I'm 8 weeks bilateral TKR and my knees are aching so much! I don't know what to do, I can't get comfy anyway, I just want to cry, I have had enough today! I have taken my meds and had a bath, done icing as well, what can I do? Xx
Are you takng strong enough meds?
Firstly I think you are so brave xxx. Remember you are only 8 weeks and so you will be achey. Have you tried heat instead of ice? That could be comforting for you. I think moving around sometimes helps as you get stuck in one position. Don't get down, we have all been there and it will get better, I promise you.
I'm on tramadol so I think so, is there anything stronger? X
Thanks, my knees feel like they are on fire anyway, I just can't see the end at the moment xx
ohhhhh bless you we've all been there I just take 1 extra med get on the bed with a cuppa roll round and swear til it kicks in or have a good cry then I read me book and if I wanna stay on the bed all day I do lol I think its your bodies way of telling you enough is enough and to take it easy???? im sure you wont feel like that tom???? can you bel at 56 ive felt soooo bad ive cried and wanted me mum lol hang in there and moan on here if it helps x x
That is exactly what I want to do but my other half works nights so is in bed all day, I haven't stopped crying since I work up and yes I want my mum lol
Poor you! I just cannot omagine how you are coping with having both knees done at the same time! Have you got Netflix or Sky Movies or a good book?!! Seriously, it seems as if you are doing all that you can do and all that has been recommended by various members on this forum. All the comments are good advice - make sure you are making full use of your prescribed medication, move about a little, even if it is just walking between rooms or the garden. It is just a question of healing over time. You will certainly notice the difference in another month or so - you are nearly there! I would try and get as comfy as you can, make yourself a nice drink and try and distract yourself by watching a good film or reading a good book or having a chat with a friend. Best of luck for the rest of your recovery. We all sympathise with you. I am five months TKR and it is just so good to be able to walk without pain, but I can still remember the discomfort and pain during the first few weeks after the operation!
Hi Sanda
Firstly, I must echo other people's comments about how brave you are to have both done together (I've had both done separately...and neither recovery easy). Also, the need to take strong mess, ice and heat...rest and exercise. I took Tramadol too, but only at night as it made my eyes funny!
Music was my saviour...playing all my favourite tracks as loud as possible and singing at the top of my voice. I'd also have my IPad at the side of me in bed and set it on a very long playlist. I went off eventually!
Goodness I was a wimp having just a PKR..I was given tramadol but was also prescribed prescription cocodamol to take in between and I took them religiously...think I did tramadol every 6 hours and cocodamol every 4...also I hated icing so didn't do it at all however bought an electric blanket...put a pillow between my legs and stayed in bed until meds kicked in then got up for a few hours....I am now 14 weeks and am doing really well...that doesn't help you now but just to know you do come through it hopefully gives you a little boost even if it'd a tiny tearful one today...take care Sarah
get on the sofa and put jeremy kyle on lol ul realise then that ur quite normal lol oh my cons told me yest to be drinkin at least 2 litres of water a day as it helps disperse the meds quicker and also helps with stiffness and muscle cramps he said ur bladder gets used to it after a couple of days???? ive just measured it and its 6 glasses phew!!!!
yes sar I take extra co-codomol in fact I take the dissolving ones cos they work quicker!!! I agree entirely with ur advice its exactly what I do!!!!
I found taking a bath in Epson salts really good. It takes the toxins out of your body mine is a lavender and mint scent and it smells really good too. Hang in there. Try and sleep, tomorrow is another day and closer to being better. I was hoping to have both done at the same time but the surgeon wouldn't hear of it. All the best to you dear.
Sandra I know exactly how you feel. Although I've only had one TKR exactly ten weeks ago. Mine was very complicated (needed two ops and had extra bits put through my shin to hold it up).
I have only just started to notice an improvement in the last week with pain. My leg is very bent so I do an enormous amount of exercise each day and see physio each week. I may need further surgery for this (I find that out tomorrow).
The next strength pain killer up from Tramadol is Oxycodene. I'm still on this. It also comes in liquid form which is brill for breakthrough pain.
Ask your Doctor if you're struggling.
I find that gently moving my knee is the only way to relieve the ache (I use a single bed sheet rolled up around my foot and gently lift and bend the leg). This is the best thing ever for me to get going. Only downside is sore arms when I first wake up...overall workout I reckon. Lol.
I also bought some foot pedals on line (£30). I used these at physio. They are like a bike but more gentle as you sit on a chair.
Exercise seems crazy when in pain but it's the only way to help ease muscle and joint pain.
After a little bit you'll find you can get much more comfortable when you rest.
Ice is great to use to help swelling after exercise and heat is good to relax muscles. No point doing them one after the other...your leg won't know what's going on.
Also remember to massage the knee. The more you can soften the scar, the less it will hurt. Use bio or E45 to help.
A good cry isn't a bad thing either. I've realised its the perfect thing to help get me to sleep.
I promise it does get better and soon xx
Sandra, I used heat pack under my knee for the muscle and ice pack on top, it really helped me, especially at night when trying to get comfortable.
oooo carol that sounds good im gonns give that a try myself!!!!
Hi Sandra ... I can totally symphasize with you! At 8 weeks I couldn't see any light at the end of the tunnel. Sleep was non-existent, my knee felt so tight I couldn't move it and my bend (which had been pretty good) seemed worse than after week 1 but at 10 weeks I can now go down the stairs properly (could go up properly but not down) and can now walk outside of the house without a stick and can even drive a fair distance. It does get better so hold on in there and cry as much as you want ... it makes you feel better after. Just remember this is a long slow and painful process so if one day you feel cr*p just write it off and start again tomorrow. You're doing great! 😉😉😉😅
You are at the point of the journey that can be very frustrating. The burning is inflammation and if you would add aleve, 2 tablets twice a day. Try elevating your leg with a couple of pillows several times a day. Increase the icing to 20 mins out of every hour. Make sure you are drinking plenty of water. Rather than gulping large glasses keep a liter or water bottle close to you chair or bed and just take a couple of gulps several times an hour
Check with your doc concerning the type and amt of pain meds you are getting. Strange thing, everyone is different in their reaction to pain meds. As has been mentioned numerous tests, I had to have my prothesis removed 8 weeks ago because of staph. My surgeon changed me to 5 mg oxocodone which I had never taken. I take 2 pills for moderate pain and 5 for high level. I also take a 15 mg ms continue morn and bedtime. I have never had better and more complete relief. You will get through this stage just like you got thru those awful first couple of weeks.
That should have read 15 mg ms contin.
Thanks, I am seeing Dr Friday to see about meds xx