Where am I?

[calling_all_angels]

Honestly, I will get passed this? It has been 5 days now and I do not see the
differance that Doc said I would feel. It hurts more now then it did before surgery,
And he wants to do the other knee in 6 to 8 weeks. I think I will pass on that for
awhile. Unless I make some big progress jump in the next 6 weeks. I have so many
questions about how I should be feeling. Should I be back to doing everything only
with a walker?? If I rest am I a wimp? Thanks for listening
^i^

 

[Jamie]

Re: 43 right knee replaced 4 wks post-op w/pain

Calling.....hon, you are probably right on schedule with recovery. Five days is sooooo new. People have been asking about you. Why don't you start a new thread with some of your concerns and those of us who have been there before can talk directly to you. You will be amazed at where you will be in 6 weeks....honest!!! Tell us more about what's going on in your new thread, okay? We care about you!!!

 

[Josephine]

You have your own thread now!

You're right on target, hun, and will probably be in this state for a few more days. No end of people have posted here "What ever was I thinking!" or "Wish I'd never had it done!". As Jamie said, it will pass. This is the worst part and it will take some grit to get through but try and remember all the posts people have made here saying they wished they hadn't waited so long and how wonderful it is to be able to walk normally again. You can't expect to have a major op like this without pain afterwards but this pain will gradually recede. Just make sure you keep taking those pain pills every four hours on the dot. Whatever you do don't try to be a hero and do without, specially before your PT.

 

[aussie]

I feel like bursting into a rendition of "Memories" but really no one wants me to do that.

Dear Calling, it is such early days and I was one of those saying "What have I done", but 8 weeks on, I can say hang in there, it does get better, but it takes work and a great deal of faith that things will improve.

Wishing you all the best and as Jo said take those meds and don't be a hero, we are all here to support you.

Chris

 

[jacques1]

Calling ....

Hi
I will be two weeks tomorrow since my knee replacement and I was reading and posting here and I am really starting to get the kind messages from the folks here.
I didn't know how I was going to get to anywhere near recovery but I think I am now on the path. I saw my Dr yesterday, had staples removed, that felt good. I can actually sit on a chair to have my meals and I am not that uncomfortable, just a little.
I have this feeling though that Physio is not going to be a walk in the park. I think that when everyone says "we are in the early stages", "be patient", they really are telling us the truth. Hang in there with me

Deb

 

[carolinacooker]

Yes!!!! What they all said is true! Hang in there, better days are ahead for sure!

Hugssss to you.

Cc

 

[edk]

Honestly, I will get passed this? It has been 5 days now Should I be back to doing everything only
with a walker?? If I rest am I a wimp? Thanks for listening
^i^

Listen to your body especially about rest. Right now you're body is spending immense amounts of energy trying to heal. If you do anything strenuous, you'll plop down and fall asleep half an hour later (try to fall asleep with your leg elevated though ). So rest is
good.

When people ask "how long did it take to get back to normal", I tell them a month to be about the same.

 

[Buckeye]

Dear Calling,
We all have had the same thoughts as you. My OS also told me that in 3 months that I will begging him to do the other knee. He did tell me that it will take a good three months as to when I will feel the difference. I am almost 6 weeks post op and I can truly say that I don't feel that awful pain and pressure around my new knee.
Total knee replacement surgery is one of the most painful post op. You should pat yourself on the back for getting through the first few days. You are doing fine and are even getting on the computer so early in your recovery.
Hang in there, get your rest, ice, and elevate but keep moving. You will get stronger every day.
Best wishes to you for a speedy recovery.
Hugs, Kathy

 

[dovcar2000]

Hi...I know how you feel as I also felt like that but I am now 10 weeks and I say that I am getting back to normal a bit.....
Take your meds and do get rest....that was my plan and I stuck to it.
I had some ups and downs but I just came on here and posted my questions to Jo or the others and they all got me through it...
So hang in and as the other said...we are here for you.
Also at 5 days I could not even think about the computer so girl you are way ahead of me...hugs Carol

 

[calling_all_angels]

First let me say thank you all. I had so many question before surgery and was so happy to find this Web site. I read & read. I felt like at least I now had a idea as to what was
going to happen when Dr. would remove and replace knee. But a friend told me that she was driving in 2 weeks and back to Teaching in 4 weeks. So I assumed that it would be bad for 2 to 3 day and then only a killer after P.T. And Dr. said that he would do left knee in 6 to 8 weeks so again I a_s_s_u_m_e_d that he would not think about the other knee unless my right would be doing great.
Now I do not know what I should be doing. the Instruction Booklet really does not tell you what to do or why. So here I am asking questions.
1. why does it say on med's take 1 or 2 tablets every 4 to 6 hours? but then
if you do your pills would run out before you go back to the City to see OS?
Does this mean you should only take 1 pill every 6 hours so you do not run out??
I tryed 1 pill every 4 hours and thought that I could bit hubby's head off.
So I am taking 2 pills and I have to say that it is better.
2. yesterday I wanted to take a shower and did not know if I should take pills before
or after, went with after because I did not want to get light headed and fall or
something. Booklet says not to do this alone. My hubby works 24-7 I can not wait
on him to be around. As long as I take care and go slowly I should be ok right?
See I have a lot of question. But I will also keep reading to see if I can find answers
that you have all ready givien some one else.
Thank you all again.
P.S.
Tomorrow I start PT when should I take pain meds? time is 11 am

 

[Rowdy66]

First off, welcome aboard, you came to the right place. You are right on track and if I were you I would not cancel or postpone the other knee surgery as you are going to begin to feel better soon and be soooorrrry. The first two weeks are the hardest and the first ten days you are going to most likely going to be using the walker. But and that is one big but, very quickly you will begin to feel better. Sure it is a hard surgery to get over but well worth the work and all the pain as it gives you back your life. I am 67 and had both knees done at the same time in May of 08. Within three months I was thinking less and less about my knees and eventually you are pretty much back to normal. Before that I literally was having difficulty walking and each step I did take was so painful I don't know how I got throught it. Looking back I don't know why I waited to have the surgery, I should have done it months earlier but being human I postponed it. Good news is now I have my life back and it is great. I will be thinking of you and watching for your posts. You are half way there, don't give up now. Good luck, Rowdy

 

[Linda2]

Definitely take the two pills--call for a refill--I swear none of those OS's do math. If the two pills don't work, call and tell them that. You will do much better if your pain is controlled. And it does get better, really it does.

 

[Jamie]

I agree with Linda....you have to be your own advocate and don't hesitate to call the doctor's office if something (especially the meds) isn't what you think it should be. After all, YOU are the patient and the one paying the bills! I ended up changing pain meds after 3 weeks because the hydrocodone was making me sick at my stomach. I switched to Darvoset and was able to use them the remainder of the time I needed prescription meds. The doc gave me no grief about changing. Actually I always talked with his nurse, but the calls still got the job done.

 

[Judles]

Yes!!!! Always take the pain pills before PT.....Refer to Jo's pain chart & anticipate your pain, then don't be afraid to take your pain meds,,,,,,that's just what they're there for! Give yourself credit,,,,,your body's just been through a lot! And this ccccccold weather doesn't help much! Good Luck!

 

[calling_all_angels]

Thank you Thank you All! I was afraid since it said no refills I was out of luck when they were gone. I am taking Tramadol 50 mg (substituted for Ultram 50 mg tablet) is this a good pain pill I have not had this one before?

May I ask 1 more question? I am having a terrible time with my throat I could not get anything but soup, liquids, & ice cream to go down and even that is hard to swallow.
I remember many light years ago I had had surgery and they said my throat maybe sore for awhile because they had put a tube down it. Do you think they did that this time??
Why not tell me???

 

[Josephine]

Sounds like they did but to be honest, it's so routine for them, they probably never gave it a thought.

When you say you were out of luck, what does that mean? Your surgeon refused to give you a refill? If so, why don't you go to your doctor? You need something with some oomph to it for several weeks yet. I don't think Tramadol alone with do the job and being in pain will inhibit your PT, possibly get you swollen and in more pain again. Please don't just accept this.

 

[Sandy R]

I took vicodin for the first 4 weeks post-surgery. Worked fine on the pain but I felt so loopy, I asked the OS for an alternate. He gave me Tramadol 50 mg., every 4 hours + tylenol extra strength every 4 hours if needed... which I took for another 4 weeks. I'm 3 months + a few weeks post-op and I'm still taking a Tramadol in the morning and another before I go to sleep. You're only a few weeks post-op... I can't imagine Tramadol is enough for your pain. I strongly suggest you speak with your OS or your regular physician.
Sandy

 

[Jamie]

I was afraid since it said no refills I was out of luck when they were gone.

My doctor's nurse told me they won't put refills on any of the pain meds because the potential for abuse by people who don't need them (like we TKRers do) is so huge. They want the doctor to closely monitor how many pills are being taken. And my surgeon's office did just that - monitor and guide. The nurse was very good about getting the prescriptions refilled, but we constantly talked about number of pills, frequency, and why I felt I needed them. I guess that was a good thing. But they never denied me any meds....just gave suggestions and goals to work toward. Others on the forum have had great luck with pain management from their regular doctor, so if all else fails....go there like Jo suggested. I took pain meds for a couple of months before being able to switch to Aleve. Others have gone shorter periods, some went longer....it is a very personal thing that you need to decide is right for you. But bottom line....DON'T LET YOURSELF HURT!!!! It's counter-productive!!

 

[calling_all_angels]

Ok I will call up there tomorrow and see if I can get something stronger. Thank you all again.
Oh what about PT tomorrow these pills are not cutting it could I take 3 for PT?

I do not know when Dr. will call down new pills tomorrow.

 

[Jamie]

Do you have to drive to PT? Just do be careful with any pain meds you take and then try to drive....they can decrease your ability to respond quickly.