Knee replacement. Help!

I hope today is a better day for you Jane. I feel guilty for painting such a positive picture of my own experience, but it really was like that, I wasn't just trying to make you feel ok about it.
I hope things improve and that it is onward and upwards from now on.

Just walked round the room. Its a start. Still feeling very sedated.

I refused the morphine because I knew what would happen - mega-vomits and bowels turned to concrete! Hence the pain relief problem!

I never had any vomiting with morphine. I always take mega supplies of dried fig. prunes and licorice in with me and start on the figs/prunes before hand. I found that the spinal block was far better it respect of constipation than a GA.

Great to hear that you are up and about, even if it's only your room. Today your room, tomorrow the World.

Feeling a bit better today. Its been the drugs that have upset me. I've got from no pills to what seems like lots and lots of heavy duty stuff.

Take heart - this phase is only temporary.

Hi Jane, every day will be an improvement now.

I realise I shouldn't have been saying this stuff. Elrel's turn next week. I've been telling myself 'this too shall pass'.
Btw its not too hard actually walking (with a frame) but the physio exercises are quite nippy!

Jane10 this is one time in your life when you will be so glad that you do not have stairs to negotiate on a daily basis when you are discharged.You appear to be doing well, keep up the good work.

Physios are a breed unto themselves, in past lives they would have been torturers.

Tanks Wb for that little gem of wisdom (grin)

I am on their waiting list!

Tanks??

Thanks!

I had no physio at all in hospital. I saw her when she brought me a walking frame on morning one and fitted me for elbow crutches on day 3. I next saw one at outpatient clinic after 5 weeks when he was pleased with !my progress and then 3 weeks later when he discharged me. All my work was done by myself.
I was very determined so I achieved what I wanted.

I start physio Tuesday week, can't wait

Gosh annsixty no physio? Mine comes twice a day. Am now on sticks! Not easy but more a matter of stiffness than pain. Good luck wobbly!

I hope the physio will be kill or cure.

I am truly shocked re NO physio. I had physio and learnt to walk and go up and down stairs in hospital. I booked physio post coming home myself weeks before the op- as nothing here is organised for you. Insurance paid for 2 x 9 sessions, and I paid out of my own pocket for the rest as I found it so helpful, supportive and motivational.

Well that is the fact as it happened. I was taught how to get in and out of bed but walking was left to me. When she fitted me with the crutches she watched me walk down the ward to ensure they were the right height. I was walking to the loo the second night on my own and then left to do the exercises on my own for 5 weeks.It will be 12 weeks on Monday since my op and I am fine and walking well.

I was out of hospital 3 days post op.

Well you were very lucky. What about up and down stairs - there is a definite 'proper' and safe way to do it.

No NHS here, so it is up to each individual to make arrangements post op- including any special equipment/help (I found raising the bed and having a grab handle was really helpful).

I was home on the fourth day post op. I was fine with stairs, the physio ensured that before I left.

I was surprised how easy stairs were once the physio showed us how to do it.

The rule I was given for stairs was "Up with the Good, Down with the Bad"

Jane -? I hope you are feeling less nauseated and much better by now. Glad to hear that you are already on sticks. This thread is so encouraging, I'm grateful to you for starting it. I also appreciate all the others posters who are sharing their own experience of similar procedures, it is reassuring to know that so many have been through it.
Last week I had my 2 youngest grandchildren here for half term which was a wonderful distraction. The smallest was 2 on Thursday, the day I should have had the TKR. It was lovely to be able to share her birthday after all (thanks to the postponement). Her big sister who is doing catering at college made a lovely triple layer Victoria sandwich covered in buttercream and decorated as a lion's face with marshmallow mane.