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TKR Saying hi and 2 weeks out<

Hi @Eyesnlegs It's good to hear your PT listens to you. Especially since you are limited on what you can take for pain, taking it slow and easy I think will be key, though really, it is for everyone.

You won't notice progress day by day--more like week by week.
 
kneeper said:
Hi @Eyesnlegs You won't notice progress day by day--more like week by week.
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I agree with this statement. By reducing this time around the exercises ( not the stretches) I have been amazed at how much less pain and inflammation I have had. The healing of my knee progresses faster than it did for the 1st one by following this way for recovery. I have also been suprised at how little strenght I may have lost since the surgery in my quads. I tested it yesterday by going up a few stairs and I had no pain and that new knee pulled me up ( note I am a heavy person). My new knee is now 5 weeks old.
I am now a firm beleiver that less is more especially in the early part of recovery!
 
If it is taking meds orally that make you ill could you use fentanyl? It's a patch so slow release. It's hard to help with meds I'm on so much for so many joint issues I had real problems after my op pain like I've never had good luck and if you can get through on ice and paracetamol :ice::wow: well done you mx
 
They are I am in UK they were the only thing to get me up after being bedridden two years I have serious spinal issues and in immense pain I've been on them a long time but they have helped me immensely
You change them every 72hrs you don't get highs and lows where tablets even mst slow release give you.

I hope you are able to find something to help. When searching look for transdermal fentanyl patches there are lots of companies making them. Good luck mx
 
Thanks Mezrebuilt, it seems that my main problem is not because it oral meds but I'm an ultra rapid metaboliser. This makes Codeine very dangerous and morphine has to be in tiny amounts, so I will check these out as I see they are Morphine based.

Thanks again
 
Fentanyl is an opiate and quite a strong one. I think it might not suit for you.
 
I agree Josephine, I've done some more research since this. The anesthetist said he thought I might be an ultra rapid metaboliser, which has thrown up some interesting research. If anyone knows anything about this area I'd be very interested to hear.
 
Forgot to mention I've posted a picture of my scar over on the appropriate thread for those interested.
 
Curious Eyesnlegs, how is your strength levels? I'm finding that I still want to sleep a lot.
Had a rough 4 weeks post-op but turned a corner now...
Hope all is well with you my friend.
Di
 
Strength is up and down, I tire very easily but I've had a couple of nights recently when I've slept a good 6 hours without stirring and that has helped. Mine was 3 weeks yesterday but I feel as though things are slowly improving now.

I'm really glad you feel you've turned a corner, it really helps your mental state as you feel slightly more in control. Important for those of us with PTSD.
 
Hard to believe you're already at 3 weeks! I just posted that I feel like I should be returning to work and earning a paycheck! Crazy, huh? Life in the U.S. I guess..I always knew Europeans were way ahead of us when it comes to good old common sense...something we Americans are generally to busy rushing about to consider, ha.
Glad to hear you're getting in 6 hours of sleep. Makes a world of difference, no?
Di
 
I appreciate this thread more than you know. I've been hanging out in the pre-op forum, but it's time to check things out here. Surgery is Monday!

When I had my first knee done, we discovered morphine made me so ill, and so did Percocet. I could take Lortab, but now I've developed an intolerance for it, as well. So, like others in this thread, I won't have much help drug wise.

From Josephine's comments,, it's like the Fentanyl patch would be out, too.

I 'think' I can still tolerate Tramadol and that may be my only option. It's nice to know some others can make it through the first tough days without narcotics, but I'm sure dreading it. Then again, there's nothing worse than how sick one can feel on a drug - I think I'd rather have the pain. In fact, I almost think none of the narcotics target my pain receptors at all.

I doubt if a fast metabolism is the cause. I have no idea why I'm 'different.'

Please continue to share what has helped you other than narcotics. I know elevating correctly, makes a huge difference, and I'll have an 'ice machine.' My mantra is 'Ice is my friend, ice is my friend, ice is my friend.' I'm so concerned about the ice that I'll have my new machine, my old machine, and a neighbor's as back up!
 
@GIMPY GAL I had problems taking pain medications this past July when I originally had my TKR done. Vicodin, Percocet, nucynta and even tramadol caused me nausea, vomiting and just an overall feelings of not feeling well. I'm not sure what has change but less than 2 weeks ago I had my revision and now I'm taking hydocodone and a muscle relaxant and not really having any difficulties at all. The major difference is that I take Zofran and anti nausea medication by the clock. I'm not sure if you have tried that before or not but there still can be hope that some medication will work for you. That plus almost constant ice and elevation is helping a lot.
 
GimpyGal said:
I 'think' I can still tolerate Tramadol and that may be my only option.
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I've not heard of many who react negatively to Tramadol which is the beauty of it. So do ask to be put on it from the start. You will also do better to add 1,000mg Tylenol to each dose which is usually 100mgs 4 times a day. That's what I used for both my recoveries.
 
Thanks, @newlybionic and @Josephine. The plan is to try Dilaudid first. I have some memory of being able to tolerate that as they stopped the IV morphine, but I still went home with nausea and don't know if it was the Dilaudid or something else. My OS didn't want me on it very long. He's not stingy with pain meds, but wanted me to switch to something less addictive as soon as I could.

He has not mentioned Nycynta. I actually have a bottle of that I've not yet tried but since my insurance changed it now approaches $400 for a 30 day supply. But, hey, if it works, so be it!

@Josephine, I know Tylenol helps the Tramadol work better, but I'm my OS didn't comment when I mentioned that is passing. And I wonder if he'd allow that dosage (of Tylenol). I think the US is behind on that practice. But, the beauty of it is that Tylenol is OTC, right? :mute:

I don't remember the anti-nausea medicine he provided but I'll mention Zofran, for sure!
 
@GimpyGal Sorry I'm jumping in late with my reply to this. I woke yesterday with a dreadful attack of Labrynthitus (severe vertigo) so bad I couldn't walk or open my eyes for several hours yesterday. I spent the entire day on anti dizziness and anti nausea drugs! Not feeling wonderful this morning but on the mend! Doc said it was probably caused by me having a cold a week ago and a major stress (the op). Just what I needed when I was doing so well. I'm looking on it as a minor set back and will be back in the running (lol) as soon as I can.

So I wanted to say good luck for tomorrow, you will be fine. I was on Oxycodone slow release the first few days and fast release ones as and when I needed them. I didn't react to them I was fine. I also think I would have been fine on very small quantities of Tramadol, but it was the weekend and they kept claiming they didn't have them in smaller doses. So the 2 doses I took didn't do me any harm but I just crashed out on the bed for 4 hours each time. Not conducive with recovery at all, especially when I felt dreadful with it.

I managed when I got home with paracetamol, lots of ice (as your mantra), a wonderful husband who understood when I said "Can I have a crying pity party now" or "I'm just about to have a massive swearing attack okay!". Humour helped too, as did using deep breathing through the exercises and some mindfulness/relaxation as and when. It can be done, just be confident that you can! Then get back on here as soon as, because these wonderful people help propel you through.

We'll be thinking of you
Wobbly xxx
 
@Newbie tkr once upon a time I would have felt as you did, but I took ill health retirement a year ago with my MS so I don't have that pressure anymore. I really feel for you but concentrate on your recovery first. I've just had a minor setback as I've just written above but I did sleep 7 hours last night so it's all positive on the TKR recovery front xxx
 
Sorry to hear about the labyrinthitis - that is nasty but great to hear you're managing with minimal painkillers and ice. You are right, a good sense of humour is a big asset. Your sleeping time is brilliant and will help so much with your recovery. Just remember it's not a straight line recovery - you will have minor setbacks with the knee - but the general trend is very positive.
 
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