Knee Replacement: Insomnia post-surgery

Hi @amytro - I agree with Justin @JustinMcClanahan - I would keep a close eye on the issue of nausea. Three weeks after my last TKR I started having nausea so severely that I had to go to the ER. I, too, had been sent home from the hospital with anti-nausea meds but they didn't touch it. It turns out I was having a reaction to the Celebrex they prescribed as an anti-inflammatory and it was causing internal bleeding. I think your body may be sending you messages that all is not well. To me, the nausea and digestive issues sounds like the issues of greatest concern. If you don't have a doctor's appointment coming us very soon, could you message your doctor through the portal or call?

Thanks. Yes I’ve tried that drug with no help. Appt with neurologist next week to check that out.

No pain is not the problem. And yes the anxiety and depression are since the surgery and seizure. Now mostly from the lack of sleep. Continuing with the counselor.

You aren’t alone!!!! It will be 8 weeks post op for me on Monday. I was told to try Tylenol PM. I may fall asleep after about an hour after taking it but I wake up about 2 hours later and can’t sleep the rest of the night.

I am 12 weeks out and sleeping better, but I have to adjust so much during the night (back, right side, left side, rearrange pillows) that I am rarely getting more than two hours of uninterrupted sleep. Then it's often a fight to get back to sleep. When I was still taking Tramadol, I think that helped me sleep--or at least stay "groggy" enough that even a trip to the bathroom wouldn't wake me up completely. I've used Tylenol PM and I think it's so-so -- takes about an hour to get to sleep but does not get me 8 hours. Before the surgery I invested in good over-the-ear headphones (the ear buds bother my ears). To fall asleep, and if I woke up to get back to sleep, I'd put on the headphones and a podcast. Kept volume low, goal was white noise more than listening, but this did seem to help me get back to sleep. I also used a CryoCuff by Aircast, and the regular "inhalation/exhalation" of the machine actually helped me fall asleep/get back to sleep. But I feel you! Even now, I know that dealing with this recovery would be so much better if I had consistently good sleep. Good luck with your recovery and getting better sleep!

I’m now 3 months out and on tramadol and finally getting some sleep. It’s going to take a while to get over 3 months of insomnia though! Good luck to you.

I meant trazadone not tramadol.

Hi @charobarr - Welcome to Connect! Glad you found this thread. There's tons of good information and great people here. I've had two TKR's and I agree with you. Tylenol did nothing to touch my pain. I got Tramadol as kind of a transition after I quit taking the stronger pain meds. I've heard others here say they did the same. Would your doctor be willing to prescribe something a bit stronger?

I had a right total knee on Oct 1st. It will be 5 weeks tomorrow. I have had very little sleep at night because of the what I call cramping in my right knee if I bend it for any amount of time at night. It wakes me up when I try o straighten it . Feels like a bad cramp. I need sleep. Help???? I had the left done on June 18th of his year and never had as much pain as this one.

Hello @matildaschmidt, welcome to Connect. I combined your discussion with an existing discussion titled, "Knee Replacement: Insomnia post-surgery." I did this so you could meet some of the other members discussing sleeping issues following a total knee replacement. If you are replying by email, you can see the new location of you discussion by clicking on VIEW & REPLY. You may find it worth your time to read through some of the previous posts. @matildaschmidt, what sort of things have you tried to improve your sleep? If you are comfortable sharing a bit more, what is your range-of-motion like? How is your pain and cramping during the day when you are most active?