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Re-reading older posts, depression after tkr

Posted , 16 users are following.

Neizie
Neizie

I'm 3 weeks post tkr ( my 2nd) and have been crying off and on for days. I just went back through this site and read so many posts of others who experienced the same thing. It really does help to see how normal and common it is after a tkr.

And there is nothing like connecting with people who have been through the same experience. Some friends of mine just don't get it, and I understand. Anyway, thanks to all.

4 likes, 42 replies

42 Replies

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  • lorri_3432
    lorri_3432 Neizie

    Posted

    Thank you! I keep reading the post and I’m having my tkr in two weeks scared to death! It’s good to know it’s going to be painful and normal not looking forward to it
    • Neizie
      Neizie lorri_3432

      Posted

      Lorri, every person reacts differently. One of my male friends (I'm a 63 yr. old female) said it was "a piece of cake". I still haven't gotten over that one!

      The outcome is worth it for the relatively short time of pain. I'm also prone to depression so I'm not surprised at my reaction. I do wish you the best!

    • ann18637
      ann18637 lorri_3432

      Posted

      Yes it will hurt but think positive take the pain killers prescribed. Rest ice and exercise. I'm 15 weeks and exercise at leat twice a day followed by ice. I've been told to keep it up daily forever to keep the knee in good condition. Try to strengthen your knee pre op the stronger your quads are the better recovery or so I've heard good luck keep on this forum and you'll get there.

    • lorri_3432
      lorri_3432 Neizie

      Posted

      Thanks I’m 58 and hoping for best! Friends keep saying don’t do it just keep taking pain killers you are doing ok thus way but I’m not.
    • susan22517
      susan22517 lorri_3432

      Posted

      I was 54 when I did my right TKR.  It will be 2 years this September and I am thinking I MIGHT be able to face doing the left knee soon. (Bone on bone, pain getting intolerable like my right one was.)

      It REALLY has been worth it.  I think if I'd been mentally prepared for the pain, I might have done better.  

      This site has been a God-send for me.  I found it by Googling "sobbing hysterically after knee surgery" or something drastic like that. 

      My one suggestion would be to talk to your surgeon IN DETAIL about a pain medicine plan.  In the U.S., doctors are getting very reluctant to prescribe narcotic pain meds for more than 10 days.  There was  no way that only Aleve and Tylenol were going to touch the pain at that point, in my case.  I needed narcotics for at least 4 weeks and the surgeon made me feel like an addict when I asked for refills. (They sent me home 2 days after surgery with 16 pain pills.)

      I wish I'd had the foresight to have that discussion with him BEFORE the surgery.  Probably wouldn't have changed much but it was humiliating to be treated like a drug-seeker.

      Have none of these ortho surgeons ever had TKR's??

      Good luck to you and hopefully, you'll be one of the blessed people that will get a great outcome.

    • martha08360
      martha08360 susan22517

      Posted

      The ortho docs have no clue what we go through, and you would think they would.....Yes, unfortunately, our doctor in US won't prescribe anything strong and useful for a long time.  tramadol was like eating skittles...

    • ann18637
      ann18637 susan22517

      Posted

      Hi I wish someone had fully explained to me the after effects of a tkr. I came round from my op having a dead leg to be told casually by the nurses oh it'll feel like a dead leg for a day or so. Wow it certainly did. Wished I'd found this forum earlier like before the op. I was on oral morphine in hospital a godsend but at home paracetamol and tramadol. Didn't do a lot fortunately I never experienced depression at all. So I was lucky but did ask myself a few times why I'd got it done. However 4 months down the line and no arthritic pain as I have in my other knee but just stiffness. Does anyone get a pain at the side of the knee above where it's numb. Not there all of the time I realise it's not my knee since when I'm cycling no pain at all. Knee quite free so wonder if it's the nerves etc. I go back to my consultant in 2 weeks for xray and see how it is followed by a one to one with the PT should be interesting. I'm also open to advice how to protect the scar when in Italy in 4 weeks time.

  • janet59360
    janet59360 Neizie

    Posted

    Hello Neizie, so sorry to hear how distressed you are.   We have all been through it, and the resulting pain after the TKR is enough to make anybody depressed.   How did you get on with your first TKR, did you have the same downer as now, sometimes it is different with both knees.  It is the pain and lack of freedom of movement and feeling like an invalid for too long that does it.   Make sure you are taking good painkillers, and know that it is going to get a little better each week and you will  be pain free.  Mine did take 8 months, but I am really like my old self again.   Think positive, and buy yourself a treat !   xxx
    • Neizie
      Neizie janet59360

      Posted

      Good to hear from you, Janet. I did go through the crying jags during my last tkr and was hoping to avoid it this time around. I am prone to depression so I'm not surprised that that's been part of my reaction. I keep reminding myself that this is temporary. Glad to hear you're doing well!

  • jean04276
    jean04276 Neizie

    Posted

    I think crying early after TKR is a natural body reaction to the traumatic surgery you have recently experienced. 

    I found thinking this way helped me to accept it rather than assuming it was depression.

    Reading helped me as distraction

    at this time and l told myself it would pass which it did.

    Hope it passes soon for you, best wishes.

    • Neizie
      Neizie jean04276

      Posted

      I would rather think of it as a reaction to the rather traumatic surgery than depression. A good way of putting it.

      Thanks.

  • pattiecake
    pattiecake Neizie

    Posted

    I wholeheartedly agree! I’m one month out on the LTKR and heading for RTKR in 2 months. This site has helped me immensely. It provides info and advice on all the challenges - both physical and emotional. I also have bouts of tears but knowing  they are par for the course has certainly helped. There is nothing like advice from people that have been there and done that. It certainly beats the well meaning friend ‘s advice, gained thru her sister’s - husband’s - cousin’s knee surgery! 
    • Neizie
      Neizie pattiecake

      Posted

      Exactly! We all have those well meaning friends...
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