After 3 weeks TKR, is it weird to need afternoon naps?

Bones, joints and muscles
1

So much has changed in my life since having my TKR 3 weeks ago, that I'm not sure what's 'normal' and what isn't any more I seem to get teary, depressed, and at other times, feeling fine, no problems, sleeping well, then not sleeping at all ... now I seem to need afternoon naps and get really weary as the day progresses. My appetite hasn't gone back to normal yet either. Is all of this 'normal'? Thanks for any replies

 

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You are right on track. This is a brutal invasion of the entire system, mental as well as physical. Be good to yourself, rest any and every time you have a chance. It won't take much to cause your emotions to go from high to low and back again. Surgeons cut and go on to the next guy and you are left abandoned. If you feel completely overwhelmed, talk to your primary care doc. He/she should be able to help you sort through all this and find the proper med to help you out. Another 3 weeks or so and you'll find another set of concerns. Don't be surprised if some of these things come and go and then without warning, here they are again. Believe me, you are perfectly normal and in a time frame that's hard to understand but you'll get through it. You are way to early in the process to even begin to consider yourself ready to get back into a real life of feeling normal. Stay with this group. Here you are talking to people that have fought and are fighting this strange battle. Again, don't worry about feeling strange or different, you're just part of a special group now.

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Hi Lindyblur,

I found this site 8 months ago because I was feeling the same as you. 

I couldn't stop crying or sleeping during the day, then not at night.

Nobody can prepare you for this operation. To say that it is painful is an understatement! The surgeons don't tell you about the way your life gets turned upside down, then round and round. The surgeons don't tell you, because they don't know. They just do the surgery and you are left to get on with it.

This forum is the best. Everyone on here is your friend and the advice and support and humour got me through.

i am 9 months post TKR now and still not over it, but I can tell you that it is worth it. To walk without that tearing pain every step is worth all the tears and sleepless nights.

Stay positive, stay smiling

Caz x

TKR Sept 2014. Pom in Perth Western Oz

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Hi! Hpws it going. Did you get the email and pic I sent you over the weekend? Couldn't get it to lo a d through IM so went the email route.

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Thank you so much OFG, I do feel part of a special group ... over the last 3 weeks, I've had the company of others in Rehab, but since released from there, and back to my small country town, I'm home with my family who have no way of understanding what I'm going through. How could they? I don't even understand ... so thank you so much for your comments ... there are just so many obstacles being encountered, many more mental than physical. Thanks again, and I'm sure we'll be talking again soon.

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Thanks Caz, 

You're right, I sure do feel like I've been turned upside down, round 'n' round, and inside out. Nothing seems like it used to be.

Usually pretty happy, foot loose & fancy free, predictable, and now, teary, weary, constipated, lacklustre ...

I keep reminding myself that its only been 3 weeks, but then I think 'its only been a knee op!' ... these things have nothing to do with my knee ... oh what a merry go round I seem to have joined! No one warned me about that, just that it was a long and painful recouperation. Ho hum.

 

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Just seen it now! 

I have another email address for Facebook which I never use because I get so much Facebook junk in it.

Wow, what a beautiful bride. And such a good idea to watch it over Skype. So happy for you

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All absolutely normal I am 11 weeks po and still get weary in the afternoon some days 

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Hi lindy

I'm just over 4 weeks and I have to have an afternoon nap.  If I dont I get tearful and fidgety in the evening.  Sometimes I feel like an 89 year old and not 49!!  But I'm taking advice from everyone on here and doing what my body wants - and if it wants to sleep, I let it!

I am exactly the same - sometimes normal, sometimes tears and depressed - so up and down its untrue.  It doesn't appear to be sleep related but with sleep - some nights I can get 5 solid hous, others I'm lucky to get 2.

and appetite - im now beyond normal and am comfort eating through boredom, tears, whatever!

So in answer to your question - you are normal!  (Or alternatively, we're all wired on here!)

Take care, Susan

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Completely normal, I think we have all been there.

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Hi - I just wanted to wish you we'll for your next bout of surgery. You always have wise and encouraging advice to offer and hopefully you can heed some of it going forward! You have certainly helped me and I know I'm not the only one.

Gail

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Thank you. At least this time all the Dr's are 99% sure I'm staph free so I can only take a positive approach as we go forward.

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Very normal. I needed afternoon naps every day for the 1st 6 weeks -& I was one of the lucky ones that slept well at night as well. It is incredibly tiring. I also lost weight as my appetite dropped off, probably due to all the meds you have to take. I am now 13 weeks PO & rarely need a sleep anymore, but I do need rest days if I have done too much. Still early days for you, so listen to what your body wants & needs.

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Thanks Sharon,

Appreciate knowing I'm not the only one.

I think knowing that its all part of the range of 'normal' makes it easier to handle

Cheers,

Lindy

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Thank you so much Susan!

It sounds like we're at EXACTLY the same point!

Up, down, tears, no tears, sleep, no sleep, eat, no eat, more eating, lol ...

Yep, yippee ... WE'RE NORMAL ... 

Lets see what the next few weeks bring for us!

Cheers,

Lindy

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Thanks Carol - either all of us here are normal or we're all nuts! At least I'm not alone, and one of a bigger group

Cheers,

Lindy

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Thanks so much Sarndra,

Much appreciated,

Cheers,

Lindy

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We are all going through the same things as you say. Mood swings and tears. You are so right when you say people who have not gone through it just don't understand. Maybe they should all watch the operation on u tube to know what actually happens and what our bodies have been through . I wanted to know exactly what the op entailed so watched it before I had mine done. Even that doesn't explain the psychological trauma we go through. I think I'd go mad without this forum. 

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Perfectly normal !

Many ups and downs to come, then suddenly more ups than downs.

Keep smiling icing resting (oh yes exercising)