Bilateral knee replacement recovery issues

I'm 67 had my bilateral July 18th and was back working Sept 11th took it slow for 5 weeks starting to work full days tommorow my biggest problem had been the swelling in my worst knee going in the right one no pain meds after 3 weeks going in I was taking suboxone for 9 yrs which MADE pain meds ineffective for the first week DON'T HAVE ANY SURGERY IF YOU HAVE BEEN TAKING SUBOXONE FOR ANY PERIOD OF TIME PERIOD opiates will not work for you anyway keep doing the recumbent bike and as much pt. You can do at home and remember everyone HEALS different

Good luck

Take the meds as prescribed and you will be just fine. Its when you start trying to beat the system by waiting too long to take them and then try to catch up, using them as sleeping pills etc. At 5 weeks you are not quite to your 1st benchmark for a single let lone a bi. This isn't a game of getting gold stars its a process of of step by step healing. The term, its a marathon, not a sprint, is used for a purpose. If you've never had patience before, now is the point in your life where you will start to grasp that concept. Hang in there, you will survive but it will take time and work

Most of us under estimated how big a deal this was all going to be.  Until you actually experienceit, it is impossible to know 100% what is involved.  All of us are individuals and therefore getting the pain meds balanced is literally "a pain."  It took me 17 very long days to get adequate pain relief and I'm still only getting three or four hours of sleep per night.  Conscientious people worry about getting  addicted.  In order to do your exercises and get adequate rest you need pain meds.  As soon as I know I no longer need pain meds I'll gradually be off them.  For now, I've got to have them.  They're a necessary evil for quality of life at this stage.  My husband is 65 and still works.  He is up with me at night and I see him becoming exhausted.  I've got to be patient a few weeks longer and get this behind us.  Every day I see tiny little improvements.  I wish you the best.  

You sound like you have been reading my mail. LOL I had tkr almost 5 weeks ago. I was put on muscle relaxers and hydrocodone . I was told how important it was to take the meds and stay ahead of the pain...so I took them even though I’ve heard awful stories about opioids. After week four I decided to start weaning myself off the hydrocodone by reducing 1 pill. I immediately started getting withdrawal symptoms that were terrible. 

I have been progressing well with my PT to a 110 range and using a cane occasionally but the meds have been the worst. 

My doctor has me on a reduction schedule now weaning me off and I’ve gone from the initial 6 a day to 3. I’m supplementing with Tylenol.  It has not been fun!

Today I’m having a good day and last night my first good nights sleep.

REMEMBER THAT THIS IS MAJOR SURGERY....it’s going to take time to recover.

Five weeks is very soon after TKR surgery . Medication is needed help control pain , take them to control it , don't wait until the pain gets hold . Do your exercise as often as possible , but don't over do it . You cant hurry recovery , it takes as long as it takes . There is no set pattern of recovery , we are all different . I was 6 months before returning to work both times . Take your time don't try to force recovery , you cant . Hopefully your knees will last as mine are doing , 19½ and 17½ years , with no problems .  Good look and be patient . 

"underestimated"...yeah, you and everyone else!!!  Seems to be a common thread.

The "right balance of meds and pain management" is completely a matter of trial and error.  There is no magic formula.  For example, Norco is hydrocodone plus acetaminophen...same as Vicodin.  Percocet is OXYcodone and acetaminophen.  Same effectiveness; less constipating.  There are other drug combos out there as well.  One step down is Tramadol.  It's a matter of finding the drug that's right for you at the correct dosage and time schedule (QD, BID, TID, QID).  

TKR patients are usually on the heavy-duty stuff for 30-60 days with virtually no risk of addiction.  You would have to ask people who have done this type of bilateral surgery what they experienced when they took these opioids for a longer period of time.  Also, your surgeon might help you out here and switch you more off the opioids and more onto the pain shots (typically steroids).  A conference call with the surgeon and PM doc would be recommended.

Hi are you using regular ice packs? I have found them quite helpful, I am 56 I also under estimated how long it is before you can get back to normal.

It is hard getting you pain relief right, one day it is ok only a small amount of pain relief, the next day the pain is quite bad so have to up the meds. My nurse told me to take. paracetamol regularly so it builds up in your body.

Good luck with your recovery.

Hi are you using regular ice packs? I have found them quite helpful, I am 56 I also under estimated how long it is before you can get back to normal.

It is hard getting you pain relief right, one day it is ok only a small amount of pain relief, the next day the pain is quite bad so have to up the meds. My nurse told me to take. paracetamol regularly so it builds up in your body.

Good luck with your recovery.