i am 5 and a bit weeks post op and doing ok I think, but just lately it gets to about 6pm and I feel like I've got flu! Aches, totally wiped out and just want to crawl into bed. Anyone else like this? I thought it might be because I've missed a dose of co codamol or perhaps because I've been awake since 4.30. Suppose I've just answered my own question.... But honestly everything seems to be such an effort. When will I start to feel anything like normal?
Have a nap during the day of you can. I felt tired until probably this week , 11 weeks. If you are awake at 4.30 you need an hours siesta and then start again but not too late, about 13.00. Definitely made a difference for me.
Hi Elaine, yes I am the same. Three weeks post op and I find around 5pm I just want to go to bed. I think the body just gets weary around that time anyway, and with the broken sleep pattern it understandable I guess. I watch the clock until 9pm and then I'm off to bed. I take a sleeping tablet and half dose of endone and that gets me about six hours. Keep smiling, we will get there eventually. This forum is such a help especially at 4am in Australia.
Thank goodness it's not just me. Out of interest what is endone? I didn't realise y could take a sleeping tablet on top of meds. This forum is a life saver. I would have gone nuts if I hadn't found it. Broken nights I suppose will take their toll, I haven't slept through since the op. Thanks sue oz. X
Yes joy 1.00 seems a good idea. I will try that tomorrow x
Hi Elaine, endone is a pain killer, check it online. My specialist sent me home from hospital with it. I went to my doctor to get a repeat and she gave me temazipan to take at night. Sometimes I only take the sleeping tablet. They are specially designed to give you six hour and that's it. The later you take it the better. I have realised that trying to soldier on without the meds is a fools errand.
Just go to bed its ur body tellin you that you need to rest il also go very cold and shivery and I too thought I was gettin flu??? Im 6 weeks post op x x
I wondered why I was getting cold and shivery, the read on here it is the blood thinning drugs? So wrapped up in a nice warm blanket on top of the bed and had a nap the a nice cup of tea when I woke up. Worked wonders.
I reember feeling like that every evening. . leg aching, exhausted, ready for bed hours before bedtime. . . but it does get better. In my case around eight weeks, but some people earlier, others later! Just sleep when you need it!
YES it took me ages to realise that! I was always cold, wrapped in four or five layers. .and for heavens sake, I live in Tenerife!
Yes Elaine remember the feeling only too well. I still feel the cold now at 20 weeks. I used to be such a hot mortal but now really feel the cold after this op! It's been a hot day here in my part of UK but I have come to bed as I feel so cold. You need to get some sleep during the day. It has only been about four weeks since I didn't need to sleep during the day. I hope you feel better soon.
Yes I have felt really cold and it's been the hottest day here in brentwood. I can't imagine ever going back to work with the sleepless nights and the pain etc!
I was nearly frozen to death, and then I realized it was the blood thinning causing it. I'm all good now, 16 wks. Just this week I was able to get my bend a bit better. Hang in there.
Hi Elaine, I am 4 weeks post op and am only experiencing the cold and shivers at night now. The blood thinners had me freezing! Now that I'm off of them things have gotten better, cept at night. As for the aching, oh my! By bedtime my entire leg feels like it has bad arthritis in it. It aches to the bone all the way from my waist to my toes. My doc says this is normal and a sign to get off my feet, elevate and ice. It's worst because it happens when it's time to sleep and who can sleep with such an annoying pain? Sleep has gotten better but is still a struggle. I agree with everyone, take naps when you can. Sleep equals healing and we are all healing. I hope things get better for you. Rest when you can. Best wishes.
Par for the course. You will be tired a lot. It is a long uncomfortable recoup.
u will feel good progress every 3 weeks.
I'm 8 weeks post op and still get really tired. The key is not to fight it. Most days I'm ok now with waking at about 5.30am (this is the time I normally wake for work, I bet I don't wake so easily when it's time to go back) and I go to bed by 10pm. I do wake up once at 2pm like clockwork and need to get out of bed to move.
Some days I feel exhausted in the afternoon though so I doze on the couch. I don't sleep as deeply if I stay there, although I do set an alarm on my phone....just in case.
I think all the medication we are taking that say 'may cause drowsiness' sometimes catch up with us. They are bound to have an effect. Just listen to your body.
Sweet dreams :-) x
Thanks Kathryn isn't it amazing why it affects the body like this. I had no idea it would be this hard. I will think long and hard before considering the other knee which will need doing one day! X
I am lucky as retired end of jan anyway. Couldn't even visualise going back to work now even after 20 weeks!
It's a comfort hearing someone else say it Elaine. I knee it would be tough but it's been on an entirely different level. I know we'll look back on it all and be chuffed with the results (hopefully) but we just need to grin and bear it until then.
I was in hospital with a couple of people who were on their second replacement. They both said it was so much easier second time round x
I think the second time round yu know what's coming. More mentally prepared. It's the constant pain though. I suppose I should go back to the doctors to get some different meds ibuprofen upsets my stomach and cocodamol causes terrible constipation! If only there was a pill where you could wake up 3 months later and it's all done!