What kind of pain meds are you guys taking

Bones, joints and muscles
1

I am taking solphadine every four hours and am still in pain ...it is 32 days since I had tkr...

2

Are you using otherrrrr methods of pain relief also? Ice, elevate, rest, TENS, might help?

3

2 codeine 2 paracetamol every 4 hours for the first 6 weeks now twice a day 14 weeks since op

4

Hi Mamurray,

Im 18 months on from a bilateral tkr.  I still have some pain.  I guess it's more achy and stiffness than a pain but I still wake in the night sometimes from the aches.  I'm sorry to say, but most people on here,  that are post op tkr, will tell you that it's a long haul when it comes managing your pain.  I was taking Pan Adeline forte, OxyContin and others for over a year.  I was one of the " lucky ones" that were pretty straight forward as to being able to bend and stretch etc but still suffered from the pain.

it really hasn't been that long for you when talking about tkr's.  Take whatever you need.  Rest when you can.  Use ice or heat packs, try everything.  It's a big operation to get over, be kind to yourself.   Good luck with everything. Sue x

5

Ice, codine phosphate , paracetamol first thing and last thing at night . Nurofen and paracetamol with omiprazole cover . Hot water bottle at night in lower back . Every one is different .

6

I totally agree, take what you need, but the ice pack is great for swelling and numbs the pain, its not as straight forward as people think, i think its a long haul but im sure we will all get there in the end

7

I was on Norco for four weeks every 4 hours. Then on Oxycodone for another 5 weeks, twice a day. Now just naproxen as needed. I am almost 5 months post op. Talk to your doctor about pain management. From what I have read on this forum, people in the U.K. have difficulties with physician communication and pain meds. My doctor (US) only gave me 5 days at a time but did not hesitate to give me new prescriptions as needed.

Ellen

8

I take Tramadol and 1/2 muscle relaxant at night. I'm going into my 11th week. I've cut down on the Tramadol from 3 a day to 2. I take a Tylenol if I have more pain than usual.

I used to feel guilty about still taking the Tramadol but it's my pain and no one else. I do t care that your friend didn't have to take anything😄 I'm waging a battle of not listening to people and their stories. This is a long recovery and I'll get there and do will you👏👏

9

I took Zaldiar. . tramadol and paracetamol.  it didn't get rid of the pain by any means, but it did make it a bit better.  they were very mean about how much they gave me so I had to ration it to a lot less than I would have liked. Codeine makes me so constipated I culdn't live with that. . . tramadol however gave me a bit of energy!  But it isn't good for everyone. some people have strange reactions to it. . . 

10

They are really mean with tramadol here in Tenerife. . .I understand that they don't want people to become dependent or addicted, but if you can't hve decent pain control for something like a TKR, what ;s the use of it!  You are doing right to cut it down slowly. I ran out and had to go without totally for about four days while getting an appointment.  It was very bad!  Like having flu with hallucinations, stomach cramps, trembles. . . . no fun!  slowly does it!

11

I am still taking solpadeine (paracetamol & codeine) every 6 hours & Naproxen twice a day. Have been taking them for years for arthritis & still taking them (6months TKR) as other knee really really bad too!!

Marilyn

XX

12

One month post op?  You've got a long way to go.  Welcome to the forum, "Kneebie"!!!

Some light reading...

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-tkr-experience-or-wish-i-had-another-kidney-stone--524499

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/the-tkr-recovery-bell-curve--563756

https://patient.info/forums/discuss/staying-ahead-of-the-pain-563395

That's to get you started...

On the med side, you're in the "max-pain" part of this recovery, usually 30-60 days or a bit more.  Most patients are on the heavy-duty oxycodone- and hydrocodone-based opioids which are mixed with acetaminophen and go by the names Vicodin and Norco (hydro) and Percocet (oxy)...names could be different in the UK.  As the pain lessens, you can switch to the low-level opioid Tramadol.  NO DRIVING ON THESE DRUGS...PERIOD!!!

A great topical anti-inflammatory is Voltaren Gel (RX in the US).  I would suggest that you get some.  Great before bed.

This is a very long recovery...be prepared for that.  You should have already started PT, usually in the 3-4 week time frame.  It's painful...take it seriously and get your ROM back.  Eat well, hydrate, do your home exercises, ice, elevate, sleep.  You cannot rush this.  Push the knee and it will swell...don't do that.

Lots of info on here.  Good luck. 

13

Mamurray - is only been a month that you had your TKR. In most people the pain last for a few months. I don't know what solohadine is but when I had my TBR last October my surgeon prescribed Dilaudid. I took 2 mg every 4 hours for 3 months. I am allergic to many of the pain killers. Now I am 7 months post TKR and I still need something for the pain. I have been taking indocin once a day. However, I am not pain free. I still excercise at the gym at least 3 times a week. Ice helps alot with the swelling and the pain, especially after excercise and at night. Give it dome time and the pain will decrease. Take care J21370

14

Hi I was on 2 Codeine 2 Paracetamol First thing and Lunch time then 1 codeine 2 Paracetamol 6pm and Bed time. Dont forget the Ibruprofen 3 times a day after meals for the swelling. I slowely came off the codeine.to one every morning at about 8 weeks. I am now 11 weeks and just take on average 4 Paracetamol and 4 Ibroprofen a day and a codeine when needed. I had both knees done at the same time and had found the pain relief good. On saying that my surgeon insisted on the nerve injections before surgery which are supposed to help with the pain relief after surgery