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So tired after total knee replacement

Posted , 158 users are following.

pam39536
pam39536

I just wondered if anyone else just feels so tired.. I am 6 weeks today post op .the op went well and I am progressing well. But I am just so tired. How is everyone else feeling ? 

23 likes, 349 replies

349 Replies

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  • mary12001
    mary12001 pam39536

    Posted

    Can only cat nap and I'm worn out from not getting a proper nights sleep.

    Stretched my leg so much this morning that the pain was unbearable and I feel sure I've cracked the cement.

    Also went to the loo and there has been blood come out the back

    I had a terrible pain in my right side lower back yesterday which I think is from all the medication and maybe I've damaged my kidneys now - will this recovery ever end??

    0

  • margaret58307
    margaret58307 pam39536

    Posted

    I'm a 77 year old female and had Left TKR last July and my Right TKR in December 2015.

    I know what you are all going through - Hell ! Be encouraged, you will get

    through it, honest. 32 and some 17 weeks on I sleep well most nights, very little pain, just a bit stiff

    but so glad it's done. God bless, blind to yourselves.

    • mary12001
      mary12001 margaret58307

      Posted

      Thank you Margaret - I was beginning to think I had brought a terminal illness on myself.

      I am lying here groaning and worn out

      Somebody gave me some sleeping tablets but I think the pain would break through them and I'd be in a worse state.

      I keep looking at the morphine and wonder if I should take a spoonful.

      I've already had two codeine 30 mg in one hour.

      (That's 60mg)

      Can't even read the paper or watch TV-only maybe listen to R4 and that can get on my nerves. Don't want to eat or do anything

      Xx

    • margaret58307
      margaret58307 mary12001

      Posted

      Just re-read my post. Meant to say 'be kind to yourself'.

      Something went wrong in translation. 😸

      Blessings.

  • gary_24501
    gary_24501 pam39536

    Posted

    I am 61 years old and 9 weeks post op.  Sugery went well and therapy went outstanding.  Still just feel so fatigued and having constant sleep issues.  Last night I tried a 5mg Melatonin and it worked pretty good.  It was comforting seeing others here having the same issues because I am getting very discouraged about my energy level.  I have owned my own restaurant for 42 years.  Trying to run it with fatigue and no sleep can drive a sane man crazy!!!  I noticed someone here said that 12 weeks was there turning point.  That gives me hope at least for the next 3 weeks.  Let's please continue to give each other encouragement.
    • cheryl90571
      cheryl90571 gary_24501

      Posted

      Hi Gary!

      Fatigue is EXTREMELY common! The body has a great deal of healing to do, and healing only happens when we rest/sleep. Our bodies know what we need, but we like to think we can just tough it out. Allow yourself to give in to sleep, rest, naps...ANYTHING that will give your body time to heal. If you can do this, you will be pleasantly surprised with how much better you will feel!

      TKRs June and October 2015

  • jean68068
    jean68068 pam39536

    Posted

    I am so happy to find this site!  I had TKR 2 1/2 weeks ago. Everything is healing great, staples are out, walking with no assistive devices since one week after surgery.  At that same time, I noticed a blanket of utter fatigue covering me.  Taking a shower equates to a day's work for me.  This morning I was in tears just trying to get my teeth brushed, face washed and get dressed!  My appetite was left on the operating table it seems.  My tastes have changed, I experience nausea at times too.  After looking at the other posts here, perhaps I'm expecting too much, too soon? I simply have to get back to cooking meals, as my hubby is a terrible cook.  When were you all able to resume reasonable everyday activities?
    • susan20089
      susan20089 jean68068

      Posted

      Jean it's far too early for you to be thinking of doing things.   Apart from the exercises you shouldn't be doing anything for at least six weeks.  Please don't rush as this will harm your recovery.   Anyway I would think you would be too tired to do anything else.   Assist with cooking by all means but this should be done from a chair whilst resting.   I can remember those early days all too well, I am post op now 16 months.   Recovery is pretty slow but after a few months you will be feeling a lot better than you do now.   My advice: dont be hard on yourself, rest when you can and take things slowly.   We all get there in the end at different pace.   I wish you well xx
    • cheryl90571
      cheryl90571 jean68068

      Posted

      I spent a lot of time walking around and heading to the bathroom because I wanted to flush out all the toxins from the anesthesia. Honestly, I felt SO MUCH better than I did PRIOR to surgery that I did A LOT just because I COULD.

      I found that the more I got up and moved, the stronger I felt. If I got tired, I rested. Icing was tough for me because it required so much prep and being COLD! Brrrrrrr!

      I got off the narcotic meds ASAP because they made me feel loopy. I didn't think they did as good of a job of PAIN management as my Ibuprofen did. I never took any sleep aids. I just got up and moved around, cleaned something or read until I got tired.

      About week NINE I figured out how to flop my leg over and sleep on my side. Ahhhh! About week 12 I was able to sleep on my stomach. That made ALL the difference.

      What works for YOU is what is right for YOU. Don't worry about anything. Just relax. You will feel different every day. Soon you will have more better days than crappy ones.

      TKRs June and October 2015

    • jean68068
      jean68068 susan20089

      Posted

      Thank you Susan. I am trying for a very fast recovery as we are leaving on a trip at the end of May, attending several family events across the US. Part will be flying, but most with hubby driving our motor home. I will be able to continue my exercises while we are traveling. I have an appt with my family physician on Monday to see if there are any underlying issues, such as anemia, etc to account for this overwhelming tiredness. I am on no pain killing drugs at all. In hospital they had me on two different types, neither agreed with me and I ended up with kidney issues which necessitated two extra days in hospital. Everyone is amazed at my progress but I can't stand feeling so dependent on everyone and this horrible tiredness. I hope this turns into a very short term setback. Even standing long enough to do therapy makes me dizzy and lightheaded. So glad I found this group!😀
    • dode
      dode susan20089

      Posted

      You are so right Susan, even after a year it pays to be sensible. I took a shortcut the other day down and then back up a very steep hill. It was only a total walking time of 35 minutes but I suffered badly for two or three days with my new knee feeling sore and very stiff. I overdid it I'm afraid. Lesson learned!
  • brendamac
    brendamac pam39536

    Posted

    Pam

    im six post surgery for a hp knee replacement. I can't seem to get my energy back.  I don't sleep well and always feel tired,  am I alone feeling like this?

  • andy54547
    andy54547 pam39536

    Posted

    I'm 8 weeks post op and it's comforting to read others having fatigue. I can feel well one minuet and the next tiredness just washes over me and I yawn, yawn yawn. I find I'm  unable to concentrate on the smallest thing and I'm making silly mistakes. I'm 67 and retired so I can take a nap but I'm getting very frustrated. I think I'm a little short with my wife. I cannot even finish the newspaper. Any one any idea how this will last.?
    • dode
      dode andy54547

      Posted

      Hi Andy. I am sorry to hear that you are suffering from fatigue. I had my TKR almost one year ago. For the first 7 or 8 months I too suffered from being very tired most of the time and often feeling unwell. However, it does pass. For the last four months or so I've rarely had that fatigued feeling and the knee is improving all the time. A major surgical procedure affects the body and it takes time. Hang on in there and enjoy your afternoon naps - they are good for you!
    • susan20089
      susan20089 andy54547

      Posted

      All completely normal, the tiredness.   I too had  this for months and I had retired.  Things certainly get better by the month.  A year from now you will really feel the benefit of your new knee.  Just bear with it.   It's tough but worth it. 
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