Nights!

My nights were worse, I think because you have nothing to take your mind off the pain doesn't help. Fortunately I can take Tramadol (it's the only one I can take all others make me very sick) however in the night when the ten pm dose had worn off, about 1.30 I needed something else. I topped up with 2 ibruprofen and ice pack then every two hours needed a further ice packs. If you are already taking Voltarol then you could try topping up with paracetamol (acetaminophen if USA) you can take both.

my second knee was on 6th March. My first last June so an old hand.

Its early days for us both but it does get better. If nothing works then get up and read or watch a movie and catch up on your sleep during the day.

Forgot to say, yes I had two weeks of anti coagulant. To prevent DVT.  Ended yesterday! Thank goodness.

Oh my Jill,

you should have been given a prescription from the hospital for strong drugs for at least a month.  The pain is a shocker hey?  Night time is the worst.  I found that the pillow under my knees helped me but I was also on Targin and Panadeine forte.  The voltarin is just an anti inflammatory and I think you need more than those.  You need to get sleep to be able to cope through the day.  Speak to your doctor again.

the Cephalex injections in the belly are really easy to do.  I know the thought of it isn’t nice but it’s not like having to find a vein in your arm, just aim, close your eyes and jab😷. You will already know that the needle doesn’t hurt at all going in, just stings a little after it comes out and leaves an almighty big bruise lol.  Honestly, it’s easy to do, don’t be afraid.

The plastic bag over the foot for the compression stockings really is a godsend hey?  I had to wear full leg stocking for over 2 yrs, everyday.  The hardest thing to get on and off.  Try putting it on when it’s 35c outside😞. I have found, that online, you can buy knee length compression stockings with a zipper all the way down.  I had bilateral tkr’s and didn’t have to wear stockings after I left the hospital.  Everywhere is different.

Good luck with your injections, you’ll be fine.

Sue xx

 

Hi Jill 

I was sent home with oral meds instead of the injections maybe you could ask to swap? 

Nights can be as bad a the day I ageee with the others but unfortunately it is what it is. I was up all hours of the early morning and I found that although I wasn’t sleeping much I was getting relief from moving  about then resting then moving about again. It’s not ideal I know but you do what you have to do. 

Good luck with your recovery 😊

Hi Jill, I was on 4 hourly CoCodamol & Naproxen, which I used once a day as has to be taken with food. Night is always the worst, everything seems worse when the whole world it seems is sleeping & you are in pain. Best thing is to get up, sit somewhere comfy & read, listen to music (which always helped me) or watch tv! Catch up on box sets or anything you've got recorded! I went through 2 complete episodes of Silent Witness together once!! 4 hours! Marathon!

Some find it best to pace up & down. Sometimes walking helps, sometimes not. Find what works for you.

But know this stage doesn't last forever. You will move past it, even though it feels like you are never going to feel 'normal' again.

Where are you in the world? I was given the injections in hospital but Dabigatran tablets to take at home for the rest of the 2 weeks. Maybe phone the ward & ask if they can give you a script for the tablets or ask your GP to prescribe the tablets. Not everyone is able to inject themselves.

I had to years ago after discharge after an operation, but nowadays they give anticoagulant tablets! Just ask, don't  ask don't get! 

All the best

Marilyn 

XX

You might try Voltarol Gel directly on the knee is the incision is healed.  Tramadol is a very mild opioid, down a big step from hydro- and oxy-codone.  People in the UK use Co-codamol which is acetaminophen (Tylenol) plus straight codeine.  You may want to talk to your doc about that.  Most of us are/were on the heavy duty meds for 30-60 days...you might consider getting stronger meds short term.

Sleeping tips...

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

 

O 

Ok Jill. I’m now 5 weeks post op and have just started sleeping through, I do have to take on 30mg codiene 2 paracetamol and have a pillow between my knees but I can now get about 6 hours straight sleep. I really feel for you I was sleeping around 2 hours then reading or playing on my I pad then another 2 hours it’s not good! Sleep in the day, listen to your body, it will get better. As for your injections just grit your teeth and plunge! When I had my hip replacement I did them for 28 days! They are not pleasant but very necessary. I do hope your brave remember “girl power” 

I gave myself the injections in belly.  pinch a couple of inches of skin (if you have that much, I sure did), and stay away from belly button.  hold your breath and push the needle in.  The needle is tiny, its the medicine going in that hurts like hell.  you can do it!!  You do NOT want blood clots , trust me.

You CAN do it. I never thought in a million years that I would be able to but I did. Everyone was amazed. Once you do it you’ll be fine. I did it for 28 days. You pinch the skin and put the needle in. You really don’t even feel it. Good luck on trying again, watch the video and then just do it. I am so afraid of needles so if I could do it I know you can. If no one else is going to do it you must, it prevents blood clots which you don’t want to get. Good luck, please try

👌Arlene 

WOW! Injections??!! Here in the U.S, specifically California, they sent me home with low dose aspirin (I think it was 81 mg.) for the prevention of blood clots. A much easier way in my opinion. But if you have preexisting health conditions that call for something different, than stick to what your doctor says. Managing pain once you run out of your heavy duty pain pills is my new trial and I'm 9 weeks post op.

I asked for tablets instead of injections and was given them Jill.