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Stamina?? Almost 6 weeks

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Chaco

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Hi All,
This is my first post, but I'm so glad to have found this site!

Had LTKR on May 18th. Surgery went fine. I had a spinal w/ some sedation, but was able to hear and converse with the doctor during the procedure. Only glitch, is I needed a transfusion 2 days after the surgery.

My pain has been managed pretty well. Been doing in-patient PT since week of the surgery. ROM is 117 and extension is 5 this week. The knee feels pretty good, and I've come a long way, but I'm impatient.

Been very emotional for a few weeks. Teary and drained. I have a desk job and have been transitioning back to work. I ice here at work and when I get home, I ice again. Other than PT and cooking a meal here or there, I'm a slug!

I feel wiped out! When does the stamina come back??? Right now, that is my biggest issue. I just don't feel like ME, and I'm otherwise 50 years old and in good health.

What can I do to get back to feeling normal?

You folks who do one knee after the other...my hats off to you!!!

thanks-
Cyndy
LTKR 5/18/09
 
Welcome, Cindy!!! When does the stamina come BACK???? Well.....each of us is different, but you STILL are very early in your recovery and you'll need A LOT more time! Be kind to yourself! Also, transitioning back to work takes time! Boy did you return fast! Remember......you just had MAJOR surgery!
 
Lack of stamina is completely normal for where you are. Your body is expending all this energy on healing and there is very little left to be devoted to the stuff in life you really want to do. So its actually a tribute that you've managed to get back to work and not be nodding off at your desk. You're probably over the hump and will be getting better week by week.
 
Hi Cindy glad you are doing so well. Yes tired is a given. I believe..lol.. Im 10 weeks and still get tired sometimes.........It will come back. I feel better every day. Good Luck to you dont work to hard............
 
Cyndy
I am 3 months tomorrow and I still get tired if I do a little too much.
This was major surgery and it is going to take time.
You will start feeling better each day but it does take a while at least it is for me and my doctor was pleased with me at 3 month check up.

So hang in there and listen to your body.
 
I think I'm about 9 weeks from surgery. I'd say that most of my stamina has returned. But it's been a struggle to regain it. I had to start slowly, push through some of the pain and work myself up to my now 60 minute pool workouts. Again, each person is different. By the second week after surgery, I'd started lifting light weights for my upper body. Somewhere between the third and fourth week I started swimming a couple of times a week for about 20 minutes with a pull buoy. I've slowly increased my time working out while, at the same time, getting rid of the swim aid. Now I just swim. The knee hurts more later in the day, but I can tell it's nothing major. My stamina at this point is rock solid.

So, start slowly and be prepared to have your knee tell you about yourself after each workout. It will, however, be worth it. I feel almost like my old self. That's definitely helped my mood during this long recovery. And I do still have days when I have to drop everything and lie down. This knee replacement recovery has given me a new appreciation for napping.
 
You went back to work at 5 weeks?!!!! Good grief, no wonder you're feeling wiped out! What ever was your doctor thinking, letting you return so soon? That's crazy!

The problem with you is that you are just exhausted and need lots more rest and care. I hope you're icing lots, not just now and again. And elevating your leg. Can you get a box or something under your desk to put your leg on? And after all that, getting up and moving around a bit every 30-40 mins when you're at work is important too.

I'm relieved t
hat at least you're returning in a sensible way but what it's doing is effectively making your recovery last about twice as long as it would have done. Big operations take big times to recover. People often run away with the idea that because they're out of hospital in a few days that's all there is to it! Wrong!

This is the most demanding time on your system so go easy on yourself as much as you can.
 
Wow, I'm amazed you're doing so much already. I did return to taking my girls (as supervising driver in passenger seat) to the horse barn somewhere around 6 weeks to feed the horses although I didn't do any feeding until around 8 weeks. Just the short walking wiped me out and I had to rest when returning home.

Take it easy and listen to Jo. She knows what she's talking about. Spend as much time as possible resting, elevating the knees and icing. At 12 weeks I still rest after activities and do the above recommendation.

Make quick meals, or multiples and put them up to heat up if you can. Didn't start doing all the cooking again until around 8 weeks as well. My family spoiled me. Wouldn't let me help much at all. Been hard this week with teen daugters away at camp.

Got to run pick them up! Boy have I missed those two! I'm taking the evening off though!

Blessings,
 
You all are reassuring. It is so comforting to know that there are others out there who have "been there, done that!"

Jo, I do have a chair to prop my leg up at work, and even take the cryo-cuff with me. Otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to make this work. I made a big mistake at 3 weeks out by trying to work a full week (stupid!)...ended up in TEARS and a total meltdown. Ended up closing my door and laying on the floor for 45 mins. Couldn't even drive and had my son come pick me up. So, I have taken it slower since then. I do need to get up and walk the halls every half hour or so.

So, after your reassurance, I will coddle myself more, let the boys fix all the meals, and seek out a swimming pool for water therapy!

On a positive note, there is NO PAIN in my new joint!!!! My only pains are from the surgery and the muscle strains from relearning how to walk and PT. In spite of the recovery trials, I'm absolutely glad I made the decision to take care of this now.

My 6 week appt with OS is Tuesday.
 
Oh my ...back to work a four weeks...I was wiped out when I went back at six weeks..THAT was too early.

Another thought is you primary care doctor following you are you are recovering? My hemoglobin low and they made me take some iron as I recuperated. You might give him a call and ask if you need to have some lab work especially since you had two units of bood around surgery. :cool:
 
Barb, I will ask for lab work, as I've also wondered about iron since the transfusion. They said I lost a lot of blood through the wound the first day rather than during surgery. That could be part of the reason I feel like there's no wind in my sails...
 
Yes, it can be a contributor. The blood transfusion helped to replace the fluids and the red blood cells you lost. Those red blood cells only live so long. Dr needs to check to be sure are making plenty of new ones. I would call on Monday and ask if some lab work might be helpful...since you are feeling so tired. All he can say is come in and see me or no.

In this present day of healthcare, sometimes we have to advocate for ourselves.
 
So, after your reassurance, I will coddle myself more, let the boys fix all the meals, and seek out a swimming pool for water therapy!

Now this is a prescription for good medicine that many of us could take. The question Chaco is how did you ever get off the wheel of sacrifice or learn not to get on it.
 
Zelik...good question! Isn't this an issue many of us have?? I guess over time, the balancing act between kids, spouses, everyday demands and career takes its toll. Guess, this surgery/recovery is teaching me an important life lesson. I simply can't remain responsible for everything.

I have been home alone this weekend with just my pup, and that has afforded me some good rest. So glad I found this forum.
C
 
Chaco, sometimes it takes a major event in life (like surgery) to give you the time and the reason to do some deep thinking about what is REALLY important in life. Many people emerge from the experience with a new outlook and with things in a more proper perspective.
 
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