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Hi, I have just found this group, and this forum. I am 50 years old & 5 days full knee replacement post op. I ended up having an epidural & GA and then severe sickness reaction for the first 24 hours afterwards. I still came home on day 3. I am in severe pain, and can't seem to get into a comfortable position, particularly at night. It's like a really bad dead leg/lock pain, that I cannot shift. The bruising is coming out now too. How long is this likely to last please??!! I am using ice packs, and taking paracetamol, ibruprofen, and codeine (& anti sickness tablets cos of the horrendous time I have had). I am doing my exercises, walking regularly with the crutches, but am now also shattered due to the lack of sleep!! Is there anything else I can do to possibly help, even just a little! Thanks
1 like, 17 replies
elaine94716 Kmcg14
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susan20089 Kmcg14
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terri59470 Kmcg14
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5 days post op? Such early days, you must feel exhausted!
Im just over 6 weeks, and some days are stil such a struggle.
Things you can do to help? Well, your poor body will still be in shock after being cut, sawed and battered about. You need to make sure and keep well hydrated as this is vital for your healing process. If youre still feeling nauseous, just eat a little, as often as you can - your appetite will likely be back to normal after 2 or 3 weeks, but you need to have fuel on board, again for your healing.
The lack of sleep is, I think, one of the biggest problems for most of us on here. Its so difficult to get into a comfortable position, isnt it? Myself, I use loads and loads of pillows, both to prop myself up, but more importantly to stop my leg from "flopping" to one side, as this can send shockwaves of pain through my knee.
On another Forum, they have a TKR mantra - "Never stand if you can sit, never sit if you can lie down, and never be awake if you can be asleep". Its a pretty good sentiment - remember your body has been through a massive trauma and needs time to repair itself, and it does this best when its resting. Take naps, lots of naps - you can worry about "proper" sleep patterns later on.
You say youre taking yout pain meds - good! Take them regularly, dont wait for the pain to kick in. If you need to set an alarm to remind you to take them on time, then so be it. Once the pain gets its teeth into you, it wont want to let go.
its brilliant that youre exercising and walking, just be careful, its very easy to overdo things in the early days and youll soon regret it.
Bruising - I was lucky and had relatively little - maybe due to the Arnica cream I used frequently post-op. One of the things I did, though, was to moisturise the bruised skin - for some reason it felt really dry and itchy.
If you find that the bedclothes are too heavy/warm for your scar, try a silk square draped over it - Im still using mine after 6 weeks as my scar still feels quite sensitive.
im sure that plenty of others will be along soon to share their tips with you, but for now I wish you well - keep coming on here and chatting - its got a lot of us through some very low times xx
moandrieu terri59470
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terri59470 Kmcg14
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Its all glamour, isnt it?!
kathryn42410 Kmcg14
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Prop yourself up on the couch and put the TV on, you'll soon drop off. Make sure to move the leg every so often but don't over do it.
I would agree though that you need stronger pain meds. I had numerous complications so probably not the best comparison but I was still on a morphine pump in hospital at 5 days. I'm 9 weeks on and still on Oxycodene. If you get the pain under control, you will be able to relax more.
Kmcg14
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moandrieu Kmcg14
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allan87044 Kmcg14
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It could be worse. U could have done 2 like me.
Take the pain meds and stay ahead of the pain.
Mrst123 Kmcg14
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joseph05392 Kmcg14
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Dotty_Lotty Kmcg14
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caroline46398 Kmcg14
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Oldfatguy1 Kmcg14
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Kmcg14
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wishing you all well, & big thanks again xx
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