Knee replacement and depression

Hi Ann yes it is quite normal and you having both knees done makes it even more so It's very early days for you so hang on in there there is light at the end of that dark tunnel! I am 15 weeks along and I remember all too vividly those horrible feelings and I only had the one knee done I can assure you that things do get better although at the time it just doesn't feel like it

Hi Ann, I only had a partial replacement in 1 knee 12 days ago and am struggling with pain, stiffness, anxiety and lack of sleep, I can't imagine how difficult it must be to have both done at the same time. You will get lots of excellent advice and support on here so hang in there, really feeling for you. Sandra x

Hi anne you was very  brave having both done at the same time i had one done and  the other needs the op also i know what you are going through pain and hopelessness but i does get better over time your life revolves around the pain but it will sone start to improve 

Hi Ann!

I'm sorry to hear that you are feeling so down. You have had A LOT to deal with having both knees done at one time! I had both done but had mine done one at a time which was plenty challenging of itself!

I don't know if you are a believer, but I can tell you that I prayed A LOT before my surgeries. I especially asked God to calm me and give me patience as I was going through this scary time. As always, He was there. I continued to pray afterwards. He was there.

This morning I am sending you prayers of strength and hope. I am praying that you will feel a pleasant calm wash over you and a joy that you have weathered a great ordeal and come out of it alive and ready for the work that healing demands.

We are here for you, too! Know that we have walked this road. You are not alone.

Everybody is as different as their fingerprints and DNA. The roller coaster ride is there for all of us but the peaks and valleys may differ in heights and low spots. One problem, to surgeons everything is a textbook situation and they are unwilling to take time explaining all that can go wrong and variences in healing. This is a process and no one can short circuit it. For some it may be three days in the hospital, 2 weeks for stitches or staples to be removed......on to therapy and at 6 weeks everything is right with the world. For most it is pain, sleeplessness, more pain and the terror of sessions with the physical therapist. Personally, I have been through 11 surgeries an 5 complete rehad assignments. Everyone different to some degree. One important thing......rest......rest any time you get a chance. Just because you lay down and sleep an hour a couple of times a day doesn't mean you won't sleep at night. Your body has been violated to an extreme extent and rest is part of the rebuilding. Don't let therapists push you beyoun your means and into exhaustion and extreme pain. It is important to continue to expand your conditioning so that the body heals properly but don't set back the process by overextending. Let your body be your guide. Take pain meds on a schedule. Its very difficult to try and catch up when you do get in deep pain. If pain meds arent working, talk to your primary care Dr. He or she is generally much better trained to get you into the proper protocol for drugs than surgeons. At 4 weeks you haven't reached the 1st benchmark. Generally speaking, 6 weeks is the point of judging growth. As forvtge depression.....see your primary care Dr without fail. Let them make the judgement call as to the need of some light medication to get you over the hump. Depression should not be fought on your own as with pain, there are some remedies most of the time. I've had 11 surgeries on one leg over a period of the last 13 years. I've had 3 prosthesis and 5 complete rehabs on the leg. I'm now going on a year since the last major. My problem started in 2002 with a rate tumor that canning be fully contained. I've never had 2 recoveries that were the same and during the last 6 surgeries I've been caregiver to my wife who is in advancing stages of Parkinson's disease. I/we have had to make major adjustments continually. My wife is one of the most inflexible, oppinionated, hard headed Germans you will ever meet. However; as a balance, she is one of the most kindhearted, loving, caring people alive. Her 4 kids, 9 grandkids (+ one step grandson) adore her and as of last Tuesday we have been married 58 years. I mention all of this as a reminder that we all face a variety of ups and downs in our journey through this path of furry embers, locust thorns and an occassional unfriendly bear in the road but with patience and understanding you will make it to watching the beautiful sunset from the warm sandy beach. Occassionally when I complain a little too much and too loudly my wife gently reminds me that to some degree, mine will heal......hers is certain death as there is absolutely no cure but that she will live until then.

Just keep doing the basics. Pain meds on schedule, excercise, elevate, rest, ice any time you want, plenty of water......that means LOTS of water and be very good to yourself. Don't push it to hard and don't let others push you into doing things that make you uncomfortable. Just keep extending yourseof at a steady pace. 6 weeks from now you will be much better.