Trouble sleeping after TKR: What helped you sleep?

Posted by jackieboo1 @jackieboo1, Nov 2, 2018

I am a 60 year old woman 2 months post op from left knee replacement. I am having trouble sleeping. My knee feels like a square peg in a round hole. Tried pillow between legs, Tylenol and ice. Nothing seems to help.
Suggestions?

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tkr1 | @tkr1 | May 30, 2023

I am now 11 months post op TKR. I could not tolerate any narcotics or tramadol for pain so I took the maximum amount of Tylenol and ibuprofen for 8 weeks. I was not able to sleep for more than 2 hours for 3-4 months before waking up first with pain, then as time passed a general feeling of discomfort, not able to find a comfortable position. I spent about 3 months on the couch. At 4 months I began to sleep for longer stretches. Tried melatonin and benedryl . Did not work. Couldn’t get cannibus or I would have tried it (I live in NC). I now sleep pretty well since I can shift in different positions. I still use a very soft pillow between my knees when I lay on my side.

tka0722 | @tka0722 | May 31, 2023

In reply to @auntmarmar "I had my surgery 8 weeks ago and sleep 0-2 hours a night. I have had..." + (show)

Have you tried Ambien? I had problems sleeping after TKR and Ambien worked for me. I have had sleep issues for many years but was worse after TKR. After about 4 months, my normal sleep pattern returned. Good luck!

ezas123 | @ezas123 | Jun 1, 2023

I used olly it says you can take two only needed one ….works great

tkr1 | @tkr1 | Jun 2, 2023

In reply to @ezas123 "I used olly it says you can take two only needed one ….works great" + (show)

That’s just melatonin. Unfortunately melatonin didn’t help me sleep at all

babbs0922 | @babbs0922 | Jun 3, 2023

I can relate! I am a 61 woman and had a TKR 6 months ago. I have not slept well since my surgery but it getting better and I used to sleep like a “rock” before surgery. I tried the pillow between my legs etc but no help. I would flip and flop and move the my leg constantly trying to get comfortable. I reached out to my surgeon around 3.5 to 4 months and his response to see my PA to rule out restless leg syndrome!! I have never had RLS and why would I get it in one leg only??! I want not happy with his response. I saw my PA and she said no way it was RLS. She wants me to get a 2nd opinion but I have not gone yet. She prescribed Pregabalin (to calm nerves) and Hydroxyzine (PA told me it is like Benadryl on steroids). I take both a night and after 6 months my sleep is finally getting better!! Good luck to you!!