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TKR Onwards and upwards - my journey continues

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Robynhood, this is a long recovery where you will not sleep well at times, be a big crybaby sometimes, and feel like you will never be normal. But with patience things DO get better. I am at 8 weeks now and the pain is still there, but much more controllable. I agree I think you should speak to your family doc and let him/her know that what you are taking it not enough. Pain control is very important to our recovery. Big hugs!
 
I worried about the scar too. IN the beginning, it sees like it is a red flag--and everyone can see it if you wear shorts, or a short dress. I always wear long pants, now. But, two years later, you can barely see the scar on my right knee.
 
Well the dressing is off. Thank the Lord. Havent looked at it yet. Have a small dressing on it until tomorrow when i shower. Another hurdle crossed :yay:
 
reetpteet - coud you tell me what meds you were on in the first six weeks. The american names are so different and im never sure which meds they are referring to. Thank you.
 
Don't worry too much about the scar. It's going to be healed up in no time, and the worst fears we all have almost never come true. These feelings are very real to you, so don't label yourself a wimp. In the end, it will be okay, promise!

The exercises may be uncomfortable, but that's as far as it should go. if it hurts, stop. Discomfort is okay, we all expect that. It will take some time to work through the first few sessions of pt, but you will start to see a routine develop that you can follow.

This recovery is a process. It will give you lots of challenges and some wonderful moments, like the first time you forget to take your pain meds, when you go without crutches or cane. When I cold actually go all the way around on my stationary bike, that was a great moment!

Good luck tomorrow!

Dawn
 
:) Thank you Dawn. This is all so new at the moment and it really does help getting encouragement from people who have been there:egypdance:
 
Robynhood, I am at 10 weeks now and still have pain and swelling, but it is better than it was a couple weeks ago. Still take my pain med and ice, elevate, and rest as much as I can. Sometimes I just feel downright lazy:wink: but that's ok cuz I know I need to do this in order to recover....Taking it slow and easy is GOOD!!!...Hugs to you!
 
Marina you give me hope, I am at 8 weeks and still frustrated with this dang swelling. I guess its gonna take sometime to ease up!
 
There is hope, always my dear friend. I have to keep telling myself that too. I have never had any major surgery in my life til now, and this has really gotten me down at times, but I'm hanging in there and trusting that God will see me through as well as you and everyone else. Have faith my dear and know that I care!!...Hugs sweetie!
 
The swelling will last for a while yet. Around 3 months, I finally realized that there was hardly any swelling in my knee. Kelly
 
Things going fine with my operated knee but now my other knee which also has osteo arthritis is begining to get very stiff and painful. O Joy. Guess its because of all the inactivity. I do exercises on that one as well and hope it will help. I really dont want TKR on that knee too. OS said he will talk about that as well at my 6 week check up.:sad:
 
Hello Patricia (is that your name or your knees name?) Sorry about your pain relief dilemma, it is so important in order to get going.
I cam home from hospital on Paracetamol 500g x 2 four times daily plus Tramadol 3 times daily.
After one week the Tramadol made me very dizzy & nauseous so I spoke with my GP who recommended (the famous) 'Bonesmart cocktail' - (he didn't call it that!) of Paracetamol + Ibuprofen. He also agreed to prescribe Codeine Phosphate 15 mgs seperately for me so that I could use it in addition to Paracetamol if required. I think he felt that I had a good understanding of Codeine use having been a nurse & the advantage of seperate Codeine is that the dose can be calibrated in so many different ways,
eg Paracetamol + Codeine 15 mgs, Paracetamol + Codeine 30 mgs, Paracetamol + Codeine 45 mgs or Paracetamol + Codeine 60 mgs (maximum dose) whereas Codeine/Paracetamol combined tablets come only in a few prescribed strengths. Of course you can do a similar thing by replaceing a Codeine/Paracetamol tablet with a Paracetamol.
Also - if you are taking anti-inflammatories (Ibuprofen, Naproxen) you can be prescribed a 'stomach protecter' such as Omeprazole. This should make a difference to your tolerance of them.
I hope all this helps - the best thing is still to speak with your GP (they will probably do a telephone Traige Call which should mean you don't need to go to the surgery)
Please DO use regular ice it works on swelling & also on pain.
I bought a very cheap (& low resistance) exercise bike from Ebay & that helped me to get moving too.
You can follow my recovery at Rita's Recovery (original thread name!)
This site is soooo useful .... but it is tempting to compare yourself with others - not a good idea! Those people who have both knees done at the same time are even advised not to compare one knee with the other, must be so hard.
Also (I'm rambling) recovery is not an altogether forward progression (unfortunately) so don't be surprised if you have a bad day after a few good days. Patience doesn't describe it!!!!!
It's very early for you, you be kind to yourself & we'll be kind to you as well! :friends:

ps - where do you live?
pps - Codeine can be VERY constipating - beware!
 
Thank you for your lovely msg. Yes my name is Pat. Havent named my knee but swore at it a few times in the past :) I live just outside Chester. I had my op in a lovely private hospital which allowed a few NHS paitents. My OS and the treatment i received at the hospital was absolutely BRILIANT. No complaints at all and I am missing the lovely food we had there. I had thought about phoning my GP as i dont really think I could cope with the long wait at the surgery just yet. Thank you for your info about meds. I am not doing too badly but sometimes feel Icould do with a little bit extra. Tramadol did the same to me and I almost passed out in the hospital and had to go on oxygen for an hour. I have been taking co-codamol for my osteo arthtitis for many years so wonder if im just a little immune to it. I am so grateful to have found this site as I dont think you have enough information when you come home.. My daughter returns to uni tomorrow and I will be on my own with visits from my husband who is self employed but very busy. I have been climbing the stairs since coming home so that is not a worry. I will look at your earlier threads to see how you coped.:):)
 
Pat, i think you are doing great ! WHEN I FIRST CAME HOME I DID A LOT OF ICING AND ELEVATING IT HELPED GREATLY. I AM SO HAPPY TODAY I GOT 118 on Rom and i stayed on the bike for ten minutes and i know i could not of done this without this site and all the new friends i have made! this is just my two cents ! take care!
 
you seem to be doing really well redbird seeing as you only had your op 2 october. It does encourage you to see posts like this. Just got to be paitent its a long road isnt it. Keep up the good work. :yay: take care
 
My "good" knee was giving me grief, so I had my OS give me a cortisone shot. Worked great, now no pain in the good knee. Just a thought!
 
Is that the same as a steriod injection Nanners, Ive had two in that knee already and not sure if i could have another one. Will ask tho. Thanks :)
 
Yes it is! I was able to get one becuz it had been 4 mos since the last injection. How long as it been since your last shot?
 
O God it was years ago but at the time i got the impression i could never have another one. My right knee has been taking a lot f flack because my left knee was so bad. I will defnitely ask my OS when i see him. Thanks for mentioning that. I didnt even think of it. Best wishes. x
 
I have had multiple cortisone injections in both my knees. Here is the US there is not a limit, but you can only get them 3 mos apart. Good luck, mine helped immensley. Hugs!
 
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