Recent knee replacement pain
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I had a recent knee replacement the first of June. I have been on Hydrocodon for over six weeks though during that time I cut the pills down myself from four a day to two, one at night before bed and one in the morning and that seemed to work for me with hardly any daytime pain. However, when I went for my second post visit to my Dr on 7th week he wanted me to go cold turkey to get off the meds trying Tylenol at night and ibuprofen in the morning. I tried that one day and pain was awful, worse at night of course. So, I have been trying to cut down to 1 half of pill twice a day. It helps a little but not much. I have enough pills for a couple more weeks if I half them. My question is, is it normal to be in this much pain, and should I be by not taking the pills?I had home health care for a month and the nurse told me to always get a handle on my pain. Going cold turkey and taking less meds doesn't seem to be the answer to that. I realize I need to wean myself off pills and I am trying, I also ice several times a day, do my stretching exercises and ride my stationery bike twice a day. I would appreciate helpful hints and comments. Thank you in advance.
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carolyn28977 patty65054
Posted
Only my opinion, but perhaps you could speak to physio about stopping meds. I think at six weeks perhaps a little soon to go cold turkey. It makes me smile when all these health professionals are saying do this and do that, I bet they haven't had a knee replacement - also everybody's pain threshold is different, I found with age mine is very low. Doctors can never guess someone's pain level without experiencing it. Keep up with the ice after any exercise. As said, only my opinion.
Speak to the physio about your exercises, mine changed my routine and gave me different ones to do, and up and down a few stairs which is painful to begin with but it gets better. Try 2-3 stairs instead of your bike, I couldn't use my bike, it was too painful now in the garage !!!
Easy to say, but try not to get stressed with the pain, it does get better. I had my op 7/12/21 and still get odd stabs of pain and the outer left side of my knee is still numb. Worse for me was my ankle and top of my foot, I had to get special insoles which have made a huge difference.
My physio was v.g but I never went to my GP about the pain. If you take Tylenol I guess you are in the states (I am UK) so I would seriously talk to your physiotherapist.
Good luck, it will get better and all be worth while.