4th week post 2nd TKR
Posted , 8 users are following.
Well week 4 and sleep is shocking still,ive literally had zero sleep again this week just discomfort more a ache no pain after 5-10 mins i seem to need to move to a different leg position and this continues all night.I also have a very sensative scar nothing can lean against or touch it,nothing wrong with the scar just touch sensative at the moment. Knee ROM is excellent and leg just about straight now,Physio is going well,knee obviously still swollen but decreasing daily, really pleased with the first month apart from sleep issue and no matter how positive i am it wears you down and you dont look forward to nightime coming round. So the battle continues. 😃
1 like, 20 replies
melissa34582 brent77382
Posted
Hi Brent! Sorry to hear you're not sleeping! Seems like yesterday I was in the same boat but it gradually got better for me. I still don't sleep like I used to. But hang in there you will get there! Other than sleep issues sounds like your doing great. Your extension is almost flat...thats awesome at 4 weeks. I used to dread bedtime for your same reason but I just now embrace it and watch a fun xmas movie on the hallmark channel when I wake up or can't sleep.
Good luck! You're doin great!
Melissa
brent77382 melissa34582
Posted
Thanks Melissa,im a pretty determind and on an even keel sort of fella,so the sleep is really tough but i can cope just as well as it drains you,i can see where people get the deep depression from after these ops,every night i hope its going to get a touch easier sleep wise and it will. But staying positive and not thinking yourself into staying awake every night isn't easy.
Guest brent77382
Posted
Hi Brent - Have you called your family doctor to prescribe a sleep aid? It seems this is a very common problem, and it saved my sanity to finally get a one month prescription for Lunesta. I think some of the pain meds interfere w sleep. I tried all the OTC remedies, but none worked for me. I'm now 5 mos. post TKR.
brent77382 Guest
Posted
Hi Alimarie,yes i have zolpadem but when i take them and they start working i find i have a ten minute window to get to sleep otherwise i go past it and the cycle starts all over again,i can remember the first TKR and the sleep issue was the same,im not asking for 8 hrs sleep but even 3-4 would be heaven.But if my 2nd TKR turns out anywhere near as my first it'll all be worth it. Sleep tight.........or not 😃
missmagwumps brent77382
Posted
Hi Brent - I found pillows between the legs helped a great deal in bed. Also sleep doesn't come easily of you aren't expending so much energy each day and sometimes a nap in the chair is as good as a night of tossing and turning ! Don't let it get the better of you and start pillow bashing with frustration - it will come good in time - as will all the rest of it as you will know it this is your second time round....at least you are resting - find a good radio station to drift off to or a good book or even bad book may help you drift off....lol.....good luck with it...x
BTW I used something called Kelo-cote on my scar - worked wonders...x
Guest brent77382
Posted
Maybe ask for a different medication? Hang in there!
jill32152 brent77382
Posted
Hi don't despair we have all been there! I used to get up at 1.30am for several weeks and have a cup of tea and a biscuit with some pain meds and stay up for about an hour and then go back to bed. I am a side sleeper so found sleeping on my back almost impossible! I used a V shaped pillow to sleep on and a pillow between my legs.
It was about 3 months before I could sleep for up to 3 hours at a stretch!
brent77382 jill32152
Posted
Hi Jill, tea and biscuits at 1.30am yip thats me now,pillow between the legs doing that too and bio oil on my scar so doing everything possible just cannot see any light in this tunnel yet.
susan86239 brent77382
Posted
had the exact same thing with Scar could not stand anything touching it. One Physio told me to De Sensortise it. Rub all different type of Fabrics up and down scar.It WORKED good luck x
brent77382 susan86239
Posted
Hi Susan,will give it a go, nothing to lose,thank you,
Guest brent77382
Posted
Have you tried the plastic wrap method? Sounds crazy, but look on YouTube. An older man had both knees done and used plastic wrap at night to prevent the sensitive pain. I just used pieces and a wrap over that, but it really helped!
Guest brent77382
Posted
P.S. The YouTube video is called total knee replacement night time pain control
Guest brent77382
Posted
hi
its really funny to read what i have gone through lol i guess others further along than me thought the same when i was in dire need of a moan and reassurance lol
i am week 8 and sleep still a struggle like you say constant need to move from one side to another..sensitivity of sheet on scar which healed great is unbelievable but is less sensitive now xx im still on crutches and straightening not there yet so u doin w
brent77382 Guest
Posted
Hi Penny,i know it's a phase of the recovery/healing process and i know it's common amongst TKR patients and the sleep and scar will both become more manageable but laid in bed looking at the ceiling every night at all hours really does your head in and your just waiting for a flicker of relief thats not there just yet. But i'm a month into the dreaded first six weeks so it's head down and get on with it and like i said earlier my first TKR has been fantastic and thats what keeps me going. x
Guest brent77382
Posted
hi
its really strange hearing what youve been through from someone going through itxx
as this is your 2nd TKR you will prob already know that it will get easier but what you described is what i have had and is just getting a bit easier at week 8.
im still on crutches as leg not straightening properly...bends quite good and 1st follow up with surgeon tomorrow. bit scared he may want to do something with it. its amazing how sensitive to even a sheet the scar is and how you need to change sides constantly through the night. reassuring we are all going through the same stuff xx
brent77382 Guest
Posted
Penny, try this it might sound odd but it works sit on a chair/couch and rest your foot on a little table/stool then get some oven gloves place them over your knee and add a weight to each side ie lge tin of beans or whatever and let the weight work the back of the knee, you might only manage a minute or two but do it a few times a day and it really helped me with my first TKR.