Feeling a hit more active than my last post but not much.
still hurting like hell at times and taking loads of pain killers, including 2 slow release ones,Paracetemol and Codine.
Am ok on 2 Crutches for a while and can manage one, at times, round the house.
Going to physio every 2 weeks and given superficial exercises but knee still not straightening as much asit should!
Seeing consultant next Friday, hope he is positive!
Still prone to bursting into tears at times because there is do much to do and I know I cant do it....i am 64 and live alone with my dog.
Anybody else feeling like me........xx
Hi Sue - it sounds so much how things were for me in those first few weeks (and i don't live alone!!) It is really is an overwhelming experience and to be honest i found the patches of teariness and depression as difficult to cope with as the pain (so did my family - not everyone understands the huge impact this surgery has on your total well being) But hang on in there it definitely does get better truly - pain lessens so you can take less painkillers (they made me feel sick and zonked out) and best of all the down days get fewer. So there are lots of us out here sympathising with you anf trying to give support and speed you on to recovery. i've found this site a godsend - personal help as well as much needed information. All the best
tess x
IT CAN ALL BE SO VERY OVERWHELMING....AND YOU ARE SO VERY NORMAL,,,TRY TO PAMPER YOURSELF ...BE KIND TO YOUESLF...BE SURE TO EAT PROPERLY,TO PROMOTE HEALING...REST AND TAKE DAILY NAPS .THIS FORUM HELPS PREVENT ISOLATION , SO KEEP IN TOUCH...DONT FORGET TO USE ICE ,OR COLD PACKS...WORK THAT STIFF SORE OLD KNEE .IT DOES GET BETTER .PERSEVERANCE AND PATIENCE..KEEP AT IT..I HAD A RIGHT TKR IN AUGUST ...AND NOW FEEL SO WELL...YOU WILL TOO ...I WISH YOU WELL...IT WILL COME ...anita in boston
Early days sue, remember them well. I actually still burst into tears when on my own at 15 weeks! You are doing well. I know there is a lot to do but you can't do all of it at four weeks. You need to be concentrating on resting most of all. You need sleep too which wll help you to heal. Be positive you are going fine. Xx
Hang in there. It will get better. Everyone heals differently and you can't rush the process. Don't judge your progress by others progress. I've kearnrd to let that go myself. It must be difficult to be living alone with this. I went to physio three times a week up tob4 weeks. You are doing well. Keep using your crutches as long as you need to. No laws against that. Take your meds, ice, rest and do your stretching exercises. I'm back to work but the bend is not more than 98 maybe, I'm 15 wks post op. Still gets swelling and tightness but getting better each day. Good luck and keep following the forum.
thanks you Anita. Yes I have ice packs on throughtout the day xx
You're doing fine. You sound very much like I was at 4 weeks. I'm 64 too. It's still very early days and you will be tired and tearful. I was still taking strong painkillers regularly every 6 hours and having a nap in bed every afternoon. It must be harder being on your own but try to accept any help offered by family and friends. It is a long haul and it's taught me that you must be patient. I struggled with straightening the leg too but it has got there eventually. Keep up your exercises but also ice and rest when you can. You didn't mention your appetite but I didn't fancy much food for a few months which is most unlike me. One advantage was I lost a few pounds but, unfortunately, have put them back on now 😊
Things will improve but very slowly I'm afraid.
Jen (nearly 8 months post op)
Thank you Jen. My appetite is fine, about the only thing that is.
Its just that the NHS say 2 weeks crutches,2weeks oe crutch or stick and then 6 peeks walking without....can't see that......xx
Aww Sue. It does fet to you. It really does. I am 62 and it can be a bit very disheartening.
Strangely I was prone to tears at first which , if you knew me, is so unlike me.
It turned out they were giving me Zopiclone to sleep and it was acting like a depressant. As soon as they stopped, and I mean with a day, I was better. Maybe you can ask the consultant.
Maybe ask him too if you can get more organised therapy. I know I sound like a record but as much as it hurts, you must excercise. I also strangely, quite look forward to it now as I know I will be flexible afterwards, all be it for a short time.
But it will get better, really it will. And your little dog will appreciate a nice long walk outside too!
Liz
Everyone is different. See, your appetite is good 😊 - mine was rubbish. Don't go by strict rules. You'll know when you'll feel comfortable without the crutches. I just tried a few steps at a time in the house. I used to walk round the living room practising!
Hi sue these early days are like this. I also am on my own and felt some days that I just wanted to sleep and not have to wake up to it. It's so hard mentally and physically. The trauma that the body must go through is mind blowing . You will at some point have more good days than bad,I am 7 1/2 months post op and wish I could say I was back to normal, but I know I am not. It will happen eventually I suppose. Take care my freind let your tears flow and grit your teeth.
Oh Sue tears are so very normal for all of us truly they are so just go with the flow! I am a 70 year old lady who is 6 weeks post op and this forum has shown me how amazingly different each and every one of us is when it comes to pain thresholds, ability to achieve an amazing degree of bend with the knee very quickly etc etc. the list is endless really so work hard at what YOU can do Sue. Your exercise regime should not be "superficial" like you describe but on a sheet given to you by your physio that you follow 2/3 times every single day. Those exercises, no matter how torturous they seem, are what will ultimately make this whole traumatic experience worthwhile. I have just begun to walk around the bungalow (no stairs so wonderful) with just one crutch but my daily outside walk is definitely a two crutch job because I have MS and must watch my balance of course. I find it hard still to stand up straight and not watch the ground when I am outside but am getting better!! In the absence of family Sue do you have a friend that could help you out or better still could you possibly afford a home help a couple of times a week so the everyday jobs you are fretting about do not pile up? Sometimes your local church community will know of someone who would be available to help you for a while. Just a thought because you need company and help just now. It's not a sign of weakness Sue, it's just what it is for now not for ever. Onwards and upwards with a smile and a virtual hug.
Hi Sue . .Please do not let the Nasty Health Service bully you into thinking that at two weeks you should be on one crutch, and at six weeks walking without. My specialist told me . . Six weeks on two crut=hes, then as long as three months on one crutch IF I felt I needed it. Well, at six weeks I was able to walk across his surgery in astraight line with no crutches, so he said I could walk without them IF I FELT LIKE IT. In the house I do feel like it, but when I'm out, because I don't know what sort of hills, or steps, I might be faced with, I prefer to take one with me. What is important is regular and gentle exercise to strengthen muscles, LOTS of rest. It must be very difficult on your own, and I really feel for people facing this brutal operation without help. But honestly, you are NEARLY at a turning point. . .At six weeks usually you will notice the beginning of improvement. It's a long way for us all yet (I'm at nine weeks, nearly ten) but apart from the odd bad day, it is a gradual but continual improvement! Pity the dog doesn;t know how to cook and clean!
I don't see it listed very often but you should try using heat and not just ice. It is great for reducing muscle stiffness and soreness.