Depression and frustration are setting in for me.

Judy, I had scar tissue issues and depression! I cried about everything and was obsessed about my knee to the point of annoying my husband & friends. All I could do to hold it together. Don't be discouraged. There are many of us in this forum who feel the same way you do. I thought I would never get to feeling "normal". I am 5 months put and feeling better every day. Life will improve!! Every night when you go to bed, think about how much closer you are to total recovery. One day at a time. God Bless!

?All these feelings are normal, and I can identify with how you feel.

It is so early, much too early to make decisions about if this is worth it. Decide to put that decision on hold until the one year mark. Pain makes our thinking graduate towards the negative.

Take a peek at my profile and maybe visit my blog. I have devoted one of the pages to my own TKR story. It is very long. Skim reading recommended! But possible to just dip in and out of, as with this forum!

Everyone has very different experiences which vary in management from location to location, but I am sure we would all testify that the first six to eight weeks are a big challenge not just to the body, which has just undergone a traumatic major operation, but to the will. Decide to take this on and resolve to be positive. It will help you in the process off recovery immensely.

There is itself good input to be found here. If you go to the main page it is possible to look back on past posts too by going to different page numbers. You need to decide to think positive. Have a cry, but realise it will take time. I am now 4 and a half months, and life is better than it has been for two years. Accept where you are now, don't fight against it.

Welcome, Kneebie...

First of all, everything is normal...we all went through (or are going through) the same thing.  Depressed?  Read the Post-Operative Depression section in this post...

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-tkr-experience-or-wish-i-had-another-kidney-stone--524499

Totally normal.  Now that you know what it is, kick it out the door.  The swelling is also normal however, there will be more swelling if you push the knee too far.  Five weeks post-op and I did 8,200+ steps...had a balloon for a knee for three days.  Get a pedometer (Fit Bit, Smart Watch, etc.) and track your steps.  Swelling?  Note the steps, back off and increase gradually.  No heat...ice and elevate.

It's good that you're off the big pain meds at 2 months...that's pretty common.  You might try some Tramadol (RX) or 800mg Ibuprofen TID for the inflammation.  When you're done with PT, you should be close to a ROM of 0 / +120...took me 10 weeks to get close to that.  Then you start the exercise program to regain all the strength you've lost in your quads, core and glutes.  Need that to support the new knee.

The good news is that this will all be old hat down the road.  Most people see major upgrades in their quality of life at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months.  I'm 16+ months, will be 70 in February and it's almost like it never happened...almost.

Click on my picture and then "See All Discussions".  The ones on The Bell Curve, sleeping and exercising will be helpful.  When you get down, re-read this one...

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/tkr-and-ptsd-569521

Have fun...

Maybe your knee needs more time to rest and heal. I did not do much Physio as too much pain. A sports Physio said if the exercise pain does not go away in 30 minutes , I should not be doing any exercise.

Around 6 weeks I was on my feet through the day ( always icing) but nights were still horrible. Did some straightening and bending in a hot bath each day. Sleeping only became more normal around 12 weeks.

Good luck, good healing

You r so normal, did I ever feel I'd join a knee discussion forum, no I didn't, but have found comfort and the advice given very helpful,  I thought I'd sail through but have found it emotionally and physically challenging, but 5 months on I'm getting there, improving every day.  On to my next knee replacement in 10 days time, thinking OMG, but I'll do it , and this time next year I'll b running, mind over matter!! Stick in there.