TKR pain meds?

[Celle]

Hello again!

Here's your recovery reading list - lots of useful articles here.
First are the BoneSmart mantras ....
- rest, elevate, ice and take your pain meds by the clock
- if it hurts, don't do it and don't allow anyone - especially a physiotherapist (PT) - to do it to you
- if your leg swells more or gets stiffer in the 24 hours after doing it, don't do it again
- if you won't die if it's not done, don't do it
- never stand when you can sit, never sit when you can lie down, never stay awake when you can go to sleep!
- be active as much as you need to be but not more than is necessary, meaning so much that you end up being in pain, exhausted or desperate to sit down or lie down!

Next is a FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) thread.

And here are some very crucial articles
The importance of managing pain after a TKR and the pain chart
Myth busting: no pain, no gain
Swollen and stiff knee: what causes it?
Activity progression for TKRs

Healing: how long does it take?
Chart representation of TKR recovery
Energy drain for TKRs
Elevation is the key
Ice to control pain and swelling

Home physio (PT) and activity progress: suggestions
Myth busting: the "window of opportunity" in TKR
Myth busting: on getting addicted to pain meds
Post op blues is a reality - be prepared for it
Sleep deprivation is pretty much inevitable - but what causes it?

And then some wise words from members who have shared their experiences ...
Where are you in recovery?? (TKR)
Five “P’s” of knee recovery
TKR: work “smarter” and not “harder”
Recovering a knee - from one who knows!
It's never too late to get more ROM!
It's worth the wait for ROM

 

[cowchick]

Thanks so much for the replies. I fixed my signature as well.

 

[Josephine]

Was anyone still taking pain meds at 11 weeks?

For my first knee I was taking the total I was prescribed for 4 full months!

My OS wanted me to stop taking them a couple weeks ago. I am off of them but it really hurts. Am I being a baby?

Have you tried Tylenol 1,000mg 4 times a day (every 6hrs)? And you could also approach your GP for a prescription of Tramadol.

 

[Kssii]

I found tylenol 3 worked well for me--let me sleep at night, and doctors don't seem to mind prescribing it like they do oxy or hydrocodone.

 

[swmrgirl]

Hi Lisa, I'm just three days behind you and I'm still taking my prescribed pain meds before bed. I take 1000 mg Tylenol every 4-6 hours during the day, which works pretty well. You're not being a baby at all, this hurts!


Please excuse mistakes. This message was sent from my phone.

 

[karol723]

I had my second TKR done 3 weeks ago. Over holiday was running out of Tramadol,so I contacted my regular Dr. who was in on x-mas eve. Prescribed only 5 days of Tramadol and said I should switch to Tylenol after that. I will call my surgeon for a refill of the Tramadol. Last knee replacemen I needed Tramadol for @ 4 months. Wish some of these drs had knee replacements , then they might understand how painful it . Good luck,you're not being a baby

 

[Majic]

I am 5 months out and still on parCetamol and Naproxen, I don't know what theses arms called in America. I intend to try coming off Naproxen in the New Year, and managing with just Paracetamol, if this is OK I shal start to reduce the Paracetamol. Everybody is different, don't worry that you are a baby, you aren't you're just someone in pain.

 

[Celle]

Paracetamol (Panadol) is Acetaminophen (Tylenol) in the USA.

 

[hbpeyton18]

Prior to this surgery I was always an Advil girl- I am assuming everyone has a reason for recommending Tylenol over Advil?

Just curious- I'm still on ultracet and oxy, but hoping to wean off soon.. But scared of the pain :P


Heather
Left knee, 11/30 TKR

 

[Jamie]

Prior to this surgery I was always an Advil girl- I am assuming everyone has a reason for recommending Tylenol over Advil?

There is a reason we recommend Tylenol. It is a pain medication. Aleve, Advil, Motrin and other NSAIDs are not. They are anti-inflammants and usually not as effective as Tylenol for pain following joint replacement surgery.

 

[Jamie]

@cowchick ... I have again merged your latest recovery thread with your previous one. Please don't start new threads when you have a new question or update on your recovery. It is much easier for us to help you and not give duplicate advice if we have all your information in one place.

If you're still having a lot of pain at 11 weeks you might want to look at your activity level. This is still fairly early in the entire recovery process and it's very easy to think you should be back to normal by now and overdo things. An indicator that this may be happening is if you start out the day pretty good and have the pain build during the day and evening. If this is the case, look to see what you can cut back on during your days.

 

[hbpeyton18]

Thanks Jamie- if I'd thought about it I would have remembered the difference!

Still have med brain unfortunately.. And had always felt more of a difference w/Advil. Thus- inflammation must have been a big part of the issue ;)

Thanks for the answer!


Heather
Left knee, 11/30 TKR

 

[Josephine]

I am assuming everyone has a reason for recommending Tylenol over Advil?

Quite apart from it having a much better overall effect in pain management, there are quite serious hazards in taking NSAIDs which are not related to how long or often you take them. These hazards can occur after only one or two doses if you are susceptible. And very few people will know in advance if they are.
Read this Medications: acetaminophen (Tylenol, paracetamol) and NSAIDs, differences and dangers

There is a big move in the UK to discourage the use of them owing to the increase in cases of gastro-intestinal bleeds that are directly related to their use. Many GPs are now reluctant to prescribe or recommend them for this reason alone. And taking so-called 'stomach protectors' is also a misnomer. Why would you take a medication to prevent burns from working carelessly with fire rather than avoid the flames altogether!

 

[hbpeyton18]

Thanks for the link and further info Josephine. I'm on Ultracet (tramadol + Tylenol for those that don't know), so for my night time sleep aid I chose Advil PM with my PA's blessing. I was worried about over doing the Tylenol...

With this new info, maybe after I'm off the ultracet I'll try Tylenol PM instead.

Thanks again!



Heather
Left knee, 11/30 TKR

 

[Josephine]

You can still take an Ultracet at night, just remember to deduct the Tylenol in it from your daily total of 4,000mgs. I think that will mean you can take one 500mg Tylenol with the Ultracet.

 

[newlybionic]

The PM part of Tylenol PM is just Benadryl which can be bought as a generic too. You can ask the pharmacist for help you find it.

 

[hbpeyton18]

The PM part of Tylenol PM is just Benadryl which can be bought as a generic too. You can ask the pharmacist for help you find it.

Ahh, I never noticed that? Oops, I've likely overdosed on benedryl a few times :P


Heather
Left knee, 11/30 TKR