TKR Tex’s recovery LTKR

[Jockette]

I completely understand the opioid crisis stuff, but what about those who are actually in pain throughout the day and night.

I do agree with you!

Try calling again and telling them how much pain you have. If they won‘t help you, try your GP.

If you can take Tylenol, the most effective way to take it is 2 x 500 mg tablets every 6 hours, to a total of 4,000 mg (4 doses) in 24 hours. You need to take it regularly, to keep up the levels in your bloodstream. If you just take the odd dose now and then, it's far less effective.

Check all other medications you're taking, to make sure there is no Tylenol/Acetaminophen/Paracetamol in them. If there is, scale back one or two of your regular doses, so you stay within that safe 24 hour limit of 4,000 mg.

I used the above Tylenol schedule, in addition to 800 mg of ibuprofen 3 times a day, and found it decent pain control. (decent, not fabulous!) I staggered the two medications so that I took each one 6 hours apart, but I took one or the other every 3 hours. For example, Tylenol 6 am, ibuprofen 9 am Tylenol noon, ibuprofen 3 pm, etc. This means I did take Tylenol in the middle of the night, but I only took ibuprofen during the day.

 

[FCBayern]

I would definitely call your GP, I know I still needed more than over the counter pain meds into my 6th week of recovery.

 

[kneeper]

Jeepers! I'm so lucky my doctor used common sense and I was able to spread out doses and reduce very naturally over 6-8 weeks rather than just an arbitrary cut off.

 

[Gingerbread]

Call and demand pain relief! I am suffering as well and luckily my surgeon and my holistic practitioner are trying to help me find solutions. If they weren't helping me, I know I'd be on with my GP begging for mercy.

 

[BMCTex]

Talked to my regular dr and she is gonna try and get them in for me. The VA hospitals are really weird about pain meds now that they were outed for people dying in the lobbies. Maybe be a day or 2 before she can get them. Hopefully not, this sucks so bad. The Tylenol and ibuprofen isn’t doing the job by any means.

 

[kneeper]

I think one of the problems was giving huge amounts at one time. Even though it's inconvenient, even if they can give you a prescription for a week or two at a time that could get you over the hump.

 

[BMCTex]

She ordered me 15 hydrocodone. Which is fine because I hate pain meds. I will use them on the worst pain only and taper completely off those.

 

[Jockette]

Did you have any withdrawal symptoms when you had to stop it suddenly?

 

[BMCTex]

No, just the pain in the knee. I have managed pretty well so far but the bad times are pretty bad.

 

[eaglemom]

Are you still icing your knee? I know that question has been ask, but ice is a pain reliever also.

I'm sorry your in pain - I just don't understand those of us whom need pain medication have to go through all sorts of loops to get them. If your surgeon isn't refilling them, you might ask your PCP.

Take it easy for several days - your knee had a Dallas workout and isn't happy.

 

[BMCTex]

Are you still icing your knee? I know that question has been ask, but ice is a pain reliever also.

yes I ice quite frequently still. That helps a lot. I was given a topical to put on it that is infused with cbd and it helps tremendously.

 

[Susie-Q]

Thank you for your service and sacrifice, @BMCTex. Best wishes for a better recovery as each day passes......

 

[BMCTex]

Good morning!
Today is 5 weeks post op and boy what a difference. Had PT yesterday and flex was at 115° and extension was 0°. Walking is much easier even without the cane. Still got a long way to go on building strength but I’m doing so much better. Pain is down to a dull ache most of the time with sharp pains every once in a while. I’m able to walk without a limp if I actually think about it, been limping so long I gotta teach my body to walk different. I think the best part of this is what happened last night. I laid down and fell asleep very quickly and slept through the whole night, not waking up even 1 time. It was amazing, although I woke up with my knee very stiff and achy. Still a ways to go but I got this!

 

[sistersinhim]

Your sleep last night is what we all strive for. What a blessing you got it! You are doing quite well for such a short time out.

 

[BMCTex]

Your sleep last night is what we all strive for. What a blessing you got it! You are doing quite well for such a short time out.

Thank you, I decided to get off the couch and live. I went back to work last week and even though I can’t last all day I try. I am a tattoo artist so sitting in the artist chair with my feet under me gets pretty painful. I also attended another concert this last weekend with a much better result than the last one. I am constantly on the go, making my self tired by the end of the day. I think that’s what helped last night.

 

[sistersinhim]

As long as you can do all that without making the knee mad, then you're in a really good place!

For those of us who can't sleep well just sleep when and where you can. It doesn't matter when you sleep, just that you do sleep! While sleeping our bodies can concentrate more on healing.

 

[BMCTex]

As long as you can do all that without making the knee mad, then you're in a really good place!

For those of us who can't sleep well just sleep when and where you can. It doesn't matter when you sleep, just that you do sleep! While sleeping our bodies can concentrate more on healing.

I agree, I’m hoping that sleep stays the same but I’m sure it won’t. I was completely wore out yesterday so that may have helped. The knee seems to be taking the activity well, as long as I rest quite often and not overdo it.

 

[Jockette]

The knee seems to be taking the activity well, as long as I rest quite often and not overdo it.

This is the key to this recovery. The balance of activity and rest! Getting back to living will give you what I call “natural PT” and in my opinion, that’s the best kind.

 

[BMCTex]

Well it seems the good nights sleep was a one and done…. Been up most of tonight and doesn’t seem hopeful. Maybe tomorrow will be different.

 

[MerlinWizard]

Tex,

I am so happy to see your perspective change. It's hard to see the forest between the trees and you are 100% right - the no sleeping thing is a killer. I think it causes you more pain, more irritability and really wreaks havoc on your brain.

The good news is that (if my math is right), those days will be few and far between going forward. Getting rest is the single most important thing you can do during recovery. I swear if I could have just slept those first 4-6 weeks, my recovery would have seemed a lot better early on.

Your ROM and Flexion are really good - keep up the good work!