Anyone still up? Sat in hospital and need some pain relief in the form of chat

[AllThingsServeTheBeam]

Sleep if 100% off the cards. Had my knee replacement today, and fucking hell fire did I underestimate the pain. I had my hip replaced and stupidly thought it would be similar and I'd walk it. Turns out I was a dick to think that.

Sorry yes! Mine was off Amazon. Really handy. I took my compression sock off last night as it was ridiculously tight and the swelling this morning has over halved! I aren't sure I should put it back on?! I knew it was too tight

Are you on blood thinning jabs ? I’m told I will be for 28 days

Swelling might have gone down slightly but my god the pain has doubled. I am struggling to see a light at the end of the tunnel this morning

@QOD

Are you on blood thinning jabs ? I’m told I will be for 28 days

No not jabs. They've given me aspirin for 2 weeks. Not allowed to restart my RA meds until after I have finished those and my staples are out

Ugh you poor thing. Ring the ward and ask about some meds

If the pain has doubled then ring the ward/consultant. You might need a different compression sock, although I’m just guessing.

(And glad you were able to “go”. I think constipation, when it’s on top of other things, just makes everything seem unmanageable.)

@TwinkleTwinkleLittleStarFightr

If the pain has doubled then ring the ward/consultant. You might need a different compression sock, although I’m just guessing.

(And glad you were able to “go”. I think constipation, when it’s on top of other things, just makes everything seem unmanageable.)

Since taking the sock off the swelling has really reduced. I've had more painkillers today than yesterday and that and the reduced swelling I have managed to slightly bend it up when standing and I've had a shower. Which I classed as a real win! Just had some lovely flowers arrive from DP. I really want to try and get home for the weekend

Sounds like you are making great progress

Is your Nan still filling you full of tea?

@TwinkleTwinkleLittleStarFightr

Sounds like you are making great progress

Is your Nan still filling you full of tea?

We've progressed to coffee and prunes.. for the bowel issues that come with painkillers!

Ugh lol
Weird question- you managing to sit on the loo ok?
Have you got a raised seat?
I’m expecting to spend time downstairs at night sometimes as I’m an insomniac wanderer at the best of times. Our downstairs loo is a strange layout, have to do a side shuffle to get in the door and pass the loo but then plenty of room in front
I’m worried I’ll struggle to sit.
When I broke my knee cap 2 yrs ago (yes moron and yes was the other knee so that one will go at some point too) it was a nightmare but that leg was locked straight in a full length brace for 7 weeks

@QOD I used a raised seat for weeks, it made it much easier

Going the loo is a bastard. I had a raised loo seat the the hospital but stupidly forgot it and only realised when I was at my nans and needed a wee. I'd definitely recommend a raised seat.

I never wished to be a man before. But wow. I wish I had a penis in the middle of the night at the minute

I'm not in a good place today. I feel so down. In so much pain. My leg just won't bend. I can barely walk. I just feel so trapped and sad.

Sorry you are feeling down

It’s a very, very common feeling a week after an operation though. You had all the prep, and then the adrenaline sort of sees you through the first days, but then it’s such a grind and still bloody sore and it can feel like there is no end in sight.

Conversely, in another week it will feel like it is mostly in the rear view mirror!

Take it an hour at a time, trust that it will feel better with time, and treat yourself to little things to distract yourself (books, TV shows, a natter with a good friend).

Did you make it home or are you still at your Nan’s?

@StarsAreWishes

Sorry you are feeling down

It’s a very, very common feeling a week after an operation though. You had all the prep, and then the adrenaline sort of sees you through the first days, but then it’s such a grind and still bloody sore and it can feel like there is no end in sight.

Conversely, in another week it will feel like it is mostly in the rear view mirror!

Take it an hour at a time, trust that it will feel better with time, and treat yourself to little things to distract yourself (books, TV shows, a natter with a good friend).

Did you make it home or are you still at your Nan’s?

I came home yesterday afternoon and the kids faces when they got in from school made me burst into tears that I haven't really been able to stop since! My bed is comfortable but I still didn't manage much sleep and I now have the stairs to navigate. I want a shower, but I don't think I'd manage up, down then up and down again later and I don't want to stop upstairs all evening. I just feel a little trapped.

What you say makes a lot of sense though. I think that is it. I am in a support group on FB and there are so many people on their who are days behind me that have bends better than me and I just don't understand why I can't seem to achieve it! I am so unsteady on my feet. I wouldn't feel safe alone just yet

there are so many people on their who are days behind me that have bends better than me and I just don't understand why I can't seem to achieve it!

Are you back on your RA meds yet though? And do they take effect straight away?

You have to remember you have a condition that others don’t, and you had complications (clot and transfusion) that might just slow things down a little bit.

Give yourself a bit more slack and a lot more credit. You are awesome, and you are doing great!

(PS did anyone explain to you that you might feel a bit grotty and down, and very tired, a few days after the transfusion? I bet that’s playing into how you are feeling too)

@StarsAreWishes

there are so many people on their who are days behind me that have bends better than me and I just don't understand why I can't seem to achieve it!

Are you back on your RA meds yet though? And do they take effect straight away?

You have to remember you have a condition that others don’t, and you had complications (clot and transfusion) that might just slow things down a little bit.

Give yourself a bit more slack and a lot more credit. You are awesome, and you are doing great!

(PS did anyone explain to you that you might feel a bit grotty and down, and very tired, a few days after the transfusion? I bet that’s playing into how you are feeling too)

Sorry meant there not their... That's how tired I am 🙈

No. I can't start them until I have had my staples out which is next Friday and they take a few weeks to begin to 'work'. I know I should cut myself some slack. I just want to get up and go and I can't even get up... Let alone go. Thinking about trying to have a shower before bed later is all I can think about. I need to wash my hair really but I don't think I can summon the effort that will take.

Thank you x

@AllThingsServeTheBeam sorry missed a few posts
Did you get sent home with morphine or Tramadol or anything decent?
Can you get a friend to help you shower? I know you have an other half but I can’t cope with mine with personal care
My lovely daughter helped me so much when I had shoulder reconstruction (yes. Yes I fell over and destroyed that too - I’m definitely no wee le because I wobble and I do fall down 🙈)
We have just a loo downstairs but have an en-suite level from the bedroom and a large bathroom with a long walk in shower but a stupid high step in and out of bathroom. House stairs are also high steps and twisting
Dh is putting a day bed in my lounge short term so I can stay put on one floor or the other but my dd is 23 and doesn’t live here anymore so I’ve the luxury of peace n quiet and not intruding on family space
Can you call your practice nurse or local Red Cross and see if there’s scheme where you can borrow a seat raise?
they seem to start at £20 ish to buy but it’s never ending isn’t it
Or ask on local Facebook group if anyone has one knocking around?
I’m in se Kent btw. Coastal. You’re not near me are you?

How are you feeling today @AllThingsServeTheBeam? Did you manage your shower before bed?

@QOD I have a little way now, how I get off both the downstairs and the upstairs loo. The downstairs loo is a lot easier I must admit. I also try and do 10 heel slides to bend my knee every time I go for a wee in the day. The height of the toilet seems perfect for them. The problem I am seeing at the minute is my bloody hip on my other leg. I am on the list waiting for that to be replaced and with it being the lead leg now for a few weeks it's just giving way on me. I've had to carry on using my walking frame instead of a crutch as I just don't feel safe enough.

@StarsAreWishes I did! DP stood with me as our shower apparently isn't the best for someone so unsteady on their feet. I didn't wash my hair though, so I am afraid that is tonight's problem when he gets back in from work!

You need shooting 🥸🤭😉
I have a feeling Mr Left Knee is going to decline super quick because my gait is so awful at the mo and like you say, once you’ve had the op, you still favour the other side whilst recovering
How’s your kids coping?

@QOD

You need shooting 🥸🤭😉 I have a feeling Mr Left Knee is going to decline super quick because my gait is so awful at the mo and like you say, once you’ve had the op, you still favour the other side whilst recovering How’s your kids coping?

I do! Ive said this many a time! 🤣 I hope my other knee holds out. I can't bare the thought of going through this again anytime soon. I need my hip done. But I do think if I manage to get that don't pretty quickly my other knee might give me a few more years. I bloody hope so anyway!

The kids and DP are being troopers. None of them are particularly house proud and they are doing so so much to just make me happy. Little niggly things that wouldn't bother a normal person. DP has just given me tea and crumpets in bed. I need to get up and downstairs before he leaves the house. This will be my first day on my own.

Good luck, thinking of you. Each day will get better.

Just had to argue with the receptionist at the Drs to allow me to have a call with the GP. Apparently he won't prescribe me anything stronger than the 30/500 cocodamol he already prescribes me. I just said well can I have a call to at least discuss it with him? Argh!!