👯‍♀️👯‍♀️Hips and Knees part 4 👯‍♀️👯‍♀️

I was expecting to be moved to 6 weeks after yesterday, but not right back to the beginning!

That is very unfair and hopefully the consultant's secretary will agree with you.

Do not forget to mention (if possible) you are available if there are any late cancellations.

9 days post op for TKR. The most miserable days I can remember. I could cope with lots except for the lack of sleep. I can’t sleep at all, not during the day or night. I couldn’t sleep in our bed so have been downstairs on a recliner. The hours go by very slowly, Last night I spent the night watching the bombing of Jerusalem. I’m at my wits end.

Oh Madmother sorry to hear that. I couldn't sleep very well either post TKR so would get up in the night and sit in my recliner reading. Often I did fall asleep for a short while. I found that if my odd naps take day and night added up to about 7 hours I felt OK.
It's still quite early days. I hope you've got a good supply of reading materials and good programmes to watch on TV.
You truly won't always feel like this.
This too shall pass!

Hello Madmother I know that a knee op is often more complex than a hip, but you are getting there.
I asked my gp for sleeping pills after my hip hop and getting some sleep makes recovery that bit easier. I use phenerghan which work for me and can be bought over the counter. I use 10 mg. They are not addictive and I use them still when I have bouts of insomnia.
It was two years yesterday when I had my operation and it’s made a huge difference to my life. This will be worth it,

OMG time does fly silverlining I did not realise it was so long ago.

Tempus doth fugit indeed. I remember how helpful you and so many others were. I was really nervous as it was my first ever operation…..

I remember how much my first TKR , seven years ago now, disrupted my sleep. Although it was February I used to lie on my patio swing seat, under blankets and with a hot water bottle, with my operated leg propped up. I watched the stars and dozed in snatches. It did gradually improve but if I'd had no sleep at all I would have contacted my doctor or surgeon. My next TKR is at the end of June and I shall no doubt spend some nights outside again!

Thank you Aveline, kind words

Thank you for your advice, Silverlining

You can have a chorus of “I told you so” if you like. I was happily rigging my boat on Friday when a wave unsettled me and I fell off the roof into the cockpit. I have cracked a rib and am jolly sore and immobilised. Happily my hip and all the other fragile bits of me were unharmed. I suppose it is a sign I am back to my usual risk taking lifestyle and have absolutely no problem with the recent THR surgery or cancer treatment holding me back. It will mend with time but it is going to stop me going cycling in France with my club next week I think. I am so cross with myself, but fast forward a month and I should be mended.

Oh what bad luck hopalong, but at least the hip held.
Hopefully you will get to France ….🇫🇷

Oh, Hopalong, do take care!

15 days into TKR at least I’m managing to sleep now. Was on a recliner for ages but am now in bed in spare room so as not to disturb hubby. I’ve had to train myself to sleep on my back.
It’s been a rollercoaster of pain, tears and feeling miserable most of the time. It really is a brutal operation and I’ve wondered if I would rethink if I could go back in time.
But it’s done now so the only way is onwards and upwards. Luckily my left knee is ok because I know I will never put myself through this again.

How are you getting on, Hopalong? Recovering from the fall and looking after yourself I hope!

Madmother21 this truly doesn't last. It's still very early days. The Bonesmart website has a very good chart outlining what you could be expecting from week to week. The sheer energy loss after major surgery knocks the stuffing out of you which doesn't help.

It sounds like you have been through the mill Madmother but you are only 2 weeks in, however long it seems and I know how slow time can go when you want it to go a bit faster.
I can only go by my neighbour who has had three new knees so far, ( long story) that the first couple of weeks post surgery is the worst and now you are moving into week 3 and as you say it’s onwards and upwards from now on.
As for hopalong I think she mentioned cycling in France.🇫🇷
Bon chance hopalong and you too Madmother.

Here's the recovery chart. You'll see you're still in the earliest days. Onwards and upwards!

Madmother I know exactly how you feel because I was in a lot of pain even 6 weeks post-op. I knew not to put a pillow the length of my operated leg in bed but I had reached the stage to heck with it and it helped me.

I had about 3 pillows in my bed, good job it is a double and I just put them in the most comfortable place so I could get some sleep.

I had my other knee operated on a few years later and had a repeat performance. I have a male friend who was almost running up and down stairs the day he arrived home, almost pain free.

I have never regretted my second knee being operated on- I have no pain and can walk about 1/2 mile. Not far but I am happy.

I did not do a single exercise the second time and my knee is fine.

Hang on in there, do what is best for you, to hang with rules.

That’s interesting Aveline. This is a good time of year to have an operation as if spring ever comes that makes it comfortable to go outside if only in the garden before venturing further.

I hope recovery continues well Madmother. I am mending from the rib fractures and trying to rest and be sensible. This does not come naturally as you have probably gathered. Today I am visiting my 90 year old mother so should stay out of mischief. Perhaps I could go swimming again soon. The hip is splendid and I barely remember I had it replaced already.

You sound about where I was a little after TKR madmother. I was very lucky and had little pain but I was oh so frustrated at being unable to do anything at all, small things felt a mountain everything and I couldn’t sleep. What on Earth have I done was a constant internal refrain. It passed and I’m sure you will find the same.

No two recoveries are the same time-wise, try not to let ‘should’ enter your thinking. It will be worth it. I’ve enjoyed almost three years without pain, now the other knee is going the same way. This time I’ve begun the tortuous NHS journey in plenty of time. I’ll have no hesitation in having surgery when the time comes. Hang on in there. You’ll soon see progress.

Ladies, your messages have been so uplifting, thank you all so very much, I really appreciate you all xxx

That’s what we are here for Madmother, as well as practical advice we have the same experience and can sympathise with the slings and arrows which get fired at those needing new hips or knees.
Glad it is helping,
It’s just a pity that we rarely get into the Active page however many times we post.

See we aren’t in Active at all, so here’s another bump.