Really frightened after checking out youtube

[possum65]

@Atlas_aus not too long unril your BTKR, I had both mine done here in NZ 5.5 weeks ago. I was really anxious and unsettled in the weeks leading up to it! I dealt with it by keeping as busy as possible, and doing as much exercise as my knees could tolerate. It's a HUGE relief once it's done, and the first 2-3 weeks were the hardest for me. This site enabled me to know what I should be doing, which was rest, elevate, ice, eat well, and mobilising very gently. I have Physio once weekly, and he does not force anything.. Feeling so much better now, able to see the future doing things I love again without debilitating pain. Found sleeping very difficult for first 3 weeks, but good now. The exhaustion is ongoing, but I know it will pass, it's major surgery and takes time to recover. Very pleased I had bilateral, but both knees were so stuffed it made sense. Best of luck to you.

 

[Irish471]

Wishing you the best of luck for a successful surgery! See you in the other side

 

[Joansie]

I too was terrified before 1st hip 3 years ago. That is normal, I think. Thanks to post op relief (so good to be rid of pain and back to much missed activities), I am not so concerned as I head in for other hip replacement in 3 weeks. Have faith in your medical team and follow their advice - they are dealing with people like us every day and have great experience. That way, you should do very well. For now, very best wishes. J

 

[Josephine]

Petrified's post has moved to her new recovery thread here Petrified's recovery thread

 

[2tkr]

I watched the video on YouTube before my first TKR. Absolutely, I was horrified going in. I found 4-8 weeks into recovery was worse than the video. When I had my second TKR in Feb, I had full on panic attacks for weeks, right up until they knocked me out. I’m so sorry for what you’re going through. I’m right there with you. I’m 2 months into recovery. You’ll make it.

 

[Momma-me]

I feel you. My anxiety is through the roof.
And @2tkr, you really terrified me with your statement that 4-8 wks was way worse. Just the pain, you mean?

We've got this!!

 

[2tkr]

You must be a strong woman if you’ve been walking on a bad knee long enough to qualify for knee replacement. Because you are a strong woman, you will be fine. It’s just a hard road to go down. With both knees I found month 2 more difficult for reasons other than pain. The pain is managed, still there, but no big deal. In my opinion the agony was in the inability to sleep, depression, the “anesthesia brain”, pain from bones healing and not being able to feel comfortable from your head to your toes 24/7. For me all of that lasted for 2-3 weeks. It’s hard to explain.
I’ll tell you this, if at any point you feel sad, brain dead, uncomfortable and irritable...remember that it is temporary. It goes away within a week or two.
Good luck and remember how strong you are.