1. < Bones, Joints & Muscles

Insomnia after TKR

Posted by judithh580 @judithh580, Jul 1, 2023

I had TKR 3 weeks ago and all went well. I took prescription pain meds for the first two weeks. Now I am unable to sleep at night due to anxiety. I have minimal pain, but can’t seem to find a comfortable position for sleeping. Use pillow on side, tried the wedge laying on my back, take Tylenol at bedtime, but still can’t sleep. I can’t seem to turn my brain off. I have never had sleep issues prior to surgery. Any suggestions?

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covidstinks2023 | @covidstinks2023 | Jul 3, 2023

Judithh580, This is so familiar. I had surgery back in 2016. It was a 2 1/2 hour procedure (Not knee replacement) and I couldn't turn my brain off for quite a while. I think it was the anesthesia and pain meds. I sweated terribly for a few weeks and had crazy dreams after the surgery. My thinking is that it takes your body a while to "expel" the anesthesia & pain meds. I was exhausted & restless. It took a while. I had to rest during the day to recover. Sleep finally went back to normal after a few weeks. I feel like it will for you too. Your body has gone through a lot and rest is healing after surgery. I'm so sorry you are battling this. Praying for you....

REPLY
1 reply
judithh580 | @judithh580 | Jul 3, 2023
In reply to @covidstinks2023 "Judithh580, This is so familiar. I had surgery back in 2016. It was a 2 1/2..." + (show)
@covidstinks2023

Judithh580, This is so familiar. I had surgery back in 2016. It was a 2 1/2 hour procedure (Not knee replacement) and I couldn't turn my brain off for quite a while. I think it was the anesthesia and pain meds. I sweated terribly for a few weeks and had crazy dreams after the surgery. My thinking is that it takes your body a while to "expel" the anesthesia & pain meds. I was exhausted & restless. It took a while. I had to rest during the day to recover. Sleep finally went back to normal after a few weeks. I feel like it will for you too. Your body has gone through a lot and rest is healing after surgery. I'm so sorry you are battling this. Praying for you....

Jump to this post

Thanks Covidstinks, and yes it does! I had Long Covid 3 months before the TKR and I think I was still in that fatigue phase too. I really appreciate the positive feedback. Judith580

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Mentor
Chris Trout, Volunteer Mentor | @artscaping | Jul 4, 2023

Good evening @judithh580, First, I am glad your TKR site is only minimally painful. Until I read that I was going to suggest a knee icepack. However, good for you.....to be on your way to recovery. So here are a couple of other ideas for you to think about:
1. Meditation......focus on "breathing in" and then "breathing out". You can also find a 10-minute nighttime meditation on "CALM".
2. Nighttime CBD/THC as in a 2:1 CBD/THC tincture. Half of a dropper might do the trick. And the nice thing is that you will be able to stay asleep till morning.
3. Make sure you are not drinking something with caffeine in it any time after about 8 pm. I love "UPTIME " sugar-free beverages. However, I can't drink them in
the evening because they do have natural caffeine and it will keep me awake
4. Try not to watch or read about unsettling news at or near your bedtime. There seems to be a lot of it these days.

Hope one of those ideas might be helpful.
May you be safe, protected and free of inner and outer pain.
Chris

REPLY
1 reply
judithh580 | @judithh580 | Jul 4, 2023
In reply to @artscaping "Good evening @judithh580, First, I am glad your TKR site is only minimally painful. Until I..." + (show)
@artscaping

Good evening @judithh580, First, I am glad your TKR site is only minimally painful. Until I read that I was going to suggest a knee icepack. However, good for you.....to be on your way to recovery. So here are a couple of other ideas for you to think about:
1. Meditation......focus on "breathing in" and then "breathing out". You can also find a 10-minute nighttime meditation on "CALM".
2. Nighttime CBD/THC as in a 2:1 CBD/THC tincture. Half of a dropper might do the trick. And the nice thing is that you will be able to stay asleep till morning.
3. Make sure you are not drinking something with caffeine in it any time after about 8 pm. I love "UPTIME " sugar-free beverages. However, I can't drink them in
the evening because they do have natural caffeine and it will keep me awake
4. Try not to watch or read about unsettling news at or near your bedtime. There seems to be a lot of it these days.

Hope one of those ideas might be helpful.
May you be safe, protected and free of inner and outer pain.
Chris

Jump to this post

Thanks Chris, all good suggestions! I guess I shouldn’t complain because my surgery did go very well and I covered all the doctors recommendations pre and post surgery and my only issue has been the sleeping. If I can get through the nights it will help me
through my PT and continue healing.🙏

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