TKR Momweb's second knee joins the first

[momweb]

Today the OS added a muscle relaxant to my regiment. I was getting horrendous muscle spasms that were almost more painful than the pain itself. Hopefully this will let me sleep better.

 

[Larryhg3]

Sounds like you are doing pretty well. For me sleep was one of the worst parts. Even now six months out I have nights where I simply can’t get comfortable. Please remember to give yourself permission to recover at the rate your knee allows. Good luck in your journey.

 

[momweb]

Thank you @Larryhg3. The muscle relaxants have allowed me to do some of the stretches that otherwise I couldn't do. But nights are still the worse. I remember from my first knee that it was the case then too. However, I take the pain pill which lasts about 3 of the 4 hours. Then I watch the clock waiting until I can take the next one. Last one I turned on the TV hoping the time would go be faster. Of course, I woke up tired. So, I'll be taking it easy today.

 

[momweb]

One week after left total knee and I'm doing ok. Did my exercises with my physical therapist and then went out for a short walk with my hubby. It felt so good to get outside and feel the wonderful clean air. I just have to keep reminding myself to bend the knee. Still get really tired, but I'm proud of myself.

 

[sistersinhim]

Getting outside to walk after one week is amazing! Good going!

 

[momweb]

@sistersinhim it wasn't a long walk, but it was a walk. Today I walked to the end of my driveway, picked up the mail and walked back. No one is home today, so I didn't want to risk going too much further. A little is better than none. PT comes later this afternoon.

 

[Eeek]

That’s excellent!

When we leave the hospital in Switzerland, generally there’s no wheelchair (if you can walk at all), so my first big walk was going out the front door 4 days after surgery. It does feel good to walk.....despite the pain, it’s not the same type of pain as before.

Oh, and I also had a left breast lumpectomy followed by chemo and rads in 2010-2011. So far so good. Hope you’re doing well too.

 

[momweb]

@Eeek Congrats on your breast cancer now 6 years later. I only had radiation so I was lucky in that sense. And yes, I am doing well.

 

[momweb]

I was feeling pretty good today until I received a call from the Home Nurse who had called my doctor's office requesting a refill of pain meds. I am 9 days out. I was given 80 5mg Oxycodone to take 1-2 every 4 hours. Evidently that's supposed to last forever. So, I created a diary to see where the pills had gone. I took 10mg every 4 hours for the first 2 days I was home. I then went to 5 mg every 4 hours during the day and 10 mg at night. If I took them at the maximum dose of 10 mg the meds would have lasted 7 days. Am I overreacting here? I can't believe that at 9 days I should be expected to pain free. I have a call into the office. We'll see what happens.

 

[Dzina]

Did the Home Nurse tell you you couldn’t get anymore? I would doubt they expect you to be pain free but they might be reacting to new regs concerning opiods. I’m in western mass and use cvs as my pharmacy and could only get a weeks supply at a time. So even though my OS ordered fifty 5 mg oxycodone every 4-6 hours, the pharmacy would only fill it for 42, I.e. 6/day for 7 days. I then switched to tramadol which does not seem to have the same restrictions. Will be interesting to hear what your OS or pharmacy will do in CT.

 

[2@atime]

@Dzina same experience with CVS. OS prescribed 50, they only gave me 42. Got a refill during my 2 week check up with the PA. Didn’t look at the script until I was in the car and suprise he only prescribed 12. In understand that at least in Florida there were some new laws regulating opioids that went into effect on July 1st...my luck my BTKR was in July 25th.

I’ve supplemented with 2 500 mg Tylenol every 5-6 hours.

Good luck!

 

[momweb]

@Dzina and 2@atime I also get my script at CVS. The order was for 1-2 every 4 hours. I got 80 pills which comes to 7 days worth. The home nurse was relaying a message from my OS office. Last night I tried to create a pain diary for the past 9 days. The first 2 days I was taking 10 mg every 4 hours. That already amounted to 24 pills in 2 days. I then dropped to 5mg during the day and I still needed the 10 mg at night. That was now 7-8 a day. Using that as my calculation I should have run out on Tuesday. Today is Thursday and I still have 10 pills left. That will not get me to my appointment on the 28th. I went to bed last night and cried.

I understand the opioid crisis but really? It's gotten out of hand for people like us. Each day is a little better and each day I try to space out when I take pain med. I ice whenever I'm sitting and I've taken Tylenol to supplement but I don't see it helping.

I sent the diary via the hospital's patient portal last night in hopes of getting some understanding. I called and left a message last night. I will call again today. There's no one in the office tomorrow and then it's the weekend. We shouldn't have to worry about how to handle pain this early out!!

Thanks for listening!
Sue

 

[SusieShoes]

I agree the opioid-phobia can get ridiculous. You shouldn't have such trouble getting needed pain control. Even patients who have excellent histories of getting off opioid medication (previous surgeries and no history of prolonged use of these drugs) aren't considered able to control their own meds. It's really unfortunate.

I hope your OS can get you more pills for the weeks. Try ice on your knee and do it for more than twenty minutes. Ice does help with the pain. Also supplement your meds with Tylenol, 500mg pills x 2 every six hours. You just need to make sure you don't take more than 4000mg acetaminophen (Tylenol) a day. Check any other meds you are taking (your oxy, cold meds, etc.) to make sure they don't contain any.

 

[Dzina]

I hope your OS will respond and give you something for pain control. Tramadol can be sent to cvs electronically as opposed to the oxycodone which at least here has to be a written script which entails going to the office to pick up vs the ability to send Tramadol electronically .
I was lucky in regard to opiod meds as I had to stay three nights in the hospital to qualify for rehab, therefore had pain meds as needed. Then off to rehab for six nights and there I had opiods 5-10-15 mg as needed and then sent home with the “leftovers” . Saw OS day 11 and obtained the script for another week. Then called in day 14 for Tramadol as by that time oxy was making me too nauseous, so I never had to deal with asking for more oxy on an outpatient basis.
It is too bad that folks with major surgery and chronic pain have to pay the price for those who are addicted. I know the “crisis”is bad I have a nephew affected by it, but overreaction and lack of individualizations with prescribing is not the answer.
I know some folks suggest contacting their primary doc but that’s not where the issue necessarily lies, it’s with insurance and pharmacies. Hope you don’t have to cry yourself to sleep tonight with worry and will get the pain meds you need.

 

[Dzina]

And on a brighter note, each time I see your posts with your picture, I think I’m looking at Katie Couric

 

[Spex10]

@Dzina you are quite right about post surgical cases paying the price for the belated panic about Oxys. I was reading about the epidemic levels of misuse and resulting problems in the US. It's not surprising that medics are having to reduce prescribing to a large extent.
I hope you can can find a way to better pain relief - and soon!

 

[momweb]

@Dzina Katie Couric -- not bad, wish I had her financials!! Anyway, PT just left and I cried my frustration through the first 10 minutes. We then proceeded to do our exercises. She said use the squeaky wheel tool and call the office again. The not knowing what they will do or not do is incredibly frustrating. So, I will call again in about 10 minutes. Thanks for your encouragement.
Sue

 

[momweb]

@Dzina and Spex10 I finally heard from the OS office late this afternoon. All my messages are sitting in the surgeon's inbox. My pain meds will be renewed (thank goodness) hopefully tomorrow since he will be in the office. If I don't hear anything by mid-day I'll be calling again. I can't believe how emotional this made me. I really hate this whole opioid mess. The pendulum has to swing back at some point.

 

[Dzina]

Certainly understandable! The thought of being without pain meds at 10days would have made me very upset cause for me a Tylenol or Advil at that point in time was not going to cut it. Sleep well tonight and be sure to make that call by mid morning tomorrow if you don’t here from the OS.

 

[Larryhg3]

@momweb it is insane how much you need to go through for necessary pain control. I am lucky in that my OS believes in pain management. I hope it works out for you.