Just wondering if i should still be taking anti inflammatories. My knees are giving me a lot of discomfort and pain. I am still having to take painkillers. How lo ng before it gets less painful.
Yes I still take it and I'm going on 10 weeks post op. It's hard to say with pain as every patient is different. Keep taking and if u find the pain is subsiding start to cut down the amount of times u need it..good luck
This is a question better aked to your doctor who knows you and your other ailments. Do you have arthritis? Do anti/inflammatories bother your stomach? Do you need something stronger? I don't think this forum can give you an answer that's right for you.
I had to cease taking them at seven weeks as they gave me a stomach ulcer, my specilist had told me to keep taking them for several months, but because of ulcer bleeding my local doctor said no more. My knee is at a stand still and i think it has even gone backwards so wondering if this is because i have stopped the tablets
I'm 10 months post op bilateral tkr's and I still take painkillers. Not for the same pain as before but they still ache. I read an article on the procedure and it said we expect too much of our new knees. That they won't do what our original ones did. Some people will always have some discomfort. Guess I'm one of them.
I hope your knee pain ceases but don't feel bad if you still need some pain relief. We are all different, with different levels and thresholds of pain. Xx
Hi, we're all different and each knee recovers differently .. at 10mths post op I'm still on anti inflammatories (have had a few issues and setbacks) and only a month ago did I stop with oxycontin & endone .. now just using panadiene fortes. Remember it's not long since you had your op and remember to ice ice ice it helps heaps. I used to ice all the time and left it on until it had totally melted and wasn't cold anymore. Only thing I found was that my new metal joint would get so cold! Good luck I wish you all the best in your recovery... cheers Tracey
I'm at the same as you Sue 10mths post op but only had one done at present my surgeon doesn't do them together just in case you end up having some issues which I have. But have to agree never thought my knee would feel sooo different and it clicks when I walk which I've been told is common .. guessing maybe when the other is done I may go click clack as I walk! I ended up staying on strong meds for so long due to getting a bursitis that I'm hoping next week my 2nd booster injection will help it!
Hi, I'm 12 weeks double knee replacement. My doctor gave me anti-inflammatories but I don't feel the effects. I have been quite lucky, swelling has completely gone in one knee and all but in the other. The last 2 weeks I have been trying to wean myself off Endone, for 1 week I took 1 per day, then the 2nd week took 1/2 per day but the last couple of days I have needed the whole 1 again. Sometimes I have to ask myself is it actual pain or just a really bad ache. Have also tried taking Osteomol 665 Paraceetamol for the ache but don't get any relief whatsoever so I'm guessing its not strong enough. The pain or ache is very often in my thigh muscles, I mentioned this to my surgeon and he said that can be from the operation as they bend the knee so far back that the muscles can get torn to a degree. My GP told me not to be shy about taking pain relief, its one hell of an operation and we have had both knees done. You need to get lots of sleep because thats when our bodies do their healing so if you need too get some sleeping tablets, I took them on & off for about a month until I learnt to breath & meditate. Its a real rollercoaster ride that we are on, I was crying basically everyday up until 2 weeks ago, I put it down to the Endones, since reducing them I am starting to feel much better. Wishing you well.
Hi, are you taking a stomach protector? Omeprazole or Lansoprazole? That gives you a lining for the stomach so as not to irritate it, and probably give you ulcers. I've take naproxen for years, and they certainly helped with my Tkr recovery. I would see your Gp. Take care
Continue pain meds till your body let's you know you can handle pain without them. If you are hurting so much you can't do the excercises you will go backwards and quickly. Careful of the anti-inflammatory drugs over long periods as they can cause stomach problems.
This reply is for you and Sue. I'm almost 8 months from left tkr. I'm still on pain meds, hydrocodone and tramodol. Also been taking 700 mg. gabapenten for nerve pain. It feels like knee is tearing apart at times, not in the joint but just below the skin. I have the popping when I walk, which just started about a month ago. And have pain when straightening my knee after having it bent for awhile. My knee is still tight and only have a little over 100 ROM. I sure thought I wouldn't have all these problems after this much time. I guess at 69, I shoul t expect to heal quickly. Sorry for all the complaints, just haven't had anyone around lately that understands
Take them as long as you need to. However, try to get off the opioids as soon as you can and use 800 mg Ibuprophin TID or something like Tramadol. Additionally, get your doc to RX you Voltaren Gel...best topical anti-inflammatory on the planet.
I take one Omeprazole first thing in the morning then I take one 400 mg Ibrufen three times a day, I was taking two Codydramol four times a day but now take one twice a day and two at bedtime with an Ibrufen. It works for me at the moment, 15 days post op.
I just know that if I take a step backwards I can up the painkillers. I want to get off the Ibrufen ASAP.We can only wait and see.
Hi, I developed a hip bursitis after a right hip replacement some 8 years ago. I had my right knee replaced 4 months ago. I have been attending the Pain Clinic for the last six years, having all sorts of treatment for the bursitis. Unfortunately I have to say,,with the exception of once, I have had no relief with it. Thank god I am in the latter end of my years and not in my 30s or 40s, I couldn't stand it for 30+ years. I hope it works for you.
Hi bea. For me, around 13 weeks I found I experienced less pain. Now at 20 weeks double tkr's post opp. Mostly positive! Getting around well, bit of a twitch at night. Keep moving and take pills when you need them. X
I spoke with a doctor recently who told me that anti inflammatory medication directly effects the healing process so I'm surprised that you would be on these this soon after knee replacement just saying....as I asked my surgeon and swelling is from doing to much and not resting enough I'm on tramadol and I was also on panadol fortepiano as well early on but definitely not anti inflammatory Meds....ask the doctor for his opinion
If your knee is clicking it could be that your quads are not strong enough. Work on them, you need them to be strong to hold all the metal work. Mine started to click and went to the doc, he said there was too much laxity and he sent me off to physio. I am now back working on my quads and all is improving.
Hi rbleegrip,
i think you'll find, not only are patients all different so are the doctors/ surgeons. I've been on anti inflamitories for 10 months, since my op. They're prescription strength and are, of course, prescribed. I think it's a case of " horses for courses" and take what helps. I've healed nicely by the way. Not an ulcer in sight either, thank god. Also, a lot of patients on this forum are getting a lot of relief from the voltarin gel so go figure.
My GP gave me anti- inflammatories to take also. Whatever works! And I was on opioid pain patches right up to around 15 weeks post-op. They were necessary and when it came time to ditch them, no problem because the pain had subsided! I say take what your Doc reckons you need. I had to beg for strong pain medication both in hospital and after and I will never forget the 48 hrs I spent in agony post op. I have a meeting as a patient advocate at my surgical hospital next month. Our health care watchdog says they have to take responsibility for my treatment. Unnecessary pain should not be something we need to tolerate.
Nice thing about the prescription anti inflammatories.....the Dr has a better chance of monitoring them and knowing how much you are consuming so if you start having stomach problems,.etc they are on top of it. I've taken over the counter Nsaids such as aleve and prescription Nsaids like naproxen and can't tell much difference except I take half as many pills.
After 14 years of surgeries and recoveries then more surgeries I finally gave up on the finesse part of pain relief and just tell the Dr's to do what the think is best....just get me some peace and I promise I won't try to out think you............but if it doesn't work I'll be back to haunt you.