Tkr

Hi Barbara it sounds like you need to find a pain killer that suits you to start with. It's really important to stay on top of your pain. My appetite was really poor for 3 weeks post op I think I lived off breakfast bars, I'm 7 weeks post op now and I still have a poor appetite but it's getting better. I've had the same feelings around my scar I think it's all part of the healing process, get some ice in it it helps. Even though it's sore massage all around the scar with something like bio oil to help break down scar tissue. Your scar will look better for it and it helps loosen the knee up to aid movement. Being awake at night is quite normal I don't worry too much about it I will just sleep when I want to. Good luck with your recovery. There is always someone on this forum to talk to who is going through the same experience so you're not alone X 

Are you using crutches or a walker and are you in UK?

Hi Barbara!

I'm thinking the stabbing pain you are feeling just might be the nerves awakening. I would feel this from time to time even into year two post op!

Take your temperature every few hours to assure yourself that you do not have a fever. Infection usually brings fever, and if your temperature is normal you have dodged infection.

Nights can be pretty sight following a knee replacement. I did a lot of little naps throughout the day when I would drift off for a few minutes then waken. I got most of my "night's sleep" THEN! I found that busying myself at night by journaling, walking around, visiting this site, stretching, even cleaning out a drawer (!!!) would keep my mind off things and get me back to sleep a bit just through exhaustion, I guess! Whatever gets you through the night (hummed that song a lot, too!!) is fair game!!!

Pain meds can be challenging! So many did NOT agree with me or were useless. I began Ibuprofen after finishing my blood thinner shots. The Ibuprofen STILL works best for me as needed.

Take care.

Things WILL get better.

Try to distract yourself with anything that will help you focus on something other than pain. Even a short distraction will provide some help to keep you going.

(TKRs June and October 2015)

You had a. Tremendous amount of nerve damage and some of the nerves are starting to heal. You will have this sensation off and on for some time. If it gets extremely irritating, you might ask the Dr about gabepentin or lyrical. Both are for near nerve issues. Sorry about the discomfort but as you will hear over and over, we are all as different in our healing as we are with our fingerprints. One thing for sure, you have to do everything possible to fight the pain because pain will keep you from do I ng the exercises that will eventually get you back to normal. This is a long, slow process and there are no shortcuts. Unfortunately, that mountain is a different climb for each of us. Time and patience are the keys but in the weeks and months ahead things will gradually improve. Best wishes

Thank you to everyone who replied to my message.feel better about it now.

one thing I did find on the internet that was helpful was how to make my own ice packs.

get a strong ziplock bag.add 1/2 cup salt.add water 12x1/2 cup.remove excess air then seal.place in another bag and freeze.turns out like slush puppy but doesn't go hard like peas etc.add more salt if it does.keep in freezer.make new on after 6 months.easier to mound around your limb.

Time is the key and a ton of being nice to yourself!

Listen to your knee it will tell you what to do 😄

I used organic coconut oil to break up the scar tissue and massage my knee!

I had an allergic reaction to the bio oil 

I am 10 months out and finally can walk without a limp no pain unless I over due

Don’t have to ice and sleep well!

The surgeon doesn’t tell you the highs and lows of Tkr!

This forum as been a life saver for me!

You will get to the other side in your own time!!

The symptoms around the scar are normal and will last a while longer, decreasing over time.  I'm 20 months and only feel some nerve tingling when I kneel on the new knee.  Very common.  At the beginning, I had an automatic ice machine on my knee almost 24 x 7 for weeks and weeks...helped a lot.  Ice, meds, elevation all help.  This will pass.

There's also Voltaren Gel (RX in the US) which is a GREAT topical anti-inflammatory, especially at bedtime.  Just keep it away from the incision line if that's not healed yet.  I used it a few times a day.  Also helped a lot.

The meds are tricky since you don't know how you'll react.  It's very common to switch meds, dosages and timing to find the right balance for just you.  Hydrocodone (Vicodin, Norco) and Oxycodone (Percocet) are pretty common; codeine-specific drugs are seen more in the UK.  In other words, we all start on some heavy duty opioids and titrate down over time.  Tramadol, although still classified as an opiate, is a lot weaker and is the primary transitional medication to go from hydro/oxy down to plain NSAIDs or Tylenol.  Most people are off all the opioids within 60 days or so.  Talk with your doc to find the right meds for you.

"No one warned me how incredibly painful it would [be]..."  Welcome to the real world...NONE OF US WERE TOLD ANYTHING!!!!  I should have taken the blue pill...