I've been depressed for about a week, what should I do?

Hello and I am sorry that you are feeling down. Surgery takes so much from us. We need to try and see the big picture though. Will your life eventually be pain free and will you enjoy a better quality of life? If this is what you can look forward to, then maybe short term suffering is worth the time spent feeling down. I felt miserable for days then I made up my mind to get and remain positive. There are plenty worse off than me. I guess all I can say is try to look forward to a complete recovery. Eat well, try to meditate. Socialise, even by phone or social media.. don't isolate yourself. Sending hugs from Sydney.

It is very normal to feel down after major surgery. Just cry when you feel like crying. Be kind to yourself and watch comedy, and make sure you do some things you enjoy. See visitors at least every other day if possible. You will feel better in time.

Drlerry, there are so many things that affect out spirits, and 'cabin fever' is one of them.  Do you have anyone who can take you out for a coffee and cake, or something like that?  Just get out somewhere, for a change of scenery.  The whole surgery thing can make you feel worn out, and I don't know if you're sleeping well?  Certainly lack of sleep will make you feel down.   Also, what I did, was find something I wanted to do, to look forward to, every day,  That was often a film and cake, or something else nice to eat.  Normally having a very healthy lifestyle including eating, this was a time I was going to treat myself on the premise of 'I deserve it' LOL!  I lost the weight again pretty easily after that initial period as I got to do more again.  If the weather is nice, can you get comfortable in the garden, to sit in the sunshine for a while?  Can your family take you shopping?  Many supermarkets have a wheelchair to borrow and I LOVED my first shop!  It was just SO lovely to get out, see people who knew me, who asked how I was, and so on.  It's all little things but each of them are a step back to normality.

Don't beat yourself up for feeling like this - it is normal and many people do, but find the things that you enjoy, and sit and plan things you can't do now but will want to do when you've recovered.  You've got a light at the end of the tunnel now, so focus on that:-)))  I hope this might help and do with you all the best!

I am so sorry to hear about your recovery. Day 18 is very early in your recovery, PT is excruciating and the pain is brutal. Take your pain meds. I couldn't drive until nine weeks, lived in sweatpants and went out on short outings with my husband driving. Getting into and out of car was awful and by the time I got home I was exhausted. Once I could drive, I was feeling better, but still taking pain meds for PT and sleeping. I am almost five months post op. I can walk my dog for two miles and move easily painfree. However, I do find if I overdo I get some swelling and throbbing. Lately, my ankle has been painful. I have been told it is a year process. Sooo, lay back, ice your knee, read a trashy novel and watch old movies (if you're in the U.S. watch TCM).

Also, check out the links from Chico Marx. He has most of the answers.

Ellen

Joining this group has been the best decision! I can't believe how much better I feel already! Thank you for the advice and support! I guess deep down I knew to come find people who have gone through the same thing!

Read the section on Post-Op Depression...

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

Just a Jedi Mind Trick. DO NOT take anti-depressants and then deal with the withdrawal.  Purely temporary...totally normal.

Dear Drlerry

I know exactly what you're going through.

- I'm now 14 months post TKR and the fact that I haven't fully recovered makes the whole experience surreal.Are u sure you can't drive?

I've got an automatic so it's been a help with driving

Normally I always thought you went into hospital to get better not worse x