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3 weeks post op..Im miserable!

Posted , 5 users are following.

melissa34582
melissa34582

I had my TKA 3 weeks ago. I have had nothing but pain, stiffness, sleepless nights and frustration. I cry every night from pain. I did 2 weeks of home therapy and started out PT today. I'm regretting getting this done and am suppose to have the other knee done after this one heals. I'm not so sure I want to do it now??? I am hoping that I start feeling some improvement soon because I am miserable. Am I the only one feeling this way???? Thank you in advance!

1 like, 21 replies

21 Replies

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  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX melissa34582

    Posted

    Virtually EVERYBODY goes through this. The first 30 days are usually horrible. If the meds aren't helping, work with your doc to change the drugs, dosage or time spans. Very common. You will also probably experience pain as you start your PT...breaking down the scar tissue is sometimes tough. Just keep at it.

    The good news is that PT usually ends at 3 months with your ROM restored. Then it gets a lot better. Click my name and then "Discussions" on the right side. See All Discussions...lots of stuff out there on sleeping, depression, etc. Have fun...

    • melissa34582
      melissa34582 CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      Thank you for your advice! Looking at your bio you are quite experienced. I did talk to my Dr today he is switching me from norco to percoset..so hope that change helps!

    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX melissa34582

      Posted

      Norco is hydrocodone; Percocet is oxycodone. Both have similar painkilling effects (as they are both codeine molecule based) though some claim that oxy is a bit stronger. Some people react to one drug better than the other, hence when one doesn't do the job, docs will try the other. The biggest difference is that NIH studies have shown that oxycodone is less constipating than hydrocodone so that would help, even though a stool softener is still recommended.

    • Guest
      Guest CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      think thats my problem...i cant take the opiates xx

    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX Guest

      Posted

      Yes, not being able to take the opiates is a problem. Talk about these with your doc:

      1. Naproxen (Aleve) - Straight naproxen can help and it's OTC. One pill every 8-12 hours with a full glass of water or food. This can be a stomach irritant so it should not be used long term. If you already have stomach issues, this may not be a good option.
      2. Toradol- This is a non-narcotic pain reliever that can be helpful. It is in the NSAID category, like naproxen and ibuprofen, but is more effective in some cases. Problem is that its intake is limited to 5 days so this is NOT a long-term solution.
      3. Tramadol (Ultram) - This drug is classified as an opioid but it is the mildest of them all. Maybe you can tolerate this...maybe not.
      4. Voltaren Gel (RX in the US, generic diclofenac elsewhere) - This is a GREAT topical anti-inflammatory and pain reliever. Use it a few times a day plus at bedtime.

      As with all meds, check with your doctor. Your pharmacist has the interactions checker on their computer for taking anything with your current meds. ALWAYS check for possible interactions!!!

    • Guest
      Guest CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      ty for advice

      think im stuck with naproxen and paracetamol

      im a bit neurotic .. even tho im a nurse prescriber i cant take anything my silly part of my brain thinks will affect my head lol xx not even alcohol lol xx

      unfortunately i cant use the voltarol if taking naproxen .

      worse time is about 4 in the morning when everything has prob ran out so i just use ice til my 6 am paracetamol and am managing fairly well xx

  • sue11219
    sue11219 melissa34582

    Posted

    hi melissa, so sorry to hear this, im 6 weeks since mine, things are getting easier, im still having pain at night and now the other leg is giving me great problems i'm back using a crutch when im out and cant walk far, i take regular pain relief and cold ice packs, keep having short walks round the house and then rest with leg ellivated im also tired and frustrated as i wasnt expecting it to be as bad as this, but have to admit its slowly improving, so be strong, youll get there, sue

    • melissa34582
      melissa34582 sue11219

      Posted

      Hi Sue! Thanks so much for sharing your knee issues. It makes me feel better to talk to people that know what I'm dealing with. I hope you feel better too!

  • gari-ellen44580
    gari-ellen44580 melissa34582

    Posted

    It gets much better. the first while is a bit of a nightmare. Try to take it one day at a time. 7 months later I am much much better. Don't think about knee #2 right now and just DO your exercises!

    Best luck!

    • melissa34582
      melissa34582 gari-ellen44580

      Posted

      you're not kidding its a nightmare for sure! I have been doing my exercises daily. So hope this subsides soon. Your comment on you doing alot better after 7 months has given me hope! Thanks!

    • gari-ellen44580
      gari-ellen44580 melissa34582

      Posted

      all the best...I have slacked off on exercise of late and am paying for it! rom receding and stiff a bit. Keep going. I was pretty miserable for two or three months actually to be honest! I am trying to do aquafit and stretching and lose some weight now! you will survive but it is way worse than we imagined lol. best wishes!

    • melissa34582
      melissa34582 gari-ellen44580

      Posted

      Its easy to slack off. I understand I haven't wanted to do any it hurt so bad. I started out PT and yesterday did alot and ended doing a full circle bike ride. I was so excited. At first I didn't think my knee was gonna do full circle but I pushed and by the end I had a nice steady ride going! I felt awesome and was so happy my knee did it! We all gotta keep pushing! Take care. Melissa

  • Guest
    Guest melissa34582

    Posted

    hi Melissa

    you are not alone ...i thought i was but this seems to be very normal xx i have had to buy a stool to shower...hire a wheelchair to get out further than mu garden ..

    i cried the other night but am certainly crying less than i did during my first week home..my TKR was 3 week ago tomorrow.

    i too am very stiff and alot of pain...cant take the opiates they sent me home on ..taking paracetamol and naproxen xx

    am doing hrly exercises with very small improvements

    it seems to be a waiting game.

    hope u feel bit better soon.

    • melissa34582
      melissa34582 Guest

      Posted

      I have found alot of relief from ice and elevation. Today I ran errands with my husband and sat in the car, just to get out of this house!! We stopped for lunch and midway through I couldn't deal with the pain!! I had to rush us out I was hurting so bad!! So here I am again at home icing and elevating. I am showering on my own and got rid of the shower chair after about 2 weeks. I can walk and do stairs sometimes unassisted other times with a cane, depends on the day I guess. I am making progress. I am just in so much pain all the time it is definitely life changing!

    • sue11219
      sue11219 melissa34582

      Posted

      i definately identify with every thing you say milissa i often say i wish i hadnt had it done, worse pain ever, went to see my doc yesterday and shes put me on morphine patches as well as tramadol and paracetemol, had a better day today, im now 6 weeks since op and looking back can see big improvements, we'll get there

    • Guest
      Guest melissa34582

      Posted

      gosh you doing brill xx i still on crutches and using stool in shower xx ice is brill xx

    • melissa34582
      melissa34582 sue11219

      Posted

      Yes the pain is horrible! Sleep?? what's that?? The sleep is the worst part, not only in pain with a new knee but can't get any decent sleep that my body so badly needs. I hope the the new meds work for you! I started Percocet yesterday and not sure if really any difference yet but give it more time. I agree that I look back at post op day one till now I have accomplished alot. When I came home my mom came and she literally had to stand over me while I got on the shower chair and watch me so I didn't fall. THAT was a nightmare within itself my mom watching me bathe..lol..but luckily that's over now till knee 2..But we will all get there! Take care! Melissa

    • melissa34582
      melissa34582 Guest

      Posted

      You will get there too. Not sure how old everyone is but I'm not the typical age for this. Unfortunately I inherited this at an early age. It started in my 30s and now early 40s I have 2 nonfunctional knees. I'm just trying to do things and get it out of the way because I have 2 younger kids and I job I need to get back to asap! Things have been hard but with my age I have been able to just do things easier than lets say a 75 year old patient. You can do it too! Take care.Melissa

    • Guest
      Guest melissa34582

      Posted

      hi melissa

      gosh you are brave thinking about a 2nd xx dont think i would ever go through this again xx 4 weeks post this sat ...still sitting on stool in shower xx need wheelchair for longer than 50 yards..using crutches but cant put foot flat if standing straight..has to be in front as knee wont go back enough. feels like progress is slow but i can this week get leg on and off bed and sofa without the belt xx hubby went back to work this week so day 3 on my own lol xx

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