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just plain tired and a bit discouraaged

Posted , 13 users are following.

cc91807
cc91807

A bit discouraged, going on seven days since knee replacement, still not much sleep at night and not much activity during day.  doing some stretches and walking with walker, but progress seems slow.  The leg is three times larger than the other one and the compression socks feel like they are cutting off my circulation on swolleen leg.  Wearing these a month, just trying to get by.  63 years old, had hip replaced, not bad, knee isnt going as smoothly, still other knee to go in three months.  What helps you guys stay upbeat?   I hate to rely so much on family.  I need to stay busy with something.  I dont think I am a whiner just not very patient with myself this time around.   I read alot, tv is just there to keep company.   Do you folks find it difficult a this stage to do any normal activities?  Thanks all

2 likes, 30 replies

30 Replies

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  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX cc91807

    Posted

    One week?  You've just barely started...

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

     

    • cc91807
      cc91807 CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      yeah, I know, I am probably just a wimp.  Have one knee left go go, this year has felt endless.  There are many people out there worse than me, I am thankfufl.
    • cc91807
      cc91807 CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      By the way, great article, thanks for sharing.  i think one of my issues is that I dont have a good knee.  Waiting to re-do the other one as well.  When doing PT need to rely on both of them, dont have a strong one.   There were nice pointers in this article that I really appreciated.     Been an issue for so long, I am sure it is going to take me a while to gaine back.   This forum is uplifting and I really appreciated your thoughtful response. 
    • CHICO_MARX
      CHICO_MARX cc91807

      Posted

      I need the other one too.  Waiting at least 18 months so I can be: 1. fully past this one; and 2. waaaaay stronger so I can endure the second one without this much difficulty.  I've had two shoulder scopes, a right hip replaced and four fused vertebrae (L3 through S1).  This is the hardest recovery of them all...not even close on any of the others.  Have to stay strong and do the work.

    • cc91807
      cc91807 CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      Wow I am so sorry, but impreswe'd with your positive attitude.I was going to try to get my other one done in three months. I did my hip 6 months ago. I have to go to Fiji in Junè for my youngests wedding, so am now rethinking on waiting and doing second knee after.I think the no sleep at night is the part I need to master the most, your posts have been very informative and uplifting. I am really happy I found this forum.

  • robert57719
    robert57719 cc91807

    Posted

    Hi

    It's very early days take your meds regularly do your exercises religiously, I'm 7 weeks post op and getting my life back , take each day at a time , u will have good days and bad but take it as a marathon not a sprint

    Good luck

    Take care

    Rob

  • 1976annette
    1976annette cc91807

    Posted

    Hi cc91807, I am 5 weeks since knee replacement and I am

    getting everything you are and I've done the crying and Al the

    frustration but it is a slow process. I don't get much sleep, in fact it wakes me every mornington about 4am and that's about it for the night. I am taking my meds but to be honest, it doesn't seem to do much. I also had a hip replacement 9 years ago which

    wasn't half as bad as this. I am really considering whether I can go through this again with the other one. Just keep on with

    what you are doing and there is loads of support on here. I am

    thinking of you.

  • susan22517
    susan22517 cc91807

    Posted

    At just a week out, you are doing fine.  How's PT going?  I'm 3 months out and starting to feel normal, finally.

    I hated those compression socks, so stopped them once I was out of the hospital.  Just make sure to ice, ice and more ice.  But, ASK YOUR DR. first!

    Also, I was extremely depressed the first 2 weeks after surgery.  I Googled "knee replacement" and "non-stop crying" and found this site.  You will get lots of great information and advice here.

    Feel better!

    • cc91807
      cc91807 susan22517

      Posted

      thanks for the support, just listening to others in the same place helps alot.   When I can get rid of the darn socks it will certainly be a step up.  Doing regular PT and start out patient PT next week.  
  • janethocter
    janethocter cc91807

    Posted

    Hi please don't be discouraged it's very early days I am at 3 weeks tomorrow and just felt a slight improvement this week keep the leg elevated and ice and more ice take all meds as prescribed try to do your exercises after about 30 mins of taking meds then ice but don't give up as I was in that place 2 weeks ago and thought I would never get there it does get easier just bear with it

    Jan

    • cc91807
      cc91807 janethocter

      Posted

      thanks for being so kind, I realize I need to ice more.
  • michael82177
    michael82177 cc91807

    Posted

    This is a long slow ride unfortunately I have to tell you. I'm 10 weeks out. Weeks 3-7 were the worst. Mixture of boredom, pain, anguish, frustration. Couldn't stand to be in my own skin. Right now, I seem to at a plateau where not getting better. I get down about it because I've been living with this knee pain for almost 2 years. I'm 62 and have at least 4 more years to work so I worry about being able to keep working. I go to PT 3x/week still, but they cut me off of hydrocodone so my pain is worse. They keep saying it will get better. I hope so. I iced my knee almost all the time and my swelling was gone by about 5 weeks. You have to have PT right after surgery to get the knee moving and break down the scar tissue that is constantly forming over your knee. As far as normal activities, don't worry about that for awhile. I could get.myself my ice bag or coffee with my walker, but that was about it. Just sit back and heal up with lots of ice. And some moderate PT. Good luck.

  • denise09524
    denise09524 cc91807

    Posted

    It will be two weeks on Wednesday for me and I can vouch for the second week really getting better. Don't feel discouraged, it's bloody hard going, but if you do as much as you can, you will improve. Like everyone else says, taking your meds, leg up, ice and exercises (well, as much as you can manage). And when you make those little positive improvements, your spirit will be lifted.

    Top tip In the tv stakes - Darling Buds of May is a delightful series that has really made me smile. If you can find it outside the UK.

    Best of luck and very good wishes for your recovery.

    Denise

    • cc91807
      cc91807 denise09524

      Posted

      Same to you Denise.  I will look up that series and see if I can find it.   Best of luck to you as well!     
    • cc91807
      cc91807

      Posted

      I just finished watching the first part of Darling Buds of May.  What a simply delightful show!  Thanks so much for the suggestion.  Hoe you are doing well today.
    • denise09524
      denise09524 cc91807

      Posted

      I'm so glad you liked it. It relaxed me and made me feel goood watching it. I am doing really well thanks. Got through the night without having to take any dihydrocodeine, which is my current goal 😀.

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