The first of two

[Joyce]

Maybe I'll get it right this time. I have enjoyed and laughed through the sleepless night at and with ya'll! I just had Partial on right knee (apr 24th) and will be having the other done in about 8 wks. I came through the surgery with flying colors but am now experiencing a pain something like a toothache, especially at night. I will be starting all out physical therp. Monday. I can alread bend 108 but still feels really tight.

Feel free to throw information and experiences my way. I'm 52 with no kids (excpet for my four leged ones) and have been really bummed out not being able to get around. Surprisingly though, the knee I just had done feels better overall than the knee waiting in the wings.

Thanks,
Joyce@flashfarms

 

[Jamie]

It's major surgery, Joyce....you are gonna have some pain. Your range of motion (ROM) at 108 is great! Be proud of that!! The fact that it feels tight means you have some swelling going on - even if you can't see it, it is there inside. Without it, you could bend even more. You don't mention any pain medication that you're on....are you taking anything? Are you icing and elevating? These are important things to be doing for yourself as a recovery newbie. Even though the replacement was a partial, they still cut and did all kinds of other things to your knee that will cause pain for a while. Be good to yourself and don't let pain and swelling get ahead of you.

 

[JudyS]

Welcome Joyce
I am intrigued by flash farms, what is that referring to? Congrats on doing so well at your early recovery stage. I had knee surgery in Dec and still have major restrictions as my doc is waiting for more fibrocartilage to grow in. The left knee is waiting until he thinks it has been long enough between surgeries. I had a kind of marathon going on.
Which part did you get replaced? I have problems with my patella section.
Remember ice, elevate, stool softeners, pain meds on time!!!
judy

 

[Joyce]

Hey Judy,

Flashfarm's is a registered name for our Dog Breeding and Kennels. We used to breed and raise Golden Retriever's. Since the knees have gone south we had to quit the breeding business because the puppies are a hard group when you try to step over and not on them all of the time. Really hard on the knees and the ankles. I dislocated and severely injured my right ankle doing this two years ago and had to have surgery. I do however train an occasional dog for a group or a home. I don't have children, so my girls are my heart.

Oh yea! I found out tht I needed a stool softener three days out of the hospital. I was in so much pain and so miserable. I thought I was gonna die! I'm on a learning curve here! Thank goodness I found ya'll.

I had an oxford partial knee replacement on my right knee and plan to have the other done as soon as I get the thumbs up on the right.
I have a very high energy level and I really need challenges and an outlet for all of this and this web sight is a God Send!

Thanks to all of you. More Later! We're just about to have a major storm so I'll be on my way!
Joyce

PS I also make ad sel jewelery.

 

[Josephine]

3 weeks, then? And what pain meds are you taking? How often?

 

[Texas]

I hi Loyce I posted on the other thread but 108 that in fantastic. You are also going to feel lil pings and things as you go another lil pain here and there bt it will get better. I hope your next one goes as well as this one. I wish you didnt have any pain at all. Hang in there we are all here for you.............get better soon. Kim

 

[Joyce]

I'm on Dilauded and valium at night and tyloxx during the day. I also take tylenol and anti- inflam. and antibiotics. Do I need to delete the other string? This is kinda confusin! I have a lot of problems with alot of narcotics. I just can't take alot of them.

 

[Jamie]

One of the keys to being successful with your pain meds and managing pain levels is the timing of taking them. Tell me what schedule you are on. It helps to know WHAT you take but also critical to know the frequency and dose.

 

[aussie]

Welcome Joyce and all the best.

 

[Judles]

Welcome aboard, Joyce!

 

[Joyce]

Starting in the AM (7) I take two tylox along with all other vitamins, bp med and anti=inflam. with breakfast. By 10 AM if I'm feeling pain I'll take tylenol. With lunch I'll take one tylox unless I'm feelng alot of pain and then I clean a little (dust, dishes, laundry) light stuff. Then it's nap time if I can. At 4 I'm usually considering a tylenol and a tylox. Try more sleep, usually after a shower because I've worked out a little and because I'm boered.

Dinner and bed with the strong stuff at 8/9 PM and maybe a few hours of sleep. I try not to take too much but I don't allow the pain to become too severe either. Oh yea, If I can't sleep by 10PM I usually take 1/2 mg xanax. Sometimes it relaxes me enough to allow for a few hours sleep. That is the usual routine.
Joyce

 

[Texas]

Well Joyce I surely hope you get some sleep tonite. I am ordering you to get some sleep haha like that will work. I sure wish it did I would do that to everyone on here simple as that. lol you bet cha I would . Hope you feel well and Sleeeeeeeeeeeeep night, Kim

 

[Jamie]

Joyce, normally for good pain management you would set a schedule of a certain dosage (one or two pills) every 4 hours. That means EVERY four hours whether you are feeling a lot of pain or not as well as all through the night. From what you wrote, it seems as though you have some periods where you are without medication....from your dose at 4 p.m. until bedtime and that period from bedtime (the strong stuff) and breakfast. You might try such a schedule for a couple of days and see if it makes a difference in your pain levels.

 

[Joyce]

Hey Aussie, You live in one of the places I want to visit for a few months before I die! I have a wall in my office that is almost totally dedicated to beautiful places in your beautiful country. I know some places there are experiencing a terribe drought and wild fires. Hope your not in the area where this is happening. Let me knw where you live if you don't mind.

Joyce

 

[Texas]

I would love to go there as well. That place is goregous. Joyce are ya ok just cant sleep ?

 

[Joyce]

Good Morning! I don take that dose @ 4AM as
I'm usually awake. My Dr. gave me a few Ambien and told me to take as needed, but to cut out the xanax and the tylenol pm. Last night I slept better thsn I have since I've been home. I'm still sleepy but coffee was smelling from the kitchen and calling my name. After this I think I might just take a nap. Thank's for everything. I told Dr. Jarrett that I had found this sight and he was excited that there are places like this available. He said that they are great for the physicologial as well a physical and emoitonal healing as PT is at times. I appreciate all that I've found here.

Joyce

 

[Joyce]

Good morning! I was just tellig Jamie that I slept pretty good last night. My Dr. gave me a RX for Ambien and strict instructions o what i could and could not take whild taking this medcation. Think I might take a nap as I fell like I'm still sleepy. Had to get my coffee first.

Joyce

 

[Texas]

Have a nice nap. Kim

 

[Jamie]

How's your pain going today, Joyce?

 

[Joyce]

Heeyyyy! I had a great night of sleep (thank you very much ambien) but the pain is about the same. It is always worse at night. I started with the new table my husband made for me this afternoon and am doing both legs to keep the other one stronger and hopefully more than ready for the next surgery. I've been doing alot of stretching and lifting. I can't remember who, but someone here told me to put the weights above the knee and that is a great idea.

Thanks so much!

Joyce