Cannot sleep at night

Well, it is almost midnight and once again I can't sleep.  Mind you I am not surprised as with no decent sleep at night you have to catch up sometime and I find myself nodding off at various times during the day.  Kept nodding off this evening and don't like to go to bed before 10 but because of this cant sleep now.  Don't know what to do for the best.  What does everyone else do?  I get restless legs as well and even when the pain is under control the restless legs get you down.

i take heart in all the positive comments and think back to three weeks ago.  At this time I was in a recovery ward with staff with you a all times.  Didn't need a catheter which was superb.  I know I have made a lot of progress but beforehand I think I was focusing on all the positive things I heard, not realising that it might well take a while to get there.

when did you all start driving again?  I feel I am a million miles from this.

propped up in bed with three pillows and one of these V-shaped pillows.  Often this is the most comfortable position for me.  Never normally sleep on my back.  Going to read for a little while to see if that sends me off.

it is comforting to know that others are out there going through the same.

goodnight

liz

Hi Liz,

I had a partial knee replacement (right knee) on 6 Nov. Was able to go home late afternoon on 9 Nov and so I've only been at home a little over a week. Feel almost identical to you. I'm a bit annoyed in that I was able to research all I wanted about the surgery but there is very little concerning the practicalities of life during rehab. The exercises really depress me as I try and do exactly as Physio's have directed and mostly succeed, and they are getting better, but, I back off when I get pain. Not sure I've got the magic 90 degrees yet - maybe 80, so a real long way to go. What also depresses me is the totally rubbish sleep i'm getting, have to do more reading up on this forum about that as I know I'm not alone. I know exactly how you feel when you say you wish you hadn't done it.

Good luck,

John

A LOT of the depression and emotional feelings come  from the meds I finally found out so cry and go with them while you're on the pain meds...I had the same problems and found if I took Aleve PM it really helped me. I started getting 4-5 hours of sleep and am now up to a full 7-8 each night. I'm 10 weeks po tkr. I have had quite a ffew surgeries and have even had my right ankle replaced but NEVER NEVER have I had thi kind of hell before. The only way I can explain to you that it does get better is to tell you that I have scheduled my other knee surgery...ugh I hate the thought of it but that pain is now worse than what I have ppost op in the other so....? Hope some of this helps yu. Stay on this forum and you will know you turned the corner when you start helping others thru bad times on here too !! ;-)

I hope you all don't mind that instead of replying individually, I just do a reply to cover everyone.

woke up feeling good there as I slept for 3 hours 42 minutes.  Totally propped up, but that's ok with me.

thought I had got over the emotional bit but just got an email from my husband saying that he wanted to treat my friend and I to a Spa Day out.  Now this is a lovely idea, but I just couldn't do it at the moment.  Most of the places were too far to travel in a car and there is no way I could enjoy that at all at the present.  Just burst into tears.  Luckily nobody could see me.  Would love a pedicure but just couldn't do that just now.

Well here's to another day.  Good luck everyone.  At least we cheer each other up.  This forum has been an absolute blessing to me.

i think we possibly come from all over the world, but all sharing the same problems.

thank you to you all.

Liz x

HI Liz we all know that feeling I was like what the hell have I done !!Everyone said it will be painful full stop !! No one said that the journey is long and very very tough . I am 14 weeks on and to befair a whole lot better . Still have not gone through the night yet I take my meds at night but still wake with and ache somewhere .. My crying has stopped as well .. We all have to have it done or they would not do it !! But just keep going 

I was at 4 week could find a foram so started my feeleing off which were prity low and its grown and grown and seemed to of helped loads of people 

Just keep going it does get better I promise 

Hi Liz

gret to hear your positive mail. I am sure your husband will know it's the thought that counts and a rain-check on the spa visit is in order.

Keep those positive thoughts - your life will get better and if you do feel down the forum is there for you.

Just wanted to say that yesterday I went to my Physio and he was very pleased with my progress and doesn't want to see me for two weeks.  I am now able to get my knee to a 85 degree angle.  I have to continue with what I am doing and he is sure I will have got to a 90 degree plus angle on my next visit.  I do hope so.  He says that when you get to there it does get easier.  Here's hoping.

Still not sleeping.  Try everything, but tonight has been 2 hours in bed and 1 hour on the sofa.  I give up.  I am going to have some painkillers as this is getting me down.

hope you are all doing well.

Liz. 

Was out today and went For a coffee.  Just a bit of a tip, if the seats are wooden, not padded, go somewhere else.  For me it is just too painful to sit and enjoy a drink.  I am 3.5 weeks post-op.

I've been going out since 3 weeks post op.  I alwaysmake sure that I have a spare plastic bag or scarf with me and put my leg up on the chair opposite or if bench seat sit sideways.  Gives my leg a nice rest.  Coffee shop owner can't really complain as shoes not on the seat (Never have been asked to put leg down)