Finally convinced the doctor to give me something better than paracetamol .tramadol . . and stronger sleeping tablets. Actually slept for four hours without waking last night, and the difference this morning was amazing. New energy, a much more decided approach to walking and exercise . . WHY couldn't they have let me have these painkillers straight after the operation instead of now, four weeks later! I'm afraid I do feel quite bitter about the unnecessary suffering they have inflicted on me! No doubt I shall have 'down' days again, because this operation seems to do that to all of us, but I can definitely see light at the end of the tunnel!
Great.....rest is a wonderful healer. Body and mind have to shut down on a regular basis
I love my tramadol...I sleep usually for about 4 hours at a time but some nights can still clock watch every hour but I think this is just the case after this operation. I still think it's bad you were not given this sort of painkiller when leaving hospital...I also have nerve painkillers although not sure they do much good! Let's hope your sleep continues to improve it does indeed make you feel better
I'll ask about the nerve painkillers on my next visit! I'm really angry about beging starved of painkillers too . and not just after I left hospital I only got paracetamol after day 3. . . I'm sure I would have improved the bend, and become mobile a lot quicker if the pain had been better controlled!
I was given tramadol ...gabapentin (nerve)and zapain which are Co codamol on prescription I take them alternatively...hospital gave me 5 days and I rang GP for more which they were more than willing to do...what were you on in hospital
Same here. BecauseI could not takethe codeine based meds they did not offer anything else. Took a very emotional trip to docs to get a stronger pain med than panadol. I too am upset they did not give me t his alternative in hosp. So to anyone reading. PLease keep asking for better meds if the ones yu have are not working.
Sorry to hear you've had the same experience . . Like you, I had to tell the doctor just how i felt . . none of 'stiff upper lip' which we so often use when asked 'How are you?' Glad you finally got sorted. . but isn't it annoying to have wasted time like this!
I have Valium for migraine. Just 2mg . a small dose - but one of those helps me relax and the other night i slept for 5 hrs without waking.
One thing i did was to remove the clock from the bedroom so that when i woke i wasnt worrying about the fact it was only 3am or whatever.
My phone is nearby if i really need the time but why should i in the night? I find i go back to sleep easier.
I'm 14 weeks tomorrow. Wondering where this time has gone. Feeling like I've been between hell and limbo. Good days are getting more often.. Just problems with tight muscles that seem to have shrunk a little and stiffness (slight fluid)
God what a journey this is. 6 weeks they said - that should be 6 months! The forum has helped a lot!
The first two days were ok . .some sort of drip which worked quite well, but by the morning of day three, 500 mg paracetamol four times a day . . Believe me, that didn't do much for me!
Not sure, but I think I took gabapentin when I had loss of feeling in my legs. . and I seem to remember it made me rather strange. . .(Well, even stranger than I usually am!)
What the doctor gave you?
I am wating to have the second knee done, it would be good to know what works.
Grace
I only know the time because I need to know whether I can take another pain killer or not! Often I think it must be about four. . and it's only half past twelve!
Me too regarding the time last night went to bed at 11...came too and thought must be halfway through night and it was half 12...woke again thought it might be time to get up and it was 4 am! Drives me insane
I certainly understand how great it feels to finally get some meds that work. I was 3 1/2 month out before I got them. Now take gabapentin and tramadol and meloxicam. Just added meletonin to my night time gabapentin and it has made a huge differnce. 4 months out now and feeling much better.
Oh dear. How many weeks are you? 
This forum is amazing. I kept thinking I was going mad but every time I look at the comments of different people, I see that I am not the only one with the "Seemimgly Insurmountable problems" after TKR. It has just about saved my sanity.
thank you
That's why we must wear our scars with pride! We have all suffered, marched on and seen light at the end of the tunnel with a little glimpse of insanity on the way! 
Hi,martinarvelo. Tramadol is a drug that is widely abused by people who want a "high" so GPs are nervous about prescribing them! Unfortunately,us in the KR club then have to beg to have them for real pain.....they can also addictive. I had my left knee replaced 14mnths ago and am still in a lot of pain as it is loose. I had to beg for something stronger than Cocodamol so I can continue to work part time and sleep! The doc actually phoned me at home after I put a "repeat" request for them and questioned my use of them and the Cocodamol "just so I am aware"
I hope you find peace and comfort with better analgesia soon.
Tramadol is what he gave me also known as tramocet in te UK I believe . not sure where you are. It does make me a bid dizzy, and the first time I took it I fell over, but now I'm aware of that no problem. I won't say that it works totally! the rehab still hurts, but at least I can get through it without too much screaming!!!
But why is it that when the alarm goes off we are alwas asleep!!!
Hi Nicky . I'm surprised anyone woud get a 'high' from them . . they leave me a bit dizzy,aguely nauseaous and very tired but certainly not euphoric. Maybe they mix with alcohol or something like that!!! those mild side effects are worth it though for the lesser pain and ability to do the exercises!