Trouble sleeping after TKR: What helped you sleep?

Hi @ellerbracke! I had a TKR 6 months ago. I would say that I noticed a difference in the stability at about 4 months and it did not feel like a "metal knee" anymore. I still have a place on the knee where I have a numb sensation. I have heard that it can take up to a year for that to get better and there is a chance it may be permanent. It feels weird, but really does not bother me that much anymore. Kneeling is still an issue.It is not comfortable, but not painful. On days when the weather is rainy and or really cold, my knee gets stiff. Again, not painful, just moves slower going up and down the stairs than I would like. I feel like I could use a shot of WD40 sometimes. 🙂 I have to have my other knee done and I can tell the difference between the two. The TKR was worth it and I feel much steadier walking around.

Mari: having had 4 surgeries over the past 9 years (2 shoulders, 2 knees / same one twice), I was also given either percocet or oxycodone for postoperative pain. My surgeon is extremely generous with this type of medication, and other than taking away a good bit of the pain - not all, unfortunately - and giving me a nasty case of constipation, the opioids did absolutely nothing. No high, no happy feeling..... stopped taking them as soon as I could get by with OTC meds, usually after 5 days or so. I agree that one should be proactive with pain management, not let it get to a high level before taking the pills.

@ellerbracke tks for writing. repeat: I am not an addictive person so, Knee Surgeon offered a lot of Oxycodone. It can even b alternated w Dyclofinate and other pain meds. Don't get why there is such a fuss over it. It didn't do anything for my mind but, pain gone 100%. Dr. said "don't let pain get to 6 or 7 – take pain meds when its at 2 – 3. DON'T CHASE THE PAIN WHEN IT IS 6 -7". KEEP pain AROUND 2-3.
Well, I have 2 week old, severe pain in groin/front of hip. MRI last nite, waiting for results...
but, i think the government has gone Way overboard - ( I know about the all the people that died of overdose) But, "the opioids did absolutely nothing. No high, no happy feeling" Asked Dr. for a shot then went to the most painful MRI with legs almost flattened and not allowed to have my knee raised any higher!!! SHOT DID NOTHING TO HELP ME then or EVEN TODAY!

I forgot to get script for Oxy - so I'll go thru my old NSAIDS and switch. No big whoop about not having OXY. Will b looking into CBD; where to buy? cost? taste? Wish I could at least keep pain at 2-3! Please Any thoughts?

I am now 4.5 weeks past TKR. In the beginning,
I had the insomnia everyone talked about. Until recently, I continued to use an alarm and wake myself up to keep my medication dosage even so I wouldn’t get behind on the pain. But the last two weeks- wow- all I want to do is sleep! I nap for an hour after breakfast, fall asleep again after lunch, doze with the TV in the evening and then go to bed at 10! According to my Fitbit, I’ve clocked 11.5 hours of sleep since yesterday! Friends warned me that they felt super tired so I wanted to ask this group— are you tired? Way more than normal? How long does this last?? I feel like a slug- but a very happy one! It’s cold outside and I’m curled up inside!!

@amytro. I have always craved sleep after surgery. I guess our bodies must take a lot of energy to heal.
JK

Thanks, JK. I was wondering if it was normal. Some days I don't even want to get out of bed!!

i am 3 months post surgery and still healing but, but yes remember a few weeks 4-8 weeks out that i would sleep 12-14 hrs a day. For someone that only required 5-6 hrs of sleep prior to surgery. Your body is telling you something!

Thank, you hoover! That's exactly what I was hoping someone would tell me! I used to be happy with 6-7 hours a nigh but 11 was a new high for me!!

@amytro: You are lucky that you are getting the sleep that your body obviously needs. Relish it, don’t fight it. I was the opposite: for the 1st 8 weeks I got maybe 5 hours of sleep per night, somtimes less, and I only got up to 6 hours after 4 months. Part pain, part worry, part being a light and fidgety sleeper to begin with. Enjoy the rest!

Hi @amytro. You sound very normal to me. I had my TKR in May 2018 and it I was sleepy as well. I think there were a few reasons for this and I believe I read about this as well. First of all surgery is a trauma to the body and sleep helps it to heal. I woke up a lot a night because I was uncomfortable. I hated that immobilizer that they make you wear. The compression stockings and the immobilizer made me hot. I am also a side sleeper and hated being on my back and not being able to bend my knee. Because of the way I had to sleep, I was not as comfortable and not as rested when I woke up. Doing PT wears you out!! For a while I would go to PT, walk in the door, and collapse on the couch. Also, getting around after a knee replacement is a lot harder. It takes a lot more out of you. Then the pain meds made me tired as well. It takes a while for you to build up your stamina. I had the pleasure of falling and landing on my shoulder while recovering from my TKR. So I had to have another major surgery in October to repair 3 tendons and a torn bicep. I am sleeping better now, but still not where I used to be. I still have trouble getting comfortable at night and I need a nap most every day. And now I am getting ready to schedule the other knee. One of these days I hope to get back to a normal sleep pattern. LOL!! Hope you get back to your normal sleep schedule soon!