so fatigued

[giulia]

I have a knee recovery question for you. I had my TKR on August 10. I'm doing well on the knee healing front -- good extension and flexion, two pain pills every 8 or 9 hours, walking without a cane inside most of the time. I get up around 5:30 and have breakfast, shower, wash my hair when I absolutely have to, exercise, ride the bike a little, ice, elevate, and then around lunch time, I crash for the rest of the day.

I am so fatigued that I sometimes feel that someone took out my insides and that I am empty. Usually, I rally in the afternoon, but it doesn't last long. I had to force myself to stay up until 9 last night. We were watching Planet Earth and I would continually doze off and wake up with a jerk. I felt absolutely miserable. I don't feel this way everyday, but at least every other day this past week. Is this kind of fatigue normal, or do I need to call the doctor handling the medical side of my recovery? I don't remember if I felt this tired after my THR ten years ago.

Thanks for any feedback. This forum has been such a great help to me. Most often, my questions are answered before I ask them!

Giulia

 

[FrogFeathers]

I was exhausted for months! Even now, my sleep schedule is wonky.

I was always more fatigued if I did any kind of workout- be it physical therapy or simply a household chore. I'd crash midday, roust in the afternoon and be in bed by 10 PM.

I also have days (even weeks) where I feel okay and I sleep somewhat "normal". Then one day, I'll wake up feeling like I've been dragged by horses and the whole tired thing happens again for days.

Probably not much help to you, but at least you know you're not alone.

 

[giulia]

Thanks, FrogFeathers. It's very comforting to know that I'm not alone! I felt really prepared for the surgery, but the fatigue has taken me by surprise.

 

[loggon]

giulia

Frog is sooooo right on. That is how I feel also. Frog and I are
about the same amount of time out from surgery.

Somedays I am full of energy and others just give me my chair.

I am sure it will get better in time. At least I hope so.

 

[cindy88fan]

You are not alone but what I would suggest is to take a nap in the afternoon but if you feel you are sleeping too much, set your alarm and make yourself get up. Exercising is another key. You say by lunch, you are done for the day. You should be doing another round of exercises. How much are you doing in the morning? I do 3 rounds of 10 with each knee and ride the bike 10 minutes. Then in the afternoon, I do it again and after supper one more time. It's best to spread the exercising out, not do it all at one time because then you will become stiff. Also, exercising gives me energy. One more thing, you said you take a shower and wash your hair when you have to, I take one every single day whether I need it or not. The shower makes me feel better and refresh. Hope I was a little bit of help. Good Luck!

 

[loggon]

Cindy

Wow that is a little much on the exercise. Esp. for just having
your surgery 7/20/09.

Just be careful. As so many have posted, they went "gun ho" at first but then they paid.

I do agree, if sleeping too much, maybe just walk back and forth in your house and drink a nice cold glass of water. I think the water is lacking in some folks daily intake and that is very important.

Just moving helps even if you are sitting in a chair, keep that knee going by sliding your foot back and forth.

 

[Texas]

Thats what i did nap, O was tried actually after walking around alot still get tired...it does get better as you go along but yes if you can nap try..I guess our bodies are getting used to this and really have been thru alot.......take care.........)

 

[Sticker Lady]

Hi Giulia!

I still get very tired if I go shopping or just do too much around the house. The days I work, I'm really dragging by the end of the day. I'm sure it will get better as time passes. Right now listen to your body and sleep when you feel fatigued.

Blessings,
Irene

 

[Linda2]

The fatigue is very normal. It takes a lot of energy to heal. Your body feels insulted by what has been done to it for quite a long while. It does get better--knda sneaks up on you.

 

[giulia]

Thank you all for your kind responses. You are such a lovely and supportive group. I do appreciate hearing that being tired is not so unusual.

Oh my, lest anyone think that I am slovenly, I did say that I shower every morning, I just don't wash my hair every day now. I have, however, progressed to every other day!

It's sunny today for the first time in days, and I feel much more energetic. I think several days of rain contributed to my droopiness. I feel much more like my normal self today. In the future, when I have those "crash at noon" days, I won't worry so much.

 

[BigRed]

You are not alone by any means. I rest every chance I get and can fall asleep at the drop of a hat (which is not the normal pre-op me). When I was still at home recuperating I did what Cindy suggested to you, I set an alarm. That kept me from sleeping so much during the day that I got too stiff and it also allowed me to sleep better at night.

 

[brs0660]

This was very interesting to me. I was doing so well and then in the feww weeks have dragging...even talked to my PCP. He did lab work and all looked good. I suppose I am still recovering...5 months is a long time.

Thank to all who have replied. :sct:

 

[sykeRN]

Hi-- I was just wondering about you---especially since we had the same surgery date.
I am doing very well at three weeks post surgery---but by 5-6 pm I am Dragging--I go to bed early. I also love a nap in the early pm--it does help with the fatigue. I expect to have some fatigue---surgery recovery is HARD on the body.
Take care of yourself. Warm regards! Nancy

 

[Jayhawk]

Don't participate here very much but wanted to offer my experience.....had major fatigue with each of my total arthroplasties....in fact a very hard lesson for me to learn as I thought I could simply "overpower" the fatigue.

I started my non-hospital physical therapy the Monday after surgery on a Tuesday....my sessions lasted about two hours three days a week. I worked very hard in physical therapy and was really tired after each session. With both surgeries I went back to work the second week after surgery so my typical schedule on those days was....physical therapy from 6:30-8:30 am then shower and go to the office....the other two days just shower and go to the office. I must confess that I did not properly respect that this is a major surgery and has a significant impact on your physical condition. Fortunately my profession allowed me the opportunity to periodically sit back at my office with a Cyrocuff on my knee and my leg on the desk (I have a "fleet" of Cryocuffs as a result of seven knee surgeries!!!!). Also, if the fatigue was too much....I had the ability to actually work from home which I did on several occasions. It was about week five or six before I no longer experienced major fatigue with both surgeries.

The fatigue associated with a total knee arthroplasty was probably a more difficult issue for me than the pain. My recommendation is to rest whenever possible.


Steve
Spring, Tx.

 

[Josephine]

Not at all unusual. A TKR is much more draining than a THR and you'll need to just take it easy for sometime yet. Your stamina will slowly return. Just go with the flow!