I had both knees completely rebuilt 12 weeks ago. Need lots of advice!

Single or double...12 weeks is waaaaay too early to return to work.  Most do it in the 4-6 month range but everyone is different.  After reading over 4,000 posts on here, I can tell you that virtually everyone who tried it at 3 months had to work through months of pain, swelling, exhaustion and sleeplessness.  Yes, there have been a few rare exceptions...not many.

Two main reasons for your condition:

1. The knee hasn't healed enough to handle 8 hours of work, regardless of your job.  It's waaaaay worse if you have to be on your feet all day.

2. You haven't rebuilt all the atrophied muscles that support the knee.  Strong quads, glutes and core take all the pressure off the knee.  Right now, ALL the pressure is on the new joint because the muscles are dead.

Some tips:

1. Have the doc RX you some Tramadol (Ultram).  Very mild opioid used as a transition drug between hydrocodone and plain ibuprofen.  Could help.

2. Have the doc RX you some Voltaren Gel (RX in the US).  GREAT topical anti-inflammatory and pain killer.  Use during the day and especially at bedtime.

3. Get an AirCast (see picture).  That will keep the knee iced 24 x 7, especially at work.  Exchange the water every so often, disconnect the hose and walk around.  Use it at night in bed.  Replenish with new ice a few times a day.

4. Start the muscle rebuild program so that you can get the pressure off the knee and back on the muscles...this will take months of dedicated work.  It's the only way to walk normally, get your balance back and be able to climb stairs like a regular person again...

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/post-tkr-exercising-565527\

4. Get better sleep...

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/trouble-sleeping-post-tkr--539591

5. Be good to yourself...

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

6. Post this on your fridge...

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-reality-of-a-tkr-recovery-in-one-picture-626038

So now you know why you feel the way you do plus what you can do about it.  PS: I'm assuming you've done all the PT work to get your 0 / +120 ROM back.  Else...that comes first...

I had a double knee replacement 11 months ago.  I returned to teaching after nine weeks.  It was rough.  Even after 12 weeks, there was still a lot of tightness, pain, and I was totally exhausted when I got home.  I had to elevate and ice my knees everyday after getting home.  The thing that was the hardest for me was not being able to sleep and always wanting to cry. It sounds like you might be experiencing some of that post-op depression....it will go away.  I finally found out that is normal with long bone surgery.  It went away as I healed. It sounds like you are pushing yourself too much.  I was the same way.....I wanted to be back to normal right away.  It takes time. You will get there. I never thought I would be able to walk three miles like I recently did.  

The doctor did give me Tramadol which worked very well.  I wish the best for you.  Remember, recovery is a marathon not a sprint. 😄

Even though I am almost one year out, I have one knee that is not doing as well as the other.  It took me about nine months to get my complete strength back and get a pretty good range of motion.  My doctor said it takes a good year or more to get completely back to normal.

your everyday life now will be your therapy, but just keep moving.  Oh, I am 61 so we are pretty much in the same boat!  Best wishes! Patty