GimpyGal
senior
- Joined
- Nov 20, 2013
- Messages
- 318
- Age
- 73
- Country
- United States
- Gender
- Female
Hi BoneSmartees -
I've been reading for several weeks and today is a good enough day that I feel I should 'give back' and share my own experience. This site is a wealth of information and support and I'm in need of both!
I'm a 62 year old, overweight but active woman. I've had only minor knee pain until April when my left knee became very painful while walking the golf course. A few days of rest still had me barely able to walk, a torn meniscus was diagnosed via MRI, and I was scoped in June. Never got better and was sent to PT until I finally called uncle as after many weeks there was no improvement.
A second opinion and a second MRI picked up more damage which led me to a TKR almost immediately. After having been disabled since April, there was no point in putting it off. I had only a few days to prepare myself and the household but time was also of great concern as my father is in Hospice and I'm my parents' only child living locally.
I might have said differently had I posted earlier, but after reading many of your experiences, I suppose mine appears unremarkable. The surgery went well. I was surprised to be given a spinal (just assumed such a surgery would be general but put my trust in the medical team) and was sedated enough all I remember was transferring to the operating room table and watching the team dress in their space suits. No other memories until I was settled in my hospital room after recovery.
My doctor knew there were many narcotics I can't tolerate, so it was a constant challenge to temper the pain. The entire time I was in the hospital I had nausea and vomiting, in spite of that being addressed with medication, as well. Between the pain and that horrible feeling I was a pretty pitiful patient. But, seriously, they were doing their best, to find meds for the hospital, but also something I could transition to at home.
Curiously, I can't tolerate morphine, but we found I could tolerate what I think is a synthetic morphine by the name of dilaudid. And with no nausea! My surgeon has cautioned that he is not comfortable with me taking this for very long as he usually sends his patients home with something that has a far lower chance of one developing a dependency. I don't see where anyone else here has mentioned dilaudid.
I cannot believe the hospital care I received. Only wanted to slug one aide who had the nerve to ask miserable me if I needed my other knee done! I was not an easy patient, ringing frequently for pain meds, nausea meds, bathroom help, and 'remove my food tray NOW, it's making me sick!' They were there each and every time and immediately! Even during shift changes, there was no delay. I was treated to baths daily, and I swear, nearly every time I used the bathroom I came back to fresh sheets. I couldn't keep food down so they enticed me with whatever they could think of - popsicles, soda pop, graham crackers, etc. So, yes, I was miserable, but I felt so grateful for the care I received!
I had surgery very late on a Monday and came right out of surgery at 85 degrees. They kept me on the passive motion machine a lot and I had the chilled cuff on continuously, too. I had a low heart rate for at least 24 hours which set an alarm off all night long. They were not too concerned, but it was disconcerting because they couldn't turn the alarm off.
They wanted me to go home on Friday and I felt so miserable I didn't want to go. I was getting around fine, though, and 'they prefer not to keep you here just for nausea' so I bit the bullet and somehow made it home and up a full set of stairs to the bedroom.
I used a walker for a day or two, then switched to a cane. I had a visiting nurse and visiting PT. After three visits they independently decided they weren't really needed and just began checking in by phone. On day nine post op, the PT told me I was walking well enough to ditch the cane around the house unless I found myself limping. I was 120 degrees my second day home and can almost straighten the knee completely.
It's not all sweetness and light, of course. I'm three week post op. I have several simple PT exercises to do several times a day. I usually only manage them twice. I'm not needing the narcotic round the clock, but am uncomfortable enough that I need it before PT and during the night. My back and hip hurt and keep me awake most of the night - I've no idea if this is referred pain, normal healing, or something totally unrelated. I'm moody, weepy, unmotivated to do anything productive and have no appetite. I'm sick and tired of being 'down' (since April!) and bored to tears. I'm feeling guilty my husband has to do EVERYTHING around the house, including the impossible task of keeping our 6 month old puppy contained and away from me!
But, from reading here I guess it could be far worse. I can't bear the thought of EVER doing my other knee, but that attitude is probably pretty normal at this stage, too. Guess I'll pull a Scarlet O'Hara and think about that tomorrow.
I've been reading for several weeks and today is a good enough day that I feel I should 'give back' and share my own experience. This site is a wealth of information and support and I'm in need of both!
I'm a 62 year old, overweight but active woman. I've had only minor knee pain until April when my left knee became very painful while walking the golf course. A few days of rest still had me barely able to walk, a torn meniscus was diagnosed via MRI, and I was scoped in June. Never got better and was sent to PT until I finally called uncle as after many weeks there was no improvement.
A second opinion and a second MRI picked up more damage which led me to a TKR almost immediately. After having been disabled since April, there was no point in putting it off. I had only a few days to prepare myself and the household but time was also of great concern as my father is in Hospice and I'm my parents' only child living locally.
I might have said differently had I posted earlier, but after reading many of your experiences, I suppose mine appears unremarkable. The surgery went well. I was surprised to be given a spinal (just assumed such a surgery would be general but put my trust in the medical team) and was sedated enough all I remember was transferring to the operating room table and watching the team dress in their space suits. No other memories until I was settled in my hospital room after recovery.
My doctor knew there were many narcotics I can't tolerate, so it was a constant challenge to temper the pain. The entire time I was in the hospital I had nausea and vomiting, in spite of that being addressed with medication, as well. Between the pain and that horrible feeling I was a pretty pitiful patient. But, seriously, they were doing their best, to find meds for the hospital, but also something I could transition to at home.
Curiously, I can't tolerate morphine, but we found I could tolerate what I think is a synthetic morphine by the name of dilaudid. And with no nausea! My surgeon has cautioned that he is not comfortable with me taking this for very long as he usually sends his patients home with something that has a far lower chance of one developing a dependency. I don't see where anyone else here has mentioned dilaudid.
I cannot believe the hospital care I received. Only wanted to slug one aide who had the nerve to ask miserable me if I needed my other knee done! I was not an easy patient, ringing frequently for pain meds, nausea meds, bathroom help, and 'remove my food tray NOW, it's making me sick!' They were there each and every time and immediately! Even during shift changes, there was no delay. I was treated to baths daily, and I swear, nearly every time I used the bathroom I came back to fresh sheets. I couldn't keep food down so they enticed me with whatever they could think of - popsicles, soda pop, graham crackers, etc. So, yes, I was miserable, but I felt so grateful for the care I received!
I had surgery very late on a Monday and came right out of surgery at 85 degrees. They kept me on the passive motion machine a lot and I had the chilled cuff on continuously, too. I had a low heart rate for at least 24 hours which set an alarm off all night long. They were not too concerned, but it was disconcerting because they couldn't turn the alarm off.
They wanted me to go home on Friday and I felt so miserable I didn't want to go. I was getting around fine, though, and 'they prefer not to keep you here just for nausea' so I bit the bullet and somehow made it home and up a full set of stairs to the bedroom.
I used a walker for a day or two, then switched to a cane. I had a visiting nurse and visiting PT. After three visits they independently decided they weren't really needed and just began checking in by phone. On day nine post op, the PT told me I was walking well enough to ditch the cane around the house unless I found myself limping. I was 120 degrees my second day home and can almost straighten the knee completely.
It's not all sweetness and light, of course. I'm three week post op. I have several simple PT exercises to do several times a day. I usually only manage them twice. I'm not needing the narcotic round the clock, but am uncomfortable enough that I need it before PT and during the night. My back and hip hurt and keep me awake most of the night - I've no idea if this is referred pain, normal healing, or something totally unrelated. I'm moody, weepy, unmotivated to do anything productive and have no appetite. I'm sick and tired of being 'down' (since April!) and bored to tears. I'm feeling guilty my husband has to do EVERYTHING around the house, including the impossible task of keeping our 6 month old puppy contained and away from me!
But, from reading here I guess it could be far worse. I can't bear the thought of EVER doing my other knee, but that attitude is probably pretty normal at this stage, too. Guess I'll pull a Scarlet O'Hara and think about that tomorrow.