TKR Round 2 of the Bionic Bernie

[cafecortado]

Hey @dogwheels. Thanks Chris, it does feel good to be listened to! Such a simple yet important thing. Unfortunately it's all left me feeling rather down and teary so I need to try to get more positive over the weekend. Thanks again for your reply. Xx


Bernie UK
RTKR 22nd January 2014
LTKR 2nd April 2014

 

[dogwheels]

Hi Bernie, sorry things have left you feeling a bit vulnerable. I do hope that you will have a happy weekend and feel a lot better and more positive to face the coming week.

I just read that you were asking @Ellejay about the pool exercises. I have had so much hydrotherapy I think I have bought half the pool by now! I wrote a list describing the exercises for @Ellejay and nana moon and dogloverx3 . If you want I can send it to you too in a PM, if you think it might help. My OS and physios absolutely swear by hydro - it is so beneficial and feels so good. It did wonders for me initially and then again when it all went pear shaped. One word of warning your incision has to be fully healed (and with no remaining scabbing) before you should use a public pool. Ellejay has found the learner pool to be good as it is warmer and shallower. You should have the water about waist height as that gives about the right amount of buoyancy/exercise effort. Any deeper and it is too easy for you (ha ha), shallower and it gets harder.
Some hydro pools offer self help sessions so you can go and 'do your own thing'. Just let me know if you want a copy of the list.

Take care
Chris XX

 

[Jozilla]

Yes!!! I was so happy to read this. It will be a new recovery for you! Thankfully the different GP cared enough to help you. You certainly needed a break, Bernie.

 

[cafecortado]

Hi Bernie, sorry things have left you feeling a bit vulnerable. I do hope that you will have a happy weekend and feel a lot better and more positive to face the coming week.

I just read that you were asking @Ellejay about the pool exercises. I have had so much hydrotherapy I think I have bought half the pool by now! I wrote a list describing the exercises for @Ellejay and nana moon and dogloverx3 . If you want I can send it to you too in a PM, if you think it might help. My OS and physios absolutely swear by hydro - it is so beneficial and feels so good. It did wonders for me initially and then again when it all went pear shaped. One word of warning your incision has to be fully healed (and with no remaining scabbing) before you should use a public pool. Ellejay has found the learner pool to be good as it is warmer and shallower. You should have the water about waist height as that gives about the right amount of buoyancy/exercise effort. Any deeper and it is too easy for you (ha ha), shallower and it gets harder.
Some hydro pools offer self help sessions so you can go and 'do your own thing'. Just let me know if you want a copy of the list.

Take care
Chris XX

Hey Chris, that would be fab, thank you so much, yes please! Thanks also for the tips, both my incisions are nicely healed I was already thinking of going to the pool in a few weeks once I'm a bit more confident, the pain is controlled and I can drive again so to have an exercise regime sorted would be amazing. I'm also hopefully going to Spain for a few weeks in the summer and was planning the next part of my recovery to include lots of pool therapy!.....See I feel more positive already thanks to you ....now if I could only sleep!...xxxx


Bernie UK
RTKR 22nd January 2014
LTKR 2nd April 2014

 

[cafecortado]

Grrrh, it's one of those frustrating nights! Managed to get to sleep around 11:45pm but then back wide awake at 1am! Thank The Lord for. Bonesmart! ....and still awake at 5:20 :(


Bernie UK
RTKR 22nd January 2014
LTKR 2nd April 2014

 

[cafecortado]

So after a rough week and a dreadful sleepless night last night and lots of pain today, I'm trying to find the positives. My husband is the manager of a charity dealing with drug addicts and alcoholics and one of the things they talk about is practicing gratitudes. So I try to remember to think of at least 3 things at the end of the day to be thankful for. Today it's, Bonesmart, the people who have cared enough to chat with me on here and Josephine and all the other moderators for their tireless work here. You really have been a source of comfort and inspiration as I read all the posts and enjoy your company. Thank you.


Bernie UK
RTKR 22nd January 2014
LTKR 2nd April 2014

 

[Jozilla]

I love that Bernie. I think we all need to practice gratitude. I hope you sleep better tonight! It gives you so much more strength. Have you tried Benadryl or Tylenol pm? Not sure if they have same names in UK. Talk soon! Xoxo JoAnne

 

[cafecortado]

Hi @Jozilla and thank you for your usual helpful suggestions. I already have something the doctor gave me post 1st TKR as I wasn't sleeping....at all! It's Amitriptyline, which I believe is a antidepressant also good for aiding sleep...usually! Like most others here, because I have other medical conditions including depression, gastritis, migraines & hypothyroidism...blah blah blah...it had to be something that interacted ok with all those meds!.....Geeesh I need to get back to thinking about my gratitudes ;) xxx

No 1 for today, due to hypothyroidism my prescriptions are free!....now that's a GOOD one, especially as I get a measly £86 a week sick pay at the moment and hubby works for a charity!....Oops, gratitudes, gratitudes! ;) xx


Bernie UK
RTKR 22nd January 2014
LTKR 2nd April 2014

 

[Jozilla]

Your medical list is as long as mine and very similar. And your sick pay is just as bad as mine! Gratitudes - hmmm.

I had my thyroid removed 13 years ago! That was actually a very easy surgery and recovery. So I am hypothyroid for life. Only no free meds here. I am thankful though I have had very good health insurance with mostly low co-pays. It only costs me 10.00 USD for a 3 month supply. Yes! Grateful.

I am going to catch a nap now so talk to you later. How is your pain on the new meds?

 

[cafecortado]

Ok, I'd really like to sleep now :( This is the third really bad night in a row. I think it's the Tramadol :( I feel really wired. Ho hum....


Bernie UK
RTKR 22nd January 2014
LTKR 2nd April 2014

 

[Ellejay]

Hi @cafecortado, I thought I'd pop in to visit you here rather than hijack @dogwheels thread.
My electric bike is just wonderful, I am really pleased with it, (especially today as I have just managed to ride it for the first time). It's a 'Smarta Bike', I bought it from The Electric Bike Shop, I think they have branches across the country. It wasn't cheap, but it has meant that my husband and I can continue to cycle together. Before I had it I couldn't cycle very far and even then the following day my knees would be so painful I wouldn't be able to walk. It is also very heavy, but I love it.
Sorry to hear that you are not sleeping, it took me weeks to get a decent nights sleep, I agree with you, I think it could be the Tramadol. It's good for pain but not for sleep.
I hope you get some relief from pain today,
Chat soon, xxx Ellejay

 

[cafecortado]

Thanks for the info @Ellejay, I'm going to google Smarta bikes Thanks also for your kind words, I really hope I get some sleep tonight. Happy packing & babysitting & cleaning....phew, you will definitely need that holiday! Love xx


Bernie UK
RTKR 22nd January 2014
LTKR 2nd April 2014

 

[cafecortado]

Hi @Jozilla, thanks for inquiring about my pain. To be honest I'm still struggling, I got a lot of problems in my back, hip & calf as well. Not sure how much the Tramadol is helping and I've had 3 very bad night since taking it and wondering if that's the reason :( Oh well, it's not forever so I'll just have to get on with it and stop moaning! Take care love xx


Bernie UK
RTKR 22nd January 2014
LTKR 2nd April 2014

 

[dogwheels]

Hi @cafecortado - just hopping around on Bonesmart and thought I would see what you are up to!
I do hope that you managed a better night's sleep last night. I am not looking my best this morning what with this b***y cold that made me cough all night, the fact that I honoured my OS by wearing makeup yesterday (sensitive eyes so they always feel a bit bleh the next day) and my usual night gyrating around the bed getting comfy in between chunks of sleeping. Must have been bad as I dreamt of Simon Cowell . If that is not enough to give me a setback, nothing will!
Sorry about the problem with your meds - first you had to fight to get them, and now they are keeping you awake. We just cant win, can we? Never had Tramadol so can't comment on that. I was given Co-dydramol for when I needed it at night - the codeine element usually aids sleeping.
Mind you I took OTC Complete Cold/Flu Tablets last night as I was full of cold. Usually they knock you out and 'aid restful sleep' - but obviously with a recovering TKR and fidgety legs, that does not apply!! Best things to knock me out are my migraine meds which give me a couple of hours of calm and blissful sleep, or a flight on a plane. Whether it is a form of white noise for me, I just don't know but I'm usually asleep before take off and only wake for meals and landing. Perhaps that's the answer ............. I need to take trip.

Hope your day is a good one Bernie - take care

XX

 

[cafecortado]

Hi @cafecortado - just hopping around on Bonesmart and thought I would see what you are up to!
I do hope that you managed a better night's sleep last night. I am not looking my best this morning what with this b***y cold that made me cough all night, the fact that I honoured my OS by wearing makeup yesterday (sensitive eyes so they always feel a bit bleh the next day) and my usual night gyrating around the bed getting comfy in between chunks of sleeping. Must have been bad as I dreamt of Simon Cowell . If that is not enough to give me a setback, nothing will!
Sorry about the problem with your meds - first you had to fight to get them, and now they are keeping you awake. We just cant win, can we? Never had Tramadol so can't comment on that. I was given Co-dydramol for when I needed it at night - the codeine element usually aids sleeping.
Mind you I took OTC Complete Cold/Flu Tablets last night as I was full of cold. Usually they knock you out and 'aid restful sleep' - but obviously with a recovering TKR and fidgety legs, that does not apply!! Best things to knock me out are my migraine meds which give me a couple of hours of calm and blissful sleep, or a flight on a plane. Whether it is a form of white noise for me, I just don't know but I'm usually asleep before take off and only wake for meals and landing. Perhaps that's the answer ............. I need to take trip.

Hope your day is a good one Bernie - take care

XX

Hey @dogwheels, thanks for dropping by, mine is a quiet thread, so it's nice to have some company.....I hope you're hopping around the threads on your good leg ;).
If you're dreaming of Simon Cowell, surely that's a NIGHTMARE!....just thinking about his waistband makes me shiver!!
Re sleep, I'm also taking something the Dr prescribed which worked with the first knee op, but not this one boo hoo! I guess it's maybe the accumulation of Op's and recovery? My hubby thinks I'm just out of synch and if I put my iPad down I'd be fine Grrh! It's hard for him to understand that it's common with knee op's. To be fair, he's been great about most stuff and much more patient that I expected, it also doesn't help that he's one of those head touches pillow = snoring dudes!

I'm a bit rubbish with sleep in general, although not usually this bad! Out of interest, what's the migraine med you take as I get those as well but mine doesn't make me sleep. I'm also really rubbish at sleeping on flights, I usually go to Brazil every year and I'm awake the whole flight.

I've got my physio this afternoon and am hoping she might have some answers for this back & hip pain. It's not getting better, but a bit worse every day. I'm sure it will settle in time, I'm just wondering if there is anything I can do to relieve it as it's getting me down. My calf is still bad as well, but I'm sure that's soft tissue damage. Ho hum....sorry for all the moans :(
Have a great day, it's sunny here! Love xx




Bernie UK
RTKR 22nd January 2014
LTKR 2nd April 2014

 

[dogwheels]

Hi @cafecortado - hope your physio session went well and you have a few suggestions to get rid of that hip and back pain. I found that the flatter I slept the easier it was. If you can persuade your physio to forget the exercises one session and do some tissue massage on the backs of your legs I am sure you'd find it beneficial. Painful while its being done, but sooooooo good afterwards, with the added benefit that I usually sleep well that night too!

The migraine med that I have had for ages now is zolmatriptan - is was 'Zomig' but I think they have economised to a generic or cheaper version - same drug though. Thankfully these bash out the evil migraines before they take a hold, gone are the days when nothing would shift and I'd be lying flat in a dark room, feeling that my head was splitting in half. Growing old has some hormonal benefits!!

Anyway - catch you later.
XX

 

[busylizzie]

@cafecortado I also have my sleep problem made worse by taking Tramadol. Somebody else on the forum has mentioned it as well I can't remember who it was.. The doctors seemed puzzled when I mentioned it. Sometimes its 'needs must' and the pain is worse than not sleeping. I also struggle taking other pain meds.

 

[cafecortado]

Hey @dogwheels, I had a bit of a worrying physio appointment to be honest. I told her about my hip and back and after she'd had a look she thinks I should try to get my consultant to X-Ray my hip as she says we need to find out what's going on. I was a bit shocked to be honest, I just thought she'd say it was post surgery muscle stuff! I only get half an hour, it's NHS, so we did a few exercises, some measuring and then she gave me a 5 minute massage. She didn't massage my other knee at all first time round, so she must agree there is more muscle damage this time.
I have my 6 week appointment tomorrow so I'm trying to order my thoughts re all the stuff I want to say & ask. I'm not sure if he'll agree to the X-ray either, as it obviously my knees he seeing me for, anyway we'll see. I have to say I'm in a lot of pain with it, more than my knee at the moment.

Thanks for the tip re sleeping, funnily enough, I was starting to wonder if the elevating whilst sleeping wasn't helping, so I think I'll give that a miss and see if it helps.
Yeah I also take the same med for my migraines and find it helps so much more than others I've tried. I used to get 3 day ones and I would be ready to chop my head off. Now they are more than likely 1 day, although I always feel like I've lost a few more brain cells the day after ;)

Anywho, thanks for asking and I hope you get a good nights sleep.
Love Bernie xx


Bernie UK
RTKR 22nd January 2014
LTKR 2nd April 2014

 

[cafecortado]

Hi @busylizzie, thanks for popping by and sharing your experience of Tramadol. You're right, it's a case of trying to work out what the priorities are! Tricky business this recovery stuff! X


Bernie UK
RTKR 22nd January 2014
LTKR 2nd April 2014

 

[hopefaith]

Hello @cafecortado wanted to drop in and say hello. How are you? Your words yesterday to me meant a lot (about depression). Hope your day is going well.