TKR Am I resting too much?

I'm so sorry you are feeling so down. As a 15 week tkr let me say you are feeling NORMAL for a new tkr! You will be so tired for several weeks! Please rest all you need to so your body will heal. Walk to the bathroom or another short distance every 45 min just to keep the knee moving. But rest, rest, rest in these early days. As I write this I am at the gym cycling. But in the first month I was just like you. God bless and good luck!

Hi saralice, u r not being a big softee it is a huge surgery that u had and u can't go and try to do too much before u are able, don't push on the chance that u may hurt yourself. Truthfully I went to rehab after my surgery for 7 days and took it 1 Day at a time. U r so early on in your recovery and I still rest all the time and I'm 8 wks post op. Your body will let u know when it is ready to do more. Good luck and rest all u need to

You cry all you need to its normal. I did the same. It will get better believe me. You're doing good to rest . Exexcise only if you can. With swelling it's difficult. I remember not being able to lift my leg but it came eventually don't worry. It's major surgery so be kind to yourself. After 2 weeks out I went to physio once a week which really helped. 3 months out now still exercise everyday. My partner had to shower me that first week as I was in so much pain. Stay positive and focused on your recovery.

You will get there.im 6 wk i to a tkr and it waz the same for me the first few days .i found it so hard and lainfull walking with a zimmer frame but i persivered and ive got ther .i can walk a little bit without my crutches now and the pains a lot better apart from at night.ive been given stronger painkillers for nite time.my problem is getting out,ive been house bound since february since i fell .i had my surgery on the 1st july so im realy looming forward to being able to get out and about.dont get me wrong i do still have days when i cry and think y did i get it done but now im getting there im not as bad.good luck and just keep going u will get there.xx

Saralice - your post brought tears to my eyes because I remember that's exactly how I felt. Please don't worry it'll get better tho it seems like it won't. I was shocked at how little I could do those first few weeks and wondered if I made a mistake. But the body heals!! Hang in there one day at a time. I spent many days crying but im not now. Ten months out for me....that probably seems a life time away for you but time does go on.....hang in there...there is a light at the end!

Thank you so much for your kind and encouraging posts. I am so lucky in that I have a wonderful partner who will do anything for me. He tries to keep me going. I also don't want any visitors yet as I will definitely not be good company. I do so hope my friends and lovely neighbours will understand. One kind neighbour has lent me a mobility scooter which his wife no longer uses. A visit to our local park, even though in pain,may boost my mood in a week or so. Its a long journey I know but hopefully worth it in the end.

 

Hi saralice

I am exactly the same 6 days post op. I ha e just been to the physio and she said I have to rest. My knee is so painful and I can't lift it up yet. Don't panic it's a big op and I am for once am not going to push myself too hard.

Rest on your bed I am just going to get back on mine X X X X.

Hi Saralice, I was excactly the same certainly at 6 days after. I thought Id lost all my independence and was in so much pain, like you I couldnt take prescription meds just paracetomol which did nothing. Ive realised now after 4 wks that it takes time and dont push yourself, this site and everyone on it has been a lifeline cos I felt so alone before I joined.I now have fairly good bend and straightening but have  difficulty walking outside tho Im on one crutch.You are bound to be tired you need to rest.Try to be patient, it really will get better!

I relate! I was much the same way early on in recovery. My depression began after I stopped taking opiods at around 2-1/2 weeks. You need the rest! Your body heals when you are sleeping. Elevate and ice as much as possible. It will get better, I promise. I'm at 6 weeks post op and still tired and resting after shower. I didn't feel more emotionally like myself until a few days ago. Take it very slow. God bless you.

Saralice, we all go thorugh this emotional roller coaster. 6 days post op is early - for me, I was still in the hospital and hadn't even been able to shower. But I had both knees replaced at the same time. They did have me up and walking around, but with a walker and always supervised at the hospital. I was supposed to be able to lift my legs before being discharged. I could hold one up, the other was really more difficult. I had to leave with legs braces on...there was no way I could even get into a vehicle. Keep in mind, this was in India (though I'm an American - I was working there at the time), but they brought me home on a stretcher in an ambulance. Can you imagine?

My living room sofa and chairs felt too low to the ground for me - I tried and realized it was not a good idea. So I hung out on my bed. From there I did my exercises, hung my legs off the side, lifted them, bent them and straightened them. The nice thing about being in my bed was I cat napped whenever I needed it. With the horrible sleep I was getting at night, I figured getting it whenever I could was good. Rest is important to healing. But depression is also something to be aware of.

Be sure to eat properly and drink lots of water. These too are crucial. I understand that the pain killers may make this difficult. Perhaps there's something you can take that doesn't upset your stomach. Using ice will help with pain before and after exercise.

-Mo

1. No, you are not/resting/sleeping too much.  My doc told me that all the energy in your body is being directed toward healing.  Rest and sleep as much as your body tells you to do.

2, Down/Crying...  Post-Operative Depression.  Very common.

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-tkr-experience-or-wish-i-had-another-kidney-stone--524499

Hope this helps...