind of surgery before my TKR about 5 months ago. All has gone very well except for numbness in my foot as discussed elsewhere on this forum and that seems headed in the right direction.
But I’ve noticed a continuing lack of interest in doing some of the things I enjoyed before the surgery. I can understand this soon after the surgery but I thought by now I would be getting back to normal. Granted, my foot problems have held me back some but I think I could push through that to a certain extent if...well...if I just felt like it.
The past six years or so, in addition to my day job, I have been putting in long hours in my shop building custom motorcycles and I have a big project out there now partially completed that I just can’t make myself get back to. In fact, while I was in the hospital I remember thinking to myself, “I just don’t want to do that stuff anymore.” Metal fabrication, welding, building stuff etc. is something I’ve done for basically my own enjoyment for around 40+ years and now I could care less about it.
I’m wondering if this is a legitimate life altering insight or if it’s the surgery messing with my head. I thought maybe it was the pain meds but I haven’t taken anything stronger than ibuprofen since about 6 weeks out.
I’d be interested to hear if others have had similar experiences and any insights or thoughts anyone might have on the “intangible” effects of a major surgery like this.

Thanks,
Speedray

 

[sykeRN]

Hi Speedray---I truly think everyone lives their life in chapters---maybe life is telling you to move on and try something even more fullfilling.
Hopefully your foot numbness resolves itself.

My husband has been mostly a boat/fishing type of guy for many years---he changed on a dime a couple years ago and has resumed his passion for golfing (had not golfed for 30 years). Just an example. Regards. Nancy

 

[Max Wallace]

It could be the pain meds, I did not feel quite right until I had been off of them for a while.
I am at 9 months post op and have enjoyed thins I was unable to do for years.

 

[hollie9]

Before surgery, my life kept getting smaller and smaller, doing less and less. This crept up so gradually I hardly noticed. It was because it hurt to do the things I used to do. I don't know how long you waited before your TKR, but for me it was a couple years (I had 2 TKRs).

Then with surgery I was slowed down more. I'm about 5 months out on second knee and am only just becoming interested in things I used to do. I hope the further out from surgery I get, the more my life will come back in focus.

Mind Games is an accurate title....I still don't trust my new knees to be there for me, although they have been strong and sturdy when I try. It was just so long pre and post surgery I couldn't trust them. So a lot of this is in my head.

I think that time will correct this and we will eventually pass this habit we've developed and trust our new knees, and hopefully not even think about them.

Hollie

 

[kneed2]

Before surgery, my life kept getting smaller and smaller, doing less and less. This crept up so gradually I hardly noticed. It was because it hurt to do the things I used to do. I don't know how long you waited before your TKR, but for me it was a couple years (I had 2 TKRs).

Then with surgery I was slowed down more. I'm about 5 months out on second knee and am only just becoming interested in things I used to do. I hope the further out from surgery I get, the more my life will come back in focus.

Mind Games is an accurate title....I still don't trust my new knees to be there for me, although they have been strong and sturdy when I try. It was just so long pre and post surgery I couldn't trust them. So a lot of this is in my head.

I think that time will correct this and we will eventually pass this habit we've developed and trust our new knees, and hopefully not even think about them.

Hollie

Geez Hollie,

I sure hope you're right! I long to do things that I haven't done in a couple of decades!
And I had to quit working almost 2 years ago after my foot spontaneously broke due to undue stress from weak knees and diabetic neurothapy.

I am really looking forward to the future.

schedule:
RTKR 12/10/09
LTKR 3/12/10
total foot reconstruction (sometime later) 6 mos. with no weight bearing....ughhh!

Good Luck to all of us!

 

[Texas]

I think to some extent Im the same I use to really be on the go now either Im not interested or dont have the energy i dont know.......Do what make you happy though.................Best wishes.......)

 

[Judles]

It must be a combination of pain meds AND mid life crisis! Don't get yourself nuts...you may be broadening your horizons! (0)

 

[FrogFeathers]

The first four-ish months, I didn't want to do anything. I love to read- you can read while lying around and recovering, but noooo, it took me almost four months to get through a single book (I would have normally devoured it in less than an afternoon). I blame my pain meds and pain in general. It drains the fun out of everything.

I know that sitting around reading (or writing- I write really bad fiction sometimes) isn't the same as motorcycle fabrication, but I finally fell back into my groove (and went on to read seven books in a series in a very short time).

Sometimes, our bodies know when we need to slow down and not do anything.

I've done more in the last few weeks than I have in at least three years. :D

 

[loggon]

Hi I am 5 months out and I find there are some things I did for a long time and now I really am not interested in them.

A lot is I just don't have the energy to do some things, nor do I have the interest to do them.

But I am sure as we start back to a normal life we may pick back up
on a lot to things we did.

 

[brs0660]

I believe that we do go thru some real changes. If you notice any other major symptoms like sleeping more or less, not being able to set goals, not interested in things you have been doing...etc. If these kind of symptoms continue, you need to talk to your Primary Care doctor. It is possible you are experiencing some mild depression :shk:...the unspoken disease. ..sometimes as easily solved as doing something new and different, getting involved in more exercise, even some medications can help.

For years depression has been that dirty little secret, that only crazy people have....not so. We are now in the 21st century. Time for all of us to see depression as a treatable disease not the "black plague".

Barb

 

[speedray]

Interesting responses all.........at this point I should add that I will be going in to have my other knee replaced in December so I am looking at maybe another 6-8 months from now before there is any knee-wise normalcy in my life.

I can relate to not having energy to do much of anything. Right after the surgery I didn’t want to read anything, and I love to read, I didn’t even want to watch tv. I bought a bass guitar shortly before the surgery and began teaching myself to play figuring my “downtime” would be a great time to practice. I made sure the bass was easily accessible during the recovery period......but I didn't touch it for the first month or more. I am back to playing pretty much every day now and reading so I CAN get interested in something. Maybe not having the energy or interest in more physical pursuits is just my body’s way of telling me to rest and heal. It may all come back to me or I might have to make some changes, if I just listen and pay attention I’m sure time will tell me.

I HOPE this isn’t a mid-life crisis. Been there done that and it wasn’t pretty or much fun! I’d rather not go there again. :pnc:

 

[Texas]

Im glad your atleast playing the guitar maybe the rest will come back...it was a cool thread interesting what everyone said....lol....Good Luck to you.......haha my hubby told me the same thing.......lol..........) but it wasnt ......

 

[loggon]

Speed I think you are right in your body is telling you something.

You will get back to what you use to do. You don't have any energy and when you don't have energy and you don't feel good, you just don't want to do anything.

If I don't get some filing done in my office I am going to have evey file out on desks and floor. I just look at it an think oh well.
That is not like me or at least not like I use to be. I would get upset
if the staples were not stapled even. (no not at employees, I would just redo them)
But hang in there and I hope your next surgery goes great.

 

[kangaroo]

The mention of depression may well be valid. Is it that you don't want to do THAT stuff or you don't want to do ANY stuff. If its just that your interest have changed thats one thing....you'll get back to it.....but if its you just don't want to do anything well then that could be an issue.

 

[skigirl]

This is interesting, i just had this conversation with one of my friends. I have always had so much energy--and now I get Tired sometimes!! Soooootired!!!

People I used to bike with kick my butt---sometimes, I don't even want to bike anymore, it seems like so much work. I even had to walk up a hill last week---the first time that has happened to me since age 7 or 8.

I am an artist--but my studio just sits. I always worked at night---now, I go in there and sit around and really, don't do much of anything. I can rouse myself to do some small project--but then, another week of nothing. I am sitting in my studio now and reading about other people is more interesting to me than my own work.

I work in a a store two days per week--on those days, I work out before I go in and then after work, swim an hour---then, I am sooo tired that I go to bed. Yuck!!! I have never been tired before midnight in my life--now, Ihave to work to stay up till then so many nights---and when my alarm rings at 6--I don't want to get up.

I don't take any pain meds--so, It can't be that. I don't think I am really depressed---I am just out of energy. I am disgusted with myself--I have to force myself to the gym every day or I would just sit around like a lump. Kelly

 

[Judles]

Don't be so tough on yourselves! That only makes it WORSE!!!
:rant::rant::wahey::wahey:

 

[ship4]

Kelly,
You have pushed hard ever since you got your TKR. You haven't given your body time to rest.......
Rest and you will be rewarded by being rejuvenated.
Give yourself a break. You have done well, and deserve it.

 

[cindy88fan]

Kelly,
I have read so many post about the after effects of this surgery. You will be tired, it takes a lot out of you. Did you read the post about Sam-E? The natural herb thing? I guess it perks you up...makes you happy. Read that and see if you think that's something that might help you. But take this time to relax and enjoy life.

 

[One NZer]

Hi Kelly,
Have you thought it might be the anaesthesia that is causing you this grief ?
I have had several full anaesthetics in my life and for the next 6-9 months I have concentration problems and a little memory loss too.
I return to entirely normal, alert, bright, happy etc etc, not instantly but gradually, then without realising it suddenly all is right with the world again.

Check with your anaesthetist and question him about side effects.

My last run-in with the anaesthetist had no ill effects on me, I will be asking for the same again please.

Ellen
RHKR 3/19/09

 

[Texas]

Hi Ellen really it takes that long I had no idea.......Please post or make a thread when you do tallk with him. I would love to hear what he says..........).....Oh and Hi I never posted with you before ...) nice to meet ya..........