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Total knee replacement surgey

Posted , 17 users are following.

angela_100
angela_100

it's 3 months since my Tkr it's been a gruelling time and harder than I expected ive been back at work for the past 2 weeks , but I am always tired I don't want to do anything or go anywhere even the shops I find it tiring , I can't do the stairs yet but working on it , Think today has hit me hard and I feel so depressed and have been crying , I know it takes time by reading other people's posts but I think it's because I'm mainly on my own I'm feeling this way , it's like my life has come to a stop. Walking isn't so bad although I need a stick , I don't use it in the house . So it's May bank holiday Monday im sitting in too tired to get ready to go out and hope to find comfort in others going through the same 

3 likes, 39 replies

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  • martinarvelo
    martinarvelo angela_100

    Posted

    I think perhaps you should talk to the GP about this, as it does rather sound like depression . . and depression often has a very physical reason, and our poor bodies have really been thorough a lot with this TKr  so it's not really surprising that we get these reactions Being on your own at such a time, with no-one to give yu support and sympathy must make it even harder.  You may need a bit of help to get back to feeling as you did before. . Perhaps you aren't sleeping well either. . that's such a common complaint.  I still can't sleep at night without half a sleeping tablet I'm afraid.  the lack of sleep also drags you down . . .I hope you can soon find your zest for life again!   
    • angela_100
      angela_100 martinarvelo

      Posted

      Yes that's another complaint I have not being able to sleep so I've been taking night nurse now and again which seems to help me nod off , I probably do need more help as you say, I'm due to go back to see the surgeon next Monday , also my other knee is starting to hurt now as well, people say it's because you put more pressure on it ,,I don't know,,, thanks for you reply tho it's comforting to hear from people who have had the op smile 
    • martinarvelo
      martinarvelo angela_100

      Posted

      Yes I think we automatically try to put as little stress on the operated knee, and subsequently the 'good' knee takes a bashing!  I'm at 16 weeks, and Im sitting here now and my knee is really aching. . .even walking was hurting today, which is new.  it seems to go on and on. . .I still find going down the stairs very painful and not at all normal . . .Sometimes I wonder if it ever will be to tell the truth.  One thing I do know, , if my other knee goes wrong, I;m buying an electric wheelchair!  Not going through this again . . . .
    • shirley57139
      shirley57139 martinarvelo

      Posted

      I agree with you.  I have been at least seven years since having a double total knee replacement done on the same day.  Such a very hard surgery it was and still is for me.  I agree with you i wonder if it will ever be ok again.  I love that some come along so  nicely and do so much better.  i just did not want to go through this ever again. 
  • patsyrose
    patsyrose angela_100

    Posted

    Hi Angela

    It's very hard when you're own your own (I am too), and I'm sure it would be much easier if we had someone else to encourage us.  It's also hard when you go back to work.  I work at home, but the sitting made it worse to then get the leg straight (and I still have problems 8 months on).

    I find that it's all to easy to just sit in doors, rather than get myself motivated, but I'm fine when friends invite me out (as long as I can drive there and it doesn't involve too much walking)!  We just have to hang in there and do the best we can.

    Patsy

    1st TKR Dec 2012 2nd TKR Sept 2014

    • angela_100
      angela_100 patsyrose

      Posted

      Thanks patsy ,,,yes there are a lot of us in the same boat and I do too prefer to drive if I go out with friends ,,,I find tho that after  meal out I just want to go back home as I'm so tired and can't be bothered socialising ,,,I hope this all passes and its part of recovery. smile
    • caroline46398
      caroline46398 angela_100

      Posted

      Same here even went to doc but feeling better now and focusing on spoiling myself getting hair done, sorting wardrobe, reading magazines and sleeping! Phoning friends for catch up etc just to get rid of the I am alone and no one knows how hard this is. As weeks go by we expect to get better but it slows down and is v frustrating. Just rejoined a pool and gym to help with stress and also help my muscles regain strength needed to walk normally. Go for help if you're really depressed or give it a bit longer. Might be surprised if you focus on Physio your progress might restart x
  • jayne15912
    jayne15912 angela_100

    Posted

    Hi Angela.

    I can know where you are coming from ! So much so that you could be talking about me! Except I'm coming up to 4 months. I'm back at work .But tired all the time .When I'm home I don't want to go anywhere and tearful. It's so hard isn't it when you live alone. And I don't know what the answer is! But I hope everyday that things will change. You are not alone in your feelings hun. Take care and hopefully better times await us. X

    • angela_100
      angela_100 jayne15912

      Posted

      thanks Jayne , in. Way it's good to know there are other people that feel the same as then it seems more normal and part of the recovery maybe ? I don't know , but like you say we will get there x 
  • Camper
    Camper angela_100

    Posted

    Just wanted to say "hello" to you Angela so you do not feel quite so alone and fed up.  I am a 71 year  old  lady who is three months post op with a right leg TKR and feel you are being rather hard on yourself.  I am wondering whether maybe you returned to work too soon and have got more and more tired with each passing day until you are barely functioning. I think you should visit your GP and ask for some additional time off work.  I am not a lover of anti-depressants Angela but that's just a very personal opinion.  Hopefully with more rest and support you will rediscover your "mojo".  I really and sincerely hope so and do not be afraid to seek help from your local community Angela.  Check out the library or local paper.  Good luck .
    • angela_100
      angela_100 Camper

      Posted

      Thanks camper , I also do think I returned to work too soon but was put under pressure to be honest as they don't pay me when I'm off and as mine is the only income I had to go back , I come totally exhausted and don't even feel like making something to eat, they were great when I went back to work but now it's like they don't want to hear about my knee , I've got physion tomoro so need to work on excercises today - mainly stairs . I don't think I could go through this again with my other knee . Thaks for words of support camper smile 
    • sparklyrockgirl
      sparklyrockgirl angela_100

      Posted

      Cut yourself lots of slack Angela! Times like this are why microwave meals were invented....do a quick trip to the supermarket at lunchtime before you get totally exhausted by your work day and get a week's worth and stop adding cooking to your To Do list.  Working before you are really up to it is already pushing you to your limit so ditch anything else and be kind to yourself.
    • Oldfatguy1
      Oldfatguy1 sparklyrockgirl

      Posted

      Be sure to pick up a healthy quantity of apples, oranges bananas, grapes, carrots and celery as well as tomato, orange and grape juice. Now you have simple but healthy nourishment and very little work. You can keep a few cans of peaches, pears, pineapple etc in the refrigerator along with cheese sticks and cubes. Now you have added protein for bone development and have avoided standing on your feet and wearing yourself out. A plate of that food and a glass of red wine for heart health and you are off to beddy by with at least a partial night of sleep kicking in early.
  • mandy09191
    mandy09191 angela_100

    Posted

    Hello Angela, you are definately not alone in your thoughts. I also live alone and have found it really difficult . I am 5 weeks post op and my knee is not bending. So my consultant has threatened to go back in keyhole, if i don,t get it moving in 10 days. So I am trying everything hoping it won,t come to that.

    As others have said on here , see your GP and get some help to lift your mood. Moaning on the forum is reassuring because others are going through similar events. They understand your pain and suffering. Keep going, at least one day left to work this week.

    • angela_100
      angela_100 mandy09191

      Posted

      hi Mandy , I also thought that I would have to go back in as my knee wasn't bending but I found using the excercise bike ( very slowly ) and carefully helped with the bend, it's suprising how you come on even when you think you are not ,,just those few extra degrees when they measure the bend makes all the difference , mine has stayed at 95% for a few weeks now so will see what it is tomorrow , you can achieve a lot in 10 days ,,fingers crossed , good luck 
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