i would like to know if anyone else has lost their confidence. I am now 18 weeks post tkr and have been driving and going out with my friends and family but just want to stay at home rather than get out by myself. I used to go on holiday by myself but cant book one now and would like to be in the sun with all of this snow and ice.
carol scotland
hi Carol
i thought it was just me that had lost their confidence
this Op has caused me to be a shrinking violet instead of the happy go lucky person I was before.
i hate limping and having to use a stick ...I feel as if everyone's staring at me....although they probably have much better things to do.
i used to like my holidays abroad and would always go around February time to get away from this cold weather.
but this year I don't even want to go out of the house let alone go abroad.
hopefully one day I will get back to being my old self and start lazing in the Sun again
Jean
Thank you for your openness
Apart from being the worst operation it is a very humbling experience. If you have always been independent and a bit of a go getter, you suddenly find that you are unable to be the same person and not just for a few weeks more like months and months. It also teaches you a lot about yourself, how it will be when you are really old and truly handicapped and also much about who your friends are. My TKRs have changed me inside that's for sure. Good luck , we will get there.
True words
I guess I'm one of the Really Old (76) but definitely not in my head....it's just the body misbehaving..
I am 63 and have been retired 1 year but not enjoyed that yet. I had planned to do so many things. I need that energy back!
I know exactly how you feel. Eight weeks and I haven't attempted the car yet (right knee Tkr). I am fed up with not being able to go out when I want to. Still using stick to walk outside. I retired Friday without even returning to work. I find I don't even want to exercise at the moment either as I have been unwell with cold and cough. I seem to have no energy at the moment either. My leg has gone back to hurting a lot behind the knee. I want to go on holiday as I am always away somewhere warm this time of tear but I feel a bit of a liability at the moment. Physio did say this is not the best time of year to have this op and she is right. Let's all hope we feel differently soon. Sorry I sound miserable, can't cheer you up I am afraid Carol xx
Thanks for answering. Take care
Hi Carole, I had myTNR in Sept 2014 and am 61. I lost my confidence with driving but now I am back to work, albeit a phased return, it is gradually coming back which is good as I do 50 miles daily . Like you I find it an effort to get out there again and I have several trips to London booked but I am not looking forward to them. I am struggling with work at present even on the phased return as it makes me so tired. I think we have all been through a major procedure and the body takes a while to repair itself and not just the knee :-). I know each day I can do a little more than the day before and I am sure as each day passes our confidence will grow as well.
I think that is something that happens with any major health problem, surgery or not. Many of the ladies who have the same arthritis as me say the same thing, that condfidence is a problem. I sort of half want to get back to skiing - but my husband won't come with me and it means being out alone. That in itself isn't a problem, I find plenty of people to chat to while up the mountain, especially on the lifts/in the cafes. But at the back of my mind lurks this "What if..."
How long since your op?
mine was in Sept too. I think it is lack of knowing people who have had the operation to talk to. This forum is great but in my own friends Intry to put on a jolly face.
Gosh no Jean, I meant like 100 or maybe that's insulting to 100 year olds. What I meant was when the body no longer allows you to do the things that your mind still wants to. No insult intended.
I haven't had a TKR Carol - I have had knee surgery but 20 years ago and that was why I got involved with one of the other threads.
What I meant was that it isn't just having had a TKR that leads to the loss of confidence. I spent 3 weeks in hospital nearly 3 years ago having my atrial fibrillation sorted out, it isn't a problem now. Doing things I was happily doing up until then (including skiing) have seemed like mountains to climb ever since. I was back to driving as soon as I came out of hospital, there was no reason not to, but although I love driving there was something there that inhibited me going far on my own. I think it took the best part of 18 months before I got back to "normal". But there are still things that feel "too much".
It is such a difficult journey. I am going to see strictly ballroom, a hobby I loved. Oh well I can dream.
Yes, I agree. I think in my case although I am doing everything e.g. Stairs, cycling, driving because my knee is still swollen people can see I am not quite there yet and have been very sympathetic, and my employers as well. My GP said it can take up to a year for the swelling to go. A work colleague who had a TKR several years ago and is extremely happy said he felt it was between a year or two that he felt he was back to previous fitness. Having said that he is a real fan of TKR and would have the other one done at the drop of a hat if he developed arthritis in the other one :-)
Hi carol this loss of confidence is a huge issue for me. I am 6months and used to love going out , socialising , meals out and being in company. Now I bulk at even going shopping, feel like I've had a personality bypass. Just want to be safe and warm at home and the earlier I can get to bed the better. I am 83this week and feel having elected to have this surgery I have made a huge mistake and spoiled my twilight years. Take care things surely have to get better.
Oh tucks I feel sorry that you feel like this. I hope you begin to feel better about it soon. I think it is the tine of year that we seem to feel this way. Let's face it who wants to do snything at the monent😔I know I don't. You just look forward to the better weather when you won't want to stay indoors and I think you will be back to yourself soon. Chin up xxx
Hi Tucks, I know just how you feel. I'm nearly 20 years younger than you but still lack confidence 6 months post op. As you know I've had an issue with pressure on the sciatic nerve which is slowly improving but it still causes the muscles at the back of my leg to seize up and make the leg stiff. As a result I feel a bit unsteady on my feet even though I'm able to walk quite well and the knee itself is strong. I'm nervous walking in the dark or when it's wet as I seem to be afraid of slipping. I don't say anything to anybody but it's very frustrating. We're off on holiday this week to the Canaries including a week's cruise. I'm looking forward to it but still have this nagging apprehension. I think the only way to regain confidence is to go ahead and do things so, hopefully, I'll feel better when I return.
I hope you too can enjoy your social life again, Tucks. As time goes on we should get better not worse 😊 Take care, Jen x