Second Knee Replacement……Never say “never”!

Hello to all of my fellow knee sufferers! I had my right knee replaced in 2020 at a very reputable Boston hospital. It was a brutal recovery because the pain meds didn’t help me, or I had a reaction to them. My surgeon’s office was not all that supportive and told me to call my primary. She helped me out a great deal but only using Extra Strength Tylenol, as the surgeon’s office suggested, was useless in dulling the pain. I had such a hard time doing the exercises with PT because I was in such pain, and I think that set me back and made my recovery longer. I said “Never Again” to anyone who would listen on another knee replacement!!! I also received great support and advise from this group at the time. So…….now I am back again, taking back my “never again” words, and having TKR on my left knee on Oct 1st. This time, it is with a different top Boston hospital and a different surgeon who comes highly recommended. He can perform “minimally invasive surgery” and I told him that is what I want. Hopefully, once he gets inside my knee, it can be done. The “pain center” from the hospital called me and spent about an hour going over all of the different pain modalities that can be used if one or another doesn’t work. They assured me that I would be kept comfortable this time in order to exercise with PT. I am hoping for a much better recovery, but I am really nervous about going through all of this again. However, it’s been six years since my right knee was done and my left knee is now painful, along with the x-rays showing further deterioration since 2020. I have done cortisone shots for years and they no longer work. I tried gel shots and they didn’t work at all. I’ve done every OTC pain meds and creams etc. It is just bad osteoarthritis and the only relief down the road for me will be once I am healed from knee replacement. I know that ice, elevation and movement are the best things that I can do once I am home but if anyone has any further suggestions for me, I would welcome them! I just wish that I could quiet this anxiety and queasy stomach that I am now having every day in preparation for this surgery again. My husband will be my caregiver but it was *not* easy for him in 2020. I was depressed, had no appetite, and lost 18 pounds in two weeks, along with being in agony!!! Thanks very much to all on this wonderful forum for all of their help, support and input on so many health issues! MaryAnn from Boston