Knee Replacement: Insomnia post-surgery

auntmarmar...
I had a difficult time sleeping because when I rolled onto my side it caused awful pain.. I found out that sleeping in a recliner really helped me. This way I couldn't roll onto my side. I don't know if anyone else has tried sleeping in a recliner but at least I got a few hours of sleep this way.
katrina123

@auntmarmar Have you ever tried MirtaZapine/aka Remron it is an antidepressant but it is taken nightly for all sorts of people with severe anxiety, depression etc. I take a 15mg tablet, some nights I take 1/2 the dosage depending how tired I feel tonite is a full tablet. My neck is really bad need Neurosurgery for that issue & also need knee replacement. But currently live in 5th flr walk-up & my Orthopedic Surgeon has me doing X-rays 1st. & of course I need to move from my current Apt bldng where I resided over 45yrs. Im 55yrs old & currently feel like my world is falling apart but I'm doing the best I can.
Im in chronic pain constantly.
But with this medication I get a good 6-8hrs of sleep & helps a lot w/depression & anxiety issues. I hope it helps you. You need to see the same Dr. Who prescribes xanax for you. I wish you well.

@kizzie48 Hi there & thank you & thanks to all people here who are sharing their experiences of TKR side effects & sleep problems. Yes I feel bad & understand how hard & anxious you all feel. Not knowing what to expect is a bad feeling for anyone. Especially something as serious as a knee replacement & any other Surgery for that matter.
Dr's forget that we are afraid especially since most of us under other stresses in our lives & some of us have multiple co-existing health issue's to deal with some even causing total chaos in our own minds thus causing even more anxiety & fear of the unknown. We are human beings & we all for the most part want to be as prepared & have some knowledge or comfort in knowing what to expect & to know what to look out for. This is where I learn & realize that no Im not nut's!!! I am learning & feeling the same way about the unknowing what to feel & when I can share something that I think could be helpful I do. As I suffer from chronic pain due to my entire spine is herniated from my cervical, thoracic, lwr lumbar & my left knee is very bad, retorn meniscus tear's, & severe osteoarthritis in both knees with lots of swelling/edema in both knees & my right hip needs to be replaced, & my Spinal canal is being crushed by my herniated discs in my cervical spine which in turn makes my forearms & both hands go numb unless I sleep on a 90°angle. On my back.so I understand pain & am mentally trying to prepare myself with as much knowledge as I can from all who share at various stages of their journeys thru different types of issues pre & post-op.

I wish you all a great recovery & best health. I will be sharing about my journey thru whichever surgery I go thru 1st providing I can find a decent place to live that's not on a 5th Floor walk-up. Surgeons will not do TKR surgery for me unless I move & Im trying to find a suitable Apt. No walk-ups. I will keep you posted when it starts.
Stay strong & know you're not alone in this journey. It will be ok. Good nite to all & get some rest.

I, like some others here, am suffering from insomnia.

Bilateral total knee (both knees) seven weeks ago. I had a great surgical team, a fine hospital, and had absolutely no problems getting through PT. I go to the gym everyday and do my knee exercises, walk, ride a bike, push weights and so on.

I’m well off Oxycodone, and I’ve tried progressively Tylenol PM, Melatonin, and most recently Ambien. None of them remotely helped me to fall asleep. As a result of sleep deprivation, I am semi-miserable.

I sleep fitfully between, say, 1 am and 5:30. The problem is not pain. It’s insomnia. My surgeon’s nurse said this was common for the first several months.

I’m not a complainer, but I wish my orthopedics patient ed team had conveyed this to me its seminar and printed material. They could also have let me know how bruised and sore my entire legs would be and mentioned the possibility of the neuropathy I experienced for several weeks in my feet.

I've struggled with insomnia with both of my TKR surgeries and it is frustrating. I have trouble falling asleep. I think our circadian rhythm is somehow disrupted because of surgery. Of course it's pure speculation with no science to back it up. My eldest child (30y) sent me a YouTube video that is very compelling about sleep with science to back it up. I've viewed it once and have it available for reference. I hope you find it useful.

Thank you

I had my first TKR 3 years ago, and just had the 2nd one 4 weeks ago. Post surgery I was sleeping fine, but now 4 weeks later suddenly I am not sleeping well or much at all. Pain is well-controlled. This isn't fun. I did not experience this with the first TKR. It seems I can't turn my mind off to sleep. The thoughts just keep "spooling." Not happy but relieved to know I am NOT alone!!

Oh my gosh, you are definitely not alone. And when you can’t sleep it is very hard to heal and everything is amplified. A couple recommendations. Sleepytime tea, I know it’s small but it really can be helpful. CBD gummies are very popular to help people sleep. None of the THC but just CBD seems to be a calming agent. And when all else fails maybe you can get a prescription sleeping pill because not being able to sleep makes you not able to recover quickly

Hi. Why don’t you try Meditainment. There’s loads to choose from available on You Tube. Also, may sound stupid, but avoid taking social media or phones to bed. I’m not sure where you live, but in the UK we have a medicine called Night Nurse and this will help you relax.

Yes I’m 5 weeks out from my second TKR surgery. Can’t sleep!! I won’t take my prescription pain med. Terrible constipation and stomach discomfort. My doctor prescribed Ambian. It helps me sleep but when I don’t take it insomnia sets in again. And it only lets me sleep 4 hours at most. I’m a side sleeper. Pillows between my legs don’t work cause I toss and turn too much. It’s after midnight and I’m in the living room in a recliner. They say to avoid alcohol but it’s the only thing that works although it is short acting. Sure would like to hear of something that works.