I had a total reverse shoulder replacement last September. I did find that during physical therapy new exercises would ramp up the pain somewhat. Just listen to your body and rest whenever you feel you need to so you can get through the day. I did great during therapy and got released early. Then in May I broke the shoulder in a fall. I'm still being seen by the ortho. This was my left shoulder. Now, I get to address my right shoulder, which is actually in worse shape. The actual surgery was brutal (so much worse than natural childbirth) and I decided to put off the right shoulder until absolutely necessary. I wish you all the best in your recovery. I will add, though, the doctors aren't very keen on writing scripts for pain meds.

@sr108 - Well, I think this line answered your own question, "Hoping someone else has had this experience or maybe there are good days and not so good days? "
Yes, when I rehab (10 0r more ortho surgeries) I refer to the beginning of intense PT as "Two steps forward and one step back."
Remember, joint replacement is a major assault on your body - bones, muscles, ligaments, tendons and nerves, as well as anesthesia & blood loss. Then, you stay still, using ice and elevation for 3 weeks, so muscles atrophy and the body tightens up. And suddenly - it's time to get serious about upping the PT - and it hurts, a lot!

Here is what has worked for me:
ICE, up to 12 hours a day at this stage. It keeps swelling down and numbs the angry nerve endings.
Elevate, whenever you are not on your feet & moving, the knee should be up - at least above your hip or else above your heart. My doc told me at least for 6 weeks, longer if it continues swelling.
Control pain. By this point you are probably alternating Tylenol & Ibuprofen. Keep on doing it, especially before and after therapy sessions. I did it for over 3 months after my last hand surgery, 24/7.
Do your at-home therapy 2 or 3 times a day, no matter how bad it feels. Once a day is not enough to make progress.
Walk - at least as far as recommended every day. Challenge yourself to increase a little each day.
Rest - Your body is still healing. Once or twice a day, nap for 30-60 minutes. Phone, devices & TV off, in recliner or bed. Sleep is restorative & short naps will not interfere with night-time sleep.
Distract - Find something you can do while seated & elevated to keep you distracted so you don't dwell on your pain. (Not recommended - endless screen time or news-binging. Reading endless posts about pain and suffering. Recommended - read, engage in a hobby, learn a new (sedentary) hobby, chat with friends on the phone.)

Hang in there - breaking up newly forming scars HURTS, but you will be happy later to be able to move more freely. Forcing the new joint to move farther each day HURTS. Healing muscles can hurt or ache. Expect there to be some tingling, numbness or pain while the nerves heal. This is normal and varies from hour to hour and day to day.
You will gradually feel better until one day, you look up and say "Wow, I haven't thought about my knee for a whole hour."
Are you having a better day today?
Sue

I had total knee replacement surgery three weeks ago and am having a similar experience with recurrent pain -- as well as inflammation/swelling -- seeming to be getting better, but then getting worse again. I often feel just as you do too that my overall level of pain and range of motion are simply regressing at times, despite my keeping up with my physical therapy routines, which is disappointing, if not cause for some intermittent despair. I'm surprised just how much inflammation/swelling remains and how tight and restricted my joint still feels three weeks post surgery.

I think migrating pain must be normal and I associate it with increased activity and how my body is compensating. I do have more pain after a PT session, but i also feel progress. I am 2 Weeks post surgery on my second TKR. The lesson I learned was to keep it moving. When I am in pain, I make myself do PT workouts and start off easy. As I work and feel better I listen to my body and increase intensity. As I recall, weeks 2-4 pushes the hardest to get flexion/extension before scaring starts. I have scaring with knee 1 and after a year and a half still have pain. I am working to avoid it with knee 2. Don’t be discouraged and remember some days are better than others. Best of luck!

This is for a shoulder replacement to elevate head & shoulder.

My PT guy also was big on making sure my knee was elevated at or above heart level. I used two or three firm couch throw pillows stacked below my knee on the recliner while watching TV. I had to use my leg-lifter strap to raise and place the leg on the stack of cushions. I experimented with a few different combinations of pillows to try to make the pile as high and stable as possible. I don't remember how many minutes I elevated (and iced) each time, but watching TV took my mind away from it, so it was anywhere from 20 min to an hour. I hope everyone having a TKR goes home from surgery with a leg lifter, it makes getting in and out of beds and recliners so much easier, plus is needed for help with exercises.

I sure appreciate all the responses, advice, and support. I have tried several suggestions and things are going much better. Thanks you all so much:)

Good evening, @sr108. You are doing very well if you have progressed beyond pain meds and are now introducing new therapy moves and exercises. I am familiar with those sleepless nights. My PT at the orthopedic center worked out a "deal" with my MFR (myofascial release) therapist. With the introduction of new PT "moves", they worked it out so that I went right to MFR therapy after PT and she took care of the pain.

Everyone has different surgery issues with lots of healing strategies. You are using ice and elevation, right? There are many different body structures, e.g. bone, muscle, ligaments, tendons, and the fascia. There will also be fluid build-up or swelling when the work begins on new areas or to increase the strength and resilience of other areas. I am going to attach a video that shows you what it might look like around your knee if you could look "under the skin". As you will see, the restrictions that have been created with a new therapy effort, e.g. rising out of a chair without your hands for support. As that chair gets lower and lower your knee needs to be carefully treated and given time to settle down.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eW0lvOVKDxE&t=86s. (Don't forget to skip the ads).

If you have questions or concerns please fire them back at me. Keep up the good work and someday soon you will have all good days. Those not-so-good days will have disappeared. I had my second TKR one year ago and I am just amazed at how great that knee feels.

May you have comfort and ease.
Chris