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

Sounds like lots of fun ??  I have been there numerous times and each time it still stinks. Looking at it differently besides the fact it hurts pretty bad most of the pain meds you were given at the hospital have wore off after this surgery your knee has pretty much shut down and does not want to do any thing and if you do it lets you know with out a doubt  how it feels. I can assure you it is going to hurt for awhile and no I cannot answer how long that is. For some its several months some is a year some its over a year I am real close to the 2 year mark and I can assure you I have days it hurts so bad I just want to give up. Part of my reason I have a problem with the implant its failing and also found out it was not aligned properly so yes I am different then you. I really wish someone had a magic wand and all they had to do is point it at your knee and POOF !! its perfect well I have yet to find one. There are days that you think I am really feeling good today my knee does not feel that bad and if your smart unlike me you will not over do it and it may ache but its progress. Now me on the other hand ( I should no better but I am a guy and I do stupid things at times ) this past Sunday the weather was great my knee felt ok so I decided to cut my lawn. The yard is only a third of an acre so I went ahead and cut it I should have stopped after I cut the back but no I had to finish by the time I was done it was a struggle to push the lawn mower into my shed. Want to guess how I felt ?? You have to be patient you have to listen to your body do not over do it take the pain meds as directed not when you pulling your hair out because it hurts so much. Taking the meds as directed will control your pain much better. If it still hurts and is driving you nuts wrapping your knee in an ice wrap is great. The ice cold helps with swelling and the pain. If your in pain when you go to bed putting a pillow between your legs helps I have even been so miserable I put an ice wrap on right before I went to bed. You will get thru this it has its ups and downs but you will get thru it. I do wish you the best!!

I remember when I had my first couple TKR's I had no idea of what to expect being in pain constantly wondering if everything was normal in general just like everyone here. It bugs me to no end that I have had 5 TKR's along with various scopes and partials. If I only new about this forum years ago. As of now I am not an expert but I am at the point I know what to expect from the recovery room to feeling normal after TKR. To be honest I wish I didn't and I do hope you and everyone else does nave the problems I have had. 

Not trying to be the bearer of bad news however I have five weeks out and I'm at a loss as to what to do even though the doctors and PT everything is normal the pain is still intense in fact I have new pain Shin, calf, thigh, and hip at this point they have their money so you don't matter anymore. That's basically how they make you feel at least my practice anyway

Trust me there is nothing easy about the recovery putting it bluntly it stinks. Some days are going to great somedays your going to be 100% miserable. Some days you start off doing great and then you do too much and your miserable again.I am so sick of all of this you have no idea. My only hope is no one has to go thru my journey. Just think you will get your turn to cheer me up May 15th I go to see a specialist about my Knee. As it stands right now it was improperly aligned plus the components of the last implant are failing and there is not enough bone to mount the next implant on. Sounds like fun doesn't it?? I am totally ok with a replacement but this is something completely new and yes it scares me.

I can understand the pain your in and I know how it feels ( plenty of practice ) but this is your first and it is scary when you just hurt everyday. Well its almost 630pm I am border line miserable I want to go to bed but I have to pick my daughter up from work. Trust me I hurt and its not a little sometimes its a lot but I try and stay positive and offer advice if I can. After 5 TKRS and dealing with knee pain daily is no fun it makes a little jealous when I read about every one  who is dealing with their 1st TKR  and knowing the odds are really good this will be the last time they have to go thru this. I am totally sick of it. Sometimes I almost want to get the Left leg amputated from the knee down  but then I think if any one would get phantom pain it would be me and how do you treat the pain for something that is not there? I do wish you have a good recovery and if you have any questions no matter whether they may seem stupid or not I will try and help.

hi marilyn is spot on with what she is saying, but even after 7 weeks i am struggling with sleeping, i know when you are not working you cant tire yourself out, i just wish i could get a decent nights sleep the doctor gave me some tabs but they didnt help and to be honest i m taking enough tabs without taking anymore, i exercise i walk the dog, i even go in the garden weather permitting but nothing helps me sleep, i would like to ask a question is it ok to use a circulation booster after surgery? i was using one before but stopped when i had surgery. max

Hi yes pain is horrible I came of the strong painkillers a week after I got discharged my doctor put me on 30mg /500mg codeine and paracetamol. As the strong painkillers where making me sick. Try ice pack wrap i a tea towels helps with swelling and pain as well try if you can do a few ex exercise as they help you as well.