I had my knee replacement surgery 3 weeks ago tomorrow. I find myself feeling depressed and sad because of tge constant pain and ache in my knee. I’m doing exercises and they say I am doing well, but the constant pain is getting me down and I feel like crying a lot.
It's normal what you feel. I was totally not prepared for the invasive surgery. I'm in my 9th week and still have pain, not as bad as it was but you have highs and lows. Ice helps a lot I remain positive its early days and it will get better chin up this forum does help a lot with any questions since we have or are going through the same surgery and pain etc
Hi jackierae
You must take all medication ice the knee as much as you can and elevate it as often as you can exercise is a must so you can recover better in the long run but don't overdo it I'm afraid the sadness is all part of the process but it will get better hang in there and good luck.
Hi Jackierae
Are you taking your pain medication as prescribed or just when you feel you need it? If the latter you need to take it consistently for the pain to be controlled.
You shouldn't be in so much constant pain that it is causing you to cry.
Maybe your doctor needs to adjust or change your meds?
It's totally normal to be depressed - the surgery and recovery is brutal but pain that makes you cry should not be.
Please call your doctor and I hope you feel better.
Perfectly normal to feel down. I’m a positive person, never been depressed ever, fortunately, but the constant pain, lack of sleep and fatigue is draining. You will work through it. It does get better but the stage you are at it seems as if it won’t. Discuss with your consultant how you feel and see if they can help.
Jedi Mind Trick...completely fake...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/tkr-and-post-operative-depression-604195
Totally normal but you can kick it out the door as soon as you absorb the fact that it's not real. Try some of these...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-power-of-rest-some-great-strategies-to-try-on-a-tkr-617892
Also... Hang this on your fridge...
https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-reality-of-a-tkr-recovery-in-one-picture-626038
What your feeling is normal and it will get better but it will not get better right away it takes time and patience as in lots. I wish I could tell you differently I have been thru this 5X all on the same knee it does not get any easier and it hurts just as much in fact June 18th I have to have another revision the last one was not aligned properly so here I am 2plus years post op still in pain.I am very well aware how your knee feels everyday it hurts and hurts then of course you look at how swollen it is and you do your exercises and it hurts even worse I get it. The one thing I can say it will get better but it takes time most are feeling more like themselves after the 4-6 month time frame. Take your pain meds as directed ice and elevate.Icing will be your best friend. Have faith.
I understand this a lot. The pain and the inability to do normal things got me really down. Still does (4 weeks post op). I'm afraid it's nothing you can prevent. Just take your painkillers and hope. Surround yourself with things to do to stop yourself gping crazy.
I know exactly how you feel. Im 4 months out and I cry most days and nights. I feel trapped and fooled.
I remember feeling depressed after my TKR for one and a half months while on Narco. Do they ever just start you out on Tramadol which causes less depression with no side effects of constipation. If I have to have a revision, I really don't think I can emotionally handle it!
Are you taking enough pain killers?...as others have suggested, you need not be in constant pain.
Are you icing and elevating? Lots...
If you havent done so alreay, you may like to go to my profile by clicking on the image next to my name. I kept a journal of my own knee replacement journey, and I have been told by several people they found it helpful to read, or skim through. It has a lot of useful suggestions and information. Hopefully it might be useful to you.
You may find it helpful to write down positive things about each day...try and find three and jot down steps of progress and positive things which are said to you or you can say to yourself.
It's a really massive shock to the system, so try and allow yourself as much acceptance as you can. Life is not going to be its normal for a long while, go with the flow even though things don't move at the normal speed or in the usual way.
Sending good wishes your way!
Big mistake I made was trying to do hard exercises as much as the easier ones, and at the end of the day when I was tired. Completely disouraging. Mix them about and even if you only try a few times to do one, and don't do it well, the important thing is you have tried.
You just need to keep chipping away. The surgeon's chipping away was easy in comparison I think!
It is very early days. It will get easier as time goes by.
Thanks Ann
Thanks
Thanks Kim. It’s good to know I am not alone in how I feel. Thought maybe I wasn’t as far as I should be by now
Oh my gosh, I cannot imagine having to redo it. I appreciate your help.
Sophie thanks. I saw a patient at the doctor when I got my stitches out and he was walking normally without a cane or walker as if nothing happened. Made me feel like I wasn’t doing something right. My Sister keeps sending me articles of where I should be by each week and it’s not happening in my case. I told her each person is different.
I’m so sorry Martha. Have you talked with your doctor?
I have Norco and I have Tramadol from before surgery. Right now I’m onky using Norco. I pray I don’t need a revision or I will lose it! My other knee will never be replaced no matted what.
Thanks Jenny
Hi Jackierae
Your experience sounds just like mine. I’m going into my tenth week and still have deep pain, swelling, and half my knee is still numb! In my first month I would wake up all hours of the night in terrible pain. I would cry and feel like I was the only one in the world feeling like this. I became very depressed. I had my ltkr done after years of having to take 3-4 alieve per day just to take the pain of my arthritis. When the doctor told me it was bone to bone I decided to have this procedure done. Never in my dreams did I think I would be in the pain I have experienced from day one. I can tell you it gets better . I also started a diary of my journey. It’s helped me to see how far I’ve come. I’m still waking up at night with pain but now it’s something I expect and realize it won’t be forever. This site has carried me through many a sleepless night , so stay on it. Lots of great people who have been where you are now. We are all here to help each other get through this. We all heal differently just remember that. I’ve run into people who have had this operation and bounce right back in no time. I can honestly say that is not me. I have had a couple of other types of knee surgeries in the past years and I came out of it like a champ. Not this one. This one is the hardest surgery I’ve ever had. So please know your going to be ok. Make sure you ice and elevate a lot and take your meds. You will be up in no time.
Good luck and remember we are here for you to talk to !