When am I overdoing it!

[SleepytimeGal]

It is so hard for me to judge when I'm overdoing, as the pain and fatigue don't show up at the time I'm doing something. I've always been active all day long and even into the night. Housework, yardwork, shopping etc. When "IT" finally hits me, I'm in crying, sometimes moaning or screaming pain. I hate being so inadequate, and I too hate using walkers, canes. crutches in public. Is that stupid or vain ? I sure relate to overdoing, because I want to be functionall and valuable as a human being. The surgeons should have red flags inserted in us that pops up to say, " Overdoing, pain, pain, pain will follow !"
Taking the ice packs with you is a great idea. We always take it in a cooler, in case we have car trouble, there is an accident holding up traffic or an unexpected detour. And, of course, take extra meds too.
Sleepygal

 

[Motherofmany]

Re: over did it

Good advice sleepy. I'll ask my OS before next TKR about that warning device. :hehe: Should bring a smile to his face too.

 

[Judles]

Re: over did it

Oye.....if ONLY!!!! (0)

 

[Josephine]

Re: over did it

And don't forget the painkillers! You need to keep taking them regularly for a while yet.

 

[Josephine]

Sleepy, I moved your post into a thread of it's own so it doesn't derail Peggy's thread.

 

[Texas]

hello I know I take them everywhere as well.Seems silly to other but hey it helps......I think thats cute about the flags....that would be great...yea its hard to judge. Im like you i wanna go go go ......I cried to it will get better, jump on here we will cheer ya p....Post anytime.I hope you feel better.I also answered on Really hot knee............

 

[Judles]

:wahey::pnc:if you have to ask.....yep! you're overdoing it!!!

 

[Josephine]

 

[cindy88fan]

As far as knowing when to stop, it's hard. I did the same thing yesterday. Did too much and now today I have a lot of swelling. I agree with red flags. Before I had my surgery, I asked my Dr. if he could add a couple inches to my knees while he had me opened up because I'm only 5 feet short.:hehe: Right now the best thing you can do is keep the pain meds going and keep icing. Hope you feel better real soon!

____________
BTKR 7/20/09
Cindy

 

[Judles]

:lvros:

 

[Hearth_Cricket]

Overdoing it is definitely something that is hard to discern...I'm very new in recovery on this knee to really tell, but I remember when I had the other knee done, that I did two things: I listened to my body with each step that I took and I paced myself progressively each day with what I took on, with respect to housework, yardwork, etc.

A lot of it is common sense sometimes...I know that when you start to feeling better, you want to catch up with housework and other things, but you have to remember that you are not "well" you are still in "recovery", so you have to intellectually plan what you can do from reason and not do from want. Hope that makes a little sense...

 

[sykeRN]

Can a woman NOT overdo--it's in our DNA to do everything-for everybody but ourselves. Putting ourselves first--after our other roles like employee-mom-wife-daughter-friend etc etc-is a constant learning experience. With TKR or THR this is a BIGGER challenge. Of course men face as many challenges too after surgery---but seem to have a small edge in being able to relax! Just saying!!!

Thank God for ice packs! Please take care of yourself! Nancy

 

[Josephine]

I don't! But then, I don't have anyone at home to worry about except me - and the cats of course but they're very low maintenance!

 

[tooyoungforthis]

Sleepy, I am finding out to do little things then rest and ice then in a 1/2 hour get up and do just a little more,it will take longer for something that we could do with our eyes close.Like I was told just take your time and boy thats hard to do.