Dealing with pain and depression after total knee replacement
Posted , 36 users are following.
Hi everyone!
i was so happy to find this discussion group! I am 3 weeks post op after a total knee replacement on my right knee. The depression has finally hit me. Never feeling pain free, not sleeping well at night, being dependent on someone else to get me to PT or grocery shop has really gotten me down. I'm not one to cry, but today the tears came pretty easy. I too have the burning that everyone here talks about. My physical therapist said that's the nerves that are healing. After doing my exercises I find it easier to walk with less of a limp, however it doesn't take long and my knee stiffens right up again. The hospital sent me home with this great ice machine so I'm not having to use ice packs like others have talked about. I just put 4 bottles of frozen water in this machine and then fill it with water up to the water line. Put the top back on and plug it in. It has tubing that runs from the machine to the pad that you strap to your leg with attached Velcro. The pad is shaped to form to your thigh right above the knee and the start of the calf right below the knee. This machine has been a blessing! Once the bottles thaw out, I exchange them with 4 frozen bottles from the freezer so I'm never without ice. The machine circulates that cold water constantly so you have and even amount going to your whole surgical area. Icing is great but sometimes I feel stiffer than if I don't use it at all. I'm taking Percocet for the pain and it helps to some degree but doesn't take all the pain away. I can't take codine, Vicodin or morphine because they make me so sick. But I'm wondering how all of you are dealing with the depression that comes along with all the pain? I'm a very independent person and not having any family that live close by makes me rely on one other person to run errands or take me to PT. I'm so tired of always sitting with my legs up or sleeping with a pillow between my knees so I can lay on my side at night. The lack of sleeping for more than an hour at night before the pain wakes me up and I get myself in another position to sleep is wearing on me. Can someone more than 3 weeks out of post op show me that there is light at the end of the tunnel?? So many people that I've talked to that had this done years ago say it's the best thing they've ever done. I'm certainly not feeling that way right now. If you asked me today if I'd do this again my answer would be absolutely not!!! But I'm sure weeks from now I'll feel totally different. Someone please tell me that I won't always regret doing this. I knew it was going to be a tough recovery, but I didn't realize that 3 weeks after surgery I'd still be feeling like this. I know I'm improving because I see the changes when I'm doing my exercises at home. Something that was so difficult a week and a half ago is much easier to do now. I guess I just want someone who's surgery is maybe 6 weeks out to say "it does get better, this is how it is fir me now". Something, anything positive. I'm happy I found this site and I pray I get a response to my posting. Good luck to all of you! I know we'll all make it through this tough process.
Sue (from Wisconsin)
1 like, 81 replies
janice49725 sue4610
Posted
Sue, just now reading your post of about one year ago. I felt all the same things at 3 weeks that you experienced. Can't help but wondering how things worked out for you and how is your knee and very importantly your mind today? All good wishes being sent your way.
sue4610 janice49725
Posted
Hi Janice,
Thank you for your concern regarding my TKR. I'm one year out and doing great! I'm thankful I had it done, no more pain and walking is a breeze. Last week I had a torn rotator cuff repair and just started PT yesterday. Thankfully I'm one of few that literally came out of surgery with no pain. PT was a little uncomfortable but I have more movement than they normally see one week out of surgery. This is my 4th surgery in 2 years, this is getting old. LOL 6 weeks ago I had an ovary and tube removed and now my shoulder. But things are looking up and it wasn't nearly as bad as I anticipated. I hope you have a wonderful Christmas!
sue
joe46852 sue4610
Posted
jackierae sue4610
Posted
I’m exactly where you are. Three weeks tomorrow. The constant pain and ache is hard to deal with. I felt like I would be so much further along. The replies are encouraging. I’m feeling very depressed and want to cry all tge time. I don’t want to get up in the morning cause I know how much it will hurt. Unfortunately I have to pee a couple times in the night so my sleep isn’t very good either. Hang in there. I wish I hadn’t done it now but have no choice but to carry on and take it day by day
rhonda17421 sue4610
Posted
Hello Sue from Wisconsin ... I had total knee replacement the 24th of September which makes me almost 5 weeks post-op. I felt just like you do. I wished I had never had it done. People would say to me "you'll be so glad you did it". I thought there was something wrong with me because I was in so much pain all the time . Post-op depression set in and I'm still dealing with that but let me tell you, it will get better. Its jut more gradual with some. I still have pain but not nearly as bad. I went to the doctor today and he cleared me to start driving again which thrilled me! When I read your post you sounded so much like me. I just had to message you. I'm still walking with a cane but every day I notice a little difference. I'm walking a little faster, sleeping a little better, not quite so weepy and now that I can start driving again, I'll have more of my independence back. Hang in there , it will get better. My email address is.in case you'd like to keep In touch..... Rhonda from Illinois
Moderator comment: I have removed the email address as we do not publish these in the forums. If users wish to exchange contact details please use the Private Message service.
therese40998 sue4610
Posted
Two years ago for you Sue...I just found this forum. I am hoping that you are so much better now. Three more days and it will be three weeks since my BILATERAL knee replacement. So many challenges. Blood loss, four transfusions, short rehab (had to get out and get home) 76 years old and on home PT and nursing now. I am ready for a crying jag now. I have depression/anxiety with bipolar elements...all my life, so maybe that is helping me recognize that this round has a basis in the obvious. Never lost my appetite before but in rehab, it went out the window. I ate to eat to heal. Still doing that. Put on 20 pounds of edema with both legs done at once. Last night was second night without wearing the heavy immobilizers and my first good night of sleep. I am taking 1 to 2 tramadol a day. Last night though I slept finally about 10 hours with four trips to commode. I knew this would be tough but couldn't face the idea of doing it twice in a row. Now it's done. Hope you get this and hope some new people reply.,...
Laura3333 sue4610
Posted
Hi Sue, Youve taken the hard way by having both done at once, it ill be twice as painful, so dont worry if youre feeling down and depressed, its a painful procedure. BUT! and its a big but, dont take any notice of the doom and gloom merchants who will come on here and tell you it will take a year, and the pain is dreadful for months. It wont take a year, the stiffness lasts for quite a while. But look to the future, no matter how hard it is, it will get better. You have had the worst of the pain. Keep slowly building up your Pt, and you will be happy that you had them done. I had both mine replaced and I am in my 70s. Best thing I did. Took a while, and I have lots of other health issues.but after a few months with th awful arthritis pain gone, its like a new life, please dont be so disheartened. Its all a matter of time, and each week you will get more mobile and feel a little better. You will get there, very few people dont, and there are thousands if these ops done a year.
Just find tv or books to pass the time, do your PT and ice,ice,ice your knees.
bikecheryl sue4610
Posted
Hi there!
Yes it gets better - honest!!
Your going to have to hang in there a couple or three more weeks.
I'm now 12 weeks post op from simultaneous bilateral (both at once) knee replacement.
It's gradual but I noticed a really big difference around 6 weeks.
I know it seems really tough now.... days seem so long and you feel helpless.
This surgery and recovery is not for the faint of heart..... it pushes you in ways you never imagined.
And it's not just the physical..... it can really do a number on you mentally.
BUT........ it gets better, really!! 😮)
therese40998 bikecheryl
Posted
Such a hopeful and positive reply!! I see the difference from last week to this week. Thursday is three weeks and my appointment with surgeon is May 8 so six and half weeks from surgical date plus I had an awesome surgeon! My knee caps were overlapping. One leg had top and bottom misaligned. Ohboy..I would tell anyone who wants a bilateral I would still choose to do it, but you best be prepared for a lot of long hard work, and as you said long days feeling helpless....I have been pretty good at staying in the moment...not worrying about nights I don't get as much sleep as I would like. I still take Tramadol at bedtime but pretty much only tylenol during the day and 3 to 4 times icing.
When I can transition to a cane it will be even better!
karen20149 sue4610
Posted
Thank you for your post . I too am feeling depressed after TKR surgery 10 days ago. i had it initially a couple days after, but realized that the Oxycontin was making me feel terrible. I felt better after eliminating that , , and am getting around really well. Unfortunately i developed blisters under the bandage that then opened up and caused what feels like a burn on the whole left side of my knee. Its more painful than the knee replacement. Also I am feeling nauseous yesterday and today. Like you said, lack of pain free sleep, dependence on others, is making me cry.