TKR Sarah Jane's Summer Journey and Fall Frolic
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KarriB
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Once I was off the iron pills I noticed a huge difference in my stomach/bathroom routine, even more so than the pain meds.
OP
OP
SarahJane
supremo
Thanks, all. It's been a roller coaster sort of day, but I'm feeling better, finally.
When I didn't hear back from the OS' office by noon (time for my next pain med), I really began to loose it. I was afraid to take another, so my knee started to hurt again as well as my poor tummy. I tried calling at 1:10, and got a recording. 1:15, a recording. Josephine's email inspired me to try to reach my primary care provider. By the time I got through to her nurse, I was in tears. Full body sobbing type of tears. The kind nurse responded to my distress by connecting me with a real live person in orthopedics, who said that a prescription for Zofran had already been called into the pharmacy. (Nice of them to tell me, wasn't it?) By then it was 2 p.m. I called a neighbor to pick it up. The tears helped there, too, to convince her I needed it now. Meanwhile, the orthopedic nurse had told me to take some ibuprophin (sp) with milk to tide me over. So the full body sobs started to subside, and I was relatively dry-eyed when my neighbor returned an hour later. I read the patient instructions before taking the new med and I'll glad I did. One of the side effects has something to do with how serotonin works, and I'm on a SSRI anti-depressant (which works on serotonin). So I called the pharmacy for a consultation. My HMO is really good about keeping track of drug interactions and contradictions, but it's better to be safe than sorry. Plus the instructions didn't say anything about when to take each drug. The pharmacist said I should be OK taking Zofran and Zoloft (SSRI) right now, since it was going to be short-term. He also advised taking the Zofran about an hour before the Percocet.
Crossing my fingers and toes this does the trick.
Now, for my next trial-and-error balancing act ...
just how much (or little)
of which bland foods
and how often
to keep tummy happy and
blood sugar levels OK
this whole experience is giving me new-found appreciation and empathy for all those who are dealing with nausea
from their medication, etc.
When I didn't hear back from the OS' office by noon (time for my next pain med), I really began to loose it. I was afraid to take another, so my knee started to hurt again as well as my poor tummy. I tried calling at 1:10, and got a recording. 1:15, a recording. Josephine's email inspired me to try to reach my primary care provider. By the time I got through to her nurse, I was in tears. Full body sobbing type of tears. The kind nurse responded to my distress by connecting me with a real live person in orthopedics, who said that a prescription for Zofran had already been called into the pharmacy. (Nice of them to tell me, wasn't it?) By then it was 2 p.m. I called a neighbor to pick it up. The tears helped there, too, to convince her I needed it now. Meanwhile, the orthopedic nurse had told me to take some ibuprophin (sp) with milk to tide me over. So the full body sobs started to subside, and I was relatively dry-eyed when my neighbor returned an hour later. I read the patient instructions before taking the new med and I'll glad I did. One of the side effects has something to do with how serotonin works, and I'm on a SSRI anti-depressant (which works on serotonin). So I called the pharmacy for a consultation. My HMO is really good about keeping track of drug interactions and contradictions, but it's better to be safe than sorry. Plus the instructions didn't say anything about when to take each drug. The pharmacist said I should be OK taking Zofran and Zoloft (SSRI) right now, since it was going to be short-term. He also advised taking the Zofran about an hour before the Percocet.
Crossing my fingers and toes this does the trick.
Now, for my next trial-and-error balancing act ...
just how much (or little)
of which bland foods
and how often
to keep tummy happy and
blood sugar levels OK
this whole experience is giving me new-found appreciation and empathy for all those who are dealing with nausea
from their medication, etc.
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Sorry to hear about all you had to go through today to get a script for nausea. Glad you finally received your anti nausea medications even if communication was poor, hope you start to feel better soon. 
chestnc
big-cheese
Hi @SarahJane, looks like you have been having a time. Hope stomach trouble eases up. Thank goodness for good neighbors. Hope you are feeling better soon.
OP
OP
SarahJane
supremo
Thanks everyone for your kind words of concern and support
things are beginning to settle down here at tummy central. after all that "excitement," I wasn't able to get to sleep -- even though I was dog tired -- until about 5 a.m. this morning. I had a good couple of hours of sleep, took the anti-nausea med with a bite of food, waited a while, took my pain med with a bit more food, waited a while longer, took my morning meds, and then took a nap.
I've been walking around the condo, and did about 10 sitting heel slides last night. But I haven't been feeling motivated to do anything else, physical therapy-wise. How do *you* motivate yourself to give those exercises the good college try once a day?
things are beginning to settle down here at tummy central. after all that "excitement," I wasn't able to get to sleep -- even though I was dog tired -- until about 5 a.m. this morning. I had a good couple of hours of sleep, took the anti-nausea med with a bite of food, waited a while, took my pain med with a bit more food, waited a while longer, took my morning meds, and then took a nap.
I've been walking around the condo, and did about 10 sitting heel slides last night. But I haven't been feeling motivated to do anything else, physical therapy-wise. How do *you* motivate yourself to give those exercises the good college try once a day?
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You are a little over two weeks from your TKR, no worries about being diligent with your exercise. A few heel slides here and there throughout the day is plenty right now.
Forget college you are in the kindergarten of recovery, it is nap time, go ahead and have some milk and graham crackers if you like.
Forget college you are in the kindergarten of recovery, it is nap time, go ahead and have some milk and graham crackers if you like.
I'm so sorry I didn't see your tag until just now. What a time you had yesterday! But you handled it well. Sometimes those tears are beneficial (both for getting emotion out and for getting things done). I'm so happy to hear that you got some anti-nausea medication. It should help and things should start to level out for you. Hang in there!!!
Walking around the condo and doing a few heel slides is all you need to do right now.
Forget giving exercises the college try. More exercise isn't necessary.
Concentrate on Rest, Ice and Elevation and taking those pain meds on a regular schedule (now they're sorted, at last!).
OP
OP
SarahJane
supremo
A quick check in:
Yesterday was my last home physical therapy visit. I practiced walking with a cane, and made the trip to another building and down 13 stairs to my underground parking space. The PT watched me get in and out of the car. She cautioned me to make sure to hold on to something solid on the car to lift myself out of it, not the walker. I won't be driving until I'm off pain meds, but it was reassuring to have someone watch me as I got in and out to make sure I was doing it safely.
I had two walks today. Just around the condo complex, each a little longer than the last. I'm taking it slowly but surely. My muscles feel just a little weak. Nothing worrisome, just still on the mend. The amazing thing is how normal the joint movement feels. I really didn't notice how bad it had gotten since the deterioration was so gradual. But walking now feels like night and day from how it was three weeks ago.
Yesterday was my last home physical therapy visit. I practiced walking with a cane, and made the trip to another building and down 13 stairs to my underground parking space. The PT watched me get in and out of the car. She cautioned me to make sure to hold on to something solid on the car to lift myself out of it, not the walker. I won't be driving until I'm off pain meds, but it was reassuring to have someone watch me as I got in and out to make sure I was doing it safely.
I had two walks today. Just around the condo complex, each a little longer than the last. I'm taking it slowly but surely. My muscles feel just a little weak. Nothing worrisome, just still on the mend. The amazing thing is how normal the joint movement feels. I really didn't notice how bad it had gotten since the deterioration was so gradual. But walking now feels like night and day from how it was three weeks ago.
cairistiona60
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Pescara
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@SaraJane just caught up to your journey. Sorry I wasn't here sooner. There is a lot of good advice here. We have all been there and tend to vent. I was in the hospital for 4 days due to medication problems. Take your time. Watch bad tv lol or anything that will help keep your mind off of things. Rest, elevate and ice. Vent anytime you need to. You are so lucky to have a great friend. Glad you have someone to help you.
OP
OP
SarahJane
supremo
Your picture of the Twelfth Doctor doing hands on healing on your leg brought me immense joy and pleasure. @cairistiona60. I hope his sonic screwdriver gets you up and dancing in the streets in no time.
@Pescara, thanks for stopping by to say Hi. Let's hope your days of hospital "excitement" are over for good.
Today (yesterday?) was a day full of naps and naps and naps, which is why I'm up at 3 in the morning, catching up on what's been happening here.
@Pescara, thanks for stopping by to say Hi. Let's hope your days of hospital "excitement" are over for good.
Today (yesterday?) was a day full of naps and naps and naps, which is why I'm up at 3 in the morning, catching up on what's been happening here.
Pescara
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@SaraJane I am finally in week 8. I every now and then I wake for Tylenol. I see my OS on the 18th about my right knee surgery. Yesterday I finally got the courage to drive alone. I was out of ice cream! I still enjoy my naps due to bad tv lol. Through trial after trial I have found saltiness and ginger ale great for tummy problems. You are doing great. It took me 4 weeks to get where you are. Sleeping will come in time. You are still early in your journey. 
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How are you doing today? I hope your doing great
Majic
graduate
Hi @SarahJane I realised while I was playing the girls names game, and explaining about the Archers that you are just ahead of me, and have read your thread.
Can you tell me what a body pillow is? Either we don't have them in England, or we call them something else. I'm sorry you've been having a rough time with sickness. I was doing well until I developed a bladder infection from the catheter, which the antibiotics don't seem to be touching so far. I have also had a sore throat for a few days as well, and the combination has set me back in sleeping and mood. My bladder had seemed much better, but the last two nights sleep has been very broken with trips to the loo about every 1 1/2 - 2 hours., when at first I had slept through to 5.30 without a break. This evening the discomfort is setting in again as well.
I do hope your sickness has cleared up and you are sleeping better.
Can you tell me what a body pillow is? Either we don't have them in England, or we call them something else. I'm sorry you've been having a rough time with sickness. I was doing well until I developed a bladder infection from the catheter, which the antibiotics don't seem to be touching so far. I have also had a sore throat for a few days as well, and the combination has set me back in sleeping and mood. My bladder had seemed much better, but the last two nights sleep has been very broken with trips to the loo about every 1 1/2 - 2 hours., when at first I had slept through to 5.30 without a break. This evening the discomfort is setting in again as well.
I do hope your sickness has cleared up and you are sleeping better.
OP
OP
SarahJane
supremo
@Majic, hugs, hugs, hugs, gentle hugs. Sounds like you are really having a time of it. I hope that they've found a combination of drugs that will deal with that nasty infection. The trauma of having had major surgery has stressed out your immune system, leaving it weaker than usual and less likely to fight off the infection. And if you are like me, the antibiotics may start having their own little party in your tummy. Poor girl. I find it useful to take something with probiotics about now -- yogurt with live cultures, raw sauerkraut, even pro-biotic pills (get the ones which require refrigeration, if you can). And let me know how you're feeling.
A body pillow is a pillow which is really, really long -- 3 feet, maybe. I don't know if they are available in the UK. Here's a link to one of many US retailers. https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/bodymate-reg-body-pillow/1011667104 I purchased one before the surgery because I wanted to have something which would prevent me from rolling over in my sleep. I'm a natural side sleeper, and I knew it was best to sleep on my back with my leg elevated -- ice packs in place! -- rather than rolling over and curling up like I usually do. @Slainte gave me the suggestion of using the body pillow to construct my "elevation station." I tuck one end of it under a large regular pillow, and flip the rest of it forward so that it comes across the top of the regular pillow and comes down to touch the sheet -- creating a split-level pillow platform. When I needed extra height, I placed a large, folded up bath towel underneath the regular pillow to give me another 4-6 inches.
@Pescara, truth is: everytime I log on here, I get caught up in catching up on everyone else's threads (including yours!), and in keeping the games room active, so I run out of time to update my own. I'll post a little about myself in a bit. But first, the games room is calling.
A body pillow is a pillow which is really, really long -- 3 feet, maybe. I don't know if they are available in the UK. Here's a link to one of many US retailers. https://www.bedbathandbeyond.com/store/product/bodymate-reg-body-pillow/1011667104 I purchased one before the surgery because I wanted to have something which would prevent me from rolling over in my sleep. I'm a natural side sleeper, and I knew it was best to sleep on my back with my leg elevated -- ice packs in place! -- rather than rolling over and curling up like I usually do. @Slainte gave me the suggestion of using the body pillow to construct my "elevation station." I tuck one end of it under a large regular pillow, and flip the rest of it forward so that it comes across the top of the regular pillow and comes down to touch the sheet -- creating a split-level pillow platform. When I needed extra height, I placed a large, folded up bath towel underneath the regular pillow to give me another 4-6 inches.
@Pescara, truth is: everytime I log on here, I get caught up in catching up on everyone else's threads (including yours!), and in keeping the games room active, so I run out of time to update my own. I'll post a little about myself in a bit. But first, the games room is calling.
OP
OP
SarahJane
supremo
So, I have my first post-operative visit with my surgeon on Monday.
I need your help in coming up with questions to ask him. I have some ideas, but I'm afraid I might be overlooking something. My list so far:
1. What device was used?
2. Does the hospital keep a registry?
3. How did my bones look -- any bone loss?
4. How did my ligaments, tendons, and muscles look?
5. Pain management suggestions
6. Should I put lotion, cream, etc., on the scar? if so, what and when should I start?
7. When can I take a bath? Use the jacuzzi? swim?
8. Can I lift and carry things like the trash? heavier things?
9. What are his criteria for letting me drive?
10. What are his recommendations for outpatient physical therapy?
Without really being conscious of it, I've gone from 6 Percocet a day to 4 a day. I'm icing less frequently. My knee is a bit stiff in the morning but movement helps loosen it up.
Hope you all are having great weekends.
I need your help in coming up with questions to ask him. I have some ideas, but I'm afraid I might be overlooking something. My list so far:
1. What device was used?
2. Does the hospital keep a registry?
3. How did my bones look -- any bone loss?
4. How did my ligaments, tendons, and muscles look?
5. Pain management suggestions
6. Should I put lotion, cream, etc., on the scar? if so, what and when should I start?
7. When can I take a bath? Use the jacuzzi? swim?
8. Can I lift and carry things like the trash? heavier things?
9. What are his criteria for letting me drive?
10. What are his recommendations for outpatient physical therapy?
Without really being conscious of it, I've gone from 6 Percocet a day to 4 a day. I'm icing less frequently. My knee is a bit stiff in the morning but movement helps loosen it up.
Hope you all are having great weekends.
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SarahJane,
Glad to hear you able to decrease your Percocet naturally, just remember with outings or increased activity you many need a little more.
I would be interested in his answer to #2, and #5 you might want to ask about stepping down to Norco, or other pain medications. It is a balancing act finding out what works as you heal.
Wishing you continued healing,
Glad to hear you able to decrease your Percocet naturally, just remember with outings or increased activity you many need a little more.
I would be interested in his answer to #2, and #5 you might want to ask about stepping down to Norco, or other pain medications. It is a balancing act finding out what works as you heal.
Wishing you continued healing,
Pescara
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@SaraJane, sounds like you have a great list for your OS. #6 I was told about 4 weeks. Palmers cocoa butter for scars works great. Mine said I could drive if I was off medication or not take it before because it can slow your reactions. I tried a bath but it was soon hard to get in and out I am staying with showers. Hope some of this helps. He will also have you get an x-Ray to see how things are. You can always ask him to show you.
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