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TKR Neesie's Recovery Thread

Awww. It happened to me too. Inexplicable sadness, crying and total meltdown more than once. Another week and you’ll see improvements one way or another! :console2:
 
As if today I’ve stopped taking Tramadol. My pain is manageable most of the time but my mental/emotional state is another story. I still cry for no apparent reason and have moments of extreme rage. I am learning (painfully) to say no to requests when I feel unable but it’s still uncomfortable. This is the only place I feel safe in venting. It just feels like no one else really gets it. The next 3 months can’t pass fast enough. I’m hoping my mood will improve by then.
 
Neesie said:
This is the only place I feel safe in venting. It just feels like no one else really gets it.
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One would think especially others we come in contact with, who have had a knee replacement, would understand, but I found that was not true.

I live in a 55+ community and am one of the youngest, at 63, so there have been many who have had replacements before me. Very few have been sympathetic. They were mostly all about “do your exercises!” :doh:

I had one woman ask if I’d done pool therapy. I said “yes but it didn’t go well.” She looked shocked and disapproving. (I do tend to answer honestly and I need to learn to just say yes and leave it at that.

One of the biggest shocks of my recovery was the comments of just about everyone! :hairpulling:
 
It seems to me as though it takes a long time for both the anaesthesia for the surgery and then the pain meds to work their way out of our bodies and perhaps our psyches. I only took tiny doses (1/2 a pill three times a day) and still had withdrawal symptoms, not only from Norco, but also Tramadol.
Relax. Breathe deeply. Take rests and/or naps.
And share here.
Others are in a completely different place, and are not truly sympathetic and rarely, empathetic.
 
@Jockette : yes! So many said ‘Everyone’s pain tolerance is different’ with a tone of voice that implied I was just weak. That was really shocking! Thank you so much for sharing your experience.
 
@nessie.....
Ignore the jerks who are not “imbued with TKR knowledge “.

A friend calls this “Bless You and Be Gone....”
 
Hi @Neesie ,

I was unprepared for the impact that the healing process and of pain medications (especially the withdrawal) had on my emotions. I tend to be fairly stoic so my wife, my daughter and I were totally surprised the first time I burst into tears while eating dinner. I would go from optimism to depression in a matter of minutes. Things evened out over time and I am now extremely happy with my knees.

Hang in there
 
I hear you @Neesie .. I still have bouts of depression and outbursts even at home and yes hubby had revision two years ago but his memory seems to have dimmed. :unsure: My daughter seemed surprised that I was still “not quite healed/no energy, it’s been almost three months!??” Again. More explaining.
My knee is of course still stiff and I keep elevated in evening but my mood seems to swing like huge pendulum. I dont know if it was stopping the opioids/ pain meds (Tylenol helps) but I think it’s more like the total effect of such major surgery, including anesthesia. I truly understand what you’re saying... One hour at a time. :friends:
 
I do quite a bit of volunteer work at church and at just more than three weeks have been asked more than once if I’m ready to get back at it yet. My standard answer has become “this is a long recovery and you won’t be seeing me for a while.” I don’t dare go to anything because they will assume I’m back for it all.
I will try hard to remember this lesson in the future when I am all the way on the other side!
 
Chemist said:
Hi @Neesie ,

I was unprepared for the impact that the healing process and of pain medications (especially the withdrawal) had on my emotions. I tend to be fairly stoic so my wife, my daughter and I were totally surprised the first time I burst into tears while eating dinner. I would go from optimism to depression in a matter of minutes. Things evened out over time and I am now extremely happy with my knees.

Hang in there
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Thank you so much! I'm hanging on to the hope that I will reach the place you are now.
 
knee#2 said:
I hear you @Neesie .. I still have bouts of depression and outbursts even at home and yes hubby had revision two years ago but his memory seems to have dimmed. :unsure: My daughter seemed surprised that I was still “not quite healed/no energy, it’s been almost three months!??” Again. More explaining.
My knee is of course still stiff and I keep elevated in evening but my mood seems to swing like huge pendulum. I dont know if it was stopping the opioids/ pain meds (Tylenol helps) but I think it’s more like the total effect of such major surgery, including anesthesia. I truly understand what you’re saying... One hour at a time. :friends:
Click to expand...

I really don't know which is worse - the pain or the mood. There are more times than I can count that all I want is to be alone so I can wail out loud at the injustice of this! Yes, that is a bit much, I know.
 
hoopsgran said:
I do quite a bit of volunteer work at church and at just more than three weeks have been asked more than once if I’m ready to get back at it yet. My standard answer has become “this is a long recovery and you won’t be seeing me for a while.” I don’t dare go to anything because they will assume I’m back for it all.
I will try hard to remember this lesson in the future when I am all the way on the other side!
Click to expand...

Oh yes! I volunteer at a local food bank and was just asked to be a team leader. They knew I couldn't do anything physical but I still said 'no' for now because I can't concentrate or focus all that well. It's the first time in my life (really) I said no to someone who asked me to help. I still feel terrible about it but I am trying to learn that 'no' is sometimes the correct response.
 
Thank you everyone for all your generous responses. I am feeling far more human now. :loll:
 
Hi again. I’ve been very nauseous for the last few days and eating even less than usual. Is this just a withdrawal symptom? I’m trying to eat a little multiple times per day and hoping this passes soon.
 
Nessie.....
Go ahead and wail.....you will feel better.
One more thing, I too had to back off volunteer work. Those people will be grateful to have you when you get back. It is tough sometimes to put yourself first.

I have learned more about myself in this timeframe than in the 58 years prior. The main things....listen to my body, put yourself first and be patient. (I am still working on the last one):eyebrows:
 
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