Newbie to TKR! 2 weeks after surgery the pain is so much worse. How do others cope, please?

Further: an ice pack will help but at two weeks you must expect a lot of pain. You have had the worst of the ‘joint’ operations. Hips, shoulders etc. are kittens compared to what you have had. Expect the pain and live with it. It WILL get better believe me. Take it a day at a time. I have been there.

I'm allergic to Endone. I was given hydromorphone 4mg for my double knee replacements and it and tramadol worked for me. I had no medication for 36 hrs over a long weekend. I know what pain is. Get help. You do not need to suffer. Go to a pain specialist. Kick up a fuss! x

Hi Maggiemaybe. I am 3 weeks post surgery and understand your pain. I think the increased level of pain would suggest that you may be trying to do too much....I know from experience. Are you taking any painkillers at all? I take 2 paracetamol & 2 codeine every 4-6hrs. I too take many other meds as I don't make any hormones. I have Oramorph for when the pain is excruciating (after exercises)). I also use a Lumark compression ice pack (Amazon UK) which cost me £35 plus £10 for an extra ice pack but is worth every penny! It reduces swelling & relieves the pain. I am using it several times a day as my knee is very swollen. I am also using one of the icepacks on its own to help me drop off to sleep at night. Can your doctor not suggest a suitable nerve block tablet if you can't take painkillers? I hope you get some relief soon. Keep in touch Kim

Yup...pain is pretty bad at 2 weeks...lightens up a bit at 30 days...usually.  You should be starting PT in the next week or so and that will add to the pain.  Most people take meds 1 hour before a session to mitigate that somewhat.  Your choice of meds MUST be dictated by your doc because of interactions with your existing medications.  To do some research, TALK TO A PHARMACIST!!!!  They know more about the meds and interactions as the docs.  Instead of the heavy-duty morphine, hydrocodone and oxycodone, you might tolerate the less powerful Tramadol (Ultram) better along with some ibuprofen.  Again, your doc has to make the call because of your other drugs.  

On the topical side, you have to ice and elevate.  That really helps...especially a continually circulating ice machine.  Rent one if you have to.  There's also Voltaren Gel (RX in the US; generic diclofenac elsewhere)...great topical anti-inflammatory and pain reliever.  You can also try OTC Aspercream with 4% Lidocaine and Lidiocaine patches for nerve issues.  

At 2 weeks I was using ice cuff every hour. Elevating;  minimal exercise; ipubrofen every 4 hours and Zapain (codeine and paracetemol mixed) every four hours of as required. 

I went back on sleeping tablets to help

Me sleep it helped. I did get oramorph from GP which I used occasionally at night. Hope this info helps x

Two weeks after was my real. Low point physically and mentally. The pain was intense. Ice really helped. Stretching my leg and gentle exercise. Go to your doctor she/he will be able to give you something to help.

I know it is hard to cope with. So do what you can. Thinking of you. Take care.