Had a knee replacement 11 weeks ago now ..All i need to say i was certaily not expecting the anout of pain and discomfort .. The pain to start with then a continual ache which travels through the whole leg right down to the foot .
I was at times at my wits end !! But just keep poitive because now at 11 weeks I have most defiently turned a corner and starting to feel much better
Hi Delia
Gkad that you've turned a corner.
The pain is the thing that none of us are really prepared for, and standing or sitting with the leg down hurts so much more than lying on the bed. And then trying to lie on your side changes the dynamics again! It's such a horrible operation and some of us have it worse than others. No two knees are the same (I've had both done and have just had the second one opened up again a year on).
good luck with your recovery.
Patsy
Hi Delia
yes, they said it would be painful but nothing prepares you for the sleepless nights and ache. I have been in "Misery land" with a brick knee for 5 weeks now but get comfort from all the positive "turning points", hopefully will be mine soon 😕
It will be up and down for a while. Don't overdo it cos you feel better, stay hydrated and carry on in routine of ice rest etc it takes different lengths of time for all of us. I'm nine months on now and don't get any pain but still ocassional stiffness or bit of tenderness and swelling for no apparent reason. Feel quite normal but only now prepared to have other one done and will put it off till next year if I can x
I know you cannot expalin the discomfort can you , and sleepness nights ,and that ache has nearly driven me mad !! But i promise you it really does get easier and the ache sloweley subsides ... And i try to not take so many tablets in the day but still need them at night just to sleep
And also your energy levels will come back, mine was zero a few weeks ago
I wish you all the best
I totally understand... I'm at 8 weeks and not only did I deal with the pain but my body has been having a hard time recovering from the surgery itseld. Flu like systems for over 3 weeks.. I have slightly improved. Good for you and hope you continue to heal.
I know i never thought it would be as bad yes the sitting with leg down is horrible and laying on your side was just dreadful .. The aching I hated i didnt know what to do leg up down in out !!! I was really at my wits end and felt i wanted to rip the whole thing out . But 11 weeks now I have turned the corner Thank god .. I have to have the next knee done , but beleive me it will have to be hanging off its hinges before I do that again !!
I know but keep going it will get better ..I had zero energy as well tearful and at my wits end !! good luck
Me too...My energy is still very low but able to work through it now. I haven't been able to. Thanks for sharing.. I hate when you feel your the only one going through this.
Thank you for your advise .. I will still take it easy dont want to go backwards , The stiffness afer sitting is the worst takes me a minuite to get going
Good luck
That's GREAT that you have reached a good point in your recovery journey. It happens to different people at different times.
You must be doing all the right things!
Enjoy every moment, and remember to congratulate yourself for doing everything that brought you to this good place!
Delia, you are a week ahead of me. Oh, I hope I will feel as you do next week! Don't take that wrong please, I am happy for you!
I am so tired of the pain, the stiffness, sleepless nights, exhaustion, tears, frustration, anger, slowness, and all the other gifts that go with tkr.
I, too, never thought it would be this difficult! I love seeing others turning that corner as it gives me hope (along with some envy - but that's OK) 
Hi caroline
Pleased to hear you are recovering so well 9 mts after you TKR. I am 7 weeks post TKR and though I try to take less pain meds during the day, I still need a stronger one at night. I, like many, never thought I would stop crying and feeling depressed, but I've passed this feeling now, thank heavens. However the band of stiffness around my knee is still just as bad as at the start, which stops me from getting as much bend as I would like. I do my rehab religiously daily, but feel defeated, and wonder if the stiffness will ever get less so that I can bend more. Do you have less stiffness now and if so, do you remember at what stage you felt the knee stiffness slacken. Some days my leg aches from knee right down to my ankle. It's very demoralising.
I wish you continued health
Hi Delia i am also 11 weeks was doing ok but the last two days my knee has been sore when i walk see surgeon on Monday see what he says glad your doing ok i keep thinking ive turned the corner then something new crops up my knee has just started to feel mechanical and i dont know if this is something to do with the pain
I know just how you feel I felt so alone as well
I am normally such a strong person and never let things get me down but this knocked me for six I was so low !! I thought it would never get better . But I have turned the corner and starting to feel normal just like you will
Not long now wish you luck
I just hit 8 weeks on Monday and i just nnow started to wean off the Norco and switch to Aleve. Still not a lot of energy. Still some depression but I blame that on the fact that I'll be having the other knee done in about a month. I could just scream at the thought. Only thing is since Sundday morning I can say the pai REALLY decreased so much it amazed me. I just have to be careful to sit down every 1/2 hour and elevate. THAT is my life saver.
Going to sound funny but I keep a small plastic garbage bag with me. After I sit for a while before I get up I pull out my magice bag and do some heal slides and then some toe stretches...just 5 each helps.
You really nailed all the lovely problems after TKR. I have to say this forum cut my depression by half !! Sure don't wish this on everyone but wow does it make me feel betterhaving people to talk too that arren''t rolling their eyes or just nodding their head...
Yes, this forum has been a life saver! Can't truly understand unless one has been there.
In the real world I think most view me as a cry baby right now.
Don't feel defeated. I'm am 8 1/2 weeks and only in the past 2 days I'm feeling better. I was so bad that I couldn't work or focus on anything. I am hoping that I am out of the dark. You will too. What you are feeling sucks but this group has been my only source of support since you guys are the only ones that understand.