Weezy
graduate
There are several threads running around now about pain management and sleep, so I'm not going to repeat that stuff here.
HOWEVER, I've recently had what I think is an interesting experience with my orthopedic surgeon and his idea of pain management that I want to pass on so those of you coming up to your TKRs can be more prepared than I was.
I'm six weeks out now from my LTKR and had cut down on my meds to where I was taking only 1 Darvocet a day, but was hurting a lot--both during the day and at night. Tylenol, Advil or other over-the-counter things weren't touching the pain.
Had my 6-week followup appointment with the OS this week and asked about getting another prescription and he said no! I was floored...he told me that at 6 weeks I shouldn't be hurting enough to need narcotic drugs and that something like Advil should be enough.
Fortunately, I had an appointment that afternoon with a GP to look at a deep scratch (I was worried about infection). New doc that I'd never seen before since I moved last year and never got a new GP. Anyway, she was wonderful and scoffed at the OS's idea that I didn't need pain meds at 6 weeks.
She convinced me to take them often enough to be comfortable, to NOT worry about addiction issues because if it happens, I'll taper off slowly and deal with it. I also came away with a prescription for a mild anti-depressant to try since I've been pretty blue/down/teary lately.
I'm not a fan of taking pills or drugs, but I'm beginning to understand the value of good pain management as an integral part of healing. My ideas of stoicism are NOT good for healing--pain makes one tired and interferes with sleep too.
I wish I had had a better understanding of pain management before my TKR...and I wish I had listened to the folks here better and followed the suggestions about taking enough pain meds to cope. I've been following my new med regime for 2 days now and I can already feel the difference in my energy levels--I'm not nearly as tired as I was. I'm sleeping better because when I wake up hurting, I take a pill if it is time; I take a pill in the afternoon if I'm hurting and my evenings are much more pleasant. Mornings are better because I take a pill when I get up.
Good luck to all you June kneebies....see you on "the other side" soon!
Weezy
HOWEVER, I've recently had what I think is an interesting experience with my orthopedic surgeon and his idea of pain management that I want to pass on so those of you coming up to your TKRs can be more prepared than I was.
I'm six weeks out now from my LTKR and had cut down on my meds to where I was taking only 1 Darvocet a day, but was hurting a lot--both during the day and at night. Tylenol, Advil or other over-the-counter things weren't touching the pain.
Had my 6-week followup appointment with the OS this week and asked about getting another prescription and he said no! I was floored...he told me that at 6 weeks I shouldn't be hurting enough to need narcotic drugs and that something like Advil should be enough.
Fortunately, I had an appointment that afternoon with a GP to look at a deep scratch (I was worried about infection). New doc that I'd never seen before since I moved last year and never got a new GP. Anyway, she was wonderful and scoffed at the OS's idea that I didn't need pain meds at 6 weeks.
She convinced me to take them often enough to be comfortable, to NOT worry about addiction issues because if it happens, I'll taper off slowly and deal with it. I also came away with a prescription for a mild anti-depressant to try since I've been pretty blue/down/teary lately.
I'm not a fan of taking pills or drugs, but I'm beginning to understand the value of good pain management as an integral part of healing. My ideas of stoicism are NOT good for healing--pain makes one tired and interferes with sleep too.
I wish I had had a better understanding of pain management before my TKR...and I wish I had listened to the folks here better and followed the suggestions about taking enough pain meds to cope. I've been following my new med regime for 2 days now and I can already feel the difference in my energy levels--I'm not nearly as tired as I was. I'm sleeping better because when I wake up hurting, I take a pill if it is time; I take a pill in the afternoon if I'm hurting and my evenings are much more pleasant. Mornings are better because I take a pill when I get up.
Good luck to all you June kneebies....see you on "the other side" soon!
Weezy