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Night pain

Posted , 9 users are following.

susan70411
susan70411

Its 4:30 i really tried im fine during the day with ibuprofen. I took 1/2a pill tonight with 2 ibuprofen i went to sleep but even in my sleep i felt the pain i just woke up i couldnt take it i took a pill .i nerd to sleep at night this really bites im 6 weeks in i thought by now id be ok with out the pain pills at night but nope only at night this happens 😢😢😢

1 like, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • sharonc67
    sharonc67 susan70411

    Posted

    Hi Susan,  everyone is different, you have to learn what your body is telling you. I’m 14 weeks post TKR and I’m still taking paracetamol with codeine in the day with diclofenac (I have arthritis elsewhere though).  I am getting less but definitely still need something morning and evening.  If you need more to get some sleep then I would advise it, nothing worse than a sleepless night. Hope this helps. Sharon 
  • joan17325
    joan17325 susan70411

    Posted

    Hi I'm 6 week's post TKR on my left leg. Right leg done 11 months ago. I'm sorry to say it's normal. Sleep WILL settle down eventually. There are lots if suggestions on here but the bottom line is accept that sleep when you can. I get up walk around the house ice pack. Take some paracetamol massage the knee wrap in a big warm towel (microwave). Then if I can grab another couple of hours in my reclining chair wrapped in a big duvet. Welcome to the night club. It does settle down to normality. Then when it does like my first TKR. I stated to sleep for England couldn't get me out if bed lol. Hang in there x

  • clive45466
    clive45466 susan70411

    Posted

    Hi Susan

    Unfortunately no sleep is normal I had my TKR in a July of 2016, it was only after 10 weeks where I got through the night.

    As in bed even with icing your knee becomes an oven after some time which increases the pain and wakes you.

    Hang in there it does get better, but not as fast as we would like for the majority.

    Good healing

  • Snoozy69
    Snoozy69 susan70411

    Posted

    I was the same but I used to take pain meds before bed, it was nerve pain either side of my knee that used to wake me and it started to affect my mood. My doctor started me on amitriptyline and I've slept really well since sometimes 8 hours solid. At six weeks I was taking everything x

    • tina97901
      tina97901 Snoozy69

      Posted

      HI Sarah, this was exactly what I was going to say. I’m 4 weeks post op on Tuesday and from the last few nights I have taken amitriptyline. What a difference. I’m sleeping much better and feeling more able to emotionally cope with the recovery. Just ensure you take them a good hour before your bed time as they can make you a little groggy when you wake up if you take them too late. 
    • linda68082
      linda68082 Snoozy69

      Posted

      HI Snoozy69.......I’m six weeks post op and suffering much the same as everyone else on here. How long did the amitriptyline take to work on you?  I started on them two weeks ago but they didn’t help at all, then I was informed amitriptyline take 4-5 weeks to take effect. I did stop taking them because I wanted instant relief....I want sleep!!  Now I think perhaps I should try again and be patient...I’m envious of your eight hour sleep!!  

      Also, may I ask, what position do you sleep in? On your back or on your side?  Any advice would be greatly appreciated. 

      Thanks in advance. 

      Linda 

    • Snoozy69
      Snoozy69 linda68082

      Posted

      Hi Linda I'm 14 weeks post op now but I started taking amitriptyline at week 10 it worked straight away for sleeping and my mood has now improved I'm not as emotional as I used to be. It was tested today when I had to visit occupational health, she was trying to get me a desk job for the duration of my sick note I told her where to stick that idea😂 She also asked what meds I was taking I said diclofenac and cocodamol, she said do you still need to take all that, I replied if I still have pain yes. I hate it when people say you shouldn't need pain killers after X amount of time. It's my flippin knee not hers😡

      I sleep on on my side with a pillow between my knees, I also wear ear plugs so that my snoring husband doesn't disturb my sleep. I'm  usually worken up by my dog licking my face 😂🐶

  • jan01779
    jan01779 susan70411

    Posted

    All normal it took me a good couple of months. Grab sleep whilst you can will get easier. I listened to lots of music and watched many films! See if your GP will give you Amytriptylline as it can help relax you.
  • CHICO_MARX
    CHICO_MARX susan70411

    Posted

    "i thought by now id be ok"...  Silly wabbit...  We don't THINK in TKR Land...that only gets us in trouble...especially at only six weeks.  Try some Voltaren Gel (RX in the US) especially right before bed.  GREAT topical anti-inflammatory.  Check with your doc about side effects and interactions.  There seem to be very few since this is topical and not systemic.  I've had great success with it for many, many years.  These are some tips for sleep...

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

    Give up all your expectations, especially about time frames.  This whole recovery usually takes a full year.  Accept it, embrace it.  There is no "thinking"...there is only time, work and patience.

    • susan70411
      susan70411 CHICO_MARX

      Posted

      Thanks chico i will try and head your advice .its just relly horrible wen you want to sleep and the pain wont let you but im gonna try that gel for sure .💖💖💖💖

    • seamus_98118
      seamus_98118 susan70411

      Posted

      Hi Susan we are deffo. all different 17 days since rtkr the meds were making me feel so ill everything tasted mettalic and a sort of ashes taste with it,I was discharged on Boxing day with a catheter which is still insitu that is the bad news but the good news is that I have never taken  any pain meds since leaving hospital and the pain has been tolerable...
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