Can I ask at what point can you expect to be fully off all pain medication following tkr.
7 weeks post op now. Thank you
Hi Cathy
Everyone is different I was off my codeine within 2 wks only on paracetamol occasionally ( u should try 2 save your strongest till night )
Take Care
Rob x
Hi Cathy
I am now 8 weeks and 4 days post op and all I take now is 1 dyhdracodiene some nights when I feel that I have overdone it too much during the day. I don't seem to get a lot of pain now but sometimes it is uncomfortable and I rest it and put ice packs on it. We will all get there it just seems to take a long time.
Hi - I was off at 5 weeks but from what I can see it is very different for us all.
All the best - oh I am in my 8th week post op TKR.
Cathy,
I am 6 weeks since the TKR and still need pain pills to get through the night. Nothing during the day but the knee aches just enough nights to keep me awake. I take a sleeping script nightly and a pain pill. Still only sleep for a few hours at a time in a recliner or on a couch. Can't handle a bed or full covers yet. Sadly, this is part of the process. That is why I am awake at this time. Nights are depressing.
That's my reality.
Dan
The ice machine is
Also lots of ice too
I aree with all the replies. I am now almost 7 mos post. Cannot totally remember when I was off the meds, but I feel I was still taking them to sleep well. Patience is
the key, a long recovery. Good luck and best wishes. Barbara
Hi Cathy!
I got off the opioids after two weeks. They made me feel very loopy, didn't help all that much with pain, and actually did a LOUSY job helping with my swelling.
Ibuprofen worked SO much better for me!
On a side note...I discovered that once my knees felt good again following my two TKRs (June and October 2015), my OTHER arthritic parts began screaming!😵 Back, wrists, shoulders, hips, fingers...ACHING!😱 Ibuprofen every six to eight hours keeps me going.
Getting old (I'm 65) is DEFINITELY NOT for sissies!😊
As you can see, everyone is different. Guidelines...
- Get off the opiods as soon as you can but NOT before you can do without them. Titrate down slowly and...
- Substiture a non-narcotic (Tramadol, Ibuprophin 800mg TID, NSAIDS. etc.), but...
- A lot of the OTC meds can cause stomach problems if taken long term so there is no real path in contant medication.
Most people are off the opioids in the 30-60 day range, some sooner...some later. Also, most people are completely off all meds by the 6-month mark, most sooner than that. It's very individual. Then substitute topical Volraten Gel (RX) for any residual pain.
Personally, I'm at 7 1/2 months with zero pain...well maybe a little Voltaren Gel on the occasional night...
You nailed it Chico.