1. < Joint Replacements

No energy and total knee replacement

Posted by katclub @katclub, Apr 24, 2019

2 weeks ago I had total knee replacement, coming along with PT, but have very low energy, taking a 2-3 hour nap daily.
Common ? The last few days I’ve been nauseous too. Thank you, I’m new to this group!

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Joint Replacements Support Group.

katclub | @katclub | May 3, 2019
In reply to @ellerbracke "Re. Sciatica flare up: I had the same thing - exercises good for the knee were..." + (show)
@ellerbracke

Re. Sciatica flare up: I had the same thing - exercises good for the knee were bad for the back. I finally put my hands palm down flat between my lower back and the floor whenever I did exercises in the laying down position. This changed the pressure/stress point for the back and helped a lot. Further down the line, when they ask you to do bridges, ask for an exercise band around the knees. Again, this changes the way your back uses the muscles, and helps. And: if you’re happy with your PT people, ask them for Sciatica-specific exercises when you have a chance. I have been doing a 5 minute set of them daily for 5+years, have not needed a shot in 3 1/2 years.

Jump to this post

Thank you for this information!

REPLY
mhort1213 | @mhort1213 | May 4, 2019
In reply to @amytro "It's normal, normal, normal!! When I hit 3-4 weeks post my TKR, I felt like i..." + (show)
@amytro

It's normal, normal, normal!! When I hit 3-4 weeks post my TKR, I felt like i had narcolepsy. All I wanted to do was sleep. Your body's gone through major trauma and it needs rest so just go with it. Plus the opioids make you sleepy too. It may get worse before it gets better. Enjoy the naps, lay around in bed and just take advantage of it. You'll have plenty of time to get back to normal!

Jump to this post

I agree. All I wanted to do was nap for the first 3-4 weeks!

REPLY
dwiinikainen | @dwiinikainen | Oct 24, 2021

Hello all! I had a TKR 3 1/2 weeks ago...for the past few days I feel like I am sleeping more than being awake. So here I am looking to see if anyone else is experiencing the same. Thank you for your comments! Dee

REPLY
1 reply
Chris, Alumni Mentor | @artscaping | Oct 24, 2021

Good morning and Welcome to CONNECT. You are just recovering.....your body has gone through a major surgery and restructuring of an important element in your body. Every bit of tissue, muscle, and even your fascia needs time to recover and rebuild to become a functioning part of your body. I am still in recovery from my second TKR. My life partner says I took many naps the first few weeks.

Are you in control of your pain? Are you doing your exercises? Are you eating nourishing meals and snacks? Do you meet with a PT or does someone come to your house? Perhaps you are on your own for your exercises?

I am here to help you. Please let me know how I might do that.........tips and tricks, successful experiences, answers to questions????
Tell me your story if you are comfortable sharing it. There will be others chiming in to share their post-op experiences.

What are you dreaming about? What meds are you taking?

May you be free of suffering and the causes of suffering.
Chris

REPLY
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Oct 24, 2021
In reply to @dwiinikainen "Hello all! I had a TKR 3 1/2 weeks ago...for the past few days I feel..." + (show)
@dwiinikainen

Hello all! I had a TKR 3 1/2 weeks ago...for the past few days I feel like I am sleeping more than being awake. So here I am looking to see if anyone else is experiencing the same. Thank you for your comments! Dee

Jump to this post

Hi Dee - Sometimes it feels like that! TKR, like Chris said, is a major insult to your body, and everyone responds differently. I had minor same day surgery 2 weeks ago, and yesterday is the first time I did not nap, but then I slept 10 hours on Friday night. Let your body tell you what to do.
Are you still taking pain meds daily? They can make you sleepy, and you might want to begin substituting Tylenol or Ibuprofen during they day so it is easier to stay awake.
Sue

REPLY
1 reply
dwiinikainen | @dwiinikainen | Oct 24, 2021
In reply to @sueinmn "Hi Dee - Sometimes it feels like that! TKR, like Chris said, is a major insult..." + (show)
@sueinmn

Hi Dee - Sometimes it feels like that! TKR, like Chris said, is a major insult to your body, and everyone responds differently. I had minor same day surgery 2 weeks ago, and yesterday is the first time I did not nap, but then I slept 10 hours on Friday night. Let your body tell you what to do.
Are you still taking pain meds daily? They can make you sleepy, and you might want to begin substituting Tylenol or Ibuprofen during they day so it is easier to stay awake.
Sue

Jump to this post

My recovery has been great, I am doing my exercises with visiting therapist and by myself. I haven't needed pain meds for the past few days, I have pain after exercises, still using ice. My incision has healed nicely and I was told I am a week ahead of schedule. But the past few days I am wicked tired and napping a lot. I see my doctor on Monday, and will discuss my progress and when I can have the other knee done. I am 64 and have been dealing with excruciating knee pain for the past 4 years, and surgery was delayed. I endured every option that was available until I changed physician. At any rate, I feel so much better than prior to surgery.

In 2018 I had surgery S1-L4, doctor said the discs above that are not much better but he wouldn't put me through that big of a surgery. I also had a TSR last July. It's been a very long 6 years. Thank you all for your input.

Dee

REPLY
northof54 | @northof54 | Jun 4 7:53pm
In reply to @debbraw "Hi @katclub - First, welcome to the group and congratulations on your TKR recovery. The first..." + (show)
@debbraw

Hi @katclub - First, welcome to the group and congratulations on your TKR recovery. The first two weeks are the worst - you are on the upswing now! I have had two TKRs - one in 2017 and one 12 weeks ago. I would not worry about lack of energy - especially at 2 weeks. I have never been one who napped, but after both of my surgeries, I was exhausted by afternoon and had to nap for an hour or so. Mending our tissue and bones takes a toll on the body. I'm a firm believer that our body tells us what it needs - so just go with your body's request for more rest!

As to the nausea, I would keep a close eye on that. In fact, if you haven't had your 2 week post op check up yet, be sure to report this to your doctor. From the time I had my most recent knee replacement, I was nauseated. As the days wore on, it varied from mild nausea to being totally unable to keep anything down. By week three, I was in severe pain and unable to tolerate even drinking water. I went to the emergency room. They determined I was bleeding internally. They blamed it on a bad reaction to Celebrex, the anti-inflammatory drug I was prescribed. My understanding is that Celebrex is in the NSAID family, but not supposed to be as harsh. Anyway, they took me off the Celebrex and gave me something to heal up my stomach. I certainly don't want to scare you, but I did want to share my experience with a caution to stay on top of it. Are you taking any new drugs - or NSAID's - that could be hurting your stomach? Has the doctor given you anything for the nausea?

Jump to this post

Thanks Debra. This is helpful. I just had knee replacement surgery and have just passed the 3-week mark. I too have been feeling bagged. I have stopped all of the pain meds and am now taking Acetaminophen Arthritis. The pain meds were bothering my stomach a bit. Part of my challenge may be that it takes some time getting to sleep at night. Also, my other knee is not in great shape, as soon as I have adequately recovered I will be scheduled for my second knee replacement. It is comforting to hear that my experience is somewhat common.

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.