Follow up appointment with Consultant

Your doing great and like you say NOBODY tells you about post op. 

This is my 2nd knee replacement had the left done 3 years ago and I can honestly say I’ve never felt pain like this. The restless leg for 6mths the sleepless nights. I aged in looks about 25yrs LOL! 

Don’t listen to your Dr they must be on another planet???? Good luck and take care. Xxx

Do you think the pain ever goes?, I am so fed up. Another night i have not slept. Another argument with my husband because i am so low and terrible to be with. I am really struggling.

Trust me the pain does go and I know exactly how you feel. Depressed frustrated etc and not forgetting very emotional. Try and rest in the afternoon with an ice pack and keep on top of your pain relief. 

The worst for me 1st time round took about 3 months. I’m 4weeks in with the other knee and although pain isn’t quite as bad the bend is very tight and I’m hardly sleeping. So I go for a lie down in the afternoon and sometimes sleep for approx 20mins. 

It will pass. Be good to yourself and hubby should be giving you lots of TLC? 

Take care  Xx

The pain does go away, Can't say how long it will be as everyone is different. Speak to your doctor regarding pain relief, he may change your medication. I Found it easier to sleep almost sitting up in bed, had to sleep alone in spare room but I didn't disturb my wife, and could watch tv ,read or listen to music if I couldn't sleep. It really does get better with time. It's almost 20 and 18½ years since my ops and still ok, you have a long time of pain free knee to look forward to. 

Thank you. I have to have the other knee done and wondering whether I can possibly put myself and my husband through this again 

I’m 80. Had my first knee op two years + ago. Wondered if I could put up with the op again just yet: mid December. I reasoned that if I just put up with the pain in the second leg for six  to 12 months then I’d manage. Then I thought again. If I waited 6/12 months I would be that much older and probably less fit and able to cope. I’m still getting over the second op. It hasn’t been as easy as the first but I’m staying positive. Hope my contribution helps.

Aw try not to get too down. It’s not easy and if you haven’t been through this you cannot understand how the pain, lack of sleep, fatigue and no appetite affects you. Your husband won’t want to see you like this and mine didn’t know how he could help me. I have sat sobbing in the night in the lounge by myself as I didn’t want to worry him. I have never ever felt so low in my life. I’m a half full glass person and so unlike me. The infection would have made you feel worse like me. 

It’s two weeks since that has gone and I’m improving daily. I ice and elevate my leg a lot. Sleep is getting better but two nights with no sleep at all this week. Such hard going. Keep persevering and don’t let this nasty process get between you both x

Who are these consultants I keep reading about, dictating rather than suggesting how you might feel. Listen to your body and do what you can but DO DO WHAT YOU CAN and don’t keep just thinking about doing it.

Thank you David. My husband worked in operating theatres after he retired from the police. and You’re right they do think they are Gods. The GP was the same reprimanded me for taking 2 extra cocodamol a day! I was

awake all night and in agony. However he caught me on a bad day and now wishes he hadn’t said anything! 

Hi. I think I know exactly how you feel. Very depressed & tearful. My hubby is a hard working lovely man but is hardly ever I'll himself so has no empathy or understanding. He's a hopeless nurse/carer....seems to think that it is better if I try to do things for myself....no pain no gain!!! It does put strain on our relationship as he is still in work full time & I seem (to him) to be lingering in bed!!! I keep telling myself that my body is obviously telling me to rest & am trying to ignore the impulse to try to do more & more. I am almost 3 wks post surgery & spoke to my doctor about the pain. I am still on 4-6 hourly paracetamol (2) and codeine (2) plus oramorph for night pain or occasional bouts of referred shin pain which can be excruciating. I couldn't manage with less atm. I also have a compression ice kit from Amazon which really helps every few hours. Are you on the right level of painkillers for your pain? I am trying to cope with living on a day to day basis....not focussing on where I 'should' be in terms of recovery. I am trying to maintain my self esteem. I really hope that you can do the same.Take care & keep in touch, Kim

My Surgeon is not God but he’s damm good and I’d recommend him.

My surgeon was great, as were the physios. My surgeon has now retired. I was in hospital 5 days with the first knee and 7 with the other. I think spending that long in helped give me a good start to my recoveries, it appears that people are only in hospital 2 or 3 days now which seems to be a very short time for such serious surgery.

Fortunately my husband is great at looking after me. He’s been amazing the last 7 weeks and his cooking improved?!?! 

I ice all the time and take pain medication regularly.  

Each day shows slight improvement in level of fatigue and appetite. Pain varies day to day on my activity. 

I have resigned myself to the fact that I’m in for the long haul